For borough mayor, experience matters

  • Saturday, October 4, 2014 6:23pm
  • Opinion

When Mike Navarre ran for Kenai Peninsula Borough mayor in 2011, he was very clear that he would not make a lot of campaign promises during the run-up to the election. What he did promise was that he would make reasonable, well-informed decisions based on the best information available.

Three years later, Navarre has delivered on that promise, and is the best choice to lead the borough for the next three years.

In Tuesday’s municipal election, Navarre faces Tom Bearup and Carrol Martin, both of whom bring varied experience to the race.

ADVERTISEMENT
0 seconds of 0 secondsVolume 0%
Press shift question mark to access a list of keyboard shortcuts
00:00
00:00
00:00
 

When it comes to managing the borough, experience matters. Navarre has demonstrated his ability to draw on his own experience as a businessman and as an elected official in effectively overseeing all aspects of the borough’s administration.

Without a doubt, Navarre has had to address numerous complex and controversial issues during the past three years, from the anadromous waters habitat protection ordinance to the oncology center at Central Peninsula Hospital to the current Alaska LNG Project.

Navarre has been consistent in his approach to these and other issues, listening to what all parties involved have to say and finding a solution that best benefits residents and moves the borough forward.

Looking ahead, there are a number of issues facing the borough that will require steady leadership. Navarre has taken a leadership role among other communities across the state in ensuring that local governments have a voice in the Alaska LNG Project process. Health care and hospital governance will continue to be an issue, and Navarre has shown a deep understanding of the complexities on that issue as well.

Our borough mayor needs to be knowledgeable, experienced, responsive, and accountable. Mike Navarre has those qualities, and we believe he will continue to do an excellent job as borough mayor.

Borough voters will be selecting more than just the borough mayor on Tuesday. There’s advisory ballot propositions on limited animal control in the borough’s unincorporated areas and a mechanism to pay for it, and on vote-by-mail elections. Seats are up for grabs on the borough assembly and board of education. Kenai voters will be voting for city council; Soldotna voters will cast ballots for city council, mayor and a ballot proposition on finance disclosure for city officials.

So, whether you are satisfied with government as it is, or would like to see changes, Tuesday is your opportunity to make your voice heard. Polls will be open from 7 a.m. until 8 p.m. Please vote.

More in Opinion

Alex Koplin. (courtesy photo)
Opinion: Public schools do much more than just teach the three Rs

Isn’t it worth spending the money to provide a quality education for each student that enters our schools?

Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks to reporters at the Alaska State Capitol on Thursday, April 17, 2025. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire file photo)
Letter to the Editor: Law enforcement officers helped ensure smooth, secure energy conference

Their visible commitment to public safety allowed attendees to focus fully on collaboration, learning, and the important conversations shaping our path forward.

Laurie Craig / Juneau Empire file photo
The present-day KTOO public broadcasting building, built in 1959 for the U.S. Army’s Alaska Communications System Signal Corps, is located on filled tidelands near Juneau’s subport. Today vehicles on Egan Drive pass by the concrete structure with satellite dishes on the roof that receive signals from NPR, PBS and other sources.
My Turn: Stand for the community radio, not culture war optics

Alaskans are different and we pride ourselves on that. If my vehicle… Continue reading

U.S. Sen. Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska) delivers his annual speech to the Alaska Legislature on Thursday, March 20, 2025. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire file photo)
Opinion: Sullivan, Trump and the rule of lawlessness

In September 2023, U.S. Sen. Dan Sullivan established his own Alaska Federal… Continue reading

UAA Provost Denise Runge photographed outside the Administration and Humanities Building at the University of Alaskas Anchorage. (courtesy photo)
Opinion: UAA’s College of Health — Empowering Alaska’s future, one nurse at a time

At the University of Alaska Anchorage, we understand the health of our… Continue reading

U.S. Rep. Nick Begich III, R-Alaska, address a joint session of the Alaska Legislature on Thursday, Feb. 20, 2025. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)
Opinion: A noncongressman for Alaska?

It’s right to ask whether Nick Begich is a noncongressman for Alaska.… Continue reading

Boats return to the Homer Harbor at the end of the fishing period for the 30th annual Winter King Salmon Tournament on Saturday, March 23, 2024 in Homer, Alaska. (Delcenia Cosman/Homer News)
Opinion: Funding sustainable fisheries

Spring is always a busy season for Alaska’s fishermen and fishing communities.… Continue reading

Gov. Mike Dunleavy holds a press conference on Monday, May 19, 2025, to discuss his decision to veto an education bill. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire file photo)
Opinion: On fiscal policy, Dunleavy is a governor in name only

His fiscal credibility is so close to zero that lawmakers have no reason to take him seriously.

Sen. Jesse Bjorkman, R-Nikiski, speaks in support overriding Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s veto of House Bill 69 at the Alaska Capitol in Juneau, Alaska, on Tuesday, April 22, 2025. (Mark Sabbatini/Juneau Empire)
Capitol Corner: Finishing a session that will make a lasting impact

Sen. Jesse Bjorkman reports back from Juneau.

Courtesy/Chris Arend
Opinion: Protect Alaska renewable energy projects

The recently passed House budget reconciliation bill puts important projects and jobs at risk.

Rep. Justin Ruffridge, R-Soldotna, speaks in support of debating an omnibus education bill in the Alaska House Chambers on Monday, Feb. 19, 2024 in Juneau, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Capitol Corner: Choosing our priorities wisely

Rep. Justin Ruffridge reports back from Juneau.

You're browsing in private mode.
Please sign in or subscribe to continue reading articles in this mode.

Peninsula Clarion relies on subscription revenue to provide local content for our readers.

Subscribe

Already a subscriber? Please sign in