MLCC Nominees

The Chatter send out an e-mail to all of the nominees for the upcoming MLCC election requesting a short bio.  Below are the responses that were received:

Tim Swezey
For the office of President:

I was born in Alaska before it became a state and my father was one of the first ten mail carriers in Anchorage. We moved away when I was a small child before the 1964 earth quake which destroyed the house where we use to live.

I grew up in San Diego but I always thought about returning to my birth place.

Most of my career was as an on site computer repair tech for several large corporations. Fifteen years of working in a high stress crisis environment taught me one thing; people would rather be right then solve problems. My job was to solve problems and not to allow those who needed to be right to interfere.

While working fulltime I was also a member of the Toastmasters club Vapor Trails. Where I served in every aspect of running the club including being president for a number of terms. Toastmasters helped me in my career and my life, specifically the skill of impromptu speaking and parliamentary procedure.

I returned to Alaska to house sit for my sister until she retires from teaching. I love it up here winter or summer and I plan to stay. It's fascinating to live in a state the history of which lies within my own lifetime.

During the financial crisis of the last few months I've been listening to Catherine Austin Fitts talk about the Popsicle Index.

The Popsicle Index is a way of measuring the health of a community. In order to increase our Popsicle Index we can't depend on Washington, Juneau or Palmer. We need to take a bottom up approach and improve the quality of our lives. The solutions to what's wrong can't be passed off to a politician or an expert but has to start with us.

I was in San Diego during the Enron crisis. People sweltered in the heat of the day because they couldn't use their air conditioners. At night they would lose their lights because of brown outs.

Every community suffered except one - Long Beach.

Unlike the rest of the state they had their own municipal power, the energy for which was purchased with long term contracts.

The regulatory board completely failed the communities of California. It allowed utilities such as San Diego Gas and Electric to sell power to Enron which in turned sold it back to California at a higher price.

Meadow Lakes may not need or want its own municipal power. But the community of Meadow Lakes being unincorporated needs to have a strong voice in the valley.

One person cannot be the voice of Meadow Lakes. Only the community being fully informed of issues facing them can find their voice to express their needs to the borough.

I've volunteered at the last trail committee meeting to help design a dog park. I've sat in on two other committees to observe the process. My goal is to use the Meadow Lakes Chatter as a venue that provides the residents of Meadow Lakes with the information they need. My first project is an issue blog using Google's Exhibit. My second project is to setup a timeline for the community center.

I'm looking forward to your support at the May Meadow Lakes community council meeting.

Tim Swezey

Virginia Pettijohn
For the office of President

Hi, my name is Virginia Pettijohn. I was born in Fairbanks, Alaska and moved to Anchorage when I was in the 9th grade. I graduated from Dimond High School where I was very active in student government. It was there that I gained a fundamental knowledge of the rules of parliamentary procedure. Following that, I attended Springfield College where I double majored in History and Health, Physical Education and Recreation. I spent my junior year abroad in Vienna, Austria and have since completed a Masters Degree in Education. I am currently a U.S. History Teacher at Wasilla Middle School where I have taught for the past 18 years. I have a family of 5 children and 4 and ½ grandchildren some of whom reside in our community where I have lived since 1983.

As I attended the meetings in March, I felt the need to become involved with government on a local level. I felt that I could contribute to the ways meetings are conducted so that people would feel they were being dealt with on an equal basis. I believe strongly in our form of government, and that the rights of the individuals in this community should not be relegated to the wishes of a few individuals simply because they are more adept at wielding the reins of government. It would be my privilege to serve in a capacity to make sure that the wishes of our community as a whole are represented and carried out, while respecting the rights of the individual. As president, I hope that we can work together to build a community that respects the rights of everyone while we come together to do those things that we cannot do individually by ourselves. Government should protect the rights of the members of a community, but also the phrase comes to mind that "he who governs best governs least. " If you are of the same mind, then please vote for me in the May election.

Sincerely,

Virginia L. Pettijohn

Tari Jacobson
For the office of Secretary

My name is Tari Jacobson. My family has lived in the Meadow Lakes area for the past 1 ½ years. My husband and I bought a home on Seymour Lake and have been keeping extremely busy remodeling the inside, as well as working on the landscaping. We even had he kids hammering and cutting boards for the new deck last summer. It's very challenging, but we enjoy it.

