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Recall Dunleavy group asks Division of Elections if it can collect names out of state

Suzanne Downing
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26
Recall Dunleavy group asks Division of Elections if it can collect names out of state

MEANWHILE, IN HOMER THEY TOOK OVER GOVERNMENT PROPERTY

The Recall Dunleavy Committee says it is asking the Division of Elections if it can continue to gather signatures from Alaskans out of state. Must Read Alaska has reported that four states are now sites for petition booklets to recall the governor, even though that practice is illegal.

[Read: Fourth illegal recall petition site pops up in Palm Springs]

GOVERNMENT PROPERTY ELECTIONEERING?

A woman standing in the entry of the Homer Post Office on Saturday with a petition to recall Gov. Mike Dunleavy was asked to move along by postal workers after a complaint was lodged against her for breaking a federal law prohibiting “collecting signatures on petitions, polls, or surveys.”

Recall Dunleavy has conducted extensive training for signature gatherers around the state in recent days, but may not have given its paid contractors guidance on federal property.

After resisting for a while, the woman moved off the property, but she had collected several signatures during the time she was there.

Around Alaska, reports of petitioners using government property to collect signatures is becoming widespread. In rural areas, post offices were abused during the initial application stage, but there was never any pushback. The pattern appears to be repeating for the group that is trying to gather over 71,200 signatures so they can put Gov. Dunleavy back on the ballot for an up-down vote.

During the middle of the day on Saturday, the Sullivan Arena kick-off signature gathering in Anchorage was sparsely attended, while nearby crowds gathered for Fur Rondy races and other related festivities.

The arena has been rented by the well-funded Recall Dunleavy Committee to make access easier for those in Anchorage to stop by and sign a petition. But over the course of ten minutes of observing, only two people went in the front door.

In Juneau, signature gathering was reportedly brisk at the Mendenhall Library, while downtown at the Juneau Arts and Humanities Council, a woman sawed a totem of Gov. Mike Dunleavy in half as”Cutting Him Down to Size” performance art.

Fourth illegal recall petition pops up in Palm Springs

Suzanne Downing
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26
Fourth illegal recall petition pops up in Palm Springs

ALSO OREGON, ARIZONA, AND HAWAII HAVE PETITION BOOKLETS

A fourth illegal site for collecting recall signatures has popped up in Palm Springs, California.

Dawn Sadler of Fairbanks is looking for people to sign in the Palm Springs area, as well as Arizona, and Las Vegas, Nevada, where she’ll be traveling to collect more illegal signatures to recall the governor of Alaska, Mike Dunleavy.

She is in possession of petition booklet #62.

The Recall Dunleavy group has removed its official “roving” Arizona signature-gatherer, Mike Garner, from its published list but it appears the efforts to collect signatures in Arizona are continuing in spite of the group’s official stance.

The paid director of the group, Meda DeWitt, shared her approval with Sadler on Facebook:

Must Read Alaska reported on Friday of the Arizona illegal activity, and on Saturday morning of the signatures being gathered in Oregon and Hawaii:

Oregon, Hawaii now have illegal petition circulating to recall Alaska’s governor

First COVID-19 death in Seattle, King County

Suzanne Downing
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8
First COVID-19 death in Seattle, King County

FURTHER TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS TO IRAN, ITALY

12:45 pm Update: Gov. Inslee has declared a state of emergency in Washington state.

Gov. Jay Inslee today declared a state of emergency in response to new cases of COVID-19, directing state agencies to use all resources necessary to prepare for and respond to the outbreak.

“This will allow us to get the resources we need,” Inslee said. “This is a time to take common-sense, proactive measures to ensure the health and safety of those who live in Washington state. Our state agency directors have been actively preparing since the nation’s first case appeared in Snohomish County. Washingtonians can be assured we’ve taken this threat seriously and have been working in collaboration with our health care partners to develop plans and procedures to prepare for what could likely be a world-wide pandemic.”

Original story:

Public health officials in Washington State say that a person who had contracted the COVID-19 virus has died in King County.

“It is a sad day in our state as we learn that a Washingtonian has died from COVID-19,” Gov. Jay Inslee said. “Our hearts go out to his family and friends. We will continue to work toward a day where no one dies from this virus.”

Across the U.S., some 68 people are believed to have contracted the virus. Some of those were cruise ship passengers from the Diamond Princess. Some 22 are currently fighting the infection, according to officials.

