Minutes of the Canvass Committee Meeting
Denali
Borough Assembly
Tri-Valley
Community Center
November
7, 2003
CALL TO ORDER Presiding Officer Jim Caswell called the Canvass Meeting to order at 6:00 pm.
ROLL CALL Canvass Committee members present
were: Sid Michaels, Jim Caswell, Bob Shelton, Cynthia Trytko, Baxter Mercer and
Gerald Pollock.
REVIEW The canvassing committee and
Clerks Amanda Nyberg and Gail
PRELIMINARY Pieknik, reviewed the mailed in
preliminary election results with
ELECTION the hand carried ones. Nyberg explained that the
RESULTS McKinley polling place and
Cantwell polling place mail-in results did not make it to the borough office
prior to this meeting. Pieknik
explained that the mail truck broke down and that may have caused the delay. However, the hand carried results did make
it to the office and this is what we will use tonight.
The
preliminary results were as follows:
There was a
recount of the School Board Seat H, North District, Anderson Precinct ballots
because of the difference in one name left off the hand carried preliminary
results to the mailed preliminary results.
Nyberg read
the ballots as the Committee tallied.
Recount as
follows:
North
Anderson Precinct Ballots, Seat H, North District.
Harry Sewell
1, Sue McNeil 4, Becky Muller 1, Susan
McNeil 4,
Terry Wilkes
1, Ross Nelson 1, Albert Reams 1, Becky (Rebecca) Mueller 1, Sue Kitner 1,
Dottie Timmer 1, Ericka Miller 1, Erika Miller 1, Bob Murray 1, Becky Mueller
1, Kay Hockins 1, Jim Anderson 1, Don
Barrett 1, Wava Woolard 1, Larry Flanagan 1,
Leroy Sutton
1, Susan O’Neil 1, Ann Jenkins 1, Susan A. McNeil 1,
Jason Hockin
1.
The Tally
showed that Susan McNeil’s name was left off one of the Preliminary Results
from the North District.
Mercer asked
about the various spelling of names and how do you make the determination of
when it’s the same person.
Nyberg
stated that she contacted the State of Alaska, Division of Elections, and they
told her that the State would go by the intent of the voter. They count any reasonable spelling of the
last name with or with the suffix and commonly known name or nickname. If the
name was changed recently, then the State counts the name but it is up to the
Assembly. Susan O’Neil would be
considered a completely different name, but it still goes back to the intent of
the voter.
MERCER MOVED
to classify O’Neil as McNeil. MICHAELS
seconded. The VOTE was 6-1 with CASWELL
opposed.
David Evans
arrives at 7:00 PM.
MICHAELS
MOVED to place Becky Muller, Becky Mueller, Becky (Rebecca) Mueller, Rebecca A Mueller as Becky Mueller. MERCER seconded. The VOTE was unanimous.
MICHAELS
MOVED to accept as one name the following:
Susan
McNeil, Susan O’Neil, Sue Kitener.
TRYTKO seconded. The VOTE was
unanimous.
MICHAELS MOVED
to accept Kay Hackins and Kay Hockins as the same person. TRYTKO seconded. The VOTE was unanimous.
MICHAELS
MOVED that Erica Miller and Erika Miller be counted as the same person under
Erica Miller. MERCER seconded. The VOTE was unanimous.
The
preliminary results were as follows:
ASSEMBLY CANDIDATES:
SEAT B – EAST CENTRAL
DISTRICT: Bob Shelton 57, Kris Capps 1.
SEAT D – WEST CENTRAL
DISTRICT: Neal Laugman 193, Baxter
Mercer 3, Scott Stowell 1, No Valid Candidate 1, Gary Beldon 1, John Winklmann
1, Jon Nierenberg 1, Scott Vantrese 1, Scott Killian 1, Teresa Hall 1, David
Braun 1, Bill Allen 1.
SEAT F – WEST CENTRAL
DISTRICT: Baxter E. Mercer 156, Teresa
L Hall 86, Linda Paganelli 2, David Hoffman 1, W. Chuck Tomkiewczs 1.
