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Two incumbent directors of the Homer Electric Association were re-elected to three-year terms Thursday evening as the association conducted its annual meeting attended by more than 500 people.

Hugh Chumley of Sterling District 2 and Mike Pate of Homer District 3 were re-elected. District 1 incumbent Ruth Fitzpatrick was unseated by challenger David Thomas, a registered engineer. Fitzpatrick had been on the HEA Board of Directors for 17 years.

Other winners announced Thursday evening included people who won free electricity for a year or energy credits in amounts ranging from $50 to $500.

Kathy Epperheimer of Kenai won the attendance door prize of a year's worth of electricity ? not to exceed 10,000 kilowatts. Palmer residents Robert or Phyllis Williams won the one-year free electricity prize for mail-in entries.

Other winners of mail-in prizes ? energy credits ? include Loraine Larsen of Kasilof, $500; C&M Muffler of Soldotna, $250; Vernon or Valerie Byrd of Homer, $200; Anastasia Larion of Kenai, $150; Steve Labno or Peggy Peterson of Sterling, $100; and Daniel Thorington or Kathleen Pfundt of Homer, $50.

Winners of attendance door-prize energy credits are James Noran of Sterling, $500; Kathryn Olson of Soldotna, $250; Jane Simons of Kasilof, $200; Jim Fassler of Soldotna, $150; Lenora Pepin of Soldotna, $100; and Sterling Head Start, $50.

HEA $2,000 scholarship award winners also were announced. Kenai Central High School student Adrianna Garcia, Skyview High School student Tasha Brown and Seldovia High School student Timothy O'Leary each won.

Three won continuing education scholarships: Nathan Elerick of Homer and Judy McDonald and Stacey Whiteley of Kenai.

HEA's Youth Rally winners were announced: Alexi Beeson of KCHS and Jenna Redford of SoHi.

Three winners of HEA's safety poster contest were announced as well. All are Connections home-school pupils. Paul Steffensen, third grade, won for best safety message; Jacob Socha, third grade, won for most creative; and Tom Burke, fourth grade, won for most humorous.

HEA spokesman Joe Gallagher said the turnout for the annual meeting "was great."

"Everyone seemed to have a good time," he said. "It was very positive."

HEA members registering at the meeting at SoHi totaled 297, and Gallagher said more than 500 were present, adding that all 500 Arby's market fresh sandwiches HEA ordered were given out.

People attending also had the opportunity to learn more about renewable energy, an Alaska Housing Finance Corporation weatherization program and a Division of Forestry Firewise program. Free compact fluorescent light bulbs and night lights were distributed to people visiting information booths in the high school commons area.

Gallagher said 4,321 HEA members cast votes in the board elections, representing about 21 percent of the membership.

Phil Hermanek can be reached at phillip.hermanek@peninsulaclarion.com.