This is the first known death in the country. On Friday evening, two new cases were identified in Washington State, one in King and and the other in Snohomish County. The woman had not traveled, so this case is considered a case of community contact. She died at EvergreenHealth Medical Center in Kirkland.

The patient who died was a medically high-risk patient in her late 50s, according to an announcement by President Donald Trump. All other sources refer to the deceased Washingtonian as a man.

According to the Washington Health Department, more than 50 others at that facility are ill with “respiratory symptoms or hospitalized with pneumonia or other respiratory conditions of an unknown cause.” The department awaits the results of tests for coronavirus.

Additional cases are likely but healthy individuals should be able to fully recover, he said. Speaking to the media this morning, he and Vice President Mike Pence announced further travel restrictions.

Pence said further restrictions would be implemented on Iran, banning travel from Iran, including any foreign national who visited Iran in last 14 days.

Pence said the U.S. is increasing to Advisory Level Four — do not travel level — to specific regions in Italy and South Korea. He urged Americans to not travel to those areas.

“The average American does not need to go out and buy a mask,” Pence said. There are more than 40 million face masks, and a contract with 3M has been signed to manufacture more masks, which would be for health care professionals.

The president said that closing travel with China early was key to slowing down the spread of the disease in the United States and that the medical community is working at a high level of professionalism.

He asked the media to not do anything to incite a panic, because there’s no reason to panic.

Oregon, Hawaii now have illegal petition circulating to recall Alaska’s governor

Suzanne Downing
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32
Oregon, Hawaii now have illegal petition circulating to recall Alaska’s governor

ARIZONA’S LISTING SUDDENLY PULLED BY RECALL GROUP

After an official recall petition was sent to an Arizona man to pick up the signatures of snowbirds in that state, other illegal recall petition activity has been identified by Must Read Alaska readers in Oregon and Hawaii.

The Recall Dunleavy Committee had listed an Arizona contact for those out of state who want to recall Gov. Mike Dunleavy. After Must Read Alaska’s story that brought up the illegality of gathering signatures out of state, that listing was removed from the group’s official page.

Readers sent in notices for two other sites — Oahu, and Astoria, Oregon, where signatures have already been picked up by one eager petition booklet holder:

Astoria is the home to many seasonal Alaskans who work in the commercial fishing industry in the summer, and winter over in the Lower 48.

This weekend is the 23rd annual “FisherPoets Gathering” for writers and creative types in Oregon celebrating commercial fishing.

Alaska Statute 15.45.575 that says petitions may only be circulated in person throughout the state and in person.

Recall committee breaks law by gathering petition signatures out of state

Recall committee breaks law by gathering petition signatures out of state

Suzanne Downing
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35
Recall committee breaks law by gathering petition signatures out of state

That didn’t take long.

The Recall Dunleavy Committee is already in violation of Alaska Statute for collecting signatures out of state. In Arizona, to be exact.

According to the plans announced by the committee, people in Arizona who are in the Phoenix area can contact the roving signature gatherer there by contacting Mike Garner at 907-982-7328 or sending an email to [email protected] .

Collecting signatures out of state is in violation of Alaska Statute 15.45.575 that says petitions may only be circulated in person throughout the state.

Today was the official kickoff day for signature gathering for the recall petition. Petitioners, led by former Gov. Bill Walker’s disgruntled top advisers Scott Kendall and Jahna Lindemuth, need 71,252 legitimate signatures in order to have the question put on the ballot. How will the State of Alaska be able to ensure those signatures will be gathered legally? That’s going to be hard to police.

Several paid signature gatherers were around Anchorage, standing in front of stores and chasing people on the UAA campus, but the main event was a somewhat lonely venue at the Sullivan Arena, where the volunteers outnumbered the signers much of the day.

Update: The recall group has deleted the Arizona reference from its list of places to sign the petition, but MRAK has a screen shot:

Alaska Airlines suspends cancellation fees over COVID

Suzanne Downing
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4
Alaska Airlines suspends cancellation fees over COVID

Alaska Airlines is suspending its usual cancellation fees through March 12, in response to the COVID-19 virus and concerns travelers may have over their flight plans.

“Every day seems to bring new developments related to the coronavirus, and the uncertainty of the disease is unsettling. Our hearts go out to those around the world who’ve been impacted by the virus,” the company announced on its website. The policy applies to all fares, including the “Saver” fares that are normally not refundable.

