The Ketchikan City Council now has two candidates for the two open seats.
Incumbent Dick Coose filed for re-election as soon as the filing period opened on Aug. 1, and political newcomer Judy Zenge filed on Friday.
Coose, who is completing his sixth year on the Council, said he wants to continue keeping city costs under control while improving operations.
“We need to watch raising rates on everything, especially property taxes and the possibility of sales taxes,” he said. “It’s a matter of looking after the city budget and keeping it lean.”
Zenge, who is the president of the Greater Ketchikan Chamber of Commerce and a former First City Players board member, said she’s passionate about Ketchikan, and gaining a seat on the Council would be a way for her to participate.
“I enjoy living in our community, and I think that I have something to offer,” she said.
Both Coose and Zenge mentioned the planned Ketchikan Medical Center renovation as a priority project for the city in the coming year.
There are two three-year terms open on each the Assembly, School Board and City Council. On the Assembly, those seats are held by Alan Bailey, who has filed for re-election, and Bill Rotecki, who has not yet filed.
On the School Board, the open seats are held by Ginny Clay, who has said she will not seek re-election, and Dave Timmerman, who has not yet filed.
On the Council, the seats are held by Coose and Matt Olsen, who has not yet filed.
The filing period for candidates seeking those seats ends August 25. In Saxman, the filing period for that City Council ends at noon on Aug. 26. The Saxman Council has three three-year seats open, and one two-year seat.
The local election is October 1.