SEAT G – NORTH DISTRICT: Jennifer Skinner 92, Leroy Sutton 2, Larry Flanagan 2, Jerry Mueller 1, Don Barrett 1, Wava Woolard 1.
SEAT I – NORTH DISTRICT: Cynthia Trytko 98, Larry Flanagan 3, Carol Shields 1, Don Barrett 1, Leonna Meridith 1, Leroy Sutton1.
SCHOOL BOARD
CANDIDATES:
SEAT B – EAST CENTRAL DISTRICT:
Mary D. Pearson 63, Kris Capps 1.
SEAT C – WEST CENTRAL
DISTRICT: Jenacy Y. Jensen 202, Jeff
Yanuchi 3, Phil Breaze 2, Cheryl Venechuk 1, Beth Milliken 1, Diane Stowell 1,
Teresa Hall 1, Devere Piescal 1, Colin Keith 1, Traci Chepoda 1, Steve Ziegman
1, Gary Beldon 1, Mike Talerico 1, Scott Stowell 1, Stephanie Stickle 1, Barb
Walters 1, Jim Blakeway 1, Jennifer Wolk 1, Charles R. Saylor 1.
SEAT D – WEST CENTRAL
DISTRICT: Phil Brease 18, Rick Hundrup
3, Baxter Mercer 3, Barb Walters 2, Mary Pearson Allen 2, Stacy Skrivanek 2,
Leroy Lausen 2, Monty Burbank 2, Teresa Hall 2, David Hoffman 2, Jon Nierenberg
2, Pat Winklmann 1, Chip “Wm” Barker 1, John Winklmann 1, Steve Ziegman 1, B.J.
Keith 1, Linda Paganelli 1, Joe Juhl 1, Tara Graham 1, Dianna Stowell 1, Tina
Graham 1, Donna Merriman 1, Jeffery Cizmowski 1, Rebecca Skirvanek 1, Nancy
Blakeway 1, Joni Wallis 1, Jeff King 1, Gary Beldon 1, Linda Dingbaum 1, Teresa
Chepoda Usibelli 1, Jeff Fisher 1, Mike Bugbee 1, Mike Talerico 1, Kevin Hamel
1, Thelma Johnson 1, John P. Usibelli 1, Cheryl Venechuk 1, Sheila Swanguarin
1, Roger Speer 1, Curtis Hamel 1.
SEAT H – NORTH DISTRICT: Susan McNeil 13, Rebecca A. Mueller 9, Larry Flanagan 4, Jim Anderson 4, Erica Miller 2, John Baily 1, Sharme Wekeer
1, Victor Killian 1, Richard Napolion 1, Kay Hockin 2, Don Barrett 1, Wava
Woolard 1, Leroy Sutton 1, Ann Jenkins 1, Jason Hockin 1, Harry Sewel 1, Terry
Wilkes 1, Ross Nelson 1, Albert Reams 1,
Dottie Timmer 1, Bob Murray 1.
PROPOSITIONS
AND QUESTIONS. SHALL THE DENALI BOROUGH
ESTABLISH A THREE PERCENT (3%) SALES TAX ON ALL GOODS AND SERVICES, SOLD WITHIN
THE DENALI BOROUGH, BY ANY LEGAL ENTITY REGISTERED AS A BUSINESS WITH THE STATE
OF ALASKA UNLESS SPECIFICALLY EXEMPTED BY ORDINANCE 03-09? ORDINANCE 03-09 EXEMPTS ALL MEDICAL GOODS
AND SERVICES, HEATING OIL, AND REAL ESTATE.
IN ADDITION GOODS AND SERVICES ALREADY TAXED BY A DENALI BOROUGH ORDINANCE, SUCH AS OVERNIGHT
ACCOMMODATIONS AND SEVERANCE EXTRACTIONS, WOULD BE EXEMPT FROM THIS TAX AT THE
TIME OF ADOPTION. Yes 148, No 359.
