Lieutenant Governor's Report
By Loren Leman
Lieutenant Governor
August 26, 2004PRIMARY ELECTION RESULTS: Thank you to each of the candidates in the August 24 election! I know from experience that campaigning is hard work. Special congratulations to the winners who advance to the General Election. I was pleased with the performance of the staff and poll workers for the Division of Elections. The election was conducted at 439 polling places across our large State with very few malfunctions or challenges that could not be fixed. More than 115,000 Alaskans voted and absentee ballots are still coming in. Results are available on the Division's website.
ALASKA'S POWERFUL PEOPLE: At the request of the Alaska Power Association I spoke in Fairbanks last Friday to the delegates at their annual meeting about the role of electricity in improving our lifestyles and helping economic growth. These delegates represented some of the largest as well as smallest electric utilities in Alaska. Most of us don't give a second thought to electricity and how it is produced and distributed-until we have to do without it.
THE HIGH COST OF FUEL: Some communities, particularly smaller rural ones, are facing real challenges with purchasing fuel. Transporting fuel combined with recent higher fuel costs and decreased municipal assistance has created greater challenges this year. I'm pleased that the State has partnered with the Denali Commission, Alaska Village Electric Cooperative, the Rural Alaska Fuel System, and other borough and regional entities to ensure that these Alaskans don't experience fuel shortages this winter.
AN OFFICE OF FBCI: During yesterday's Faith-Based and Community Initiatives Task Force meeting Governor Murkowski announced his endorsement of work the FBCI Task Force is doing-with a plan to institutionalize some of the efforts in State government. Helping people help people in need is a passion of mine-and I am pleased to see us put resources into making our social services network more effective.
HAVING A FAIR TIME: During the last two weeks I met with Alaskans and participated in State fairs in Haines, Fairbanks, Ninilchik, and today in Palmer. I had fun helping raise funds for a camping program in Haines, judging the "Backwoods Girl" competition in Ninilchik, serving seniors in Fairbanks and presenting the Farm Family of the Year award in Palmer.
VETERANS BREAKFAST: On Saturday, August 14 I was on Fort Richardson for the veterans' "Stand Down" breakfast and fundraiser. Many organizations and individuals step up by volunteering time to assist veterans with shelter, substance abuse and mental health issues, dental checkups and even haircuts.
ANOTHER GOOD IDEA: Last Friday I enjoyed lunch in Fairbanks with staff, students and families of the Interior Distance Education of Alaska (IDEA), a homeschooling support program of Galena School District that has been helping Alaska students and their parents since 1997. You can find out more about their programs on the website.
NATIONAL YOUTH COURT MONTH: Joseph Ehrheart, Executive Director of Alaska Youth Courts, writes asking if I would note in the Report that September is National Youth Court Month. Done! Hundreds of youth and adult volunteers in Alaska help run these courts, which provide alternatives to the official legal system and help young people get their lives back on track.
A DIAMOND ANNIVERSARY: From recent correspondence Ida Angasan, vice mayor of Kaktovik, tells me that August 10 was her parent's 60th wedding anniversary. Congratulations to Rev. Isaac and Mary Akootchook! I also appreciated Ida's kind words about my visit to Kaktovik last summer. I plan to return and will continue to work to help this community be able to develop its nearby lands!