Kodiak Assembly certifies Oct. 6 election results as three members are sworn in

The Kodiak Island Borough Assembly unanimously certified the results of the Oct. 6 municipal election Thursday night. Borough Clerk Nova Javier then swore in three members: Mark Vizcocho, Scott Arndt and Alexander Sweeney.

The new members take office Monday, Oct. 19, according to the Assembly Regular Meeting Agenda.

One more winner has not been seated. Javier said elected officials with potential conflicts involving borough employment or personal services contracts will be sworn in once those conflicts are resolved, within the 30-day certification window after the election. Assembly member Jeremiah Gardner asked what happens if that winner declines. Javier said the borough would advertise the seat, accept applications and fill it by Assembly appointment for one year.

As Alaska News reported Oct. 7, the unofficial results left 742 ballots to count and six votes between third and fourth place in the Assembly race. Javier said the four-member canvass board met Wednesday and reviewed by-mail, absentee, special needs, questioned and write-in ballots, and found the election fully complied with state laws and borough ordinances.

Vizcocho joined the Assembly by appointment in July and won an elected term that begins Monday. Borough Manager Aimee Williams said she learned before the meeting that he is the first Filipino member of the Assembly. "What a milestone for the community," Williams said. Arndt, at a Sept. 8 candidate forum, said he had been "involved with local government for the last almost 50 years."

Three outgoing members, Caroline Roberts, Steve Ames and Bo Whiteside, were recognized Thursday. Mayor Jared Griffin praised Roberts for taking a one-year appointment and authoring ordinances in her first year, called Ames a steady and thoughtful presence and called Whiteside "a valued colleague."

Roberts thanked borough staff. "It's been an honor to serve up here, even if it's just been for a year," she said. Gardner told the departing members he was sad to see them go.