WASILLA -- Matanuska Electric Association members stuck with incumbents during elections held this past weekend in Eagle River as part of the cooperative's annual meeting.
David Dahms and Lois Lester were both re-elected to three-year terms on the cooperative's seven-member board, beating out challenger Tom Staudenmaier.
According to results released by the utility, Lester received 5,613 votes, Dahms received 5,456 votes, and Staudenmaier 1,638 votes.
Members also approved a proposition to amend the bylaws that included raising the board of directors' salaries and changing board meetings from mandatory monthly meetings to once a quarter. The proposition passed by a vote of 5,139 to 1,442.
In addition to holding elections at its annual meeting, the cooperative also handed out numerous door prizes, including 40,000 Alaska Airlines Miles to Norma Benson, and awarded nearly $35,000 in scholarships, ranging from $2,000 to $250 each.
Mat-Su area students earning $2,000 scholarships included Chet Hand, Chris Heiserman, Kimberly Howell, Levi Kincaid, Kelly Marre, Cody Sherman and Jennifer Williams.
MEA serves more than 30,000 members spread across the Matanuska-Susitna Borough and in Eagle River. The seven-member board sets overall policies and hires the general manager, who oversees day-to-day operations.
