Palmer Council candidates participate in forum

PALMER — Candidates for the Palmer City Council participated in a forum at the Palmer Chamber of Commerce office on September 17. Along with four different propositions on Palmer’s ballot this year are three candidates running for two three-year terms on the Palmer council. Deputy Mayor Linda Combs, Councilwoman Sabrena Combs and Brian Daniels all provided brief introductions and closing comments and responded to six questions. The candidates were asked:

1 — What made you decide to run for City Council?

2 — If elected, what changes would you consider bringing to the city of Palmer?

3 — What in your life do you feel has prepared you to lead as a member of the City Council and Why?

4 — What is something you feel that the city of Palmer should improve?

5 — What do you think of the information presented on annexation and if elected, how would you propose the city of Palmer proceed with the process?

6 — What does the city of Palmer mean to you and if elected, how would you give back to the community as a member of the council?

Candidates were also asked additional questions about how they consume their news and the plastic bag ban repeal submitted by live viewers.

Deputy Mayor Linda CombsLinda Combs has served over eight years on the Palmer Council during three terms. Combs was appointed to the council in 2018 and then reelected later that year.

“We want to see a continued steady managed stewardship of the city and that’s always been my goal so with the understanding of the history and the processes of the city charter and city codes and then weighing in with the opinions of different boards and community organizations, groups, individuals, all of this impacts every decision that comes before the city council,” said Linda Combs.

Linda Combs repeatedly stressed that she would like to see more communication between the council and the citizens of Palmer. Following the preliminary annexation presentation to the council by Agnew Beck, candidates were asked about annexation.

“I consider that it’s part of our responsibility at the city council level, the city level to periodically do these studies for that very reason, we need to see if we’re doing the best that we can do to represent and to benefit our citizens and possibly those who have moved in close to us. They moved in close to us because they like us so I would just like to see open conversation accompanied by some open minds,” said Linda Combs.

Linda Combs was pleased to see the many different methods by which Palmer voters can cast their ballots this year. Linda Combs was one of four council members to vote to repeal the plastic bag ban until after the end of Governor Dunleavy’s COVID-19 emergency order.

“I voted to do it because of several reasons, one reason is it’s temporary, it is not forever. The other reason is the council has a responsibility big time to listen to any business. I don’t care if they’re a corporate great big store or if they’re an artist in a one room store, we have a responsibility to listen to them and reach out when they ask for help,” said Linda Combs.

Sabrena CombsSabrena Combs was elected to the Palmer city council in 2017.

“Three years ago I decided to run because I didn’t feel that my demographic was being represented very well on the council. I think a city council should represent the community as a whole and there wasn’t someone that I felt was doing that for me,” said Sabrena Combs.

Sabrena Combs promoted an expansion of e-commerce in Palmer and said that it should be easier for businesses to do business with the city. Sabrena Combs also said that she has hopes that the council can work better together.

“When we work together and stop silly infighting, I think every one of us has really good ideas. We just need to be willing to listen to each other regardless of what side of the aisle we are. We’re a nonpartisan city council but it doesn’t always feel that way,” said Sabrena Combs.

Sabrena Combs said that much of the public comment about annexation was based on misinformation and wants to have an open discussion with members of the public.

“I’d really like to be able to sit down with community members, both inside the city and outside the city and talk about those benefits and why I think some places would be great for annexation while others may not be worthwhile for either party,” said Sabrena Combs.

Sabrena Combs did not vote for the repeal of the plastic bag ban and said that she was disappointed in the council process.

“It is temporary but it’s not necessary. All of the stores are accepting their own bags to come in which is what we have been doing since the ban went into place. It was the first legislation i wrote for this community and I absolutely think it was pointless to lift the ban at all;’ said Sabrena Combs.

Brian DanielsBrian Daniels is a local business owner running for elected office for the first time.

“I’m a longtime community member and plan to stay. As a member of the city council I want to give back to the community by listening to them and working together to make sure Palmer’s future is well planned and awesome for everybody,” said Daniels.

Daniels echoed Linda Combs in asking for more collaboration and communication between community members about important issues.

“I also think it’s good for the council to be represented by a multitude of different backgrounds and demographics. I think that just strengthens our voice as a whole community. I can bring a fresh perspective to the council and consider myself someone who collaborates very well with my peers and someone who makes a really honest effort to listen to the community so that’s why I’m running,” said Daniels.

As the only candidate running for Palmer city council not currently serving on the council, Daniels familiarized himself with the annexation discussion.

“It’s good to let people know it’s a long process and everyone should be included in the conversation. The information presented was helpful and we really need to highlight again outreach and education on the subject as much as possible,” said Daniels.

Daniels said that he was not in favor of repealing the plastic bag ban but that he would be in favor of voter mailouts.

“It was strange to see all of the testimony from the public and then to see the vote go the way it went and still if you go to Fred Meyer there’s no plastic bags out, so it just didn’t make sense to me,” said Daniels. “It was really confusing because then it felt like wait there’s all this public testimony is the council really truly representing the people?”

The entire forum can be found at https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=366675181028257.