Palmer's goal is to improve Orland

Former City Councilwoman Marjorie Palmer says she is running because she wants to help improve Orland.

She served on the Orland City Council from 1998 to 2002 and believes her four years of experience and three stints on the Glenn County grand jury provide the knowledge to tackle the job.

Palmer ran for the council because of city plans to close its swimming pool.

Residents also were taking care of Loly Pop Land in Vinsonhaler Park at that time, she said.

However, after joining the council, Palmer said the council worked with the budget and kept the pool and parks open.

"The pool and our parks are a wonderful asset for Orland," she said.

She maintains it takes the whole council to work together and bring about positive changes to the city.

Palmer said she thinks Orland has "a great city staff to work with at this time," and she hopes she can make a positive impact on the community.

Economic development is a concern for the city now, she said, making it important to work with established businesses to remain active "any way we can."

At the same time, Orland needs to encourage new businesses and industry to establish themselves here, Palmer added.

"I am thrilled to hear reports the Stony Creek Mall is acquiring some stores," she said. "I would like to see a motel and 24-hour restaurant at our I-5 and Highway 32 interchange. It would be a big help to Orland."

The Orland native said she supports working with the Orland Area Chamber of Commerce.

"I would like to see the chamber present a proposal to see what they have accomplished and what they need," Palmer said. "Chambers of Commerce are an asset to any city."

As to moving City Hall, Palmer said she thinks the Police Department should expand into the existing City Hall space and it should be moved elsewhere.

Where City Hall should move is yet to be determined, she said, since recent negotiations about a Walker Street building have been in closed session.

Palmer said she would need to see the financial numbers before offering an opinion on where to move the city government or what to do with the old Purity Market building purchased for the police station six years ago.

The building is now leased by the city to a discount grocer, but City Manager Peter Carr suggests selling the building might be an option.

Like the other candidates, Palmer said she wants to see the fire and police departments receive adequate equipment and funding, and she also wants the streets to be improved.

She also said she has no problem with the three housing developments in town growing as the city needs growth.

However, Palmer believes building a new community center is something for the future.

"It is something to consider when the economy gets going again," she said.

She is a retired bookkeeper with 17 years experience working for an Orland business. Palmer retired six years ago.

"I have extensive experience working in the Orland community and working on budgets, financial statements and computers," she said. "I feel very qualified."

She said under the advice of then-City Attorney Tom Andrews she could not comment on a lawsuit against the city concerning low-income housing while she was on the council.

Lawsuits and personnel matters are all closed session items, Palmer said, even though some in the community have mentioned her reported involvement in the matter.

She also denied reports of trapping her neighbors' pet cats - saying "I did not trap any cats."

Palmer closed by saying she does not have an agenda and wishes to work with the council to improve the city if she is elected.