October ballot set for Palmer government posts

July 29, 2007

By Hannah Guillaume/Frontiersman

PALMER - The race for Palmer mayor and city council has begun.

Six candidates, five for city council, will be on the Oct. 2 ballot.

Candidates in this election will have to argue on major issues affecting Palmer's future, including proposals for building natural gas- and coal-fired power plants, a wastewater treatment plant that is running out of room and renovations to downtown Palmer that balance its traditional small-town look with the growing needs of the population.

The newly elected mayor and council members will serve three-year terms ending October 2010.

John Combs

Combs, the incumbent, is the only candidate for mayor.

&#8220I just have an innate desire when I get something started, I like to see it finished,” Combs said.

He was elected to the city council in October 2000 and has served as mayor since 2004. He said he wants to develop &#8220a solid foundation for healthy economic growth while preserving the traditional downtown shopping experience for residents and visitors alike,” according to the city Web page.

Contact John Combs at 761-1313.

Candidates for City Council

Kathrine Vanover

She was elected to the city council in 2001 and re-elected in 2004. Vanover said she wants to see Palmer's hardworking people recognized for their work and wants to preserve the small-town look that Palmer is known for.

Contact Katherine Vanover at 745-4517.

Michael Thomas

Thomas said he is running for council &#8220because I want to make sure we can get some growth into downtown Palmer.” He said sidewalks and light posts are great, but there needs to be more shops with specialty items that will draw more people to downtown. He said he wants to ensure Palmer's fire and police have the latest equipment.

Contact Michael Thomas at 746-5868.

Jim Wood

He said the main challenge for the new council will be balancing the needs of farmlands nearest downtown with commercial development. &#8220There is a delicate balance that needs to be struck there,” Wood said. He wants to &#8220help guide Palmer to stable, measured growth while preserving its friendly, rural nature. Jim's priority is equitable, rational and suitable zoning,” according to the city Web page. Wood was elected to the city council in 2004.

Contact Jim Wood at 746-6487.

Emil Fondahn

Fondahn is trying to become a city council member because annexing farmlands and housing tracts for commercial development is wrong, he said. &#8220They're trying to annex everybody and they shouldn't,” Fondahn said. He'd like to see more recreation opportunities for Palmer's children and is against Wal-Mart coming in because it's not for unions. He also believes there are too many police officers in the Palmer Police Department.

Contact Emil Fondahn at 232-9055.

Michael Chmielewski

Running for city council for the first time, Chmielewski wants to see downtown renovations, including sidewalks, bike paths and buildings, continue without damaging the small town atmosphere. He is a former Mat-Su School Board president from 2002 to 2005, president of Friends of Mat-Su, Palmer Museum of History and Art and board for Radio Free Palmer. &#8220I am careful to pick things that might make a difference with the energy I have,” he said.

Contact Michael Chmielewski at 746-5868.

Contact reporter Hannah Guillaume at 352-2284 or hannahguillaume@yahoo.com.