Dear Haines, Thank you!
KHNS NEWS: In the six-way race for two Haines Borough Assembly seats, Heather Lende and Tom Morphet garnered the most votes. Preliminary election results show Lende with 483 votes and Morphet with 423. Incumbent Diana Lapham came in third with 363 votes. That includes absentee ballots. The results are unofficial until certified later this month. Here’s the preliminary vote count:
ASSEMBLY:
Ryan Cook: 299
Leonard Dubber: 146
Judy Erekson: 230
Diana Lapham: 363
Heather Lende: 483
Tom Morphet: 423
SCHOOL BOARD (uncontested):
Lisa Schwartz: 767
Sarah Swinton: 777
Write in: 29
I was in bed listening to the radio when these results came in at about 10:15. (Why does it take so long?) And I woke up Chip and called Tom, who was across the street with his wife and friends, and just then on the other phone my friend — and campaign manager– Teresa called whooping in my ear– and then the radio reporter called and I don’t think I said anything coherent at all. For once I had no proper words. I hoped I thanked Diana for her service and hard work over the last three years.
Earlier, Tom and I met at the Distillery figuring we should celebrate the campaign, and the effort of it all, and the good feeling that comes from saying what you believe when asked about issues large and small in our community while we were still happy and hopeful– and if things didn’t go our way. We agreed that it had been worth it just to talk about important issues with so many people. All of the candidates brought ideas and perspectives to the forums as well, and the town is fortunate to have have so many people interested in local office. Tom said he wished he’d knocked on more doors, I said I wished I had spoken more articulately to the newspaper, and to his new reporter. I loved that the campaign highlighted issues, and gave voters clear options. Nobody was wishy-washy, but everyone was civil and polite — even on hot button issues. With a national election that is so awful on so many levels, this is even more impressive. As my brother-in-law says, things are looking up here in, “Haines, America.”
Tom and I both agreed that today, either way, we have to get back to work. First I have to go to the pool and swim a bit – The Friends of the Pool meet this afternoon at 5– then it’s time to take down my signs…
