Gov. Mike Dunleavy announced Doug Vincent-Lang as acting commissioner of the Department of Fish and Game. He takes over for Sam Cotten, who departed with the Walker Administration.
While the joint Boards of Fish and Game go through their process of nominating candidates for commissioner, Dunleavy has put in place someone trusted throughout the fish, game, and wildlife management community. Vincent-Lang is a veteran of the department with more than three decades of experience in wildlife research and management.
He served as division director for wildlife management, special assistant and assistant director to the Division of Sport Fish, and as a research biologist. The Walker Administration released him when it took over in 2014, and he effectively retired.
Commissioner Vincent-Lang earned a B.S. degree in biology from the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay and a M.S. degree in biological oceanography from the University of Alaska Fairbanks.
GOV. DUNLEAVY, LT. GOV. MEYER SWORN IN WITH RURAL ‘CAN-DO’ FINESSE
One thing you can count on in Alaska in the winter: The weather can throw a wrench into your plans.
In rural Alaska, even more so.
But because of the quick work and innovation of the people of Kotzebue and Noorvik on Monday, the peaceful transfer of power took place in the State of Alaska, and it all happened above the Arctic Circle in the most remote region of the state, weather notwithstanding.
The people made it work.
Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s plane was supposed to land in Noorvik, but diverted to Kotzebue after a low ceiling cause the pilot to change the flight plan.
But per the Constitution, the new governor needed to be sworn in by noon. There wasn’t a lot of time, but Kotzebue came through. And Noorvik shone brightly.
Dunleavy entered the Bering Air waiting room in Kotzebue after disembarking from his plane at 10:30 a.m. He went around the crowded room and greeted people before getting into a van and heading to the school district headquarters. It was barely daylight.
Meanwhile, the high school quickly set up the chairs and podium in the gymnasium, and students filed in for an impromptu assembly.
An internet connection was established with Noorvik, so that community, 42 miles away, could take part — they watched from their own school gymnasium, where Dunleavy had been expected in person.
By noon, the right hands had been raised by both Gov. Dunleavy and Lt. Gov. Kevin Meyer, and Alaska had a new leadership team. They gave their remarks. The community prayed, and gave its blessing to the new leaders. Songs were sung.
First Lady Rose Dunleavy greets friends in Kotzebue before heading to Noorvik.
If it wasn’t clear by the effort he made to move heaven and earth to make good on his commitment to the cermony in rural Alaska, Dunleavy made it plain in his remarks: “We never forgot about rural Alaska. You’re not going to be an afterthought.”
A half hour later, Dunleavy and his family had taken dozens of photos with people, had hugged dozens more, and were on their way to Noorvik to take part in what was even more like a family reunion, with many of his wife Rose Dunleavy’s relatives and Noorvikian friends in attendance at the school.
Nearly the only city folks were media who chartered flights for the historic occasion.
Gov. Mike Dunleavy delivers his remarks in Noorvik, while members of his family look on. His daughter Maggy was not able to get to Noorvik due to weather at the Red Dog Mine, where she works.
The mood in Noorvik was jubilant, as Gov. Dunleavy walked into the school building, and a roar of applause broke out. He worked his way into the gymnasium and gave an even more personal and heartfelt set of remarks, unscripted, to the community that helped forge his governorship. After all, Rose was raised in Noorvik. This region of the state is where he spent nearly two decades as an educator.
The community had been preparing a feast for weeks. Fresh flower arrangements had been flown in at great expense to adorn the tables. The school was spotless, and dozens of snow machines were parked right outside the door. It was apparent that this ceremony mattered, and they were not going to allow the weather delay to dampen their spirits.
Some 20 gallons of caribou stew was simmering on the school’s kitchen stove, and filets of salmon, buckets of mashed potatoes, gravy and rolls were ready to feed the 600 people in attendance — elders served first.
Noorvikians were hospitable, greeting strangers with “Welcome to Noorvik!” and “Thank you for coming.” They were smiling and gracious hosts, helping visitors get to and from the air strip, and showing the pride in their community. Dunleavy and his family sat with members of their extended family and had a family dinner to remember.
A sign in the Noorvik school cafeteria welcomes the new First Lady, whose hometown is Noorvik.
Simultaneously, back in Anchorage and Juneau, the Dunleavy team had by then walked into the governmental headquarters and taken over operations. The new Administration issued its first press release by 1:15 pm, which was simply the announcement of the swearing in being completed.
And the second press release came hot on its heels — the announcement of the new commissioner of Fish and Game — Doug Vincent-Lang, a former division director at Fish and Game who had been “let go” immediately by the previous Walker Administration, when it came into power exactly four years prior.
The new government was clearly in business, and as many as 20 top political appointees were released within the first hour.
