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.
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.
