Kallander chosen as Cordova mayor

By Joy Landaluce

Published in the Cordova Times
Mar 11th, 2010

Outgoing Mayor Tim Joyce ended the regular council meeting March 3 in the library meeting room with thanks to everyone on the council for all the volunteer hours done for the community. From left: City Manager Mark Lynch, Brett Bradford, city clerk Lila Koplin, new Mayor Jim Kallander, David Allison, David Reggiani, James Kacsh, E.J. Cheshier and outgoing Mayor Tim Joyce. Not pictured is Robert Henrichs. (Courtesy Photo, Joy Landaluce)
 

Updated election results were posted with 69 absentee votes still to be counted as the Cordova Times goes to press. Votes for mayor cast at the polls were tallied as 295 for Jim Kallander and 218 for Robert Henrichs. A total of 567 voters cast ballots at the polls, said city clerk Lila Koplin.

Keith van den Broek, David Reggiani and Robert Beedle are newly elected councilmen. The School Board may be decided by absentee ballots. Kate Alexander and Jon Nichols are only separated by one vote, with Alexander at 274 and Nichols with 275. Board member Shawn Gilman ran unopposed, Koplin said.

The agenda packet also held a job opening for a new city clerk as Koplin announced she will resign.

"I have enjoyed working for the city for the past 11 years, but I am ready for a change. I want to thank everyone I have worked with and wish the best for this city."

Sales tax exemptions for home heating fuel Proposition 1 passed with 370 "yes" votes and 168 "no" votes.

Deposit and investment of city funds made up Proposition 2, which passed with 390 in favor and 127 opposed. The council may regulate the deposit and investment of city funds, and may determine what funds of the city may be invested.

Proposition 3 passed 397 to 137. It asked voters, "Shall the city of Cordova incur debt and issue general obligation bonds in the principal amount of not to exceed $450,000 for the purpose of paying the cost of planning, design, construction and acquisition of school and related capital improvements in the City, including without limitation energy savings, technology and facilities upgrades?"

Public comment on waterfront

A 60-day public planning process for the waterfront rezoning was granted at the March 3 regular council meeting. During the audience comments, many testified to a public process period for 25 acres of waterfront designated to be rezoned as industrial. Joyce commented after the vote that this would be a good chance for the public process.

"People need to understand what we are talking about. Samson has been approached and they are not interested. This will give a chance for more public involvement."

Mary Anne Bishop, vice-president of the Prince William Sound Audubon Society, was pleased with the outcome. The Prince William Soundkeeper, Copper River Watershed Project and the Prince William Sound Audubon are working together to address this issue.

"We were pleased when on March 3, the City Council delayed a decision on the proposed rezone of 25 acres at Fleming Spit Recreation Area from conservation to waterfront-industrial pending further public comment and input," Bishop said.

At 6 p.m. on March 17 in the library meeting room, the City Council will hold its first work session to re-evaluate the rezoning proposal as well as to consider the future of Cordova's waterfront.

"We urge all who are interested to attend and engage in a comprehensive discussion on how to best use Cordova's waterfront lands," Bishop said.

Also commented on by numerous Cordovans was the disconnecting of the streetlights. This will be discussed further at upcoming regular council meetings.

The regular council meeting ended with Councilman David Allison thanking Joyce and councilmen James Kacsh and Robert Henrichs for all the volunteer time and service to the community. Joyce commented that being mayor had lowlights and highlights.

"It takes on a total different understanding on how city government works and the process that follows," Joyce said.

Councilman and newly elected Mayor Kallander thanked everyone and appreciated all the effort.

Kacsh stated that serving on council had been a pleasant experience and he would be back.