IT’S THE BILL STOLTZE DINING ROOM
About 150 people gathered at the Chugiak-Eagle River Senior Center on Monday to surprise retiring Sen. Bill Stoltze with the naming of the dining room after him.
Yes, he was surprised.
“You never see Bill show that much emotion, but it really touched him,” said Rep. Cathy Tilton, who organized the event and serves on the board of the center.
In spite of bad road conditions on the Glenn Highway, the center was filled with political friends, and neighborhood and community supporters.
Stoltze is known to stop by the senior center almost every day to share a cup of coffee with residents.
EAGLE RIVER GETS NEW NEWSPAPER
Speaking of Eagle River, a new weekly newspaper has emerged. Amy Armstrong is the editor and the paper is community focused and lively, so don’t bother telling her that newspapers are dead. Read all about it.
FINANCE SUBCOMMITTEE RUMBLINGS
Word out of Juneau is that the new Democrat-controlled majority is doing things differently when it comes to Finance subcommittees. We’re chasing it all down but here’s what we’ve heard so far:
Rep. Sam Kito will be chair of the Finance subcommittee reviewing the Department of Labor budget.
Kito, a Juneau Democrat, is frequently seen escorting Commissioner of Labor Heidi Drygas.
Rep. Louise Stutes is said to be the new chair of the Fish and Game Finance Subcommittee, which is going to be interesting because Deputy F&G Commissioner Kevin Brooks endorsed her for her seat during the most recent election cycle — using his official title.
Someone filing an ethics complaint about this will have to go through Rep. Chris Tuck.
