Kenai residents have a chance this month to apply to represent their district on the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly.
Assembly member Blaine Gilman submitted his resignation to the assembly on Tuesday, effective Jan. 18. He represents District 2, which covers Kenai between Mile 15 of the Kenai Spur Highway and approximately Beaver Loop Road, and stretches across the river to include the neighborhood on VIP Drive.
Gilman recently moved to a house outside his current district, and assembly policy dictates that any member who moves outside his or her district must resign within 30 days. He has one year remaining on his term.
The assembly accepted his resignation during its Tuesday meeting in a resolution, which also declared a vacancy. Gilman said at the end of the meeting that he appreciated his time on the assembly.
“I know that we have debated a lot of hard issues over the two years I’ve been on the assembly,” he said. “We’ve talked about marijuana, we’ve talked about taxing food, we’ve talked about invocation and prayer, but I want everybody to realize that I do listen to your opinions and respect your opinions. I may not always agree with your opinions, but this has been a good body. I’m proud and feel honored to serve on here.”
Anyone who has lived in the district for at least 180 days and is a qualified voter in the Kenai Peninsula Borough can apply for appointment to the seat. The appointment will last through October 2017, at which point the appointee can run for the office in the regular election if he or she chooses.
Applicants should submit their paperwork by 5 p.m. on Feb. 2 to the Kenai Peninsula Borough Clerk’s office. The form can be found at the clerk’s office or on the assembly website.
The assembly will interview candidates during a committee meeting on Feb. 14 and will choose a successor by secret ballot during the regular assembly meeting the same day. The new assembly member will take office immediately, according to the notice of vacancy.
Reach Elizabeth Earl at elizabeth.earl@peninsulaclarion.com.
