By Linda Farnsworth-Hutchings
My name is Linda Farnsworth-Hutchings, and I am running to serve you as Kenai Peninsula Borough mayor. This vast area represents the heart of southern Alaska, extending north to the Upper Cook Inlet communities of Hope, Tyonek and Beluga, south to Port Graham and Nanwalek, west across Cook Inlet to Lake Clark National Park and Preserve and east to Seward and Prince William Sound. This is my home, where I was born and raised, met my husband David, and raised our children and grandchildren.
I am thankful for my parents who lived the values of hard work and service to the community, displaying the dignity and humanity of people pulling together to serve the common cause of taking care of our neighbors and our shared concerns. Today it defines what I bring to the job of Mayor.
My campaign platform is direct and unambiguous and was developed from listening to and learning from hundreds of people across our borough. I stand for business-friendly policies that help grow our economy and provide jobs for our people; fiscal conservatism that recognizes our need for a balanced and sustainable budget; educational excellence for every student with an emphasis on increased capacity of career and technical education programs; affordable and accessible health care; superior road maintenance; and safe communities supported by strong emergency services.
As your next Kenai Peninsula Borough mayor, I will accomplish these priorities through ethical leadership, promoting responsible spending, and pursuit of the absolute best service delivery options for our residents.
My family homesteaded in the greater Soldotna area during the 1940s. We commercial fished in the summer and provided fuel oil and propane year-round to residents and businesses from our shop in Kenai. Together, my husband, David, and I raised our two children and four grandchildren on the Kenai Peninsula.
In 1974, we opened Hutchings Sales and Service, the first of our successful car and truck dealerships. Today we own and operate Hutchings Auto Group. In the last 48 years we have employed approximately 2,200 Kenai Peninsula residents and provided thousands of vehicles to local families. David and I have reinvested our business proceeds into numerous charities, civic organizations and community foundations that strengthen the fabric of the greater Kenai Peninsula Borough. Currently, I am honored to serve as a member of the Soldotna City Council and have formerly served on several state boards and commissions.
I will support only laws that serve our people and our communities, and not ones that constrain our liberty or ability to enjoy the fruits of our labor. I will assertively defend our borough’s economic interests and strive to be a bridge builder with local communities, neighboring boroughs, and state government in order to promote unity within and to strengthen our borough’s voice throughout Alaska.
I have learned in a long business and public service career to listen to people, to show honor to everyone, and to act with courage, self-control, and decisiveness. I will bring this same approach to my work representing you as mayor of the Kenai Peninsula Borough.
I am blessed and thankful to have a strong and diverse team of volunteers across our borough. The message and spirit of our campaign is resonating with people, and it shows in the outpouring of support. I can be reached at linda@lindaforkpbmayor.net and would love to hear from you.
I look forward to earning your vote on Feb. 14 and will be honored to serve as your next Kenai Peninsula Borough mayor.