“Starting today, Feb. 27, through March 12, 2020, we’ll suspend change and cancellation fees for new flight bookings for our guests who later decide not to travel because of concerns related to the virus,” Alaska Airlines said.

For flights booked prior to March 12, if you decide to change or cancel your trip, the company will give you full travel credit to fly for up to one year from the issuance of the credit. Fare differences apply. Visit alaskair.com for further details.

In addition, the airlines says it has updated some of its onboard procedures including avoiding having cups and bottles touch each other between passengers, and evaluating its deep cleaning procedures with input from the CDC.

Alaska public health labs can now test for COVID-19 virus

Suzanne Downing
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0
Alaska public health labs can now test for COVID-19 virus

Alaska’s State public health laboratories now have the ability to test for the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), according to a statement from the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services.

The new capacity is made possible by test kits provided to states by the Centers for the Disease Control and Prevention to allow for rapid COVID-19 testing.

If a hospital or a health care provider suspects that a patient has novel coronavirus based on the CDC guidance, they should contact the Section of Epidemiology within the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services. If DHSS epidemiologists determine that testing for COVID-19 is warranted, they will provide guidance on how to test and ship samples to the labs.

State public health labs in Anchorage and Fairbanks are able to test for COVID-19. Under most circumstances, initial test results should be available within 4-6 hours of specimen arrival at the laboratory. Personal health information will remain confidential, but the public will be notified if Alaska has a positive case of novel coronavirus.

“Alaska has had no cases of COVID-19 as yet,” said Alaska’s Chief Medical Officer Dr. Zink. “We’re grateful that we now have the capacity to conduct these tests in state, before any testing needed to be done.”

Providers can reach the Section of Epidemiology by calling (907) 269-8000 or (800) 478-0084 after hours.  

The World Health Organization has now raised the risk assessment from high to “very high” for the virus.

Out of stock in Anchorage: Face masks, hand sanitizer

Suzanne Downing
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10
Out of stock in Anchorage: Face masks, hand sanitizer

Medical anti-viral masks have been out of stock in Anchorage pharmacies for three weeks. But overnight, the supply of hand-sanitizer gel in Anchorage has vanished from local shelves.

A survey of five chain stores in Anchorage came up with just one 2-ounce bottle of hand sanitizer. Store clerks said that over the past 24 hours their hand sanitizer inventory has been wiped out. They did not know when they were going to get more of the alcohol-based gel. Several drug stores still have a good supply of straight rubbing alcohol, however.

Several shoppers on Thursday were stocking up on sanitizers at the Dimond Blvd. Costco. By Friday morning, the half-gallon hand sanitizers were sold out.

The disappearance of the hand sanitizer product may be a result of a worldwide outbreak of the COVID-19 virus, a particularly infectious flu-like illness that was first identified in Wuhan, China.

Some hand sanitizer products are still available online at Amazon, but supplies appear low, and notifications that the product can’t be shipped to Alaska are common, due to the ethanol or alcohol content, a shipping hazard.

One of the side benefits to Alaskans becoming more vigilant about the potential arrival of the virus in the state is that the level of regular influenza is dropping:

Keep Dunleavy launches website

Suzanne Downing
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21
Keep Dunleavy launches website

The group calling itself Keep Dunleavy launched its website today. The group is in response to an effort by former Gov. Bill Walker employees to recall Gov. Mike Dunleavy.

Dunleavy was elected with over 51 percent of the vote in 2018 in a three-way race that included Former Gov. Bill Walker and former Sen. Mark Begich. Shortly after he took office, two members of the Walker team led the effort to recall the governor, purchasing the recalldunleavy.org domain name in February of 2019. Since then, the efforts of former Walker Chief of Staff Scott Kendall and former Attorney General Jahna Lindemuth have been funded largely with public employee dues through the Alaska State Employees Association and AFL-CIO.

The Keep Dunleavy group is chaired by Cynthia Henry, who is also the national committeewoman for the Alaska Republican Party.

“If people will log on and make any amount of a contribution, they will help us get the word out and show our strength through people who support the governor,” Henry said. “We’re already getting lots of calls and comments.”

Stand Tall With Mike, the initial group that formed to fight the court case, is merging with Keep Dunleavy, Henry said.

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