12.0°

Occupation: Medical doctor

Education: B Sc Adv Biochemistry, M Sc Biochemistry, Medical Doctor Family Practice Residency 3 years, OB Fellowship 1 year.

Business positions: Chief of Staff, Central Peninsula Hospital, 2006-2008.

Previous political experience: School Board, 1993-2008.

1. With Soldotna developing its new Comprehensive Plan, what would you like to see the city look like five years from now?

I would hope the public would be able to have input to the new comprehensive plan. Personally, I would like to see the city preserve its small town atmosphere. I would like to see improvements in the discharge the city makes into the Kenai River. I would like to see facilities developed to improve the recreational opportunities such as an indoor artificial turf facility in conjunction with the borough and the city of Kenai, which could allow football, soccer and other activities to be run year-round.

2. What should the city do to assist businesses likely to be impacted by the opening of Wal-Mart in Kenai next year?

The opening of Wal-Mart will decrease the revenue for Soldotna city, but will probably increase the revenue for the borough. It is in the best interest of the whole area to spend local money in the local area rather than have it go to Anchorage. Anytime a big box store opens, many small stores cannot compete with their large purchasing power. Unfortunately, there is very little government can do to change that.

3. Should the city's future growth focus on younger families moving in or on more retirees locating to Soldotna as the demographic projections indicate?

The demographics certainly indicate an increase in retirees. The 25-35 age population has substantially decreased over the last 10-15 years primarily because of a lack of jobs. Unless jobs can be created, the childbearing population is likely to stay relatively low. This is demonstrated by the fact that our school population has dropped substantially in the past 10 years. I still think the city's growth should be balanced rather than cater to a single population.

4. Having recently failed at annexing four adjoining neighborhoods into the city, how should Soldotna proceed with residential growth and commercial development?

I believe the city should legitimately annex areas to which they provide sewer, water, and other services. I do not believe that residential areas should be annexed without a vote of the people. The area along K-Beach Road is one area where annexation could be considered.

5. How can Soldotna capitalize on the fact that it has become the health care center of the Kenai Peninsula?

The city of Soldotna should support the hospital and the borough and opposing the elimination of certificate of need. Potentially, the hospital could lose half its value and lose many jobs and services if outside interests were allowed to cherry pick the high profit services that'll allow the community and hospital to provide charity care for others. Any healthcare provider, who practices in the hospital, will naturally want to have their offices close. We already have new services opening in the Soldotna city limits including a renal dialysis center.