ABSENTEE The Canvassing Committee reviewed
all of the absentee ballot
BALLOTS envelopes.
The Borough
Clerk stated that in accordance with the Denali Borough Code of Ordinances the
ballot should be rejected if the person is not a registered voter within the
Denali Borough.
MICHAELS
MOVED to accept all absentee ballots except for number 17, which is registered
to vote in Anchorage. TRYTKO seconded.
The VOTE was unanimous.
The absentee ballots were removed from the affidavit envelope and
placed in the ballot box. 31 ballots
were accepted.
Nyberg read
off the ballots and Pieknik and the committee tallied the absentee ballots.
QUESTIONED Nyberg stated that ballot 3 was not
registered to vote, ballot 1, 2, 4,
BALLOTS 5, 7, and 8 voted at the Clear
Polling Place instead of the Anderson Polling Place but both Polling Places use
the same ballot. Ballot number 6 is
registered in North Pole and not within the Denali Borough. Ballot 9 and 10 are registered in the East
Central District but voted a West Central ballot, which they requested. Ballots 11 and 12 are registered as Milepost
252.5 to 269 and should have received that ballot but requested a West Central
ballot. Ballots 13, 14, and 16 are not registered within the Denali
Borough. Ballot 15 registered on
October 21, 2003 and in order to vote in an election, you must register prior
to thirty days of the election. This
person did not make the thirty-day deadline.
MICHAELS MOVED to reject
questioned ballots #3, 6, 13, 14, 15 and 16 because they were not registered to
vote in the Borough, or they registered too late. MERCER seconded. The VOTE was unanimous.
MICHAELS
MOVED to accept the proposition only on ballots #9 and 10 because the wrong
district ballot was voted. MERCER
seconded. The VOTE was unanimous.
David Braun,
Panguingue Subdivision, stated that Kelly Moss moved but didn’t change her
registration. The Clerk stated that she
needs to register 30 days prior to the election.
MICHAELS MOVED to accept the School Board and the Borough wide
proposition only on ballots 11 and 12 because if the correct ballot would have
been used, it would have included the West Central District School Board seats
but the North District Assembly seats. MERCER seconded. The VOTE was unanimous.
MICHAELS MOVED to count the
complete ballots on question ballots 1, 2, 4, 5, 7, and 8. MERCER seconded. The VOTE was unanimous.
Questioned
ballots #9 and 10 were removed from the affidavit envelope and placed in the
ballot box and Nyberg read off the votes on the proposition only, Pieknik
oversaw the reading of the ballots and the Committee tallied the votes.
Questioned
ballots #11 and 12 were removed from the affidavit envelopes and placed in the
ballot box. Nyberg read the questioned
ballots and Pieknik oversaw the reading of the ballots while the Committee
tallied the votes.
Questioned
ballots 1, 2, 4, 5, 7, and 8 were removed from the affidavit envelope and
placed in the ballot box and Nyberg read off the votes on the full ballot while
Pieknik oversaw the reading of the ballots and the Committee tallied the votes.
TALLYING The final tally was as
follows:
ASSEMBLY CANDIDATES:
SEAT B – EAST CENTRAL DISTRICT:
Bob Shelton 58, Kris Capps 1.
SEAT D – WEST CENTRAL
DISTRICT: Neal Laugman 199, Carl R.
Zarcone 4, Baxter Mercer 3, Scott Stowell 1, No Valid Candidate 1, Gary Beldon
1, John Winklmann 1, Jon Nierenberg 1, Scott Vantrese 1, Scott Killian 1, Teresa
Hall 1, David Braun 1, Bill Allan 1.
SEAT F – WEST CENTRAL
DISTRICT: Baxter E. Mercer 161, Teresa
L. Hall 92, Linda Paganelli 2, David
Hoffman 1, W. Chuck Tomkiewczs 1, Ken Wilbert 1.
SEAT G– NORTH DISTRICT: Jennifer J. Skinner 104, Leroy Sutton 2,
Larry Flanagan 2, Jerry Mueller 1, Don Barrett 1, Wava Woolard 1.
