AWKWARD APPOINTMENT
Gov. Bill Walker has named a Palmer woman who was a political field organizer for Planned Parenthood to a group that oversees the delivery of live births: the Board of Certified Direct-Entry Midwives.
Kenni Linden is a graduate of Palmer High School and Naropa University, a Buddhist-inspired school in Colorado.
Linden ran for Palmer City Council and was endorsed by the AFL-CIO Mat-Su coalition of unions, including Local 302, IBEW, MSBEA, and MSEA. She lost to Sabrena Combs.
Linden describes herself in her previous campaign material as a “fierce reproductive justice activist—I was a political field organizer with Planned Parenthood.”
Direct-entry midwives are those who come into the field through apprenticeship, rather than for a formal nursing program.
The Board consists of two direct-entry midwives, one physician, one certified nurse midwife, and one public member, which is the board seat that expires March 1, and the one to which Linden would be confirmed.
According to the state’s web site, the Board adopts regulations to carry out laws governing the practice of direct-entry midwifery in Alaska and makes licensing decisions. It also takes disciplinary action against people who violate the licensing laws.
Will Linden get confirmed by the House and Senate, or is her nomination considered to be red meat to attract Republican ire? Is the plan to make her the new Drew Phoenix (controversial nomination of 2017) to draw attention away from other appointees?
Speaker Bryce Edgmon referred the nomination to the, er, Labor and Commerce Committee.
[Read: Transgender dosn’t make cut for commission]
The complete list of Walker’s most recent appointments:
Commissioner – Department of Revenue
Sheldon Fisher
Appointed: September 7, 2017
Commissioner – Department of Administration
Leslie Ridle
Appointed: October 6, 2017
Commissioner – Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development
Mike Navarre
Appointed: November 1, 2017
Accountancy, Alaska State Board of Public
Leslie Schmitz – Anchorage
Appointed: 3/1/2018 Term Expires: 3/1/2022
Alcoholic Beverage Control Board
Sara Crapuchettes – Soldotna
Appointed: 3/1/2018 Term Expires: 3/1/2021
Rex Wilhelm – Anchorage
Appointed: 3/1/2018 Term Expires: 3/1/2021
Architects, Engineers and Land Surveyors, State Board of Registration for
William Mott – Anchorage
Appointed: 5/26/2017 Term Expires: 3/1/2020
Luanne Urfer – Eagle River
Appointed: 7/7/2017 Term Expires: 3/1/2021
Jennifer Anderson – Anchorage
Appointed: 3/1/2018 Term Expires: 3/1/2022
Richard Jones – Juneau
Appointed: 10/26/2016
Reappointed: 3/1/2018 Term Expires: 3/1/2022
Assessment Review Board, State
Bradley Pickett – Palmer
Appointed: 5/26/2017 Term Expires: n/a
Bar, Board of Governors of the Alaska
William Gordon – Salcha
Appointed: 8/15/2012 Reappointed: 3/1/2015
Reappointed: 3/1/2018 Term Expires: 3/1/2021
Barbers and Hairdressers, Board of
Vershawn Idom – Anchorage
Appointed: 3/1/2018 Term Expires: 3/1/2022
Big Game Commercial Services Board
Robert Beans – Palmer
Appointed: 1/29/2018
Reappointed: 3/1/2018 Term Expires: 3/1/2022
Adam Trombley – Anchorage
Appointed: 2/2/2017
Reappointed: 3/1/2018 Term Expires: 3/1/2022
Michelle Heun – Palmer
Appointed: 1/29/2018 Term Expires: 3/1/2021
Cash Joyce – Wasilla
Appointed: 1/29/2018 Term Expires: 3/1/2019
Chiropractic Examiners, Board of
James Morris – Dutch Harbor
Appointed: 3/1/2018 Term Expires: 3/1/2022
