Chambers set schedules
■ The Soldotna Chamber of Commerce is planning a Social Mixer today at 5:30 p.m. at the Duck Inn. There will be no Soldotna Chamber Luncheon this week. Call 262-9814.
■ The Kenai Chamber of Commerce meets at noon Wednesday at the Kenai Visitors Center. Ben Carpenter of Alaskan Leader Solutions will speak on the topic, “What is leadership?” RSVP to 283-1991.
Portable kitchen for rent
The Kenai Soil & Water Conservation District has a DEC-approved mobile kitchen for rent by the day, week or season. The 6.5-by-12-foot trailer with ball hitch contains propane stove, griddle, refrigerator and small freezer, suitable for preparing and/or serving food at events (Kenai Peninsula only). Call Larry Marsh at 262-9671 for additional specifications and rental requirements.
Grant funds available for local nonprofits
Central Peninsula nonprofit organizations can apply online for a grant of up to $1,000 from the Kenai Peninsula Foundation’s Endowment Fund. Guidelines and the application can be found at www.kenaipeninsulafoundation.org by and then clicking on the word “Grants.”
The application deadline is May 20. For more information contact Mariko Sarafin at 907-249-6609. The Kenai Foundation is an Affiliate of the Alaska Community Foundation, and its Endowment Fund was established through charitable donations from Central Peninsula residents and community partners.
HEA board candidates announced
Four candidates will be on the ballot for the Homer Electric Association (HEA) Board of Directors’ 2016 election. The deadline to apply for a seat on the board was March 4.
HEA directors are elected by the members in their respective district, with members voting only for the candidates residing in their district. This year, the following candidates are seeking election to the HEA board:
— In District 1 (Kenai – Nikiski- parts of Soldotna area), the candidate is incumbent Dan Chay of Kenai.
— In District 2 (Soldotna – Sterling – Kasilof), the candidate is incumbent Ed Oberts of Soldotna.
— In District 3 (Kasilof south to Kachemak Bay area), the candidates are incumbent Bill Fry of Homer and Stephen J. Pollack III of Seldovia.
The 2016 ballot will also include six propositions. Proposition 1 and Proposition 2 would change the wording in the HEA bylaws and Articles of Incorporation from “husband and wife” to “married couple” to allow same-sex couples to hold a joint HEA membership. The proposed change is based on recent legal rulings regarding same-sex marriages. The remaining ballot propositions are aimed at clarifying language and intent in several sections of the bylaws. A complete rundown of the ballot propositions along with candidate information is available on HEA’s website (www.homerelectric.com).
Ballots were mailed to HEA members on April 1. Completed mail-in ballots must be received in the mail by May 3 for validation. If HEA members are unable to complete a mail-in ballot, members will also have an opportunity to vote at the 2016 Annual Meeting of the Members, which will be held May 4 at Kenai Central High School.
For more details about the election and the Annual Meeting of the Members contact HEA’s office at 800-478-8551 or HEA’s website at www.homerelectric.com.
Applications for refuge special use permits available
The Kenai National Wildlife Refuge is now accepting applications for non-competitively awarded permits to provide commercial visitor services on certain areas of the Refuge. Applications are available at the Refuge Headquarters on Ski Hill Road in Soldotna, or at www.fws.gov/uploadedFiles/CommercialSpecialUsePermitApp_GuideOutfitter.pdf. A special use permit is required for providing commercial visitor services, including but not limited to guiding, outfitting, transporting and shuttle services, on Refuge lands and waters including portions of the Kenai River within Refuge boundaries.
Applications for a first-time non-competitive visitor services permit, or for those wishing to renew an expired permit, must be submitted no later than April 1, 2016. Applications will not be accepted after the April 1 deadline.
Existing non-competitive permit holders whose permits expire later than the 2016 season, need only to update relevant permit requirements, and receive the annual 2016 commercial visitor services decal(s). Existing permit holders must make an appointment to update relevant information before seasonal activities begin, or no later than June 1, 2016.
To make an appointment, Monday through Friday between 8:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., contact Donna Handley at 907-260-2803. For additional information, please contact the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge office during regular business hours at 907-262-7021.
Pesticide certification training offered
The University of Alaska Fairbanks Cooperative Extension Service will offer three-day training sessions for pesticide applicators in April.
The session will be offered by videoconference April 25-27 in Fairbanks, Anchorage, Soldotna, Palmer, Delta Junction and other communities as requested. Classes will meet from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. with an exam scheduled after the training. Extension agents and Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation personnel will teach the classes.
The state requires certification for anyone who uses or sells restricted pesticides. Certification is also required for anyone who is a pesticide consultant, engages in the commercial or contract use of pesticides or supervises their use at a public location.
The training costs $55 and includes the exam and necessary study materials, which are available at Extension offices or by mail. Register for either class online at http://bit.ly/ces-workshops or at local Extension offices. Participants are encouraged to become familiar with the materials and math needed prior to the training. For more information and to request another training location, contact Janice Chumley at 907-262-5824 or jichumley@alaska.edu.
Business announcements may be submitted to news@peninsulaclarion.com. Items should be submitted by 5 p.m. on the Friday prior to publication.
