Allen’s future doesn’t include borough post

PALMER — Don’t expect City Manager Bill Allen to ride into the sunset come September when he finishes his two-year contract.

Shortly after Palmer City Council declined in April to extend Allen’s contract, longtime Mat-Su Borough Manager John Duffy announced his retirement. It was a move that caught Allen’s attention to the point he considered applying for the job. As a former Fairbanks North Star Borough mayor and Mat-Su Borough assemblyman, Allen said he could bring unique experience to the job.

“You must have a screen inside my head,” Allen said in May when asked if he had any interest in the borough job. “Yeah, I have been thinking about it.”

About six weeks have passed, and Allen said he has several options for his future. Has he thought more about the borough job?

“Yes,” he said Monday afternoon.

Will you apply?

“No,” Allen replied. “I have to tell you, I did think about it. I received some favorable phone calls urging me to and had some other options available to me as well.”

Those other options won out, he said, declining to be more specific.

“I’ll be able to talk about those in a couple of months,” he said. “I still have gas in my tank. I just can’t see me retiring. My wife, God love her, wants me to slow down a little bit, but it would be her nightmare to have me around more.”

Whatever Allen chooses, his future is to remain in the Valley, he said.

“My grandkids are here,” he said. “We love Palmer and love Alaska, so I wouldn’t leave this place.”

Until then, Allen said he intends to continue as Palmer city manager. “I have that commitment and I’m going to honor it.”

Contact Greg Johnson at greg.johnson@frontiersman.com or 352-2269.