Speaker Chenault Picks Holm for Redistricting Board

(Kenai) - House Speaker Mike Chenault, R-Nikiski, has chosen Jim Holm to serve on the Redistricting Board. Holm will serve on the five-member panel redrawing Alaska's House and Senate districts following the 2010 U.S. Census.

Jim is a no-nonsense, 'tell it like it is' kind of person, and I think we need to have someone with his approach and wealth of Alaska historical sense on the Board.
~ Rep. Mike Chenault

Holm served two terms in the State House, from 2003-2006, representing House District 9, and one term on the Fairbanks North Star Borough Assembly, from 1999-2002. Holm has lived in Fairbanks for more than 60 years, graduating from Lathrop High School and also attended the University of Alaska Fairbanks. Holm is the owner of Holm Town Nursery and has served on a number of civic and volunteer boards, including the Fairbanks Chamber of Commerce, Fairbanks Rotary, Greater Fairbanks Memorial Hospital Foundation, and the Fairbanks Tanana Valley Fair Association.

"Jim brings a wealth of experience to the board, from his time serving on the local assembly to his two years serving on the House Finance Committee. He knows and understands the Interior and Northern regions of the state," Speaker Chenault said. "I served with Jim in the 23rd and 24th Legislatures and trust that he'll be fair in looking at re-drawing our district boundaries. Jim is a no-nonsense, 'tell it like it is' kind of person, and I think we need to have someone with his approach and wealth of Alaska historical sense on the Board."

Holm joins Senate President Gary Stevens's and Governor Sean Parnell's appointees, former Kodiak Mayor Robert Brodie, chosen by President Stevens, and former Soldotna state senator John Torgerson and Douglas's Albert Clough, chosen by Governor Parnell. Alaska Supreme Court Chief Justice Walter Carpeneti will appoint the final member to the Board.

The Board will begin meeting following the release of the 2010 Census data, with their redistricting plan in place for the 2012 general election.