Soldotna Mayor Paul Whitney declared November National Family Caregiver Month and Veterans and Military Families Month in Soldotna during a City Council meeting last Wednesday evening.
“8,400 Alaskans are currently living with Alzheimer’s disease, supported by 25,000 unpaid caregivers who provide 39 million hours of care annually, valued at $796 million,” Whitney said. “I urge all residents to support caregivers in our community by volunteering with organizations like the Alzheimer’s Association. Every effort, from helping with daily tasks to providing respite care, can make a significant difference.”
Council member Dave Carey applauded Whitney’s decision to proclaim November Veteran and Military Families Month during the meeting’s council comments.
“I’ve been around a while, and I know that every single mayor of the city and the administration always support those who serve in the military,” Carey said. “But I have found in the last six years you consistently bring those things to our attention. You consistently show our pride for those in the military, and I greatly appreciate and thank you for what you’re doing with those efforts.”
During the 30 minute-long meeting, Vice Mayor Lisa Parker was reappointed to her position of office. Council members also reviewed the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly meeting that occurred the previous evening. Several ordinances were then introduced, including amendments to municipal code relating to elections, increasing city manager appropriations, amending city departments and repealing language authorizing the fire department to extend aid outside of the city’s corporate boundaries. Further discussion and action relating to the newly introduced ordinances will occur during the next meeting on Nov. 12.
City council members passed an ordinance increasing appropriations by $8,800 to allow for the purchase of a new plotter in city hall, stating the current machine, which the city uses to scan and print large format drawings, “has passed its useful life and is in need of replacement.” The old plotter will be auctioned off in November.
The next city council meeting will occur on Nov. 12 at 6 p.m. in the city council chamber and via Zoom.
