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Mayor announces resignation of deputy director library Eledge

Suzanne Downing
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42
Mayor announces resignation of deputy director library Eledge

Anchorage Mayor Dave Bronson accepted the resignation of Anchorage Public Library Deputy Director Judy Eledge.

Eledge is having knee replacement this month and said that this is a good time for her to take off and move into retirement.

Eledge has been planning to retire for many months, even before her surgery was scheduled.

She has been subject to vicious personal attacks by the Anchorage Daily News for remarks that a library employee surreptitiously recorded of her, and then gave the recordings to a the ADN’s most partisan writers.

The recordings are of Eledge saying:

“I worked in an Alaska Native village. If it wasn’t for the white man and his oil money, they’d still be raping their daughters in caves.”

“I don’t have the same views about Eskimos as other people at the library. I worked in Barrow; I know they diddle their kids. It’s a well-known secret, people just don’t talk about it. I knew a 2nd grader that had gonorrhea. They send their FAS [fetal alcohol syndrome] babies to Anchorage because they don’t want to take care of them.’”

“The atmosphere here has gone downhill with woke movements like Black Lives Matter … I’m telling you, the woke culture is killing libraries and this country. If I could get rid of those employees, I could turn this library around for the good.”

“There are too many ‘liberals’ working in libraries.”

Eledge was originally appointed as the director of the library, after it became clear that the institution needed stronger, more caring leadership. However, she was not able to be confirmed by the leftist Assembly, and so she moved back to a deputy position that was not subject to confirmation. Virginia McClure was hired as head librarian.

In recent months, the newspaper and the Assembly have worked together to attack Eledge for her conservative views and her determination to return the library system to a safe place for children and families. The Loussac Library had become a daycare center for homeless and drug-addicts, and there have been several violent incidences at the library that revealed it’s no longer a safe place to bring children. One woman was stabbed and sustained lifelong disability when she was trying to return library books.

But leftists have worked hard to get Eledge removed altogether, and started a petition, calling Eledge a racist and a bigot. The Assembly has a resolution requesting her resignation on its May 9 agenda.

Assembly moves to force deputy library director out of her position

Eledge, in her letter to Bronson, said:

“One of your top priorities was to return the AK Collection to the rotunda of the library, where it had been prior to the 2017 flood. Our Director Virginia McClure recently received the Initial draft plans for the renovated Alaska room, and great progress has been made to begin the subsequent phases to return the AK Collection to its original location.

“As requested, a plan to begin the process of a new downtown library that had been stalled for many years is now back in progress. With the help of a newly formed downtown library committee and the Anchorage Library Foundation, the Old City Hall has been chosen for the downtown library per your request.  We were also successful in obtaining additional funding from the AK Legislature, and a historical code analysis has been completed. We recently met with Maintenance and Operations to discuss the next steps.

“Significant efforts have been made to improve safety at the library. After a patron was stabbed in February 2022, we began to ensure our code of conduct was strictly enforced, with the help of concerned employees. A safety committee was formed and recommendations from this committee were instituted. One of the safety guidelines we implemented was the “one bag rule”. We implemented a ticket system that allowed individuals coming into the library with luggage, such as travelers or homeless individuals, to lock their items in a secure closet to be retrieved upon leaving the library. We had the opportunity to share this safety enhancement with Chair LaFrance shortly after changes were made.

“I am confident that the team at the library will continue to serve you and the city well.  While we successfully achieved a lot during my time as Deputy Director, there is much more to accomplish within our library system. Moving forward, I believe that even more positive accomplishments can be achieved if politicizing these positions can be avoided.  I wish your administration and the municipal library system all the best,” she concluded.

Mrs. Eledge’s last day will be May 15, 2023.

Legislature confirms all of governor’s commissioner appointees

Suzanne Downing
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1
Legislature confirms all of governor’s commissioner appointees

The Alaska State Legislature has confirmed all of Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s appointees to lead state departments.

In addition, Commissioner Jason Brune of the Department of Environmental Conservation was confirmed unanimously to be the Lt. Governor’s successor.

