You don’t have to be a long time Peninsula resident to recognize the Navarre name during election season. Tim Navarre is looking to return for a third term on the Kenai city council, adding to a long resume of public service.
Serving on a city council is often characterized as a thankless job. But Tim Navarre says the urging of residents is one of the reasons he keeps putting his name on the ballot.
“The feel comfortable talking to me about different issues that are happening in the city. They know I’ll talk to them straight and give them the facts and tell them where my position is. And if I don’t have a position, I discuss it to figure out how I should fall on an issue. The real reason I do it is it makes a difference in our community and right now I have the time and energy to put into it, so I do.”
One of the issues he’ll be focusing on if he’s sent back to the council is bluff erosion. After decades of studies and financial wrangling, that project to shore up the bluff might finally be approved some time in the next year.
“It means protecting Old Town, it means protecting private property and it means protecting city properties; roads and infrastructure. At the same time, we’re hoping that there’ll actually be a walking trail down to the beach or back up to the bluff. We’ll be able to make it a quality of life enhancement at the same time, so it’s multifaceted benefits for everybody and it will be exciting.”
Beyond the bluff, Navarre says he would also like to focus on continuing development of airport lands that make up much of the city’s footprint.
“I’m looking forward to finding a real solution for our communities so our neighborhoods are protected. So that if there are some of those properties that the airport wants to develop, they’d be limited, maybe, in the extent of development. In other words, maybe multi-use instead of commercial use. Maybe different scenarios like that. The strength of that airport is important to the city of Kenai.”
In addition to his time on the council, Navarre also served on the borough assembly for nearly a decade. He says he’s happy to take calls from residents any time about any issue, at 394-2303.