The former Talkeetna Community Council, Inc. board member whose seat was vacated says she has her residency documents sorted out.
At its April meeting, the board members present voted three-to-two to seat Geri McCann on the TCCI board. After the meeting, questions arose as to whether McCann is a current resident of Talkeetna.
Geri McCann says she lived in Talkeetna for twenty years before moving to Palmer, and that she moved back to Talkeetna in 2014. While other residents have vouched for her residency, some official records still showed her as living in Palmer as of the April 4th meeting.
“I had not updated my records to reflect that, due to a lot going on in my life. So, when I threw my hat in the ring, I didn’t think it was an issue. I updated the records the very next day, but at the time of voting those records were not updated.”
Geri McCann says that all of the relevant records now reflect her Talkeetna residency. She says she understands why the TCCI board acted as it did, and that she harbors no ill will toward the board members. In fact, whennominations re-open for the seat, McCann plans to attempt to be re-seated on the board, now that her records are in order.
“I had thought of just waiting for the October election, but I have had a number of people say that they really want to see me on the council and to go ahead and throw my hat into the ring again.”
TCCI board chair Whitney Wolff says that all candidates, including those filling in for interim seats, will have to submit information, including proof of residency, before the election takes place in order to prevent future confusion. She says that Geri McCann may be nominated again to fill the vacant seat. Nominations open at the TCCI board meeting on May 2nd and run until the June meeting, when the current board members will vote.
