MEA to consider bylaw changes

PALMER -- The Matanuska Electric Association board of directors could decide next week whether changes to the cooperative's bylaws passed by its members last month take effect this year or next.

Board attorney Robin Brena on Monday told the board he believes the board can decide when several bylaw changes that were recently approved by MEA members during its annual meeting should go into effect. The bylaw changes, which include a measure instituting term limits for board members, were passed without specifying an effective date.

At issue is the fate of two board members. Board President Lois Lester was re-elected to her fourth term on the board. The new term limit rule limits board members to three terms.

Another bylaw change tightened conflict-of-interest rules at the utility and could prohibit board member Janet Kincaid from serving on the board because her son, David Kincaid, installs electrical lines for developers.

The board asked Brena in April for an opinion on whether the changes should be effective immediately, as some MEA members have requested, or in 2010, as recommended by the board-appointed committee that crafted most of the changes.

Brena recommended making the changes effective next year. Mary Jo Parks, chairwoman of the committee that recommended the changes, told the board at a Feb. 23 meeting that her committee intended the changes to be effective in 2010.

The board plans to discuss the effective date at a 1 p.m. meeting Monday.

Borough wants zoning thoughts

WASILLA -- The Matanuska-Susitna Borough is conducting a comprehensive update of its zoning ordinance, parts of which date back to 1966, and is soliciting public input. The borough's increasing population and responses from residents to surveys indicating a desire for better ways to manage growth and development are prompting the update. Two meetings have been scheduled for Thursday at the Mat-Su College and May 21 at Upper Susitna Senior Center. Both meetings take place from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. The borough is also accepting public comments until May 24. For more information, go to www.zoningupdate.info.

Wasilla High student honored

WASILLA -- Wasilla High School Senior Leif Johnson is one of two Alaska students to be named a 2009 Presidential Scholar, according to a release from the Mat-Su school district. Established in 1964 by executive order of the President, the U.S. Presidential Scholars Program recognizes and honors some of the nation's most distinguished graduating high school seniors. Each year up to 141 students are named as Presidential Scholars. Among his other accomplishments this year, Johnson was part of the 2009 Academic World Quest competition. As a scholar, Johnson receives an expense-paid trip to Washington, D.C., in June and will receive the Presidential Scholars medallion at a ceremony sponsored by the White House.

Band director is teacher of year

WASILLA -- A Colony High School band director who spearheaded the effort to have the band perform in Washington, D.C., for President Barack Obama's inauguration has been named the 2009 BP Mat-Su Teacher of the Year. Jamin Burton was picked by the company for the honor.

Four other Valley teachers were also recognized by the company as Teachers of Excellence. Those teachers are Anthony Jensen of Wasilla High School; Mark Owen of Glacier View; and Devon Degarmo and Colene Mead, both of Goosebay Elementary.

All five were honored in a ceremony last week

School Board fills vacancy

WASILLA -- Erick Cordero Giorgana was recently selected to fill an open seat on the Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District School Board. The board selected Cordero Giorgana by a 5-1 vote to replace Brian J. Sullivan, who resigned from his seat in April. Giorgiana was sworn in May 6 and will serve until the October election.

Cordero Giorgana works as the Director of Volunteer Services & Community Support for Alaska Legal Services Corporation, which provides pro bono legal aid for low-income Alaskans.

MASCOT gets 2 new buses

WASILLA -- MASCOT, also known as Mat-Su Community Transit, has added two new buses to its fleet of 12 and expects to add another soon.

The new 30-passenger vans, which also include two spots for wheelchairs, will operate primarily as commuter buses between the Valley and Anchorage. They were part of a package of four vans paid for by a $500,000 grant from the Federal Transit Administration and a $125,000 matching grant from the Mat-Su Borough. The package also included two 20-passenger buses, which the group added to its fleet last year.

A separate Federal Transit Administration grant of about $70,000 is paying for most of the cost of the final van, a 20-passenger model expected to be delivered any day, said executive director Lou Friend. The nonprofit group, which serves commuters as well as riders within the Valley, has seen a steady increase in ridership. Between July 2007 and April 2008, the buses transported about 69,000 riders, said operations manager LaMarr Anderson. In comparison, the buses have transported about 75,000 riders between July 2008 and April 2009, he said.