Communities across the state are taking part in the statewide campaign Sleeves Up for Summer, a community-driven campaign to increase COVID-19 vaccinations statewide by 25% during May. The subject was brought up at the Wednesday evening Kenai City Council meeting. Kenai Fire Chief Tony Prior indicated that he wanted to provide his testimony in a video participating in the campaign, similar to what Senate President Peter Micciche did recently. City Manager Paul Ostrander said that he was approached and he brought the idea up for council to decide if they had concerns of Prior participating.
Councilwoman Teea Winger, “I would be, I’m still in opposition to that. If Tony would like to do that as Tony, and not as a member or as the fire department, I would say, individual you can do whatever you want, but representing the city, that could lead to trust issues with some members. I just feel that the campaign should be best left neutral and that we’re not involved. I wouldn’t support him doing anything in uniform or as the chief, but if he would like to do it as his own personal, then that’s on him. If he wants to be in his own clothes and represent himself, just Tony Prior, but if he’s going to be in uniform or put his title, I don’t support that.”
Councilman Jim Glendening and Councilwoman Glenese Pettey expressed similar sentiment.
Councilman Henry Knackstedt, “The chief’s identity is that he is the chief of the fire department at the city of Kenai. That’s why he’s doing…he’s doing it personally, but that’s part of his identity in our city. It seems totally appropriate that he would be wearing the uniform that he wears daily. I guess I’m not real clear if the concern is if we’re trying to protect the city from ourselves or concerned about people getting the vaccine because somebody of authority recommends it. So, if it happens to be the first one where it’s a concern leally, then we have an attorney here.”
The debate got to a point where council had to consult City Attorney Scott Bloom to see if Chief Prior participating in such a campaign with his own testimony would cause a legal issue for the city, with which he said no.
A motion was made so that council could have a vote on the matter to determine if Chief Prior should, which passed at a vote of 4 yeas to 3 nays.
