I first fell in love with Palmer on a warm summer day in 2003. My kids and I were visiting from Fairbanks when we stumbled upon the Friday Fling and the Palmer Pride Picnic—now Celebrate Palmer. The smell of grilled hotdogs, fresh vegetables from local farms, and the friendly city council members manning the grills made me feel instantly at home. I knew this was a place where community wasn’t just a word—it was a way of life.
Later that year, I married my husband, Steve Carrington, and moved to Palmer permanently. Over the past 22 years, I’ve raised my family here, owned a small business, and served as the founder and Executive Director of a local nonprofit. My business, Aurora Creative Designs, offered custom sewing, alterations, sewing camps, and classes for eight years—including our much-loved annual Fashion Show at the Palmer Depot. In 2014, I launched Connect Palmer, which for a decade provided practical assistance to local families and individuals in need. Each of these roles deepened my love for this city and strengthened my commitment to the people who call it home.
I know the past few years have been challenging—for our city council and for our community. Tensions have been high, and trust has been tested. But I believe Palmer is ready for a fresh chapter—one where we work together, communicate respectfully, and keep our focus on what truly matters: making decisions that serve our residents and strengthen our city.
We have exciting opportunities ahead—a new library to build, important conversations about annexation, and long-overdue improvements to our neighborhood streets. Getting things done is essential, but how we do that work matters just as much. While council members will not always agree, we can choose to listen well, work respectfully, and keep Palmer’s priorities front and center.
If you give me the honor of serving you, I will work to restore trust in our city government, stay focused on the business of Palmer, and approach every decision with dedication, collaboration, and civility. Palmer is my home, and I’m ready to help guide its future—with both determination and heart. Sherry Carrington www.sherry4palmer.com info@sherry4palmer.com