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WHY SCR 12 IS IMPORTANT…
SCR 12 remains my number one priority bill for this legislative session. It has already passed the Senate and is now in the
House, where I expect it to also pass. Until then, the responsibility to operate and fund our local public school system is
inherently unequal among Alaskans.
acknowledges that existing state law imposes significant obligations on organized Alaska while no corresponding
duties are imposed on the people living in the unorganized boroughs outside home rule or first class cities. The passage of
SCR 12 would set in motion a process to formally ask residents in the unorganized borough if they can help pay their fair
share. The inherent inequality between Alaskans would not change over night, but rather the actual fiscal responsibility would
be phased in slowly over a four-year period. I believe SCR 12 will establish a process that is fair, responsible, and practical
for all Alaskans.
EASTER IN FAIRBANKS…
I was fortunate enough to be able to go home to Fairbanks to be with my family over the Easter Break. I’ve lived most of my
life in Fairbanks and I miss our community when I’m gone. It’s where I grew up, met my wife, raised my children, and now
where my children are raising my grandchildren. Fairbanks is a great place to live, and we can all be proud of our community.
To see pictures of my family, click here
FISH HATCHERY UPDATE…
While in Fairbanks last Friday, I attended a meeting about the proposed Fish Hatchery. An ad hoc committee agreed that the
lower Second Avenue snow dumpsite is the preferred location for the hatchery. The committee, who have been actively
lobbying Senator Ted Stevens to support the project, has reported that the estimated total cost will be between $20-$25
million. If built, the hatchery would benefit our community and state in several ways. The hatchery will produce fish for central
and south central Alaska, be utilized by UAF as a research facility, and be a fantastic tourist destination. In addition, another
benefit is that the hatchery will utilize the waste heat used to cool the Chena #5 turbine.
STATUS ON ALASKA GASLINE PORT AUTHORITY…
While in Fairbanks, I also attended a briefing held by Mayor Whitaker regarding the Alaska Gasline Port Authority. I was
encouraged to hear they are moving forward on the tidewater and highway route for the stranded gas. We should know more
about it in the next few weeks, but it appears that the Borough is moving ahead nicely on this project.
FAIRBANKSANS IN JUNEAU…
Since my last e-mail update, I only had a few people from Fairbanks visit my Juneau office. They included Hank Bartos and
Eileen Cummings of the FNSB Assembly, Dave Somers from the Alaska Association of Realtors, and several members from
the UA Staff Alliance.
GOODBYE TO A GOOD FRIEND…
Many of you might have known Frank Rose who recently died unexpectedly. Frank was very involved in the hospitality and travel industries in Fairbanks for many years. He served on many different boards, associations, and foundations, most often in leadership capacities. The Fairbanks Convention and Visitor Bureau, the Alaska Hotel and Lodging Association, the Alaska Travel Industry, the American Hotel and Lodging Association, and the Alaska Hospitality Alliance Education Foundation all were beneficiaries of his leadership. Even after all that, he still found time to be a member of Big Brothers, Big Sisters. Frank will be greatly missed.
~ Gary
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 . The address where I receive my U.S. mail is: State Capitol Building, Room 518, Juneau, AK 99801. You can visit my website at http://www.akrepublicans.org/wilken/index.php.
“Knowledge speaks, but wisdom listens” – Jimi Hendrix
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