SEAT I – NORTH DISTRICT: Cynthia Trytko 109, Larry Flanagan 3, Carol
Shields 1, Don Barrett 1, Leonna Meridith 1, Leroy Sutton 1.
SCHOOL BOARD
CANDIDATES:
SEAT B – EAST CENTRAL
DISTRICT: Mary D. Pearson 64, Kris
Capps 1.
SEAT C – WEST CENTRAL
DISTRICT: Jenasy Y. Jensen 211, Carl R.
Zarcone 4, Jeff Yanuchi 3, Phil Breaze 2, Cheryl Venechuk 1, Beth Milliken 1,
Diane Stowell 1, Teresa Hall 1, Devere Piescal 1, Colin Keith 1, Traci Chepoda
1, Steve Ziegman 1, Gary Beldon 1, Mike Talerico 1, Scott Stowell 1, Stephanie
Stickle 1, Barb Walters 1, Jim Blakeway 1, Jennifer Wolk 1, Charles R. Saylor
1, Janet Powers 1.
SEAT D – WEST CENTRAL
DISTRICT: Phil Brease 18, Rick Hundrup
3, Baxter Mercer 3, Barb Walters 2, Mary Pearson Allen 2, Stacy Skrivanek 2,
Leroy Lausen 2, Monty Burbank 2, Teresa Hall 2, David Hoffman 2, Jon Nierenberg
2, Carl R. Zarcone 2, Ken Wilbert 2, Pat Winklmann 1, Chip “Wm” Barker 1, John
Winklmann 1, Steve Ziegman 1, B.J. Keith 1, Linda Paganelli 1, Joe Juhl 1, Tara
Graham 1, Dianna Stowell 1, Tina Graham 1, Donna Merriman 1, Jeffery Cizmowski
1, Rebecca Skrivanek 1, Nancy Blakeway 1, Joni Wallis 1, Jeff King 1, Gary
Beldon 1, Linda Dingbaum 1, Teresa Chepoda Usibelli 1, Jeff Fisher 1, Mike
Bugbee 1, Mike Talerico 1, Kevin Hamel 1, Thelma Johnson 1, John P. Usibelli 1,
Cheryl Venechuk 1, Sheila Swanguarin 1, Roger Speer 1, Curtis Hamel 1, Amanda
Nyberg 1, Dorthy DeBlauw 1.
SEAT H – NORTH DISTRICT: Susan McNeil 15, Rebecca A. Mueller 11, Jim
Anderson 4, Larry Flanagan 4, Erica Miller 2, John Baily 1, Sharme Wekeer 1,
Victor Killian 1, Richard Napolion 1, Kay Hockin 2, Don Barrett 1, Wava Woolard
1, Leroy Sutton 1, Ann Jenkins 1, Jason Hockin 1, Harry Sewell 1, Terry Wilkes
1, Ross Nelson 1, Albert Reams 1, Dottie Timmer 1, Bob Murray 1.
PROPOSITIONS
AND QUESTIONS: SHALL THE DENALI BOROUGH ESTABLISH A THREE PERCENT (3%) SALES
TAX ON ALL GOODS AND SERVICES, SOLD WITHIN THE DENALI BOROUGH, BY ANY LEGAL
ENTITY REGISTERED AS A BUSINESS WITH THE STATE OF ALASKA UNLESS SPECIFICALLY
EXEMPTED BY ORDINANCE 03-09? ORDINANCE
03-09 EXEMPTS ALL MEDICAL GOODS AND SERVICES, HEATING OIL, AND REAL
ESTATE. IN ADDITION GOODS AND SERVICES
ALREADY TAXED BY A DENALI BOROUGH
ORDINANCE, SUCH AS OVERNIGHT ACCOMMODATIONS AND SEVERANCE EXTRACTIONS, WOULD BE
EXEMPT FROM THIS TAX AT THE TIME OF ADOPTION.
Yes 152, No 395.