The confirmed commissioners are:

Commissioner Jen Winkelman, Department of Corrections

Commissioner Jen Winkelman started with the Department of Corrections in 2001. She has served as a Probation/Parole Officer in various capacities with the Division of Pretrial, Probation, and Parole (DP3) and the Division of Institutions in Fairbanks, Palmer, and Juneau. Most recently, she was the Director of DP3. Born and raised in Fairbanks, she has a bachelor’s degree in justice from the University of Alaska- Fairbanks. She previously served on the Fairbanks and Juneau reentry coalitions and the Interstate Commission for Adult Offender Supervision. She serves on the Governor’s Council for Homelessness and the Alaska Police Standards Council. 

Commissioner Heidi Hedberg, Department of Health

Commissioner Heidi Hedberg has been with the state since 2009, serving in various capacities within the Division of Public Health, Department of Health, and most recently, as the Director for the Division of Public Health. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Alaska Pacific University. She moved to the state in 1995 from Seattle, Washington. Prior to her state service, she worked with various non-profit organizations for twelve years. She also chairs the Governor’s Advisory Council on Opioid Remediation and serves on the Governor’s Council on Homelessness and State Emergency Response Commission.

Commissioner John Boyle, Department of Natural Resources

Commissioner John Boyle moved to Alaska in 2010 after graduating from law school to serve a judicial clerkship in Fairbanks. Following the conclusion of the clerkship, he moved to Utqiagvik to work as an Assistant Borough Attorney and later Chief Advisor to the Mayor and Director of the North Slope Borough’s Government and External Affairs department. In 2016 he moved to BP as their Director of Government Affairs before joining Oil Search (now Santos) as Government Affairs Manager. He earned a Juris Doctorate from J. Ruben Clark Law School at Brigham Young University and a Bachelor of Science in Management and Finance at Brigham Young University.

Commissioner Adam Crum, Department of Revenue

Prior to being appointed commissioner of the Department of Health & Social Services in 2018, Commissioner Adam Crum was executive vice president of his family’s company, Northern Industrial Training. Commissioner Crum is active in community service organizations and has served as a board member for groups like the Salvation Army and MyHouse, a group that works specifically with homeless youth. Both groups work with clients with mental health, substance use disorder, transitional housing, and workforce development issues. He has a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Northwestern University and a Master of Science in Public Health from Johns Hopkins University.

Commissioner Kim Kovol, Department of Family and Community Services

Commissioner Kim Kovol has over 25 years of experience in the private sector in executive leadership, management, operating licensed childcare facilities, organizational development, restructuring logistics, and working in the human and social services realm with youth and adults. Prior to being appointed commissioner, Commissioner Kovol was Special Assistant to Governor Dunleavy with a social services portfolio focusing on Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault, Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons, Human and Sex Trafficking, Homelessness, Foster care, Early Childcare, Eldercare, Opioids / Fentanyl, and Suicide Prevention. Commissioner Kovol has a bachelor’s degree in liberal arts and studies (K-8 Education) from San Diego State University and a Master of Social Work from the University of Alaska Anchorage. 

Study: Alaska leads nation in traumatic brain injury deaths

Suzanne Downing
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15

Suicide, falls, violence, and snowmachines: A study of data gathered between 2016 and 2021 shows that Alaska has the highest traumatic brain injury-related death rate in the United States, surpassing the national average by more than double. The study was published by the State of Alaska’s Section of Epidemiology this week.

About 43% of all TBI-related deaths in Alaska were attributed to suicide, with young adults disproportionately affected.

Individuals between the ages of 25 and 34 experienced TBI-related mortality rates from suicide that were over three times the national average in 2019. Additionally, one in four deaths among individuals under the age of 30 were connected to TBIs.

Unintentional falls accounted for a significant proportion of traumatic brain injuries in Alaska, contributing to 39% of TBI-related emergency department visits between 2016 and 2021, and 44% of TBI-related hospitalizations from 2017 to 2021.

Among adults aged 15 to 34 years, motor vehicle crashes were the most common cause of both TBI-related emergency room visits and hospitalizations. Unintentional falls dominated as the primary mechanism of injury for emergency room visits among individuals 35 years and older, as well as for hospitalizations among those 45 years and above.

