By CRAIG COMPEAU
I was born here in 1960, and have worked at our 79-year-old family business full time since 1978. I have lived through the 1967 flood, the pipeline, and the mid-1980s real estate crash. In other words, I’ve lived the good times and the bad.
I recall my dad telling me in the 1970s, as John Butrovich walked out of our retail business, “that’s the only honest politician I’ve ever met.” I never forgot that, and over the years I put a lot of thought into what it takes to be both honest, and a politician. With all the political pressure, lobbyists, special interest groups, campaign contributions, and the like, I’ve watched people that I’ve supported bend to these pressures, and lose focus on what they stepped into the ring for in the first place.
Fifty years later, I think back to those words my dad said on our showroom, and I put a lot of emphasis in the character of the candidate, and not the promises they make along the campaign trail. So when I get ready to cast my vote, I look at that persons past, his or her values, and most importantly to me, their character.
In 2012, I watched a Republican State Senate candidate run against a Democrat, the head of a local union. It was a highly contested race, with two decent men, both candidates with strong convictions and vastly different positions on state finance, and their priorities if elected.
Just a day or two before the election, I was driving in downtown Fairbanks on the way to a doctor appointment. I hadn’t voted, but had a good idea of who I wanted to vote for.
As I approached a busy intersection, I saw 20-30 union employees holding signs for their union boss, who was also part of that sign-waving party. It was the middle of the day, and in the middle very busy construction season. I wondered where his opponent was, until I got to my doctor appointment. There, in the lobby, was that candidate. He was taking his elderly father, who was in a wheelchair, to his doctor’s appointment. The man in the chair had also been a political figure in Alaska. In fact, he had been a mayor, a state senator, and a lieutenant governor. He was a key player in authoring the Alaska State Constitution in 1955. But now he was ill and needed help from his son.
As I sat there in the lobby watching John Coghill putting the care of his dad, (Jack Coghill), in front of politics, it struck me. I want someone to represent me that cares less about being in the political spotlight than looking after his family.
Fast forward a dozen years later. John Coghill has watched with the rest of us the decline of our borough. From school curriculum, to Taj Mahal animal shelters, to parental rights, and mixed gender sporting events. So John decided to throw his name into the hat for North Star Borough mayor.
He was already a very busy guy, working at the Fairbanks Rescue Mission helping unfortunate Fairbanks folks try to get back on their feet and turn their lives around. But John knew he had the skills, patience, and experience to help the Borough get back on its feet. To turn it around. To get a handle on out of control spending. And to bring a level of calm and competence to a Borough that has made headlines with its childish actions.
Last week I was speaking with John Coghill at a luncheon event, and he was apologizing for not knocking on doors like he would have wanted to during this campaign. No, it wasn’t because of an injury.
“God has recently blessed me with three young children that needed to be fostered”, John told me. “I had to be there for them.”
That reminded me of an old Bear Bryant quote. “Show class, have pride, and display character. If you do, winning takes care of itself.”
Craig Compeau is a 64-year resident of Fairbanks and the owner of Compeau’s, a four generation family marine and powersports business.
John is a selfless individual the likes of which the founding fathers intended to run the affairs of politics in our nation.Politics is supposed to be a civic duty not a career & John is a true patriot who will look out what is best for the borough not special interest needs that are quite often frivolous & foolish!A vote for John Coghill is a vote for fixing the broken dysfunctional borough!
Right on coke. I totally agree. John is the real deal. Old school Alaskan with integrity. His dad was amazing as well I have had the opportunity to deal with them on several occasions always upstanding.
I am very hopeful that John Coghill wins election as Mayor of the Fairbanks Borough. If he wins he will no doubt have a continuous clash with the increasingly leftist Assembly. But at least he can stand on the ramparts and try to minimize the craziness the left represents. It’s sad to see Alaska’s two largest cities becoming bluer which translates into them becoming poorer for it. What to do? Pay attention to those running for office for school board and Assembly seats. You can start by assessing their character like Mr. Compeau suggests.
I already voted for John Coghill under early voting. Most of my friends have too. Grier Hopkins is too immature to be in charge, and his agenda is full on left wing. His brother in law, Scott Kendall, is probably lurking behind the scenes figuring out how to dump on hundreds of fake ballots for Hopkins Jr. This is the Kendall type operation he is known widely for, something the Hopkins family apparently believes in and supports.
Knew your family business as a resident from 1965-1669, flood and all. I knew Jack Coghill from Nenana as competitor, but fair and honest to compete against. I would say a compliment from a Compeau to and for a Coghill speaks volumes to honesty against all odds. Cheers,
Everyone should listen to Compeau’s Outdoor Show, on KFAR 660 AM, 12:30 to 1:00 on Saturdays. A great show with lots of unique and interesting stories, just like in this article!
John Coghill is an honest man, no matter what. He is driven on principle, which is far more than Grier Hopkins, who worked hard to lift the tax cap during the May vote as he was told to do so by his union handlers, but then had his photo taken at a debate against Coghill saying he supports the tax cap. Such a dishonest little man. Terrible choice for mayor, just like his father.
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Thanks for this article, Craig.
For the record: Grier Hopkins is the head organizer for the Fairbanks branch of the National Education Association – he IS the union handler! When you speak with them, both candidates are nice people – John Coghill is the real deal. First thing, Hopkins Jr will go after more money for the Borough unions for pay raises – then taxes to pay for them, then grow admin so more people are supervisors and get hefty pay raises. WE CAN’T AFFORD GRIER. We fired him once, why rehire?
Interesting thing about Hopkins, if he is a union handler why has he never worked out in the trades? Anyone I’ve ever talked to tell me than Hopkins junior has absolutely no experience working a construction job or being on any crew, building or construction anything. So, like Hussein Obama a union organizer but never actually worked. No thanks on Hopkins. I’ll vote for John Coghill.
I’m not from Fairbanks, but wish John Coghill all the best. I absolutely loved the content and writing style of the author, Craig Compeau. I would love to read any articles written by him in the future.
Having lived in Fairbanks for over 28 years, and known both men, they represent to real Alaskan deal. Both are honest, fair, and do what they say. You could do business with either of them on just a handshake and know that everything would work out as discussed. Hope you people in Fairbanks elect John Coghill. It is for the best interests of all.
Craig, thankyou for writing and publishing this. Character is the #1 factor in supporting a politician. Your post has motivated us to vote for John enthusiastically, rather than simply having to vote for a GOP candidate as the lesser of 2 evils.
Our Borough is out of control. Arguably voters have more say in local, school board and state elections.
Appreciate all the work you’ve put in for decades to make Fairbanks area a better place. And efforts to restore sanity into wildlife management issues.
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