Trapper Creek Community Services Association, according to their bylaws, is a local non-profit organization focused on providing recreation and community services for the general well-being of the Trapper Creek, Alaska area. Residents may choose to become members. And full-time residents who are members may vote in the TCCSA elections.
An earlier piece about the most recent elections did not note that only full-time residents who are also primary members can vote. Associate members are those that live outside the Trapper Creek boundaries and they are unable to vote in the Board elections. That same piece suggested that about 50 TCCSA members voted. Thirty-two actually voted.
The TCCSA held their elections in January and seated seven Board members, including a new Chair. TCCSA members elect both Officers and Directors, but the highest number of votes normally determines term lengths, not position, according to the new Chair, Lon McCullough. He says the Board will be working out those term limits at their next meeting. An earlier piece incorrectly stated that the top vote earner usually was seated in the highest position. The Board votes for which candidates fill each open position. In the end, all six candidates who appeared on the ballot were seated on the Board. The meeting was somewhat contentious because some candidates who received higher numbers of votes were placed in roles that were not their original category or desired placement. McCullough, who at the time of elections was an honorary Board member, was appointed to the position of Chair, which had been vacant since the middle of 2024. That Board vote was six to two, rather than the earlier stated five to three.
McCullough has plenty of experience in the position. He served as chair for ten years and seven as a Director. His initial interest in the Board was to focus on documenting the rich history of Trapper Creek and its people.
He says the TCCSA began as a non-profit in 1986 to build a cemetery. With a State land grant of 20 acres, TCCSA was able to begin fulfilling its mission to serve the community. McCullough says the first person was interred in the cemetery in 1991. There are more than 100 graves in the cemetery today.
The Borough deeded an additional 67 acres to the TCCSA for use as a park. Since that time, the park has added on to its first modular building, built an outhouse, a free box, a maintained trail, and a playground.
Several years ago, the TCCSA was able to install a water point for its more remote residents. There is a minimal per-gallon fee for the water, but it is open year-round and is regularly maintained and tested.
The park is entirely volunteer-run and McCullough says they are always looking for people to help with maintenance. Funds for the park’s upkeep come from grants as well as annual events like the Cabin Fever Reliever, which will be March 29th this year, and the Fireweed Festival in July.
McCullough says he’s looking forward to working with the new Board members to keep serving the community of Trapper Creek.
