Progress Days: Celebrating 46 years of Soldotna's growth
Mayor Carey
Welcome to Soldotna Progress Days 2006. Our theme this year, “Building Legacies”, is especially appropriate as we continue to enjoy the memories from being a host for the 2006 Arctic Winter Games, as we look forward toward years of efficient driving on the new five-lane David Douthit Veteran’s Memorial Bridge, and as the Central Peninsula General Hospital renovation reaches to the sky. The legacies from these three human endeavors continue to serve our children and culture, our tourists and neighboring communities and the health and welfare of us all.
Local residents and tourists from around the globe should enjoy the greatly expanded Soldotna Creek Park now that the latest bank stabilization project is complete and boardwalks are in place. We owe thanks to many people for the work done and the funds provided.
While listening to the awesome Air Force Band on Saturday and Sunday, enjoy the mighty Kenai River but remember always to respect her and the life she sustains. What a legacy of memories have been threaded and netted along the Kenai River.
Our area is enjoying the opportunity for many legacies from what appears to be an economic boom not matched since the Swanson River discovery of oil. The potential for jobs and growth from the Agrium Blue Sky coal gasification project is truly awesome. Jobs for our kids and a higher quality of life for all of us can result from this international prospect.
In addition, this year has seen expansions in the hangars at the airport, a new Cottonwood Medical Clinic, a local brewery, the promise of sets of condominiums along the Kenai River, a new ice cream parlor and an enhanced Safeway. The seafood processing plant has become truly first class, we have a new coffee shop, a new restaurant and a new doctor’s office, and 27 new or remodeled homes with permit values of over $100,000 have been issued in the past year. Last, but not least, the new MAPTS building at our college will build legacies of education.
As we all enjoy Progress Days, I ask that your legacy include the fact that many Americans, especially from the Kenai Peninsula, are serving in the Armed Forces in harm’s way. Almost half of all those serving are members of the National Guard or Reserves. At this time, Alaska has 1,000 of its 4,000 National Guard members deployed overseas. They and their families are doing their best to protect our liberties and freedom. Let us be appreciative of them and keep them in mind as we celebrate Progress Days 2006. Welcome and God bless everyone.