Commercial Fisheries Entry Commission, Alaska
Vance Fate Putman – Juneau
Appointed: 12/1/2017
Reappointed (to different seat): 1/29/2018 Term Expires: 3/1/2021
Carol Petraborg – Juneau
Appointed: 3/1/2018 Term Expires: 3/1/2022
Dental Examiners, Board of
Dominic Wenzell – Girdwood
Appointed: 3/1/2018 Term Expires: 3/1/2022
Robin Wahto – Anchorage
Appointed: 11/15/2017 Term Expires: 3/1/2021
Education and Early Development, Board of
James Fields – Glennallen
Appointed: 3/22/2013
Reappointed: 3/1/2018 Term Expires: 3/1/2023
Sandra Kowalski – Fairbanks
Appointed: 3/1/2018 Term Expires: 3/1/2023
Lorri Van Diest – Palmer
Appointed: 1/29/2018 Term Expires: 3/1/2020
Fishermen’s Fund Advisory and Appeals Council
Mark Saldi – Skagway
Appointed: 3/26/2008 Reappointed: 3/1/2013
Reappointed: 3/1/2018 Term Expires: 3/1/2023
Human Rights, State Commission for
Megan Mackiernan – Nome
Appointed: 8/18/2017 Term Expires: 3/1/2020
Christa Bruce-Kotrc – Ketchikan
Appointed: 8/1/2011
Reappointed: 3/1/2018 Term Expires: 3/1/2023
Freddie Olin IV – Anchorage
Appointed: 3/1/2018 Term Expires: 3/1/2023
Labor Relations Agency, Alaska
Tyler Andrews – Anchorage
Appointed: 6/9/2008 Reappointed: 3/1/2009
Reappointed: 3/1/2012 Reappointed: 3/1/2015
Reappointed: 3/1/2018 Term Expires: 3/1/2021
Melinda (Mila) Cosgrove – Juneau
Appointed: 1/3/2018 Term Expires: 3/1/2020
Lon Needles – Valdez
Appointed: 3/1/2015
Reappointed: 3/1/2018 Term Expires: 3/1/2021
Marijuana Control Board
Loren Jones – Douglas
Appointed: 7/1/2015
Reappointed: 3/1/2018 Term Expires: 3/1/2021
Nicholas Miller – Anchorage
Appointed: 8/19/2016
Reappointed: 3/1/2018 Term Expires: 3/1/2021
Travis Welch – Utqiagvik
Appointed: 1/19/2018 Term Expires: 3/1/2020
Marine Pilots, Board of
Peggy McLaughlin – Dutch Harbor
Appointed: 5/26/2017
Reappointed: 3/1/2018 Term Expires: 3/1/2022
Richard Harris – Juneau
Appointed: 12/18/2017 Term Expires: 3/1/2020
Les Cronk – Ketchikan
Appointed: 3/1/2018 Term Expires: 3/1/2022
Marital and Family Therapy, Board of
Natalie Lewis – Kotzebue
Appointed: 3/1/2018 Term Expires: 3/1/2022
Massage Therapists, Board of
David Edwards-Smith – Soldotna
Appointed: 1/19/2015
Reappointed: 3/1/2018 Term Expires: 3/1/2022
Jill Motz – Wasilla
Appointed: 1/23/2017
Reappointed: 3/1/2018 Term Expires: 3/1/2022
Medical Board, State
Sai-Ling Liu – Nome
Appointed: 3/1/2014
Reappointed: 3/1/2018 Term Expires: 3/1/2022
Catherine Hyndman – Dillingham
Appointed: 12/18/2017 Term Expires: 3/1/2020
Mental Health Trust Authority Board of Trustees, Alaska
Mike Powers – Fairbanks
Appointed: 3/1/2018 Term Expires: 3/1/2023
Verné Boerner – Anchorage
Appointed: 3/1/2018 Term Expires: 3/1/2023
Midwives, Board of Certified Direct-Entry
Kenni Linden – Palmer
Appointed: 3/1/2018 Term Expires: 3/1/2022
Dianna Kristeller – Fairbanks
Appointed: 12/18/2017 Term Expires: 3/1/2021
Nursing, Board of
Starla Fox – Dillingham
Appointed: 5/26/2017
Reappointed: 3/1/2018 Term Expires: 3/1/2022
Linda Hutchings – Soldotna
Appointed: 1/24/2018
Reappointed: 3/1/2018 Term Expires: 3/1/2022
Optometry, Board of Examiners in
Damien Delzer – Fairbanks
Appointed: 3/1/2014
Reappointed: 3/1/2018 Term Expires: 3/1/2022
Eric Lingle – Juneau
Appointed: 3/1/2014
Reappointed: 3/1/2018 Term Expires: 3/1/2022
Parole, State Board of
Sarah Possenti – Fairbanks
Appointed: 4/1/2011 Reappointed: 3/1/2013
Reappointed: 3/1/2018 Term Expires: 3/1/2023
Personnel Board
