WILLOW AREA COMMUNITY ORGANIZATION, INC.
Your local forum for discussion, participation and comment in matters of concern to the community. WACO promotes the social, cultural and economic welfare of the Willow area.
This website is a service for the community of Willow, Alaska. Find WACO meeting minutes and agendas as well as information about committees, the community center and, local groups. Committee and group news or announcements are also posted as received. View the calendar for the schedule of local activities/events.
WACO Community Meeting
The first Wednesday of each month at 7:00 PM
Willow Community Center
Latest News and Upcoming Events
*** Rehabilitation the Parks Highway from milepost 57-72 (Houston to Willow) ***
{{The following email was received by WACO, accompanied by a 4-page document which is not in a format that can be posted on FB. Please email [email protected] to receive it by email if interested to see it.}}
----- Begin email text ------
The Alaska Department of Transportation & Public Facilities has assumed the responsibilities of the Federal Highway Administration under 23 U.S.C. § 327 and is soliciting comments and information on a proposal to rehabilitate the Parks Highway from milepost 57-72 near the communities of Houston and Willow, Alaska. The effort will be required to comply with all applicable laws and regulations under the National Environmental Policy Act. After reviewing the attached scoping letter, preliminary environmental research, and location & vicinity map please reply by mail ([email protected]) with the following information:
Further analysis needed to evaluate sensitive resources potentially impacted by the proposed project.
Regulatory permits/clearances required by your agency.
Any concerns or issues your agency or organization may have with the proposed project.
We request that comments be delivered by ***April 18, 2025***. If you feel that someone else in your organization should receive this notification, please forward this email to them so they may comment.
Respectfully,
Isaac Kelsey
Environmental Impact Analyst
Alaska Dept. of Transportation & Public Facilities
Preliminary Design and Environmental Section
500 S. Seward Meridian Pkwy.
Wasilla, AK 99654
Phone: (907) 707-1918
Email: [email protected]
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Could this be related to the airport Houston wants to build in Willow land?
The planning for the subdivision south of Gratiot Dr. (near mile 73 of Parks Hwy) is in progress as discussed during the Feb. WACO meeting. The comment period ends on April 8, 5pm
WACO has received a packet regarding this project, unfortunately it's too much content to fit on here. Anyone interested in reviewing it, please email [email protected]
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The beginning of the down fall of Willow.
*** WACO Board Elections - April 2nd, 2025 ***
The 2-year term for the following Board positions is ending this month. ELECTIONS will be held on April 2nd, 2-7pm at the Willow Community Center. Voting open to all Willow Residents.
Candidates' Bios can be found below:
VICE CHAIR: Candidates - Rodney McCambridge & Danielle Barve.
2 AT-LARGE-SEATS: Candidates - Chandra Kohntopp & Wes McClure.
TREASURER: Candidate - Joyce Yates.
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RODNEY MCCAMBRIDGE - CANDIDATE for VICE CHAIR
Hello, my name is Rodney McCambridge I am running for the Vice-Chair position on the Willow Community Organization Board.
On July 2021 we purchased our home and became residents of Willow. Our first function we participated in was the Trick or Trunk at the Community Center. We knew we made the right decision after that event. The next one was the Willow Winter Carnival. Wow! What a great coming together the community did. We got to meet even more people in the area. Both my wife and I participate in those events every year. We then joined the Garden Club and the Willow Historical Society.
In the past two years I have been the contact person for the 2024 Iditarod, organized 2 community yard sales and the first gun show to be held at the Willow Community Center. I will continue to work on bringing more events to our community center. I am also CERT member. I have assisted at various Willow events as a CERT member to monitor events, cleaned the upstairs area and assisted in trainings too.
I have held the At-Large position for the past two years. I feel that I am ready to step and do more for our community. I would appreciate your support in the upcoming election for the Vice-Chair position.
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DANIELLE BARVE - CANDIDATE for VICE CHAIR
I am a lifelong Alaskan who has chosen to raise my six children in the beautiful unique community of Willow. As an entrepreneur for the past 15 years, I have developed a diverse skill set in business development, community engagement, and leadership. In addition to my professional experience, I serve as the secretary of the PTA, working closely with parents, teachers, and school leaders to support and enhance educational opportunities for our children.
Being part of the WACO board is both a privilege and a responsibility that I take to heart. It allows me to give back to the place I call home, using my experience to support initiatives that strengthen our community and enhance the quality of life for all who live here. I am honored to serve and contribute to the continued growth and success of Willow.
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CHANDRA KOHNTOPP - CANDIDATE for AT-LARGE-REPRESENTATIVE
My name is Chandra Kohntopp
Moved to Willow Dec 2024
Job background
Prior Army National Guard 1993- 2001
Armed private Security Federal 2016-2019
Phlebotomist Cert 1999- present
Medical Spa and worked with Internal and Medicine
Medical Spa medical Laser 2015-2022
Started my own Esthetics Business 2022 -Present
Wife of Carl Kohntopp, Mom of a blended family of 5 kiddos
Hobbies Traveling, Hunting, Fishing, Spending time with my family
I am looking forward to volunteering in my new community. Although I have never done anything like this, I would like to bring my service and ideas forward to better my community.
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WESLEY MCCLURE - CANDIDATE for AT-LARGE-REPRESENTATIVE
Wes is a former Willow area Representative and longtime Willow resident.
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JOYCE YATES - CANDIDATE for TREASURER
My name is Joyce Yates. I grew up in alaska and have lived in the Willow area for the last 5 years. I've been a bookkeeper for over 25 years. I have 3 grown children and 7 grandchildren. I look forward to working with the Waco board to improve our community.
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The Meeting Minutes from the 3/5/25 WACO meeting have been published and can be accessed via the link below
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The February 2025 Willow eBreeze has been published:
mailchi.mp
We are reaching out to ensure you are aware of the project updates in Amendment 2 of the 2024-2027 STIP. STIP Amendment 2 has been posted for a 30 day public comment period, February 18th to March 2...0 CommentsComment on Facebook
The Agenda for the 3/5/25 WACO Meeting has been published and can be accessed from the link below
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