If you want your name on the ballot for the Bethel City Council election this October, you’ll need to apply by this Friday, Aug. 20.
There are four city council seats open this year. Each is for a two-year term.
The seats are currently occupied by council members Conrad "CJ" McCormick, Mark Springer, Alyssa Leary, and Haley Hanson.
So far, only McCormick and Springer have both signed up to run again. Leary said that she will not run again and Hanson said that she is undecided.
Three additional candidates have signed up to get their names on the ballot: Jared Karr, Jessica “Jess” Schroeder, and Mary “Beth” Hessler. Karr served on the Public Safety and Transportation commission for two years and Schroeder currently serves as an alternate for the Planning Commission. Hessler joined three city committees and commissions this past spring: the Finance Committee, the Port Commission, and the Public Safety and Transportation Commission.
To be eligible for a city council seat, you must be 18 or older, you must have resided in Bethel for at least a year, and you must be a registered Alaska voter. You also need to fill out the forms provided in the candidacy packet on the City of Bethel’s website.
Because city hall is under construction, interested candidates must make an appointment to submit their packet with the city clerk. You can do so by dialing 907-545-4120.
The city clerk said that she will not accept packets past the 4 p.m. deadline on Friday, Aug. 20.
