City of Palmer highlights local achievements during annual picnic

PALMER — The City of Palmer recognized several community members for their dedication to making the area a better place to live during the annual Celebrate Palmer public picnic and award ceremony.

"It's a time for the community to come together," Palmer Mayor Steve Carrington said.

During this year's award ceremony, Mike Chmielewski of Big Cabbage Radio was named the Citizen of the Year, Sherman Leifer and Wes Artz of the Palmer Bar received the Business of the Year award, and Aundre Jackson of the Mat-Su Martin Luther King Jr. Foundation received the new Influencer of the Year award.

Those who received awards were recognized for going above and beyond to improve the Palmer community through various efforts. In addition to unique plaques, each recipient was also handed a key to the city.

"It's a good tradition, trying to celebrate Palmer," Carrington said. "I think that's part of what makes Palmer such a great place. We have a lot of volunteerism."

Jackson said that he loves the Palmer community due to its abundantly welcoming atmosphere that's evident across all sectors of the public, from the average person walking down the street to the representatives in City Hall.

"Because of that, we can make a difference together," Jackson said.

Carrington said that Palmer continues to evolve with the rest of the Mat-Su Valley, but it's managed to retain its small town feel and continues to operate as a tight knit community.

"I like the friendliness of it. We're growing but we're not too big at this point," Carrington said.

Contact Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman reporter Jacob Mann at jacob.mann@frontiersman.com