Business owner facing incumbents in race for Palmer City Council seats

PALMER — Voters who live inside the city limits of Palmer will elect three city councilors on Tuesday.

Linda Combs is running unopposed for the lone two-year term. Pete LaFrance and Richard Best are both running to retain their seats on the council right next to one another. LaFrance acknowledged during council comments on Tuesday that this could be the last meeting he would attend if he is not re-elected, though Best corrected him, noting that they would both need to be present at the Oct. 8 meeting.

Best and LaFrance are running against an outsider, in many senses of the word. Julie Berberich, 49, who owns Backcountry Bike and Ski with her husband Tony, has no prior experience in the political realm, which makes her an outsider. She, like LaFrance, is a constant advocate for increasing trails and the bikeability of Palmer, not just for the growth of her business, but the growth of the community as a whole, which also makes her an outsider.

Best, the deputy mayor, was first elected to the council in 2006 and has won re-election ever since. He describes himself as “a regular guy.” Best notes his experience as a defining attribute of why people should vote for him. Best served on the Planning and Zoning Commission before being elected to the council, and sits on the Board of Economic Development as an ex-officio member. Best got involved in local government when a section of historic trail behind his property was in danger and he wanted to do something about it.

“That’s what started it all there, getting involved, finding out how you could protect certain things and grow your community,” Best said. “I love the community that has adopted me for the last, almost 20 years. Now Palmer is a great place and I look to make sure that we continue to have a great place.”

Best is the only one of the three running for the three-year-term that does not support term limits. Best does want to begin work on discussion about annexation.

“We are such a great community and that we have such services that it would be in their best interests to annex into the city and we can show how it will better service the greater Palmer community,” Best said.

Berberich moved to the Valley with her husband nearly 20 years ago and started their business 10 years ago. She has worked as a bookkeeper since she moved to the Valley and knows how to write a balanced budget. Berberich wants to see more a business friendly atmosphere in Palmer, which already has a strong shop local movement. Berberich described her campaign as “civic courage,” as she is not much of an extrovert but wants to see change in the council.

“I think that the council needs to have term limits. I think fresh blood and fresh voice is important and the demographics of Palmer, as they change I think that the people on the council need to change,” Berberich said. “ I honestly think that three terms is enough time to get your vision across.”

Berberich points out that there are no business owners on the council currently and hopes to be a liaison for the business community if elected. Berberich sees the increase in trails as a good way to expand the city’s services throughout greater palmer.

“It’s good for Palmer, it’s good for not just Palmer but everybody that identifies themself as being from Palmer,” Berberich said.

Berberich acknowledges that she lacks experience as a public servant, but is eager to start work improving the community.

Pete LaFrance is nearing the end of his first term and seeking re-election. LaFrance was born and raised in Palmer before traveling abroad and throughout the country. LaFrance is currently a teacher, and joins Berberich as one of the “outsiders” who spends a large portion of time skiing or biking. LaFrance often plugs local races with his council comments, and often voices the concerns of the opposition to issues facing the council.

“I am eager to continue serving my community I want to make palmer as good and safe as I possibly can,” LaFrance said.

LaFrance bikes to every council meeting, even in the dead of winter. He is committed to improving trails and walkways throughout the city.

“I’d like to continue to work on making sure we have safe connections to all of our schools and neighborhoods for our kids to make their way to school via on foot or on bike,” LaFrance said.

LaFrance was one of the sponsors of the failed term limits project, but still takes pride in his role in attempting to curtail career politicians.

“I’m happy to have worked on the term limits even though it failed,” LaFrance said.

LaFrance encourages those with questions or issues to call him to talk about how to make Palmer a better place.

“I put my cell number on campaign material and that is my real cell number,” LaFrance said.