Beck, Sykes, sworn in as Assembly Members

MAT-SU — Matthew Beck and Jim Sykes took the oath of office as new Assembly Members tonight during the first Assembly meeting ever in the new Assembly chambers in Palmer. Beck raised his right hand to be sworn in by Matanuska-Susitna Borough Clerk Lonnie McKechnie, and Sykes took the oath over the phone.

Matthew Beck taking oath of office from Borough Clerk Lonnie McKechnie.

Beck will represent District 2 after garnering 871 votes to Assembly Member Noel Woods' 810 votes. Beck and Woods shook hands in the new break room while others celebrated with cake. Jim Sykes earned 1,112 votes over Doug Glenn's 1,043 votes for District 1. Assembly Member Warren Keogh opted not to run for his seat. Many audience members shook Keogh's hand, thanking him for his earnest work.

The October election had 18.8 percent of voters participate in the MAT-SU. View election results here.

Assembly Member Steve Colligan and Mayor Larry DeVilbiss thanked the Canvassing Board for their diligence in counting through the election ballots and solving some errors. The audience gave a round of applause for the painstaking work of Chair Gerry Keeling, Shirley Mills, Tressa Thompson, Bev Zobel, and Norma Christiansen.

The Assembly certified the election and later held a regular meeting with Keogh and Woods still representing their districts.

Employees began moving into the new 18,000-sqaure foot addition this week. The new construction adds onto what was a territorial school house, dating in some parts back to 1935. The Assembly had been meeting for more than a year at other locations.

For more information call MAT-SU Borough Public Affairs Director Patty Sullivan at 907.745-9577 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

The Canvassing Board: Chair Gerry Keeling, Shirley Mills, Tressa Thompson, Bev Zobel, and Norma Christiansen.

Photos by Patty Sullivan/MSB. Large photo at top: Beck and Assembly Member Noel Woods shake hands in the new break room.