Candidates vow uncontested race won’t slow them

Although unopposed, Brown and Hanson talked about their hopes for the city of Palmer, and Brown expressed disappointment with the dismal turnout of candidates.

Kevin Brown

When Brown moved to Palmer two years ago, he knew he was home.

The Missouri native came to Alaska seeking adventure and ended up finding what he calls a “welcoming, friendly place” in Palmer.

Brown attended college at Southeast Missouri State with multiple majors in philosophy, political science and economics. After two years of living in Palmer and trying to be as involved as possible, Brown said the time is right for him to make a run for city council so he can help continue the path the city is already on.

“I believe very strongly in giving back to your community,” Brown said.

Heading up the Palmer’s Planning Commission and serving on the board of directors for the Valley Community Recycling Center are among Brown’s community involvement. He’s also the chair of the Mat-Su Democrats and owner of Strange Bird Consulting, a marketing and public relations firm.

Brown has been helping to handle the campaigns of Democratic state Senate candidate Erick Cordero and Fireside Books owner David Cheezum, a Democrat who is running for state House. When his own campaign season ramps up over the coming months, Brown said he will focus on economic development that fits Palmer’s character.

“Economic development is essential,” Brown said.

His goal is to preserve Palmer’s small-town feel, while still attracting business that will create jobs and bolster Palmer’s economy.

“The small-town feel is critical to keep in Palmer,” Brown said.

Being a city councilman means listening to constituents and taking their concerns and needs to council meetings, which is what he’ll do, Brown said.

As campaign season heats up, he said he’ll meet as many Palmer residents as possible to gauge what people really want from their city.

“If  you’re not there to represent the people in the community, why are you there?” Brown said.

As to the dearth of candidates in this year’s election, Brown said he’s very disappointed.

“I’m not sure why people didn’t sign up,” Brown said. “I think, in general, there’s a lot of apathy.”

He said the lack of interest among residents to become involved in their community is a detriment to democracy.

“Democracy is the people getting involved, expressing their ideas, working to change or maintain their community,” Brown said.

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.

Contact Michael Rovito at michael.rovito@frontiersman.com or 352-2252.