The study revealed several other demographic statistics:

  • The mortality rates were higher among those 85 years and older, and among males, American Indian/Alaska Native people, and those residing in the Northern Region of the state.
  • Patients hospitalized following a TBI in Alaska with evidence of intentional self-harm were over eight times more likely to succumb to their injuries than those with unintentional injuries.
  • Alaska Natives have a disproportionately higher rate of TBI-related mortality, with an age-adjusted rate exceeding three times the national average.
  • Rates of TBI attributable to assault were significantly higher among males, being 1.6 and 3.7 times higher than females for emergency visits and hospitalizations, respectively.
  • In terms of TBI-related hospitalizations, motor vehicle crashes took precedence in the Southwest and Northern regions, with all-terrain vehicle and snowmachine-related injuries accounting for a striking 39% of all TBI hospitalizations in the Northern region.

TBIs occur when individuals experience a bump, blow, or jolt to the head, or a penetrating head injury that disrupts normal brain function, ranging from mild to severe cases that can lead to prolonged unconsciousness, coma, or even death.

Ketchikan judge says ‘Creator’ statement can remain on Ketchikan school walls

Suzanne Downing
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13
Ketchikan judge says ‘Creator’ statement can remain on Ketchikan school walls

A school district poster that promotes Native values that the district wants to instill in students does not violate the U.S. Constitution, a Ketchikan judge has ruled.

Two parents wanted the poster taken down from the walls of the Ketchikan Charter School because, among the values on the poster is “Reverence for Our Creator,” which pushes a religious perspective.

Students at the school are subject to a behavior modification program based on how well they expresse the Native values — values that were determined by Southeast Alaska Native leaders two decades ago.

The poster refers to things like having pride in clans, being strong, having courage, and being good stewards of the land and sea.

Judge Katherine Lybrand said that the parents, one of whom is a teacher at the school, didn’t convince her that “Reverence for Our Creator” is a religious statement. She added that even if the statement was religious, it didn’t force behavior on anyone.

“The mere display of the posters around the District’s schools does not foster excessive entanglement or coerce students to believe a certain thing (and in fact there was no testimony that any student has felt coerced in any way),” Lybrand wrote, and that the poster promoting values is “more akin to reciting the pledge of allegiance than the posting of the Ten Commandments because the poster as a whole demonstrates that its purpose is to promote place-based learning and cross-cultural understanding, not to promote a religious belief.”

Trial ends in Ketchikan over ‘tribal values’ school reward system promoting ‘Reverence for Our Creator’
Ketchikan school board’s final blow in Obama’s cupcake war

Bill exempting electric bikes from motor vehicle regulations passes

Suzanne Downing
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34
Bill exempting electric bikes from motor vehicle regulations passes

The Alaska Senate passed House Bill 8 on Monday, which excerpts low-powered electric bikes from most state motor vehicle regulation. The bill had earlier passed the House. HB 8 specifies that bikes with electric motors generating less than 750 watts of power will not be subject to motorcycle regulations, and will be permitted on sidewalks and bike trails where motorized vehicles are not allowed.

Most ebikes stop providing electric assist while the rider is pedaling after the speed reaches 20 miles per hour, or 28 mph for what’s called a Class 3 bike.

The publication Bicycle Retailer and Industry News reported that ebike sales grew 300% in the past five years making them the fastest growing segment of the bicycle industry.

According to Precedence Research, the global e-bike market size was valued at $17.56 billion in 2021 and is expected to reach over $40.98 billion by 2030, poised to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 9.6% from 2021 to 2030.

The House bill was the brainchild of freshman legislator Rep. Ashley Carrick of Fairbanks, a member of the Democrat minority. The Republican majority has been supportive of several minority-authored bills like this one, and several Republicans signed on as cosponsors.

What was the winning time? Nenana River Classic tripod clock stopped

Suzanne Downing
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2
What was the winning time? Nenana River Classic tripod clock stopped

The alarm went off on the Nenana River tripod on May 8, and the clock stopped at 4:01.17 pm, marking the end of this year’s Nenana Ice Classic.

