One way, two way or no way couplet

I decided to go to the latest public meeting about the One Way Palmer Couplet. I went to this because I was curious about what had taken place and was not disappointed about the way it was presented and how the outcome came about. Allow me to make a few comments.

First of all in Palmer city politics it has been my experience that the decisions are always finalized before any public input or opposition can be conducted. By the time the public is made aware, the decision is made and all the meetings and discussions are simply a token to say that due process was followed. It happened with Fred Meyer’s appearance, it happened with the comprehensive plan being drawn up, it happened with the Walmart issue, it happened with the ice arena, and it happened once again with the Palmer Couplet decision. The choice between four options was given to the Palmer council and they chose the One Way Couplet option for us, back in 2007. So when we had an opportunity to voice our opinions in the meeting held April 28, it became clear early on that we really had no options about having the One Way couplet, but we could talk about signals, parking areas or cobblestones, etc. Just the token items to make us all feel like we were a part of the process.

To the council’s credit they did have a public meeting called the Palmer Urban Traffic Study Open House, now that brings to mind a discussion about a One Way Couplet starting at Hemmer Road and proceeding right through Palmer to the Old Hospital area and back around on Dogwood through land that the owner says they will not sell, and connecting to Arctic behind Carrs doesn’t it? I have a feeling that eminent domain will be used for this, much to the chagrin of the owner who adamantly stated that her land was not for sale. So not many went to this open house, and the vote for choosing the One Way Couplet was held shortly after that, after all they had their public input meeting.

Does anyone want to volunteer to form a watchdog group that does nothing but pay attention to all the council meetings for us and interpret those meetings into plain English that we can all understand? This would be helpful for many of us who always hear of their antics far too late to do anything about them.

I have to wonder if all city politics work like this or is it just Palmer? I only have to stop and think about our federal government and conclude that this is politics at its best, not Alaska at its best. If this is the status quo for Palmer city government, then it may be high time for a change. The only problem is that the city limits are so restricted that most of the people who would like to serve Palmer or vote for it’s elected officials live outside those limits. I would like to see the voting limits brought into a little more reasonable structure. Since Palmer is sending water as far away as the hospital, and is going to be the water treatment plant for the college, hospital and possibly Wasilla, and since it receives revenue from these items, why not extend the voting limitations to all those who have a Palmer address?

I wonder if following the money would help in this circumstance? Who stands to benefit the most from doing this project? Is it the city and concern for it’s citizens? Is it the seniors? Is it the business owners, who by the way, seem to be the most vocal against this idea? Or is it certain council members, their business partners, friends or relatives? I don’t know and I am not trying to insinuate anything about our officials, but if the money trail was followed closely I’m sure it would lead somewhere. And if that somewhere was upright and genuine then I will be the first one to say, “Thank you City of Palmer!!!”

The man representing the state Department of Transportation seemed to put great emphasis on safety for this couplet. I have to wonder to myself, when was the last time someone had a major accident in this area of the roadway? The last fatality? Safety for what? Which brings me back to the question, “Does Palmer have a traffic problem?” For about an hour or so, Evergreen is lined up with cars pretty heavy, but to the credit of the courteous drivers in Palmer, there are a considerable amount of allowances made by all drivers to get into businesses, roadways, etc., so I don’t think there is necessarily a problem, at least that needs a solution of this magnitude.

Now one last comment. In all of these options for a new couplet from Hemmer Road down to Palmer there is a road that appears on every drawing, with lights on both ends of it. It doesn’t exist as of now, but it will. It’s isn’t exactly needed for this couplet idea to work one way or the other, pun intended, but it will. It seems kind of odd that it shows up on every drawing, considering the community it passes through was so adamant about not having it there at all. It is an extension across Palmer Wasilla Highway of Felton Street. Now those of you who live back there and enjoy your peace and quiet should be made aware that it is coming whether you like it or not. They held public meetings (remember the Palmer Urban Traffic Study Open House?). And they voted on putting in that road right through your peaceful walking areas and right next to your schools. I believe this is the main crux of why all this street changing business is being considered in the first place. I hate to say it, because it brings about such a twisted web of opinions, but one thing is for sure, Walmart has to have Felton Street built to open its store on that $12 million piece of land they purchased. This design is exactly what DOT said would need to happen if they wanted to build there. Funny, now it’s part of a Palmer Couplet Project and all the concern and attention is being drawn away to the One Way coming into Palmer. When Walmart is finished, it won’t matter whether it’s a two way, one way or no way, the downtown will be finished. It’s just a matter of common knowledge that going to one place to shop is much easier than going to a few smaller ones. So when they speak of a pedestrian downtown, with ease of walking and park benches being considered, that’s why. There won’t be any cars going to any businesses downtown. They will all go to Walmart on one side and leave Walmart on the other side, right next to the schools. How’s that for fixing our small traffic issues?

Rick Shields lives in Palmer.