Best weekend of the year

We are now at the Fall equinox and in some ways the most beautiful time of year. Palmer looked fine this weekend. There were open shops, farm stands, football, frivolity, markets, and outdoor concerts. There was a meaningful Saturday night celebration and vigil for Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg, on the Palmer Courthouse steps. (See above picture.) There were rainbows, the milky way and shooting stars in the skies. There are hard-core flowers still blooming and busting a move in the gardens. There is snow waving from the mountain peaks and golden leaves still hanging on to the trees. How lucky are we to live in this land?

Palmer City Election Time—There is one sole election in October and it is the Palmer city election. It happens on Tuesday, October 6, 2020. No other elections happen in October except Palmer’s. This is different than years past. All the other elections, at the borough, state and national level, will occur in tandem in November.

Palmer Area of Influence is NOT Palmer City limits—In other words, many, many people who love and claim Palmer as their town, do not vote on city issues or candidates. Not everyone understands the parameters here. So to be clear…if you LIVE in city limits, you get the privilege of voting in City elections. This is only fair. As a city resident, you pay taxes and receive services ( ie. police, water lines, trash pick up, and safety/zoning), and representation. Approximately 7500 people live in the city’s approximate 5.2 square miles.

No You Can’t Vote— If you live outside of city limits you only pay sales tax and benefit from what Palmer has to offer. There is one estimate of 37,000 people living close to and surrounding Palmer—in Butte, Lazy Mountain, Farm Loop, Buffalo Mine, Hatcher Pass, Palmer Fishhook, Equestrian Acres, College area, Trunk Road, Hospital area, Kepler Lakes and Glenn Highway—all of which affiliate with Palmer. But these areas are not in city limits and therefore people who live in these places are not voters in this local city election. The “99645 area of influence” is large and rambling with subdivisions, rural routes, large acre residential homes, and both small and large farms and businesses. Many of us depend on Palmer for shopping, entertainment, medical services, banking, libraries, schools, fuel, markets, shops, restaurants, Senior services, ice skating, tennis courts, gardens, museums, walking and running routes, yoga, dry cleaners, hair salons, barber shops, and many other services. Palmer benefits from outsiders’ patronage and gives a lot in return, like any small well-loved town. However, non-city residents do not vote in city elections.

Yes, You Can Vote— Palmer city residents need to realize the amount of power they hold and the opportunity and obligation to vote to make the City of Palmer better for everyone. There are three candidates running for two city council seats. All three individuals, Sabrena Combs, Linda Combs, and Brian Daniels are dedicated, caring and committed to continuing Palmer’s wonderful ways. Their individual visions and missions are all good. Isn’t it terrific when all three of the candidates are good people? There is not a bad one in the bunch. And frankly, that is one of the fine things about Palmer. There are also four different propositions to vote on which involve fines, term limits, marijuana and revenue bonds. Be a smart voter and read up on the issues and candidates. All info is available on the City of Palmer’s webpage. Early voting is available now through election day. You can request an absentee ballot up until September 29th. So Palmer City Residents, please vote in a good and healthy election. We all thank you.

Barbara Hunt is both Palmer writer and artist. She works hard to keep the robust pulse of Palmer, Alaska. She shares the good stuff in the weekly Palmer Alaska Buzz Column in the Mat Su Valley Frontiersman and daily on the Palmer Alaska Buzz Facebook Group. Her “Palmer Buzz Community Calendar” is available at Palmer shops and museum. Contact at bhunt@mtaonline.net or text 907.315.3222