It’s looking like a lopsided race for two open seats on the Haines Borough Assembly.
Following Tuesday’s filing deadline for candidates, incumbent assemblyman Steve Vick will face challengers Linda Geise and John Winge, while newcomer Greg Goodman will run uncontested for an assembly seat formerly held by Norm Smith.
For the borough school board, there is one contested race. Sean Cone will run against incumbent Brenda Jones for a three-year seat. Fellow incumbents Sarah Swinton and Anne Marie Palmieri are the lone candidates for board seats of three years and one year, respectively.
Cone, a parent who formerly worked as a helicopter pilot, has previously sought appointment to the board.
Vick, the Haines Dolphins swim coach, said he was seeking re-election because he enjoyed interacting with members of the community and helping them out with concerns.
He pointed to creation of the Energy Sustainability Commission and changes in investment of the borough’s permanent fund as borough achievements during his three-year tenure. He said he was glad the assembly’s been able to “balance interests of both sides” in addressing heli-skiing.
“We’ve allowed them to increase their business without affecting the quality of life out the road,” he said.
Smith, who owns a bed and breakfast in Fort Seward, said he was stepping down out of fatigue. “I’m tired. I’m going to do something else. Life’s too short. You need some fresh blood in there.”
Smith, who served two assembly terms and previously served on the Haines City Council, said he was proud that the Letnikof boat ramp had been replaced and a float installed there.
The municipal election is Oct. 5. Candidates’ views will be covered in greater depth during coverage of local candidate forums and in the CVN’s municipal election edition.
The deadline for registering to vote in the local election is Sept. 5. The first day for voting absentee in person or by fax is Sept. 20. Absentee-by-mail ballot applications will be accepted until Sept. 24.