The Nenana Ice Classic is an annual ice pool contest held in Nenana, in which people buy tickets and guess the exact time the Tanana River ice will break up at Nenana.  The proceeds of the charitable gaming event go to nonprofit organizations.

The ice usually breaks up between April 20 and May 20, and as it flows downstream, it tips the tripod, which is tethered to a clock. When the clock stops, the winning time is set.

The Ice Classic is Alaska’s greatest guessing game, the organization says. “In 1917 a group of engineers surveying for the Alaska Railroad bet $800 putting in their guesses when the river would break up. This fun little guessing game has turned into an incredible tradition that has now continued for over 106 years!”

Find out more at Nenana Ice Classics.

Hunting discounts for nonresident students passes House

Suzanne Downing
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24
Hunting discounts for nonresident students passes House

On Monday, the Alaska House passed House Bill 120, a significant achievement for freshman House Rep. Frank Tomaszewski, a Republican of Fairbanks. The bill introduces a new provision allowing non-resident students to obtain hunting, fishing, and trapping licenses at a discounted cost. This legislation maintains existing regulations and tag fees without any changes.

The bill passed with a vote of 36-4, with Republican Reps. David Eastman and Sarah Vance, and Democrat Reps. Sara Hannan and Andy Josephson voting no.

Over the past several decades, hunting and personal use fishing have experienced a decline, resulting in a reduction in funding for conservation efforts. To address this issue, various federal statutes such as the Pittman-Robertson Act, Dingell-Johnson Act, and Migratory Bird Hunting Stamp Act have tied conservation funding to excise taxes on items like firearms, ammunition, archery equipment, and fishing gear.

Subsequently, the revenue generated from these taxes is allocated to state fish and game departments to support vital conservation and management initiatives. Alaska, in its commitment to conservation, matches this funding through revenue derived from hunting and fishing licenses.

Rep. Tomaszewski emphasized the importance of fostering a love for hunting, fishing, and trapping among the younger generation to safeguard Alaska’s cultural heritage and conservation endeavors.

“We cannot overlook the direct connection between our hunters and our ability to conserve. Encouraging younger individuals to partake in these splendid outdoor activities is paramount,” he said.

By reducing the cost of licenses for non-resident students, the bill encourages their participation in these activities, especially considering the financial burdens already borne by many students due to college expenses.

The bill is now in the Senate for consideration.

Sen. Sullivan joins 42 senators saying ‘no’ to raising debt ceiling without spending cuts, budget reforms

Suzanne Downing
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17
Sen. Sullivan joins 42 senators saying ‘no’ to raising debt ceiling without spending cuts, budget reforms

Alaska U.S. Sen. Dan Sullivan is part of a group of 43 Republicans who put Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer on notice this weekend: They are committed to opposing raising the national debt ceiling without substantive spending and budget reforms. 

Sen. Lisa Murkowski did not sign the letter, and neither did Sen. Susan Collins of Maine, Sen. Mitt Romney of Utah, Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky, Sen. John Kennedy of Louisiana, of Sen. Josh Hawley of Missouri.

As the national debt has soared since President Barack Obama took office, the U.S. Treasury Department has borrowed more money to pay for government spending. The curb on this borrowing is known as the legislative debt ceiling. The nation is at the point where the Treasury Department has spent the maximum amount authorized by Congress, and lawmakers must vote to suspend or raise the limit on borrowing.

“It is now clear that Senate Republicans aren’t going to bail out Biden and Schumer, they have to negotiate. I thank my colleagues for joining my effort to emphasize this point in the clearest possible terms,” said Sen. Mike Lee of Utah, who led the group.

The nation’s economy is in free fall due to unsustainable fiscal policies, the group’s letter said. The total national debt stands at over $31.7 trillion. In fact, the U.S. government has averaged nearly $1 trillion in deficit spending every year since 2001.

“This trajectory must be addressed with fiscal reforms. Moreover, recent Treasury projections have reinforced the urgency of addressing the debt ceiling. The House has taken a responsible first step in coming to the table with their proposals. It is imperative that the president now do the same.