Gov. Mike Dunleavy leaves Noorvik late Monday afternoon, heading for Anchorage.
Dunleavy and his family were on the plane from Noorvik directly back to Anchorage by 4 pm, heading into the twilight of an Arctic night, and to his first cabinet meeting, where the discussion was focused entirely on the earthquake in Southcentral, the damage assessments and plans underway, and the continuation of operations for state and local operations.
Dunleavy has his work cut out for him in urban Alaska, where much is broken — not only the economy, the sense of public safety, but now the infrastructure. It will be trial by fire from Day One.
But for one day, it was a celebration of rural Alaska and all it has meant to him in his life. His gratitude to the people in the Arctic was evident today, the day he became their governor.
Gov. Bill Walker and Lt. Gov. Valerie Davidson will not attend the swearing in of the new administration on Monday in Noorvik. The governor issued a press release today saying that because of the earthquake, he is choosing to shelter in place. His press release states:
“Lt. Gov. Valerie Nurr’araaluk Davidson, First Lady Donna, and I unfortunately will not be able to attend tomorrow’s swearing-in ceremony in Noorvik. Given the nature and aftermath of Friday’s earthquake, the lieutenant governor and I will remain in Anchorage to assist with the reopening of state facilities and damaged infrastructure.
“I discussed this plan of action with Governor-elect Mike Dunleavy at the State Emergency Operation Center at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson on Friday. I wish him and his Administration the best as they take office and assume control of the recovery efforts.”
It may be the first time in Alaska history when an outgoing administration did not attend the swearing in of his or her successor.
Mike Dunleavy at noon on Monday becomes the 12th governor of Alaska since Statehood; Sen. Kevin Meyer becomes lieutenant governor.
Dunleavy was born May 5, 1961 to working class parents in Scranton, Penn. His father was a mailman and his mother was a secretary. He came to Alaska to work in a logging camp on Prince of Wales Island, taught school in the Arctic for nearly two decades, earned his master’s degree from University of Alaska Fairbanks, and became a member of the Alaska Senate on Jan. 15, 2013. He defeated Democrat Mark Begich on Nov. 6, 2018 and is sworn in as governor today, Dec. 3, 2018. He is married to Rose and has three daughters. The family has a ranch outside of Wasilla.
Dunleavy ran against Linda Menard for the Senate Seat E, representing Wasilla and won in in 2012 with over 57 percent of the vote. He also served on the Mat-Su School Board and was superintendent of schools in Kotzebue.
Kevin Meyer, was born May 9, 1956, in Beatrice, Neb. He will be sworn in as Alaska’s 17th lieutenant governor. Meyer earned his B.S. in business administration from the University of Nebraska, Lincoln in 1978, his M.P.A. from University of New Mexico, Albuquerque and his M.B.A. from Alaska Pacific University, in Anchorage. He has worked as a office property manager for ConocoPhillips for many years.
Meyer also served on the Anchorage Assembly from 1993 to 200, in the House of Representatives from 2000 to 2008, and in the Alaska Senate from 2008 until today, when he becomes lieutenant governor. He is married to Marty and has two daughters.
FUN FACTS: While Sean Parnell was the 11th lieutenant governor, and the 10th governor of Alaska. But we’ve had 17 lieutenant governors since statehood.
Seven of those have come since 2009, if you include In the 10 years since 2009, including Parnell, who was lieutenant governor until becoming governor in July.
Most people will remember six of the lieutenant governors in that timespan — Craig Campbell, Mead Treadwell, Byron Mallott, Valerie Davidson and now Kevin Meyer. But there was also Joe Schmidt, Department of Corrections commissioner, who became LG for two weeks at the end of July, 2009, when Sean Parnell became governor.
Anchorage Assembly member Amy Demboski says that Monday is her last day, as she will resign when Mike Dunleavy is sworn into office at noon.
She had earlier announced her resignation, but not the effective date.
“This will more effectively allow me to assume the role as Deputy Chief of Staff for Governor Dunleavy and be a direct link between the Muni and the Governor’s Office during this time,” she wrote.
“I anticipate the Assembly will declare the seat vacant on Tuesday, start accepting resumes to fill the vacancy on Wednesday, and fill the seat around the 17th-18th of December (there is discussion of a special meeting to fill the seat, but watch for official details). There should be an official announcement by the Assembly Chair on Tuesday 12/4 as to their official timeline to fill the seat,” Demboski wrote. “Thank you all for your support and encouragement over the years. I am truly grateful to have had the opportunity to represent our community and be your voice.”
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:
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.
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.
Sen. Dan Sullivan, Congressman Don Young, and Sen. Lisa Murkowski make statements on Friday regarding the earthquake that struck Southcentral Alaska on Friday morning.
“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 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.
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.
