Soldotna City Council —Seat C: Hale: Quality services essential to medical growth

Name: Sharon Hale

Age: 57

Occupation: Elementary school library aide, substitute

Family: Husband, Gary; sons, Jeff, Tim and Jeromy

Education: High school, 2 years college

Organizations and special interests: Volunteer with Central Emergency Services, Peninsula Oilers Board of Directors, Stitches of Love, TOPS, SoHi Site Council

Previously held elected office and experience: No public offices, have been a member on board of directors for several organizations

How to contact you: home, 262-1507, or e-mail garyhale@gci.net

1. What steps should the city take to establish a cemetery?

My understanding is that the city is still researching and looking at several different sites. I think as the city continues to grow, we will need a cemetery even more and we should continue to work together to find the spot that best suits the community.

2. What should Soldotna do to attract more merchants?

It appears that one of the issues affecting the development of new businesses is the lack of city land for development, especially land that already has water and sewer access. I think Soldotna should continue to research the issue, along with seeking out more grants in order to continue to expand the water system.

In the meantime, the city needs to make sure, as it addresses the new sign codes (and other issues), that it treats all businesses, whether established, new, or prospective in an equitable manner. Input from the business community needs to be solicited before decisions are made. Soldotna relies almost entirely on sales taxes to fund its budget. It is imperative that we take the time to stay in constant contact with local merchants and work hard at understanding their needs.

3. With Central Peninsula General Hospital expanding and Cottonwood Health Centers building a new facility, what can the city do to help with the continued development of medical services?

I think the city has done a good job of supporting current medical services in our community. We should continue to do so by encouraging the people of Soldotna and surrounding areas to use those facilities rather than going to Anchorage. As the medical resources continue to expand, we must also make sure that we help the medical community recruit quality professionals by promoting our town and its amenities.

4. What should be done to discourage vandalism at the city’s skateboard park?

Although I don’t know where it should be relocated to, moving the skateboard park to a more central location in town would probably be the best solution. I’m not sure where that location would be, but a committee, made up of both adults and kids would probably be able to come up with some alternatives.

Most of the youth activities available in town are actively chaperoned by adults, but not the skateboard park. Even if the park did not have an adult on duty, if it were in a more convenient location, community members would be driving or walking by more regularly helping to deter any vandalism.