I have been a teacher for the past 10 yrs. I taught 4th/5th for 4 years, Language Arts intervention, English Language Learners intervention, and Middle School Algebra intervention while I was in California. I have been employed by the Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District for the past 6 years. I started as a substitute teacher. In 2006 I was hired as a Gifted and Talented Specialist and have been the librarian for Iditarod Elementary school for the past year.

My husband and I have 2 kids, Samuel is 12 and Haley just turned 14. Samuel will be an 8th grader at Houston Middle school in the fall. Haley will be making her way to the Houston High in the fall. Sam kept busy this year in the school band and choir. Haley played volleyball and was a member of the student government. When time allows, my husband and I volunteer and chaperone various events and activities.

I enjoy writing short stories and reading when I am able to find the time. I read many genres, but lean towards fiction in my writing. I also enjoy fishing. I caught my first fish last summer and you would have thought I won Publishers Clearinghouse. The thrill got me hooked. We are planning a fishing trip for this summer and I can't wait.

The reason I am running for Secretary of the Meadow Lakes Community Council is pretty simple. This is my community and my home. I want to be involved in making sure that we make this as safe a place as possible for our children, grandchildren, and for ourselves. I grew up in a small community just like Meadow Lakes and it was a wonderful place to live. My parents were involved in their community. I would like to continue be involved in my community as your next Meadow Lakes Community Council Secretary.

Sincerely,

Tara A. Jacobson

Lieba Putnam
For the office of Education

My name is Lieba Putnam. I have lived in the Valley since 1982. I have lived in Meadow Lakes since 1990. I attended and graduated from the local school system. Now my oldest child attends a local school. I recieved a degree in Early Childhood Development in 2000. I was hired at Chugiak Children's Services in Wasilla in 2001. In 2003 I was hired at the Meadow Lakes, CCS site as a Family Educator. I worked with Head Start students and their families until I had my daughter in 2008.
I am interested in this position so I can stay informed and help keep our community stay informed. I love working in the education field, especially in our community.
Thank you,
Lieba Putnam

Donnie Darilek
For the office of Gaming

Waureen (Donnie) Darilek
(a short and to the point bio)
In Alaska since 1990, came from Chama, New Mexico
Moved to Meadow Lakes in 1995
Presently own a small business in Meadow Lakes
Formerly:
National Animal Control Academy certified Animal Control Officer
All Breed Pet Groomer
Served as an EMT in New Mexico
Para-legal
Currently, CERT trained by MSB EMS
Hunter, fisher, gatherer
prospector

I have been involved with MLCC since about 1999, intermittently

Reason for running for Gaming position, I am secretly a sado-masochist.

Alexander Reeve
For the office of Planning

Alexander T. Reeve is a life long Alaskan Resident. Born and raised in Anchorage and graduate from the University of Alaska Fairbanks with a Bachelors of Science in Mechanical Engineering.  Mr. Reeve is a liscensed Mechanical Engineer with 20 years experience in the design and construction of buildings and utility systems throughout Alaska. Married with no children. Meadow Lakes resident since 2004 and loves living in the "valley".

I would like to volunteer my time and expertise to assist with the Meadow Lakes Communitee Council Planning Commitee. With my experience in construction I feel that I can provide a positive contribution to my communitee in this position.

Rae Arno
For the office of Safety

I have been nominated for the Board position of Safety Liason and feel I am highly qualified for this position as a longtime resident and public safety servant. I have resided in Alaska continuously for 49 years, in the Valley since 1984 and have been a resident and property owner in Meadow Lakes for 13 years. I am retired from 20 years service witht he State Troopers and a member of the local Fire Service Area Board of Supervisors for approx. the last 2.5 years. I am willing to serve because I have experience and knowledge in the area of public safety and, as a resident and owner of multiple properties in Meadow Lakes, Ihave a passion for the quality of life here, now and in the future.

Rae Arno

Well, there you have it Chatter readers.  We did not receive bios from:  Secretary nominee Patricia Sikes, Education nominee Tim McDaniels, or Planning nominee Ron Bernier.  All nominees will be asked to speak at the upcoming meeting, May 13th - 7 PM - Meadow Lakes Elementary School.