The
Committee read the final results into the tape recorder for the record.
BREAK A recess was called so the
Clerks could prepare the canvass committee report.
RECONVENED The meeting was called back to order at
9:05 PM.
CANVASS
COM. The Chair entertained a MOTION to
send the Canvass Committee
REPORT Report to the Assembly
recommending the certification.
MICHAELS so MOVED and EVANS seconded.
The VOTE was unanimous.
PUBLIC David Braun, Panguingue
area resident, stated that he did turn in a
COMMENTS Contest of Election. Some questions to keep in mind. How is it that the Denali Borough has seven
separate and distinct precinct register lists:
Cantwell South, Denali Park East Central, and another one labeled Denali
Park East Central that is different than the other one, Healy, Clear labeled
Mile Post 252.5 - 269, which no one in that area would identify themselves with
Clear, another one called Clear North and Anderson North. Whereas the Borough only has four voting
districts and five polling places and two of those polling places are in the
Northern District at Rochester’s and Anderson.
So there is apparently some of these precincts don’t have polling
places. How is it that some people from
the North, for their convenience, were allowed to vote a polling place outside
their district in Healy, but Mr. Eds Waugaman and Mr. Speigal were not. If they were to vote in Healy or a district
outside their area. Mr. Waugaman would
have to come here to vote for Fire District Board and then he would have to
drive to McKinley Park to go vote for his Assembly person. The Mile Post seen on the maps downstairs
seems to have a lot of doubt . A lot of the people registered live at Mile Post
224. The Stoeplers driveway is at Mile
223.9 which is south and Denise Stoepler says she actually lives at Milepost
223.9.
Up in the
North you have the same problem, there are people who say they live at 269. Mr.
Gerald Mueller lives South of Milepost 269.
He therefore, you would think, would be one of those people who got a
double ballot. He would have to come to Healy to get a different ballot for
school board and assembly. The School Board boundary goes East and West through
Mile Post 269. The Assembly passed an ordinance reapportioning the School Board
with a line that runs through Milepost 269 and goes considerably West. The information handed out to people for the
vote in February 2002, in a special election.
The map that
was used at the poll, the line coming in from the East at 269 hits the highway
at Mile 269 and goes immediately straight south, it doesn’t go miles to the
West before it goes straight South, it goes immediately straight South at
Milepost 269. This has the advantage to
Mr. Mueller of putting him firmly in the North because he not only lives South
of Mile 269, he lives to the West of the road, as do his neighbors. The
Fabrizio’s are one, they also live South of Bear Creek.
Apparently it doesn’t matter what
the people vote on or what the Assembly even passes, the maps used at the polls
are entirely different. The fact that
some people were forced to vote two different ballots, the School Board and the
Assembly. It’s been 13 years, the people of the Borough have done all they can
to enforce the Charter provision in the Ordinance. My Contest of Election say
the School Board and Assembly need to be one and the same. There has never been a vote on the ballot
where people have understood, where it has been stated, that the people were voting for two
different ballot boundaries for School Board and Assembly. That has never been
stated on any ballot and people have a right to understand what their voting
for. Understand what they are voting
for it has not been the case in this borough, ever.
As far as Mr. Caswell’s residency,
he spent a year and a half trying to cover his tracks. His home is in Anchorage
and he has been trying to cover his tracks ever since. He has been digging himself a deeper hole as
far as covering one lie with another, and it will all come out hopefully in
court, but unless you guys will have an actual Ethics Commission. Since you all
have decided that you will not form an Ethics Commission outside the Borough, I
suggest you do what Mr. Baxter Mercer is going to say about being the Ethics
Commission yourselves and take care of some of these long stem complaints. Mr. Braun concluded with, thank-you very
much.
ADJOURNMENT The Chair declared the Canvass meeting
adjourned at 9:10 PM.
ATTEST: SIGNATURE ON FILE APPROVED: SIGNATURE ON FILE
Borough Clerk Presiding Officer
Date
Approved: DECEMBER 10, 2003