Anchorage Daily News

No matter who wins in the Wasilla municipal election Oct. 7, it'll be a man in charge at the city of Wasilla for the first time in 12 years.

Current Mayor Dianne Keller is nearing the end of her second and final term in office. Her six-year reign followed six years under now-Gov. Sarah Palin. But it's an all-male slate of candidates running to fill the seat. Two Wasilla City Councilmen, Marty Metiva and Steve Menard, are giving up seats on the council to seek the city's top spot. Former councilman Greg Koskela, Wasilla attorney Verne Rupright, and real estate agent Mike Carson round out the ticket.

Three Wasilla City Council seats are also up for grabs. Stephanie Massie, appointed to the council last year after Koskela relinquished his seat, did not file to run. Former councilman Ron Cox is running unopposed for her seat. Leone Harris and Gretchen O'Barr are running to fill Seat C. Mary Kvalheim, currently a Matanuska-Susitna Borough Assembly member, is racing against Nancy Hall to fill Seat D.

Friday marked the filing deadline for Wasilla and four other Valley municipal races.

Two seats are open on the Matanuska-Susitna Borough Assembly. Assemblywoman Cindy Bettine is running unopposed for a second term representing Big Lake and Knik-Goose Bay. Former Wasilla City Councilman Mark Ewing is running unopposed to represent Wasilla-area residents.

Three districtwide School Board seats are up for grabs. Incumbent Pat Purcell will run against R. "Ole" Larson for Seat D. Both are Wasilla residents. Brian Thompson of Palmer is running unopposed for Seat E, currently held by Cheryl Turner. Myrl Thompson of Meadow Lakes is running unopposed to retain Seat G, to which he was appointed last spring after Sandra White resigned.

Only two three-year seats were open on the Palmer City Council and that's how many threw their hats in the ring. Ten-year incumbent Brad Hanson filed for a fourth term on the council. Hanson was appointed to the council for a one-year term, and elected to three three-year terms. Kevin Brown, currently chairman of the Palmer Planning Commission, also filed. Even though there are only two candidates for two slots, City Clerk Janette Bower said the October election could include write-in votes.

Tony Pippel, one of the more vocal council members, did not file to run. This is his third term on the council, but he also served on the council previously.

Eight Houston residents are vying to fill four City Council seats. The race could mean a complete shift in city operations at Houston, where the mayor is a council member selected by his or her peers to serve as mayor for a year.

Current Mayor Sandy McDonald did not file to keep her seat. Fireworks artist Griz Smith and Virgie Thompson are instead vying for Seat A. Former councilwoman Ruth Blanchard is challenging Paul Stout for the seat. Stout was appointed to fill Seat B when former mayor Steve Frost resigned.

Seats C and D are one-year terms on the council. Ralph Buzard, appointed to a seat vacated by Carla Hendrix, is running against Natasha Rife and Joseph Stanistreet to keep Seat C. Lance Wilson is running unopposed for Seat D, currently held by Glen Tilghman.

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