For the week of May 21 - 27, 2003

Alex Sundali wins Zone 4 seat on school board

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By DANA DUGAN
Express Staff Writer

Alex Sundali, of Ketchum, won the Blaine County School Board election for Zone 4 on Tuesday with 50 percent of the votes.

Sundali defeated two other Ketchum residents, Chuck Turner and Mike Riviello, to claim the seat of Kate Parnes, who did not run for re-election. Zone 4 represents the district in the north half of Blaine County.

Sundali received 70 of the 142 votes cast. Turner won 64 votes, and Rivielo, 8.

"I’m surprised but I’m thrilled and happy to be a part of the district," Sundali said Tuesday night.

"I’m also sad to give up substitute teaching. I’ll miss the kids. But I’m very excited about the next three years and what lies ahead. I hope Chuck and Mike both stay involved. It’s all the people like us who care about kids who make the difference."

Sundali is the mother of three Wood River Valley students: Anya, 15, is a freshman at Wood River High School; Taylor, 13, is in eighth grade at Wood River Middle School; and Daniel, 11, is in fifth grade at Hemingway.

Sundali has lived here 23 years. Among her community service activities, she is an active member of Blaine County Democrats, and has worked on campaigns. She is a full-time substitute teacher with Blaine County School District, and a supporter of Sun Valley Junior Hockey. She is also currently the president of 5B Swimming, a member of Papoose Club and a chair of the Hemingway Elementary Tech Room, which is privately funded. As well, she was a volunteer at Moritz Hospital, was the former president of Hulen Meadows Water Company and Home Owners Association, served on the search committee for St. Thomas Episcopal Church’s new pastor, and was on the board of Wood River Land Trust.

Turner, who served with the district for 23 years, was a teacher at the Wood River High School. He served as principal of Wood River Junior High School that eventually became the Wood River Middle School.

Riviello moved to Ketchum two years ago from Atherton, Calif. He is on the board of the Red Cross of Idaho and the Wood River Land Trust fund-raising committee.

 

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