PRIORITIES FOR THIS SESSION…
I am honored to have the opportunity to serve you in the Alaska State Senate. It’s not only a job I take very seriously, but it’s also a job I keep close to my heart. The main focus for this session will be on the state’s operating and capital budgets as well adequate funding for our K-12 education system. I will also concentrate my efforts on being a responsible gatekeeper for legislation that flows through the Senate Finance Committee of which I serve as co-chair. I look forward to a successful, productive session.

LATHROP MALEMUTES VISIT THE STATE CAPITOL…
Lathrop’s boys and girls varsity basketball teams came to Juneau on January 30 to play the Juneau-Douglas Crimson Bears during their homecoming weekend. After arriving in Juneau, the Lathrop group came to the State Capitol Building for a tour of the facility and an informal meeting with Senator Seekins and myself. It was pleasure for me to meet with the students, coaches, and chaperones. Not only are they legitimate contenders for the state championship, but also some of the most well behaved high school students I’ve seen. I was proud seeing them both off and on the court, especially when both Lathrop teams beat the Juneau teams by impressive margins. GO MALEMUTES! A picture of the girls' basketball team can be found at
http://www.akrepublicans.org/wilken/images/team_01.jpg, and a picture of the boys' basketball team can be found at
http://www.akrepublicans.org/wilken/images/team_02.jpg.

TOWN MEETINGS BEING PLANNED…
Each session I try to have at least 2 Town Meetings in Fairbanks. I’ll be sending out reminders soon. The first one will be on March 6, from 10 AM – 12 Noon at Nordale School, and the second one will be on March 27, from 10 AM – 12 Noon at Hunter School. I sure hope you’ll be able to join me on one of those dates for an informal discussion about this year’s Legislative Session and the issues facing our community. I’ll be there to answer questions and hear your concerns. I look forward to seeing you there!

KEEPING MY CONNECTION WITH HOME…
Every Wednesday morning during session, I join the other members of the Interior Delegation in a teleconference with the Fairbanks Chamber of Commerce. Every other Wednesday, we also teleconference with the Fairbanks Arctic Alliance. Our purpose is to stay in touch with what’s happening at home, and to give an update about what’s happening in the legislature.

In addition to that, on Wednesday’s we participate in a “Brown Bag Luncheon” to meet with Fairbanksans who are visiting Juneau. This allows our visitors from home to meet with the entire Delegation at one time. If you plan on traveling to Juneau during session and are interested in attending, please let me know (451-5501).

YOUR PRIVACY…
All addresses are “blind” for your privacy. A strict “no spam” policy is observed. If you don’t wish to receive these e-mail newsletters, please let me know. If you have a friend or neighbor in District E or Fairbanks who does not receive my e-mail but would like to be included, I will be glad to add them to my list if they contact me.

CONTACT ME…
If you would like to contact me during session, I can be reached at my office in Juneau at 451-5501 (that’s a local call from Fairbanks), or if you would like to send me an e-mail, my address is senator_gary_wilken@legis.state.ak.us. The address where I receive my U.S. mail is: State Capitol Building, Room 518, Juneau, AK 99801.

“The best way to predict our future is to create it.” – Peter Drucker

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