Wasilla council to fill vacancy

WASILLA -- That Wasilla city council will appoint a new council member to fill seat B, the seat vacated by mayor Dianne Keller when she was sworn-in as mayor last week.

Interested Wasilla residents must deliver a letter of intent to the city clerk's office before noon Monday, October 21. To qualify, applicants must have one year of residency in Wasilla or within the recently annexed area, must be qualified to vote in Wasilla and must complete a 2002 public official financial disclosure statement from the Alaska Public Offices Commission (APOC) within 30 days of being appointed.

The five current council members will interview the applicants at the regular council meeting Monday, Oct. 28. The council passed a resolution earlier this month to use a preferential voting method in order to choose among the applicants. That resolution was introduced by council member Noel Lowe.

All Wasilla council seats represent city voters at-large. The city council meets about twice per month, and each council member receives $75 per meeting. Council members who represent the city at Mat-Su Borough assembly meetings may also receive $75.

Newly elected council members are encouraged to attend the Alaska Municipal League fall conference which will take place November 11 through 15.

Keller was last re-elected to Seat B in October 2000. The term for seat B will be expires in October 2003.

The normal term for Wasilla council seats is three years, and council members are limited to two consecutive terms.

The deadline to submit a letter of intent at the city clerk's office is noon, Monday. The clerk's office is located in City Hall at 290 E. Herning Ave.