Two candidates have confirmed plans to run for open seats on the Haines Borough Assembly in October.

Commercial gillnetter Will Prisciandaro is the only candidate to file with the borough as of Wednesday afternoon. “It’s been in the back of my mind for a couple years,” Prisciandaro said. “There hasn’t been a fisherman on there in quite a while. I’ve been here over half my life, just about 20 years. I feel it’s time to get involved in some of the more local issues.”

Prisciandaro serves on the Upper Lynn Canal Fish and Game Advisory Committee, United Southeast Alaska Gillnet Board and the Northern Southeast Regional Aquaculture Association.

Assembly member Sean Maidy had yet to file at the time of this report, but he told the CVN this week he’s planning to run.

The assembly appointed Maidy to fill a seat vacated by Margaret Friedenauer last year. Voters elected him to fill the remainder of the term in October. “People see how I operate and they’ve had a year to test me,” Maidy said. “If they want to give me the full term I’m ready to do it some more.”

Assembly members Tresham Gregg’s and Maidy’s seats are open. Gregg said he won’t seek re-election. “I don’t feel that I was as effective as I would have liked to have been,” Gregg said. “I think it’s a very wonderful experience for people to have, to learn about local government and to be part of the solution.”

Gregg cited the time commitment as being a reason for not running for another term. Communication between staff and assembly members is hampered by rules and regulations, and human nature, Gregg said. “Everybody kind of feels like they know what their stance is,” Gregg said. “I feel we really need to have more open discussions about our future and what the best plan of action is.”

The last day to file for candidacy is Aug. 20.

A full story on candidates and their positions will appear in a future edition of the CVN.