AM 890 and kbbi.org: Serving the Kenai Peninsula
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

City Council profile: Caroline Venuti

Courtesy of the City of Homer

Caroline Venutiis a retired teacher and principal who has served on the Library Advisory Board and the Transportation Advisory Committee for the city of Homer.

When asked if being an elementary school teacher prepares her for city council, Venuti smiles and says she has learned excellent management skills.

“Try heading a third-grade class on the first day of school,” she says.

One of Venuti’s primary points of focus is on disaster preparedness.

As she has watched hurricanes pummel Texas and the East Coast, Venuti notes that she wants Homer to be more prepared,

“I grew up in Kodiak during the 1964 earthquake. I was a young girl, and I realized that you can’t always count on someone to come in and help you,” Venuti remarks. “But, when the city government is organized, then you know where you are going, and some of the supplies will be there to allow you to make some plans ahead.”

Venuti prides herself on her ability to listen and to focus on solutions rather than problems. In addition to understanding the concerns of older and middle age residents of Homer, Venuti also says she can relate to young adults.

“I have the good fortune of working at the Kachemak Bay campus, and so I get a beat on young people by working with college students at the learning resource center,” Venuti explains. “So, I have a feeling of some of the problems being a young person in Homer has.”

Venuti is aware Homer needs a new police station and says it is the number one priority of the council, but was hesitant to offer a specific plan. Rather, she is opening to listening to what the city council comes up with.

The council is also facing zoning questions for the commercial cannabis industry. When it comes to a recent recommendation to open the Homer Spit to marijuana, Venuti does not take issue with opening up the area.

“The cat is already out of the bag as far as keeping the spit,” she argues. “If you wanted it clean and neat and nothing that would offend anyone, well there are liquor stores there.”

Venuti hopes to see a large voter turnout in October, insisting that those who do not vote “can’t sit back and gripe”. The vote for city council will take place on Oct. 3. Polls are open from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. 

Listen to candidate on Coffee Table here.