14.0°

I was elected to a one year Soldotna City Council seat 15 years ago. It was my first political experience and while I moved on to the Borough Assembly and Borough Mayor, serving on the City Council was an enjoyable and positive experience and I look forward to serving on the City Council again.

Soldotna is a great place to work and play. Our quality of life is second to none and I would like to see it stay that way. We have great parks, an incredible sport center facility, a professional police department, and our snow removal program is a model for communities across Alaska. As a youth I remember when Farnsworth Park got its first playground equipment and I spent a lot of time there playing with friends. As a Realtor I have heard many positive comments about living in Soldotna.

As Borough Mayor I supported the Central Peninsula General Hospital expansion which has had a positive impact on our community. There have been many doctors that have moved to this area and new health care facilities being built near the hospital, providing services here at home instead of forcing people to drive to Anchorage or elsewhere. This is a positive thing for Soldotna and the whole Kenai Peninsula.

I'm concerned about the loss of sales tax revenue when Wal-Mart opens up and will encourage new businesses to invest in Soldotna. I would encourage existing businesses that will be impacted by Wal-Mart to find a specialty niche to keep their businesses profitable.

As a former Marine I would like to continue Mayor Carey's support for our Military and Veterans. While he was City Mayor he was a tireless advocate for the Veterans of our community.

This has been my home for as long as I can remember and it is where I will someday be buried, providing Soldotna can finally get the one thing it is lacking and that is a beautiful memorial park. I would like to see this memorial park on the City owned property at the end of West Redoubt. Access would be off of Redoubt Avenue and not through a subdivision. This parcel overlooks the Kenai River and the city already owns it. Last year the voters approved this site 63% to 37%, but the current City Council rejected the site and they are trying to buy multiple expensive properties off of Knight Drive with a less than desirable access and view. Please support the candidates for Soldotna City Council that advocate a beautiful memorial park overlooking the Kenai River off of West Redoubt.

I grew up fishing on the banks of the Kenai River. I can remember when the roads in Soldotna were first paved, the first city & water projects, the first city park, and playing hockey outside in below zero weather. We have come a long ways since then and I would like to keep Soldotna the best city anywhere.

On Oct 6th I would appreciate your vote.