‘Through the Sausage Grinder’ topic for next Homer chamber luncheon
Ralph Samuels, a businessman and candidate for governor in 2010, will be the guest speaker at next week’s Homer Chamber of Commerce luncheon. Samuels, who also served several terms in the Alaska House of Representatives beginning in 2002, will do a presentation on what it takes for a bill to pass (or not) through the Alaska Legislature.
The presentation is titled “Through the Sausage Grinder,” and Samuels’ presentation explains the legislative process as few can, said Monte Davis, executive director of the chamber.
The luncheon begins at noon Tuesday at Land’s End. Call Debbie Speakman at the chamber, 235-7740, to RSVP for the event. Those attending do not need to be chamber members. Cost is $14 for members and $16 for nonmembers.
The March chamber mixer will be from 5-7 p.m. March 21 at NOMAR on Pioneer Avenue. The public is invited.
Candidates set for HEA election
Nine Kenai Peninsula residents have filed as candidates to fill three open seats on the Homer Electric Association board of directors as part of its annual election process. The candidates will compete for the three seats each located in different districts. HEA members vote only for the candidates in their respective districts.
Dan Chay of Kenai and Glenese Pettey of Kenai have registered as candidates for District 1, which covers Kenai, Nikiski and parts of Soldotna. Dan Hammond of Nikiski submitted a nomination packet, but has decided to withdraw from the race and his name will not appear on the ballot.
Barbara Blakeley of Sterling, Jackie Ray Morrell of Soldotna, Ed Oberts of Soldotna and Mike Swan of Soldotna have registered for District 2, which covers Soldotna, Sterling and Kasilof.
Incumbent Bill Fry of Homer will compete against Kris Lethin of Seldovia in District 3, which covers portions of Kasilof south to Homer and Kachemak Bay.
Ballots will be mailed to HEA members on April 1 and must be returned by April 30. Members also may vote May 1 at HEA’s annual meeting at Kenai Central High School.
Bill would rename bridge
in honor of Mike Wiley
Legislation has been filed to rename Sterling Highway bridge 670, which spans the Kasilof River, The Michael G. Wiley Bridge. Since Wiley, 71, died in early December, the Kasilof community has requested that Rep. Paul Seaton, R-Homer, rename the bridge spanning the Kasilof River after Wiley for all that he has done in the community.
“It’s not just for a particular person but for recognizing his community service, and hopefully other people will think of that each time they cross the bridge and see his name,” Seaton said.
Wiley was a Cook Inlet Aquaculture Association and Homer Electric Association board member. He labored on the Alaska Pipeline for Local Union No. 341 and volunteered for the Kasilof Regional Historical Association, Central Peninsula Garden Club and the Kenai Peninsula Fishermen’s Association. Wiley also served on the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly, School Board and Board of Equalization.
