As of story deadline, only one candidate had filed for Ketchikan municipal office. The filing period opened today.
Austin Otos was the first to file for Ketchikan Gateway Borough Assembly. Otos says he if elected, issues he would like to address are energy and tourism.
“You know our community has two separate governments so they haven’t really been talking to each other and haven’t really come up with a comprehensive strategy to figure out tourism. Working in the tourism industry and in hospitality, I really see the things that the governments can do to improve upon tourism and help manage and facilitate it.”
Otos turns 25 this month. He says he’s also running to give a voice to younger people.
There are two open seats for borough assembly, now held by Rodney Dial and Judith McQuerry.
On the Ketchikan School Board, there are two three-year seats and one one-year seat open. The three-year seats are currently held by Tom Huette and Bridget Mattson. Leslie Becker holds the one-year seat.
The borough mayor position is also open. That seat is currently held by David Landis. Due to term-limits, Landis is unable to run again.
On the City Council, there are two seats open. Those are held by Lew Williams, III and Judy Zenge.
The filing period for both city and borough office ends at noon on August 26th. The municipal election is Tuesday, October 1st.
