Contributed by David K. Fuller
For those of you who do not know me, my name is David K. Fuller and I am running for re-election to the Palmer City Council. I came to Alaska in 1978 and have been a resident of the Mat Su Valley since 1983. I graduated Palmer High School in 1990 and shortly after joined the United States Marine Corps as an Infantryman; also, I am a Veteran of Desert Storm and Operation Southern Watch. In December of 1997 I returned to Alaska and served as a traditional Army Guardsman while working full time for Air Land Transport and The Alaska Military Youth Academy. After the terrorist attacks of 2001, I volunteered for active service providing security at Ted Stevens/Anchorage International Airport. In 2002, I joined the Alaska Air National Guard, full time, supporting the NORAD/NORTHCOM Mission of Air Sovereignty and Homeland Defense. I have been a city resident since 1998 and am married to the beautiful Andrea G. Fuller. Between us we have six daughters, two dogs and a small business. I have been active in the city government since 2015 as a member of the Planning and Zoning Commission, a member of the City Council since 2016, and twice been appointed as the Ex Officio of the Board of Economic Development.
I feel some of the biggest issues facing Palmer in the near future are how can we positively grow and thrive during our State’s economic woes as well as how can we reconnect our city with itself after all of these road upgrades have literally tore our town asunder?
I feel the city can weather our State’s fiscal issues and still provide essential city services through prudent and smart fiscal decisions. But on the flipside, we cannot ignore the fact that the Valley is growing around us and those areas on the periphery of our City are growing with it. A good example of this in in the recent Glenn Highway upgrades. Upon completion, there will come a new highway frontage road with a lot of development opportunity that is not within City limits. What this means is that in a few short years, ones opinion of Palmer could be formed based off of the possible strip malls and fast food joints that could go in unregulated. It is bad enough that the first thing one sees coming in to Alaska’s Bread Basket are Gravel Pits, what would one think of a throwback to Wasilla of the 80’s? To address this issue, I am adamant about smartly growing our City’s boundaries to open up both commercial and residential development and implement smart and prudent zoning so that Palmer retains its Alaska at its Best image.
As for my statement on reconnecting Palmer, one only need look at the many thoroughfares that now carve up our town and divide neighborhoods. This issue really chaps me, as the City Council of the past, failed to address these issues when plans were first proposed. Granted, Downtown Palmer was spared, but we are more than just Downtown Palmer. We are a community that should be able to get from our homes to the grocery store, library, playground or school without fearing for our safety or the safety of our kids when crossing four lanes of traffic on foot or bicycle. To address this issue, I will work hard to get what it takes to implement pedestrian over/under passes that will allow safe crossing of the Glenn Highway, Arctic/Bogard, and the Palmer/Wasilla Highway as well as keep pushing for a safe and accessible trail connecting Cedar Hills to Palmer. Additionally, I will work for more sidewalk and trail upgrades throughout the City.
So, now that you have a good idea of who I am and some of the issues I am concerned about, I bet you want to know why I deserve your vote? What distinguishes me is that I am for positive change and not for following the status quo. I am for Term Limits for the Council and Mayor as well as growing the City and its boundaries. I am here for the citizens of Palmer; I will listen to what voters have to say and do my best to serve their trust. I am not in this for anything else but to make Palmer a great place to work, live and play. I will not pass the buck and I will be accountable for my bad decisions as well as my good ones.
Thank you for your time and support and please vote on Election Day October 1st 2019!