Alfred Tamagni, Sr. – Anchorage
Appointed: 3/1/2006
Reappointed: 3/1/2018 Term Expires: 3/1/2024
Pharmacy, Board of
Tammy Lindemuth – Anchorage
Appointed: 1/24/2018 Term Expires: 3/1/2021
Sharon Long – Anchorage
Appointed: 3/1/2018 Term Expires: 3/1/2022
Lana Bell – Anchorage
Appointed: 5/31/2016
Reappointed: 3/1/2018 Term Expires: 3/1/2022
Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy Board, State
Keith Poorbaugh – Palmer
Appointed: 5/26/2017
Reappointed: 3/1/2018 Term Expires: 3/1/2022
Robert Calhoon – Anchorage
Appointed: 3/1/2018 Term Expires: 3/1/2022
Police Standards Council, Alaska
Michael Craig – Anchorage
Appointed: 5/26/2017
Reappointed: 3/1/2018 Term Expires: 3/1/2022
Justin Doll – Anchorage
Appointed: 8/18/2017 Term Expires: 3/1/2021
David Knapp – Palmer
Appointed: 1/24/2018
Reappointed: 3/1/2018 Term Expires: 3/1/2022
Professional Counselors, Board of
Steven Cardwell – Fairbanks
Appointed: 11/15/2017 Term Expires: 3/1/2021
Janece Richard – Anchorage
Appointed: 3/1/2018 Term Expires: 3/1/2022
Alice Baum – Anchorage
Appointed: 3/1/2018 Term Expires: 3/1/2022
Professional Teaching Practices Commission
Diane Kardash – North Pole
Appointed: 5/26/2017
Reappointed: 3/1/2018 Term Expires: 3/1/2021
Phillip Graham – Soldotna
Appointed: 3/1/2018 Term Expires: 3/1/2021
Kent Runion – Nome
Appointed: 11/18/2016
Reappointed: 3/1/2018 Term Expires: 3/1/2021
Public Offices Commission, Alaska
Anne Helzer – Anchorage
Appointed: 3/1/2018 Term Expires: 3/1/2023
Real Estate Appraisers, Board of Certified
Donald Faulkenburry – Anchorage
Appointed: 5/26/2017 Term Expires: 3/1/2019
David Derry – Kenai
Appointed: 3/1/2014
Reappointed: 3/1/2018 Term Expires: 3/1/2022
Wendy Lawrence – Sitka
Appointed: 3/1/2018 Term Expires: 3/1/2022
Regulatory Commission of Alaska
Janis Wilson – Anchorage
Appointed: 4/10/2006
Reappointed: 3/1/2018 Term Expires: 3/1/2024
Paul Lisankie – Anchorage
Appointed: 1/31/2018 Term Expires: 3/1/2019
Social Work Examiners, Board of
Lisa Hay – Fairbanks
Appointed: 1/24/2018 Term Expires: 3/1/2021
Danielle LaFon – Fairbanks
Appointed: 3/1/2014
Reappointed: 3/1/2018 Term Expires: 3/1/2022
Veterinary Examiners, Board of
Chris Michetti – Anchorage
Appointed: 3/1/2018 Term Expires: 3/1/2022
Violent Crimes Compensation Board
Jeffrey Stubblefield – Eagle River
Appointed: 1/23/2017
Reappointed: 3/1/2018 Term Expires: 3/1/2021
Workers’ Compensation Appeals Commission
Michael Notar – Juneau
Appointed: 9/24/2015
Reappointed: 3/1/2018 Term Expires: 3/1/2023
Workers’ Compensation Board, Alaska
Bradley Evans – Anchorage
Appointed: 5/26/2017 Term Expires: 3/1/2019
David Kester – Anchorage
Appointed: 7/7/2017 Term Expires: 3/1/2019
Justin Mack – Anchorage
Appointed: 1/29/2018
Reappointed: 3/1/2018 Term Expires: 3/1/2021
Chad Bolduc – Juneau
Appointed: 3/1/2018 Term Expires: 3/1/2021
Nancy Shaw – Anchorage
Appointed: 12/18/2017 Term Expires: 3/1/2020
Jacob Howdeshell – North Pole
Appointed: 3/1/2015
Reappointed: 3/1/2018 Term Expires: 3/1/2021
Bronson Frye – Anchorage
Appointed: 3/1/2018 Term Expires: 3/1/2021
Robert Weel – Anchorage
Appointed: 1/23/2006 Reappointed: 3/1/2006
Reappointed: 3/1/2012 Reappointed: 3/1/2015
Reappointed: 3/1/2018 Term Expires: 3/1/2021
Pamela Cline – Wasilla
Appointed: 9/21/2012 Reappointed: 3/1/2015
Reappointed: 3/1/2018 Term Expires: 3/1/2021
Also, in accordance with AS 18.85.030, the Governor submits the following name for legislative confirmation.