“As such, we will not be voting for cloture on any bill that raises the debt ceiling without substantive spending and budget reforms,” the letter concluded.

The letter is signed by Senators Mike Lee, John Barrasso, Marsha Blackburn, John Boozman, Mike Braun, Ted Budd, Shelley Moore Capito, Bill Cassidy, Katie Britt, John Cornyn, Tom Cotton, Mike Crapo, Ted Cruz, Kevin Cramer, Steve Daines, Joni Ernst, Deb Fischer, Lindsey Graham, Chuck Grassley, Bill Hagerty, John Hoeven, Cindy Hyde-Smith, Ron Johnson, James Lankford, Cynthia Lummis, Roger Marshall, Mitch McConnell, Jerry Moran, Markwayne Mullin, Pete Ricketts, James Risch, Marco Rubio, Mike Rounds, Tim Scott, Rick Scott, Eric Schmitt, Dan Sullivan, John Thune, Thom Tillis, Tommy Tuberville, J.D. Vance, Roger Wicker, and Todd Young.

Sen. Chuck Schumer, majority leader, said the Senate might consider a bill that only raises the debt ceiling but does not address the demands of these Republicans. With a 51-49 majority in the Senate, Schumer needs nine Republicans to get to the 60-vote threshold to raise the ceiling.

At this point, he probably cannot count on all of the six who did not sign the letter but who are fiscal hawks, such as Sen. Paul, Sen. Kennedy, and Sen. Hawley. He may be able to count on Sens. Murkowski, Romney, and Collins, who often side with Democrats, but they would not be enough to raise the national debt.

Read up on deficit spending at this Treasury Department guide.

Peltola searching for a fundraiser

Suzanne Downing
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23
Peltola searching for a fundraiser

Rep. Mary Peltola is advertising for a fundraising associate, to be located in Washington, D.C., with opportunity to travel.

During her first quarter of fundraising for reelection, Peltola spent far more than she brought in. She raised $369,000 in the first quarter, spent more than $579,000 in the same time period, and a significant amount of the spending was on fundraising. She ended the quarter had $483,556 cash on hand, a 30% decrease over what she started with in January.

Peltola and her chief of staff, who was her former campaign manager, were spotted in Palm Springs, Calif. over the weekend; the well-heeled community is a fundraising destination for many politicians from both sides of the aisle.

According to the job description in Society of Financial Service Professionals, the successful applicant will:

  • Schedule regular call time sessions required to meet stated fundraising goals
  • Staff and support candidate during scheduled call time sessions by taking notes and conducting donor research as needed
  • Conduct pledge follow-up with donors, including timely emails, letters, and calls
  • Maintain integrity of donor database by accurately recording all notes, follow ups, and other donor information in NGP
  • Other fundraising duties as assigned to support event, email, and political fundraising programs.
  • Plan, manage, and recruit for small and large-scale fundraising events and build fundraising swings for the candidate
  • Provide regular, accurate, and timely projections to the campaign leadership for events and meetings
  • Maintain a working knowledge of donors and institutions engaged, identifying new potential funding partners and opportunities to collaborate with existing partners in new ways
  • Build and maintain relationships with donors and potential donors
  • Provide the necessary information and preparation for the candidate to maintain relationships with major donors, institutional partners, and allies
  • Manage and staff call time when needed
  • Staff events and finance meetings

Qualifications and Requirements

  • Must be willing to be located in Washington DC, this work can not be done remotely
  • Must have access to a laptop, smartphone, and driver’s license- access to a car is beneficial
  • Experience building and executing fundraising events of all sizes
  • Knowledge of campaign finance laws
  • Political strategy/acumen
  • Relationship cultivation and management
  • Flexibility to work outside normal business hours that include evenings and weekends, and work extended hours to accomplish the requirements of the position
  • Excellent and persuasive written, verbal, and public presentation skills
  • 3+ cycles of working experience in political fundraising
  • Alaska experience preferred
  • Knowledge of NGP, ActBlue
  • Willingness to travel
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