Mim McConnell is one of two candidates running for Mayor of Sitka. The municipal election is Tuesday, October 7.
My name is Mim McConnell and I am the current Mayor of the City and Borough of Sitka. I first was elected to the Assembly in 2009 and when that 3 year term was completed I ran for, and was elected, Mayor. Much has been done to improve our economy and our community over the past two years but more is needed. Sitka needs a Mayor that will look at all the possibilities for economic growth, and be creative and open to new ideas. When we bring people together and build on the assets that we have, we can do a great deal to grow and build an economy that works today and in the future.
During the next two years as Mayor, I will continue to bring my decades of experience serving on boards, commissions, assemblies and councils combined with my strong fiscal management skills to help Sitka remain the vibrant community that we all love! But I won’t stop there. The Assembly in recent years has been taking care of safeguarding our municipal infrastructure. This work needs to continue but it needs to be done in a way that doesn’t break the backs of its citizens. The best way to do that is to make our government more efficient and increasing revenue by improving the economy. I will continue to work on finding ways to build a stronger economy for all Sitkans.
I have lived in Sitka steadily since 2000 and in Southeast Alaska since 1975. My three children live here with my 4 grandchildren attending Sitka’s public schools and one high school graduate now in the local work force. My husband, Mike McConnell, and I rent an apartment, own a small sailboat for recreating and subsistence gathering, and have always lived our years in Southeast Alaska as year-round residents. I own Shelter Cove Publishing, which provides web and graphic design services for local businesses, agencies and non-profits, and I publish Sitka Through Four Seasons, a well-established visitors guide. I also work part-time as Executive Director of Sitka Community Development Corporation and have helped that organization address the community’s need for permanently affordable housing by helping to create the Sitka Community Land Trust program.
Mike is a retired commercial fisherman, a self-published author of two non-fiction Alaskana books and is a carver of alder and willow kitchen spoons and bowls.
My activities over the years show my dedication to leadership in areas that contribute to a quality life, and include local municipal and state government, school board, workshop presenter, commercial fisheries, subsistence council, socio-economic issues, and business and community planning. I am a strong advocate for the people of Sitka, know my way around our legislative halls and am skilled at lobbying for our community. I feel confident about Sitka’s ability to thrive in the future, and am committed to working to make life better for the citizens of Sitka.
Please don’t hesitate to contact me if you have questions or want to share your ideas for making Sitka a better place.
