Good luck to Hutchings
Linda Farnsworth-Hutchings has made history. By running for Borough Mayor she became the first person to run for either the Assembly or mayor whose parents have both served on the Assembly. She is the first woman to achieve a run-off race for Mayor. To me, it seems strange that a woman has not previously been elected Mayor.
Many women have served as president of the Assembly. In fact, Betty Glick of Kenai has presided over more Assembly meetings (100) than any other president. JoAnn Elson was the first woman to become president of the Assembly, which she did in January 1977. She presided over the second-most Assembly meetings (83). Marilyn Dimmick, Millie Martin, Linda Murphy and Kelly Cooper have also served as President.
In 1969 Marion Hylen of Ninilchik became the first woman to run for Mayor, though she placed a distant third behind George Navarre. The next woman to run for Mayor was Sharon Jean, in 1984. In a field of five candidates she finished a very respectable second behind Stan Thompson (3,829 to 2,523). Barbara Pennington ran against Don Gilman in 1990, losing 4,858 to 1,721. Betty Glick ran for Mayor against Mike Navarre in 1996. She came in second in a field of five candidates, but lost 4,833 to 2,546. The last woman to run for Mayor was Debbie Brown of Cohoe. She came in fourth behind Mike Navarre.
Good luck to Linda Farnsworth-Hutchings! It’s high time the Borough had a woman Mayor.
Brent Johnson
Clam Gulch
