From the
Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman
Wasilla, Alaska
August 16, 2008
PALMER — Palmer’s run for city council won’t be a race as only two candidates filed for the two seats up for election this year. Kevin Brown and Brad Hanson will be elected, assuming a write-in candidate doesn’t emerge and garner at least the second-most votes for council.
This year’s candidate turnout in Palmer pales in comparison to last year, when five residents ran for two open council seats. The 2007 race, however, also featured an uncontested race for mayor, with Mayor John Combs running...
Brad Hanson
Coming off his 10th year as a Palmer city councilman, Hanson said he’s running for another term because he wants to finish what he’s started.
“I’ve been doing it for 10 years,” Hanson said of his council service. “I’m interested in the city of Palmer.”
Hanson said while he feels the council has made much progress over the past decade, there’s still work to be done.
“There are some things that still need to be done to improve the quality of life here,” Hanson said.
Born in Montana, Hanson moved to Alaska at age 2, landing in Glennallen with his family. He moved to Palmer when he was 6 and has lived there for 40 years now.
The offense coordinator for Palmer High School’s football team and head coach of Palmer’s varsity hockey team, Hanson also owns some property from which he makes a living.
Educated at Northern Arizona University and the University of Alaska Anchorage, he holds a bachelor’s degree in finance and also has a master of business administration.
Hanson said some of the improvements that have happened while he’s been on council include more recreational opportunities for area youth, the paving of many Palmer streets and the beautification of downtown.
Now, Hanson said one of his objectives is to increase the shopping opportunities in Palmer while maintaining the town’s appeal.
For those worried about big-box stores crowding the streets in Palmer, Hanson said a large retail ordinance passed years ago already addresses how the city would handle such growth.
“It doesn’t prohibit large retail,” Hanson said. “What it says is here are some values we deem important to our community.”
Hanson went on to call shopping a quality-of-life issue, adding that if residents have to leave Palmer to buy the goods they need, the city is not being a “full-service community.”
Not only that, but Hanson said Palmer is exporting its sales tax revenue to Wasilla by being deficient in some of the stores at which many residents want to shop.
“Small-town charm costs money,” Hanson said. “It costs a lot of money.”
Unlike Brown, Hanson said he isn’t disappointed more people didn’t file to run for a council seat. During his next term, Hanson said he’ll continue doing what he feels he’s done for the past decade.
“I’m just going to try to do the best job I can,” he said.
August 16, 2008
PALMER — Palmer’s run for city council won’t be a race as only two candidates filed for the two seats up for election this year. Kevin Brown and Brad Hanson will be elected, assuming a write-in candidate doesn’t emerge and garner at least the second-most votes for council.
This year’s candidate turnout in Palmer pales in comparison to last year, when five residents ran for two open council seats. The 2007 race, however, also featured an uncontested race for mayor, with Mayor John Combs running...
Brad Hanson
Coming off his 10th year as a Palmer city councilman, Hanson said he’s running for another term because he wants to finish what he’s started.
“I’ve been doing it for 10 years,” Hanson said of his council service. “I’m interested in the city of Palmer.”
Hanson said while he feels the council has made much progress over the past decade, there’s still work to be done.
“There are some things that still need to be done to improve the quality of life here,” Hanson said.
Born in Montana, Hanson moved to Alaska at age 2, landing in Glennallen with his family. He moved to Palmer when he was 6 and has lived there for 40 years now.
The offense coordinator for Palmer High School’s football team and head coach of Palmer’s varsity hockey team, Hanson also owns some property from which he makes a living.
Educated at Northern Arizona University and the University of Alaska Anchorage, he holds a bachelor’s degree in finance and also has a master of business administration.
Hanson said some of the improvements that have happened while he’s been on council include more recreational opportunities for area youth, the paving of many Palmer streets and the beautification of downtown.
Now, Hanson said one of his objectives is to increase the shopping opportunities in Palmer while maintaining the town’s appeal.
For those worried about big-box stores crowding the streets in Palmer, Hanson said a large retail ordinance passed years ago already addresses how the city would handle such growth.
“It doesn’t prohibit large retail,” Hanson said. “What it says is here are some values we deem important to our community.”
Hanson went on to call shopping a quality-of-life issue, adding that if residents have to leave Palmer to buy the goods they need, the city is not being a “full-service community.”
Not only that, but Hanson said Palmer is exporting its sales tax revenue to Wasilla by being deficient in some of the stores at which many residents want to shop.
“Small-town charm costs money,” Hanson said. “It costs a lot of money.”
Unlike Brown, Hanson said he isn’t disappointed more people didn’t file to run for a council seat. During his next term, Hanson said he’ll continue doing what he feels he’s done for the past decade.
“I’m just going to try to do the best job I can,” he said.
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