Soldotna mayoral candidate shares views

  • Saturday, October 3, 2015 4:49pm
  • Opinion

1. Is there something in the city’s budget you would like to see changed?

Pete Sprague: I voted to approve the Fiscal Year 2016 Budget, and am satisfied with it. However, with the looming question of whether or not Kenai Peninsula Borough Ballot Proposition 1 will be defeated, next year’s budget discussion could be much more challenging.

2. Should Soldotna continue to study annexation? Under what conditions would you approve of annexation?

Sprague: I believe that the city should continue to study annexation. As a city council member and mayoral candidate, it is my responsibility to look to the future, to continue to explore ways to ensure the economic stability and careful development of Soldotna. Serious study of limited annexation is one way to do this. I would consider possible expansion out along Funny River Road to the airport, down the Sterling Highway to Skyview Middle School and city property at ARC Lake, and along the undeveloped corridor of K-Beach Road (all three are areas where some city services are already provided). The mayor does have veto power, and if elected I will be very cognizant of this.

3. Is there an issue that requires the city’s immediate attention?

Kenai Peninsula Borough Ballot Proposition 1 is an issue that is of great and immediate importance to the city. If it passes, the city stands to lose approximately $1.2 million in sales tax revenues, which will have long-term impacts on our financial health. Council has appropriated funds to campaign against this issue, and with less than a week until Election Day, this is about as immediate as it gets. I will be voting NO on that proposition.

4. What approach should the city take to regulating marijuana?

Sprague: City council and the mayor, the administration, and the Planning and Zoning Commission have held two work sessions addressing the marijuana issue. Our attorney was given some basic direction, asking that an ordinance be drafted for review by P&Z, and then brought to council preferably by the end of the year. This is unchartered territory for us here in Alaska, and I would urge us to err on the side of caution while following the intent of the initiative passed last November.

More in Opinion

Dawson Slaughter is president of the Anchor Point Chamber of Commerce and a candidate for State House District 6. (Courtesy photo)
Opinion: Children, education, obligation

Our children and the future children of Alaskans must always be the priority and first in our education concerns

The Exxon Baton Rouge, smaller ship, attempts to off-load crude from the Exxon Valdez that ran aground in Prince William Sound, Valdez, Alaska, spilling over 270,000 barrels of crude oil, shown March 26, 1989. (AP Photo/Rob Stapleton)
Point of View: Exxon Valdez oil spill brought out local heroes

When the Exxon Valdez ran aground in Prince William Sound 35 years ago, local people sprang to respond long before Exxon provided any help

Larry Persily. (Juneau Empire file photo)
Opinion: No Alaska governor has ever so boldly held schools and students as political hostages

‘Star Trek’ reference looks past real argument for school funding

Rep. Justin Ruffridge, a Soldotna Republican who co-chairs the House Education Committee, speaks in favor overriding a veto of Senate Bill 140 during floor debate of a joint session of the Alaska State Legislature on Monday, March 18, 2024. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Rep. Justin Ruffridge: Supporting education

Capitol Corner: Legislators report back from Juneau

Rep. Ben Carpenter, a Nikiski Republican, speaks in opposition to overriding a veto of Senate Bill 140 during floor debate of a joint session of the Alaska State Legislature on Monday, March 18, 2024. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Rep. Ben Carpenter: Education is too important to keep getting wrong

Capitol Corner: Legislators report back from Juneau

Larry Persily. (Juneau Empire file photo)
Point of View: Some state lawmakers need to embrace reality, not PFD political theater

State revenues minus public services do not leave enough in the checkbook to pay an oversized dividend

Rep. Ben Carpenter, R-Nikiski, speaks about teacher bonuses during consideration a bill increasing state funds for public education in the Alaska House of Representatives on Thursday, Feb. 22, 2024, in Juneau, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Rep. Ben Carpenter: Holding up a mirror to state government

Capitol Corner: Legislators report back from Juneau

Sen. Jesse Bjorkman, R-Nikiski, speaks in opposition to an executive order that would abolish the Board of Certified Direct-Entry Midwives during a joint legislative session on Tuesday, March 12, 2024, in Juneau, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Sen. Jesse Bjorkman: Ensuring food security for Alaska

Capitol Corner: Legislators report back from Juneau

Most Read