Public Defender
Quinlan Steiner – Anchorage
Appointed: 10/13/2005
Reappointed: 10/13/2009 Reappointed: 10/13/2013
Reappointed: 10/13/2017 Term Expires: 10/13/2021
Someone who works for an abortion machine and advocates for the senseless murder of babies in utero has no business overseeing midwives, who, by their very nature and choice of profession, live, breathe and work to protect babies in utero. Walker is either sending a message to the midwifery community or he is mad. Or both. I will fight this nomination. What happened to your conservative Christian values, Walker? Oh, right, you sold them to get elected. You will not be re-elected. Thank GOD!
You mean advocating for the rights to plan pregnancy? You mean the rights to affordable testing and check up? The right to affordable treatments? STD screening? Free condoms to help prevent unwanted pregnancies? Plan B?
You are very nieve if you believe that the only thing this place does is abortion procedures. You are obviously nieve if you believe its murder.
How much meat do you eat? Are plants not living as well?
Stopping an unwanted pregnancy doesnt make you a murder it makes you smart. Instead of birthing an unwanted baby and adding to the cycle.
If you believe that life begins at conception then that is your view and your view doesnt get to be the law od the land. Neither does my view.
The fact that it is legal is to allow for the choice to be made by the person who has to make the choice.
No one is forcing you. Yet.
My abortion was at 6 weeks, no heartbeat. It was a pill that i took and then i passed the “blob” as a heavier period.
There are religions out there that dont believ life begins until there is brain function which happens around 24-27 weeks. For some at birth, and others not until age 2.
Nobody advocates for abortion. They are fighting for our right to make that choice for ourselves. Pro-life doesnt make you pro-baby. Most who vote against abortion also vot against more aid to needy familys, sex education and birth control.
With our planet over exceeded by a a half earth why would we want to keep making excess children, especially unwanted ones?
Nobody wants and abortion, they need them. Some need them more then others. Some people just need to be sterilized. That however would be just as wrong as forcing abortions. Or forcing a woman to carry to term.
Its simple Steph. Protection or better yet SELF CONTROL if a child is not wanted.
The end result of a sperm and egg joining becomes the beginning of a life and after 9 months child!
You stated that you passed a” blob” (life) during your period doesn’t eliminate the fact that it was the beginning of a life.
I feel sorry for you. You might regret your actions as you get older and miss the company of a child!
You nailed it … I was thinking the same thing … Self control … a foreign concept to most libs these days. But hey Steph .. Apparently your mom didn’t rid herself of your ” BLOB ” at six weeks !
Steph,
I would suggest you look into Project Rachel. The heartbeat of a baby starts at six weeks. Gods love and forgiveness is open to all and His mercy and love encompasses all of us. Look into it.
Good pick by Governor Walker. Kenni Psenak Linden is a young, smart, energetic, industrious mom and life long Valley resident.
Interesting descriptive term for a murder advocate ” life long “. Obviously her mama didn’t murder her in the womb so her life is much longer than those for whom she advocates for an extremely short life.
This may be intended to help the Walker-Mallott campaign. Here in Juneau Planned Parenthood sends out people to go door to door during gubernatorial and Congressional elections. I have spoken to those people often as they knock on doors. It is always two young women traveling together. They go to targeted households and ask a series of directed questions. My residence has never been on their list but I run into them when I go door to door for candidates. I do not know if they are paid or not but they have sometimes more or less indicated they are. They do not walk far, preferring to drive to each house. They sit out rain in their cars – strange in Juneau, and unique. It’s different women in different years and in different neighborhoods, but they are all remarkably similar to one another. Other than that they are just like everyone else working on election campaigns in Juneau neighborhoods. It is not difficult at all to imagine them soon going door to door for Walker-Mallott.
Your known by the company you keep, Walker. Appointing a planned parenthood (murder for hire) advocate to the Midwife Board is like putting the fox in the hen house!! Is there really a need for this position, why now you are on your way out 🙂
There is transparency in the Walker administration, you will do ANYTHING transparent to try to get reelected! You can run but you can’t hide.
This sounds like putting “Jack” Kevorkian in charge of extended-life hospices.
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