‘WE’RE EVACUATING’
Listen to the control tower at Ted Stevens International Airport guide in a FedEx jet on approach on Friday, Nov. 30, just as the 7.0 earthquake was hitting:
Flower-gate: What happened to the money?
BY THE ANCHORAGE DAILY PLANET
Looking for a good example of why people do not trust their governments? You need look no further than the story beneath the headline “How an effort to fund Anchorage’s downtown flowers for the long term fizzled” in the Anchorage Daily News.
In 2010, gardeners, downtown merchants and city officials trying to ensure funding for flowers in the city’s flowerbeds launched the Festival of Flowers to head off recurring budget battles over flowers and set up an endowment fund, eventually to reach $1 million, the newspaper reports. It raised $10,000 in its first year.
“Volunteers enthusiastically sold quilt raffle tickets and potted plants, auctioned off the city’s trademark yellow-and-gold hanging baskets and helped children plant marigolds in Town Square Park,” it reports.
What happened to the dough? you may ask. That is what city gardeners were asking when the current administration recently tried to plug its budget deficit by killing off flowers. The answer? The money was spent for other things. It went into the city’s parks and recreation account, and – surprise! – “nearly $6,000 from that account was spent in 2016 on landscaping in Town Square Park, after Mayor Ethan Berkowitz called for the large broken fountain in the center of the park to be torn down,” the ADN reports.
http://www.anchoragedailyplanet.com/140731/so-it-goes/
FEMA second in command sent to Alaska
QUICK RESPONSE UNDERSCORES TRUMP’S ‘SPARE NO EXPENSE’ STATEMENT
The rule of thumb in any disaster is that it’s a local incident, until it’s too big and it becomes a state incident, until the state asks the Feds for help, and then — and only then — does the Federal government get involved.
With Alaska’s 7.0 earthquake, Gov. Bill Walker quickly declared a state disaster and asked the White House to do the same, releasing funds to make essential repairs to damaged roads, bridges and other infrastructure.
The president responded quickly: “To the Great people of Alaska. You have been hit hard by a ‘big one.’ Please follow the directions of the highly trained professionals who are there to help you. Your Federal Government will spare no expense. God Bless you ALL!” Trump wrote on Twitter.
The response from the Federal Friday night, FEMA had dispatched one of the agency’s top experts, Peter Gaynor, who flew to Alaska and headed for the State Emergency Operations Center at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson.
Gaynor is the deputy administrator in Washington, D.C., and accompanying him was Region 10 FEMA Administrator Mike O’Hare from Bothell, Washington.
O’Hare is a longtime Alaskan who served in emergency management under the Palin and Parnell Administration and knows the state well, having managed numerous disaster responses in his time in Alaska.
“Alaskans are resilient people. They know that earthquakes can happen at any time and they are prepared,” said O’Hare. “FEMA staff on the ground and those we have mobilized to assist all stand ready to support the state, tribes and villages that have been affected by this earthquake.”
The federal emergency declaration by President Trump opens up federal relief money to Alaska. Following damage assessment, this could be upgraded to a federal major disaster declaration, which would make additional federal funds available to the state. FEMA has also offered to make high level Federal Incident Management teams available to Alaska, if required.
In approving Gov. Walker’s request for an immediate Emergency Declaration, FEMA can release resources to supplement state, tribal and local efforts to respond to emergency conditions in the areas affected by the earthquake. The designated areas under the Emergency Declaration are the Municipality of Anchorage, Kenai Peninsula Borough and Matanuska-Susitna Borough.
Willie G. Nunn of FEMA has been named as the federal coordinating officer for federal response operations for this disaster. He, too, arrived in Anchorage late Friday to oversee FEMA’s coordination of federal response efforts.
U.S. Sens. Lisa Murkowski, Dan Sullivan, and Rep. Don Young on Friday received a briefing from Federal Emergency Management Agency Administrator Brock Long.
“It’s been mere hours since this devastating earthquake took place in Alaska, but the delegation is very engaged with the situation. We are in the very initial stages of understanding the extent, but we know there has been significant damage to homes, roads, infrastructure, and schools. The impact is very real and will require a great deal of recovery and effort, but I have been assured that Alaskans will have what they need to deal with and recover from this very serious earthquake,” said Senator Lisa Murkowski. “Alaskans are incredibly resilient but that doesn’t mean that when you’re hit with something of this intensity it doesn’t have a substantial and devastating impact. The message I want to convey to friends, family, and Alaskans across the state is that we are on top of this. It’s important to me that Alaskans know that even though they are 4,000 miles away from our nation’s capital– we have all eyes on them and we are preparing mightily to address this disaster.”
