13.0°

Occupation: State Trooper Investigator, Business Owner

Education: 3-year College at Arkansas, University of Alaska hours

Business positions, organizations and other interests: Chamber of Commerce board

Previous political experience: City of Soldotna, Planning and Zoning, Airport Commission, Parks and Recreation

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

In five years, the City of Soldotna should have attained the following:

* The Soldotna Creek Park construction should have been completed, including the stage/concert area, the year round rest rooms, the Veterans Memorial, the pathways and walkways and the individual picnic areas.

* The library addition should be well on its way to completion. Including the increased parking area and the shell construction for the expansion itself.

* The Soldotna Visitor Center and Conference Facility should be in the construction stage. This facility will be constructed in its present location and by connected by river walk from the Bridge to well below Centennial Campground.

* By now, the City of Soldotna should have annexed the portion of Funny River Rd as far as the water and sewer have been constructed. Additionally, the area to Arc Lake, including Skyview High School, should be included, and the K-Beach corridor from the Sterling intersection toward Poppy Lane. Excluded will be the Skyline residential area.

* The City should be near completion of its charter to become a Home Rule City. This will give the City more autonomy, and allow government to be more compatible with the community.

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

The City of Soldotna should partner with the Soldotna Chamber of Commerce to inform residents of the importance of trading locally, but also of the benefit local business provides to the residents. These are the people who contribute gear and sponsor athletic teams in our schools, they contribute items and gift certificates for raffles, door prizes and awards, they help subsidize the Sports Center through advertising, and they contribute to non profit organizations. These are the people who help make our community a good place to live. With the Chamber, the City could begin a "Shop Soldotna Today" program which would not only help the business, but make them better able to continue their contributions. With periodic reminders that shopping locally is beneficial, efforts should be made to increase the potential customer base, and help business to locate, expand, and advertise. If residents are reminded periodically, perhaps that quick trip to Wal-Mart won't be necessary.

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 City of Soldotna should encourage all types of persons to join our community. We have a wealth of opportunity here. We are the center of health care for the peninsula. We have the seat of Borough government here, as well as City, State and Federal agencies. We are a significant tourist area. So there are opportunities for varied types of jobs, from the college graduate returning home, to the senior citizen who wants to stay active. We have the best schools in the state and the greatest out door recreation available to anyone. We have quality health care with Central Peninsula Hospital and neighborhood health prtofessionals. This is a City for all ages (maybe that should be a slogan). It is our responsibility to insure that there is affordable housing, all the services are in place, and the information about opportunities available is handy. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else.

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

A few years ago, the City introduced an ordinance to annex certain areas surrounding the City. They included some residential area along Funny River Rd., the area up to Arc Lake which would have included Skyview High School, and the corridor along K-Beach Rd. from the Sterling Hwy to near Poppy Lane. This also included the Skyline residential area. The folks who lived in the skyline area did not want to be in the City for fear that they would be immediately subject to zoning and building code regulations which the City had in place. After a number of public hearings, a substitute ordinance was developed which excluded the Skyline residential, but still incorporated the undeveloped area along K-Beach. There appeared to be little opposition and the ordinance was passed by the Council. The Mayor at the time decided to veto the ordinance. This was unfortunate for the City of Soldotna. The Council was unable to mount an override of the veto in the allotted amount of time. A similar ordinance should be introduced immediately after the election.

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

The City of Soldotna has been more of a partner with Central Peninsula Hospital than trying to capitalize. The City has re-zoned several parcels of land adjacent to the hospital for construction of health related clinics and offices. It seems to make sense to have the health professionals as close to the hospital as possible, not only for them, but patients can park in one place and easily access several health care facilities if necessary. The Hospital has made every effort to be a part of the community. The CEO also holds a board of director's seat on the Soldotna Chamber of Commerce, and the hospital has introduced informational talks by the health professionals themselves for all the community to learn and benefit from. The goal is for a patient to never have to make trips to Anchorage for health care. The continuing development of health care in Soldotna will hopefully attract related business such as suppliers and health oriented services and contractors. Which in turn will create jobs, a need for housing, and help a community grow.