TCCI candidates set for October election

When the Talkeetna Community Council meeting began on Monday, there was one candidate for the four available seats on its board of directors. By the time the meeting ended, there were six.

Before the meeting began, current board member Ali Lee filed to run for a second term. The council’s nominating committee had attempted to recruit more candidates, but were unsuccessful, according to board member Peg Vos.

At the meeting, though, four people submitted their names. They are Drew Haag, Sarah Russell, Stephanie Spone, and Walter Kloepfer. Haag also nominated Joe McAneney as a candidate, bringing the total to six.

Four people will be chosen from the six candidates at the council election. That election is on October 2^nd , the same day as the Mat-Su Borough election, at the Talkeetna Public Library.

The following statements were written by the candidates:

Drew Haag:   Talkeetna is my home. I have lived in Talkeetna for 20 years. I have been actively involved in our great community for most of the time. I am a business owner in the aviation industry here and a father. Talkeetna has a wealth of resources that we all can share. I want to serve on the board, not only as a civic duty, but to help move our area forward in a sustainable and rational manner. If elected, I promise to work hard to represent everyone in our community fairly and responsibly.

Ali Lee: I’d like voters to know I genuinely care, I care about being part of the community, building up the community and inspiring the community. My love of family and nature brought me to Talkeetna and what excites me about staying and making this my home is the opportunity to build for and with the community with purpose. My personal interests are Talkeetna waste, sustainability, education, equality, health (physical and mental), tourism, town design, rural/residential planning and small business initiatives.

Joe McAneney: Currently President of Talkeetna Chamber of Commerce, and Chair of Talkeetna Sewer and Water Board.

Sarah Russell: I have lived in Alaska since 2005 and have spent the last 7 years in Talkeetna. I have three teenage children and we enjoy spending time outdoors; camping, hiking, biking, rafting, and flying. I love Talkeetna and all that this community has to offer. As a vested member of this community, it is my goal to ensure that our children will have an opportunity to make Talkeetna their future home. My work background is in computers, marketing, and communications.

Stephanie Spone: I’m interested in being a board member on the TCCI board of directors because I’m a resident and business owner in Talkeetna. I am also a registered voter in the Talkeetna Sewer and Water district. There are many issues that I’d like to be more involved in, such as the Sewer and Water planning for the coming years, the “town” sales tax and the Main Street Spud regulations. I feel that I’d add a new perspective to the council and look forward to helping the town.