Only Two Contested Races in Today’s Election

Brianna Gibbs/KMXT

Kodiak voters won’t need to make too many decisions at the polls this year. There are only two contested races on the ballot and one proposition.
Three candidates are vying for two three year seats on the Borough Assembly this year. Frank Peterson Jr. and Dennis Symmons have thrown their name in the hat and incumbent Carol Austerman is seeking re-election.
The other contested race will be for the Monashka Bay Road Service Area Board. Darlene Turner, Tom Lance and Randy Spivey are all in the running for two three year seats.
Voters will also decide on whether or not to approve proposition one, which asks if an ordinance regarding conflict of interest should be added to borough code. It would prevent those in public office from being employed by the borough, or entering into personal service contracts with the borough.
Beyond that, most races this year are already decided, with just enough folks running for empty seats, or in one case, not enough.

Both Mayors are running unopposed. Jerrol Friend will take the office of borough mayor and current City Mayor Pat Branson is virtually guaranteed re-election.
Kodiak City Councilmen John Whiddon and Charlie Davidson will be re-elected to their three year council seats and Rick Kniaziowski and Todd Hailey will join the school board for three and one year seats, respectively.
Jim Pickett will run unopposed for one three year seat on Fire Protection Area No. 1 Board, as will Natasha Hayden and Dennis Symmons for the Service Area No. 1 Board. Folks may recognize Symmons from the borough assembly race. Borough Clerk Nova Javier said borough code allows people to serve on both the assembly and a road service area board in the event he is elected to both positions.
Greg Egle and Jessica Horne will join the Womens Bay Service Area Board and write-in candidate Jim Carmichael will be added to the Bayview Road Service Area Board. One empty seat remains on that service area board.
The island’s nine precincts opened up at 7 a.m. this morning and will remain open until 8 p.m. Along the main road system voters can visit the Women’s Bay Fire Hall, Harbormasters Office, Teen Center and Bayside Fire Hall to have their say in local government.