Chilkat Valley News - Serving Haines and Klukwan, Alaska since 1966

As of Wednesday, no one had filed to run for Haines Borough Assembly, and current assembly member Carol Tuynman confirmed that she will not seek reelection.

“It’s not that I haven’t liked it,” Tuynman said. “I’ve learned a lot, and I’ve enjoyed working with a group of people who want to get things done.” But after a year on the assembly Tuynman said she has fulfilled her goal “to see more civility” in leadership.

Four seats on the Haines Borough school board are open. Two incumbents, Michael Wald and Brian Clay, whose terms expire in October, have filed for reelection. Two seats, each for two-year terms, are open because Lydia Andriesen and Tiffany DeWitt resigned.

Two seats on the assembly— Tuynman’s and Jerry Lapp’s—will be up for grabs this cycle. The seats are three-year terms. Lapp didn’t respond to emailed requests for comment on whether he has decided to seek reelection.

“I would like to see more young people run for office,” Tuynman said. “I feel like it’s going to be important for the future of the valley for young, energetic people to step up to the plate.”

Those who wish to run for office have until August 20 to file their candidacies with borough clerk and interim borough manager Alekka Fullerton, who may be contacted at 766‐6402 or afullerton@haines.ak.us.

Elections will take place on October 5.