“As Alaskans, we are resilient and there is no question in my mind we will come out of this natural disaster as a stronger, more resolute people,” said Senator Sullivan. “The damage on the ground, particularly to our transportation infrastructure, is significant and we’ve already begun the process to ensure Alaskans receive the full and unwavering support of the federal government. We have already received serious commitments from the leadership of the federal government – the President, Vice President, the FEMA Administrator, Secretary of Transportation and on down the line. As Alaskans begin the long road to recovery, we are focused on making sure every element of federal power, authority and funding is brought to bear on getting Alaska back up and running as soon as possible.”
“This natural disaster has been devastating for thousands of Alaskans, however, I am encouraged by the immediate response from FEMA, this Administration and our state officials,” said Congressman Young. “This earthquake represents one of the many challenges we face in Alaska but we can always rebuild and we are starting that process now. I want to thank all of the people who have reached out. My heart goes out to all of the Alaskans that are dealing with the aftermath. In this delegation, we all have family back in Alaska and we are grateful for their safety. We will continue to work together as a team to ensure federal assistance is available for Alaskans.”
George H. W. Bush, a life well lived
George Herbert Walker Bush, the first vice president in 150 years to ascend to the presidency by election, has died at age 94. He was the oldest living former president.
But once he was the youngest aviator in the Navy, enlisting right after the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor. He flew 58 combat missions in the Pacific. Once his plane controls malfunctioned and he had to land in the water. Later, his bomber was hit by anti-aircraft fire and he managed to still drop his carbo of bombs before he ejected. Driving alone at sea on a raft, he was rescued by the USS Finback, a submarine.
Bush was born on June 12, 1924, at Milton, Mass. He grew up in Greenwich and attended the prestigious Phillips Academy in Andover. Before graduation, he decided to enlist and was sworn into the Navy on his 18th birthday.
His first combat mission was over Wake Island.
[Read George H. W. Bush’s biography]
President Donald Trump has declared Wednesday a national day of mourning and ordered flags at half-staff for 30 days. Gov. Bill Walker complied and lowered the flags on Saturday.
A state funeral is being arranged. Bush’s remains will lie in state at the U.S. Capitol, and Bush at the National Cathedral in Washington, D.C.
Trump issued a statement describing Bush ’41 as one who “always found a way to set the bar higher,” whether as captain of the Yale baseball team or being a naval aviator, or serving in Congress, as ambassador to China, the head of the CIA, Vice
“With sound judgement, common sense, and unflappable leadership, President Bush guided our Nation, and the world, to a peaceful and victorious conclusion of the Cold War. As President, he set the stage for the decades of prosperity that have followed. And through all that he accomplished, he remained humble, following the quiet call to service that gave him a clear sense of direction,” Trump’s statement said.
“Along with his full life of service to country, we will remember President Bush for his devotion to family—especially the love of his life, Barbara. His example lives on, and will continue to stir future Americans to pursue a greater cause. Our hearts ache with his loss, and we, with the American people, send our prayers to the entire Bush family, as we honor the life and legacy of 41.”
In his later years, Bush ’41 was loved for his colorful socks. Earlier this year, he touched the nation when he broke down and wept at his wife Barbara Bush’s funeral, as one of his love letters to her was read aloud by their son Jeb Bush. She died in April at age 92, and he was clearly brokenhearted by the loss.
[Watch the eulogy of Barbara Bush by Jeb Bush]
Bush was an avid letter writer and in 2014, a compendium of many of his best letters were compiled in a memoir, “All the Best.”
State closed for business on Monday in Southcentral
GLENN HIGHWAY IN ROUGH SHAPE
On the last day of the Walker Administration, the State of Alaska is officially closed for business in Southcentral Alaska. Gov. Bill Walker announced the closure today in a press release.
Walker said that due to extensive damage from the 7.0 earthquake on Friday to the Glenn Highway between miles 23-25, all state offices in Anchorage, Eagle River, Wasilla, and Palmer will be closed for business at the request of the Department of Transportation and Public Facilities, which wants to lessen the traffic on the highway.
Between Eklutna and Mirror Lake, the Glenn Highway remains limited to one lane of traffic in either direction. The Governor’s Office said that if travel is not essential, drivers should avoid the area.
“Employees with the departments of Corrections, Public Safety, DOT&PF, and Health and Social Services that deal with public safety and/or 24-hour facilities should follow the directions from their commissioner’s office about reporting to work.
“Employees with the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs who are assigned to JBER, and state employees working in the State Emergency Operations Center, should report to work. All DMVA facilities on JBER have already been inspected,” the announcement said.
Gov. Walker will be the chief executive officer of the state until noon on Monday, which also means on the first day of the new Dunleavy Administration, much of the state will not yet be “open for business.”
Rather, it will be cleaning up from the disaster.
Breaking: Bart LeBon wins by one vote
Bart LeBon has won the Fairbanks District 1 House race by one vote.
If he survives a court challenge by Democrats over the vote counting, he’ll be heading back to Juneau in January as the newest House representative. He’s been in Juneau for the past 24 hours to observe the ballot recount for the seat.
