One of the candidates running for a term on the Ketchikan School Board has withdrawn his name from consideration. By story deadline, that leaves one candidate running for one of two, three-year seats on the board.
On Monday, School Board Member Tom Heutte ended his candidacy, citing a conflicting personal commitment. Heutte issued a news release stating he is withdrawing with some regret. But, he would not be able to complete a full three-year term, and did not want to be elected and then have to resign mid-term.
Heutte says though he had been appointed to fill a vacated seat, he feels a seat should be filled by a vote of the community rather than a decision of the board. In the press release, Heutte urged anyone in the community who’s considered serving on the school board to file for office.
The filing period ends August 26th.
Heutte’s withdrawal leaves incumbent Bridget Mattson as the sole candidate running for a three-year term on the school board. There are two, three-year terms open. Three candidates have filed to fill a one-year seat on the board. They are incumbent Leslie Becker, Hilary Kvasnikoff, and Paul Robbins, Jr.
Two candidates are running for borough mayor. They are Borough Assembly Member Rodney Dial and Sidney Hartley.
The current borough mayor, David Landis, is unable to run for that office due to term limits. He is running for Borough Assembly instead, along with Austin Otos. There are two, three-year terms open on Borough Assembly.
On the city side, incumbents Lew Williams, III and Judy Zenge have filed to retain their seats on the Ketchikan City Council. There are two, three-year seats open on the council.
Again, the deadline to file for municipal office is noon on Monday, August 26th.
Municipal elections are Tuesday, October 1st.
