This year’s municipal election is Tuesday, October 4th. There’s a question on the ballot to raise the cap on property taxes and 10 candidates running for municipal office. (Robert Woolsey and Emily Kwong/KCAW photo)
This year’s municipal election is Tuesday, October 4th. There’s a question on the ballot to raise the cap on property taxes and 10 candidates running for municipal office.
To help you make an informed decision, Raven Radio profiled of each of the 10 candidates and hosted four call-in shows, dedicated to the school board, assembly, mayoral races and the ballot question respectively. You’ll find the full audio to those forums below.
Who is Running for Sitka School Board?
Challenger Ed Gray (l.) and incumbent Jennifer McNichol took questions from listeners in a 90-minute forum dedicated to the Sitka School District (KCAW photo, Emily Kwong)
There are TWO candidates running for ONE open seat on the Sitka School Board.
Ed Gray: Candidate Profile
Jennifer McNichol: Candidate Profile
On Monday, September 19th, Gray and McNichol participated in a 90-minute forum and discussed their widely divergent stances on state testing, school funding, and the role of parents and the federal government in education. Here’s the full audio of the School Board forum and a story about the forum too.
Who is Running for Sitka Assembly?
Clockwise from top left: Aaron Bean, Aaron Swanson, Kevin Knox, Alexander Allison, and Evy Kinnear are running for Sitka’s Assembly. There are two seats open, one occupied by incumbent Aaron Swanson. (Emily Russell/KCAW photo)
There are FIVE candidates running for TWO opens seats on the Assembly.
Alexander Allison: Candidate Profile
Candidate Statement
Aaron Swanson: Candidate Profile
Candidate Statement
Evy Kinnear: Candidate Profile
Candidate Statement
Kevin Knox: Candidate Profile
Candidate Statement
Aaron Bean: Candidate Profile
Candidate Statement
On Tuesday, September 20th, KCAW hosted a call-in show with all five candidates. Topics included the city budget, growing local business, housing, and relations with the city administrator and tribal government. Here’s the full audio of the Assembly forum and a story about the forum too.
Who is Running for Sitka’s Mayor?
Candidates Matt Hunter (l.), Mary Magnuson (c.), and Ben Miyasato (r.) took listener questions for 90 minutes. (KCAW image, Emily Russell)
There are three candidates running to be Sitka’s mayor, stepping into the shoes of two-term Mayor Mim McConnell.
Matthew Hunter: Candidate Profile
Mary Magnuson: Candidate Profile
Ben Miyasato: Candidate Profile
On Thursday, September 29th, Magnuson, Miyasato, and Hunter participated in a 90-minute forum and took questions from listeners on the city’s budget, minimum wage, marijuana laws, an income tax, among other issues. Listen to the full audio here.
Proposition 1: What is the ballot question about?
The question on Tuesday’s ballot.
If passed, the local limit on property taxes (i.e.”the cap”) would increase from 6 mills to 8 mills. That means that if the Assembly decided to levy an 8 mill tax this year, instead of paying $6 for every $1000 a property is valued, property owners would pay $8. To determine how tax would change for an individual property, use the calculator on the city’s website.
If passed, the Assembly will dedicate one mill to the electric fund to soften the prospect of future rate increases.
On Thursday, September 22nd, Raven Radio hosted a call-in forum with four Sitkans to talk about how they’ll be voting and why. Supporters of the measure say property taxes are the most equitable way to raise revenue and a sound mechanism for balancing the city budget. Opponents of the measure say city spending needs to be contained and the Assembly needs to pursue other sources of revenue before raising property taxes. Listen to the full audio here and a story about their debate here.
Where to Vote
Precinct 1 voters will cast ballots at Grace Harbor Church on Halibut Point Road across from SeaMart. Precinct 2 voters at St. Gregory’s on Lincoln Street. Polls will be open on Tuesday, October 4th from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
If you have questions about your precinct or the election, call Municipal Clerk Sara Peterson at 747-1811. Absentee/advanced voting is available 9am to 5pm at City Hall (3rd floor) on Monday, October 3rd.
Click on the map to see your voting precinct. If you have questions about your precinct or the election, call Municipal Clerk Sara Peterson at 747-1811. (Map courtesy of CBS)
Who Won?
Tune Raven Radio at 8 p.m. for live election returns for Sitka, as well as villages in our listening region. KCAW’s Robert Woolsey and Emily Kwong will be joined by our Winter Fellow Emily Russell to deliver these results.