Before today, the election had been certified as a tie with Democrat Kathryn Dodge, 2,661 to 2,661. Then it was 2,662 to 2,662. And by 3:20, the final tally was 2,263 to 2,662.
The fate of the House of Representatives power structure depends largely on this seat. Without it, there would be no majority for either the Democrats or Republicans.
Amazingly, the vote that decided the matter came from a felon, whose vote was challenged by the Democrats who were observing the process today. They thought he didn’t have his voting rights restored. Then the ballot was also challenged by Republicans for the same reason.
The felon was automatically registered when he filed for his Permanent Fund dividend.
The Division of Elections looked into it and said the felon had had his voting rights restored. They decided to count the ballot.
It was for LeBon.
LeBon said he was impressed by the professionalism of the Division of Elections. But he also expects a court challenge from the Democrats.
“With elections law, this world is still really new to me. I thought after the election the dust would settle out really quickly. I never dreamed three weeks later we’ve be here in Juneau, hammering it all out,” he said. He said he has learned a lot about elections in recent weeks.
“I had an expectation that when folks step into the booth they vote the whole ballots. I discovered a lot of people will skip races. I didn’t expect to see as much of that as we did.”
Fairbanks recount: LeBon and Dodge still tied
The recount of Fairbanks House District 1, which was a tie between Bart LeBon and Kathryn Dodge, started at 10 am on Friday morning.
At the end of the process, the vote was still a tie — each had one more vote than they had earlier in the day. Each have 2,662 votes.
Two dozen observers and lawyers oversaw the work of elections workers as they fed ballots into counting machines in a small room at the Division of Elections Offices in Juneau.
Attorneys for the Democrat Kathryn Dodge challenged several ballots during the process and after the hand count was done of a random precinct — Precinct 4 — they continued their discussions with election officials.
Two ballots that were not counted were absentee ballots cast by a Republican married couple. The couple had mistakenly put their ballots in each other’s envelopes, which could disqualify them. The Republican lawyer is challenging that, saying they should be counted.
A tie is decided “by lot,” according to state law. That could mean a coin toss. But it appears the Democrats are ready for a court challenge first.
This story will be updated today.
Mystery ballot in District 1 will not be counted
Election Director Josie Bahnke says that the mystery ballot that appeared in District 1 Fairbanks’s Precinct 1 will not be counted. It is a spoiled ballot.
The director told observers this morning that a personal representative of a voter obtained a ballot, then returned to the vehicle outside where her disabled husband was, and he voted, but then told her he had made a mistake. The woman returned to the polling place and asked for a new ballot. The other one that was voted for Kathryn Dodge, the Democrat, was supposed to be destroyed but the election worker put it in the wrong place.
The ballot recounting of the Bart LeBon-Kathryn Dodge race is underway in Juneau this morning. Before the recount, the race is tied 2,661 each.
Read a previous story about this ballot here.
Alice Rogoff loses to former business partner
SHE OWES FORMER BUSINESS PARTNER $852,752 AND CHANGE
By CRAIG MEDRED
CRAIGMEDRED.NEWS
After deliberating for less than a day, an Anchorage Superior Court jury has decided that failed Alaska Dispatch News owner Alice Rogoff needs to pay up on a $1 million, napkin promise to former editor Tony Hopfinger.
“Vindication” was the word Hopfinger used to describe his feeling after the verdict. But, he added, “this never had to get to this point. We should have never gotten to this point.
“I’m just happy that 12 people found in favor of me. It wasn’t just 10.”
A jury of nine men and three women needed 10 votes to act on any of the claims in front of them. The jury rejected the idea that the napkin had formed a binding contract, although both Hopfinger and Rogoff had testified they thought they had an agreement.
Hopfinger co-founded the now-gone, online-newsite Alaska Dispatch in 2008. Millionaire East Coast socialite Rogoff, who was moving to Alaska, bought a 90 percent interest in 2009 and pumped in millions of dollars to try to build a news organization to challenge the Anchorage Daily News, the state’s long-dominant newspaper.
Within four years – as Alaska Dispatch online traffic steadily climbed from nothing to within sight of that of the Daily New/ADN.com, The McClatchy Company met with Rogoff and Hopfinger in the company’s Sacramento, Calif. offices to talk about some sort of deal for its only Alaska publication.
At the time, the Dispatch was still only about a third the size of ADN, but McClatchy profit margins at the newspaper were in a downward trend, and the company was saddled with massive debt.
When McClatchy got Rogoff to bite on a $34 million price tag – those party to the negotiations said Rogoff showed little interest in actually negotiating – McClatchy moved quickly to close the deal.
As that was underway, Rogoff told Hopfinger the plan was to drain his old company of assets and roll them into a new entity – the Alaska Dispatch News/ADN.com. She asked him to help as president and executive editor of the new newspaper/online news organization, and offered him stock in the company.
Read the rest of the story at CraigMedred.news: