Local News : Palin denies family bias - Frontiersman

Palin denies family bias

By Michael Rovito
Frontiersman
Published on Saturday, July 19, 2008 10:04 PM AKDT

WASILLA — Gov. Sarah Palin defended herself Friday against accusations she pressured former state Department of Public Safety Commissioner Walt Monegan to fire a Palmer Alaska State Trooper involved in a child custody battle with her sister.

Palin spoke about the controversy while attending the Governor’s Picnic in Wasilla and said that at no time did she pressure Monegan to hire or fire anyone.

“We have absolutely nothing to hide,” Palin said after participating in the Military Appreciation Ceremony at the picnic.

ROBERT DeBERRY/Frontiersman Gov. Sarah Palin answers questions from the media Friday at the annual Governor'€™s Picnic in Wasilla concerning accusations she pressured former state Department of Public Safety Commissioner Walt Monegan to fire a Palmer Alaska State Trooper. The trooper is the governor'€™s former brother-in-law.

Speculation has run rampant in the days following Monegan’s ouster as head of public safety, something Palin’s camp has said was done because the governor wants to take the department in a new direction.

But reports made in a blog by Palin’s former gubernatorial opponent, Andrew Halcro, have drummed up public suspicion of a family dispute between the Palins and Trooper Mike Wooten, who is Palin’s sister’s ex-husband, as the motivation for the firing.

On Friday, Palin said Halcro’s blog has no credibility.

For his part, Monegan has publicly said he was pressured by Palin’s husband, Todd, and Palin herself to fire Wooten. He told Anchorage television station KTUU he met with Todd Palin multiple times about the governor’s former brother-in-law and that he felt pressured by the Palin family to take action against Wooten.

At the picnic, Todd Palin said he had only one meeting with Monegan to give him information about Wooten.

Monegan was fired as the commissioner of public safety offered a position as executive director of the Alaska Alcoholic Beverage Control Board, but declined the job. Palin said she offered Monegan that job because of what she called his connections in rural Alaska and strengths in dealing with issues the board covers. Palin said she was disappointed with Monegan’s decision to turn the job down.

“I am [disappointed] because I really like Walt Monegan,” Palin said.

Now, state Senate President Lyda Green, R-Wasilla, and other lawmakers are calling for an independent investigation into the circumstances surrounding Monegan’s ousting as public safety commissioner. Green, who is not seeking re-election in the fall, has sparred politically with Palin in the past. She cited ongoing differences with the governor as one of her reasons for leaving the race.

Palin has said she will not object to a special investigation.

Also at the governor’s picnic Friday was Monegan’s replacement, former Kenai Police Chief Chuck Kopp. Kopp said the department is “moving forward in the right direction.”

“I just want to convey to [Alaskans] I’m the guy for the job,” Kopp said.

Asked what new direction he plans to take the Department of Public Safety in, Kopp said he will focus on recruitment and staffing issues first.

Taking care of short-term problems will be his first objective, Kopp said.

Contact Michael Rovito at    michael.rovito@frontiersman.com    or 352-2252.

Copyright © 2009 Frontiersman

Comments

52 comment(s)

    Next Vice-President About Time wrote on Aug 29, 2008 2:21 PM:

    " Palin is simply awesome and is a great choice for John McCain. I cant wait to see her kick Bidens butt in the debate. This is obamas worst nightmare!!! NOBAMA 08 "

    One More Fact wrote on Jul 30, 2008 6:07 AM:

    " Hey standown, you forgot one more very important fact.
    Fact four, Palin's popularity is taking a nose dive. Do you care, I thought so...do we, no. "

    spoiled brats wrote on Jul 29, 2008 9:01 AM:

    " Sara Palin and Diane Keller,its well known they have been good friends for a long time. that does'nt surprise me,they both act just alike,SPOILED BRATS!what I want I get!,and if i dont,someones gonna pay.Just weeks after Kellers BS becomes public what does Palin do? Gives her an award for economic development!!WOW!I cant wait to see them both brought down,its time the people stand up and say enough,we deserve better! "

    standown wrote on Jul 29, 2008 8:34 AM:

    " Facts will come with investigation. Like: Fact one; Palin can dismiss a commissioner for any reason and she did.
    Fact two; nobody knows everything about this case until after the investigation.
    Fact three, Trooper's union is stoking the fires to get public attention on the trooper recruitment, retention and compensation. Anyone care? Didn't think so.
    Oh, but the drama is entertaining just like reality TV. Jerry Springer, Judge Judy and cage fighting have nothing on Alaskan politics. "

    knik her out wrote on Jul 29, 2008 7:43 AM:

    " oh no! the palinbots are upset! All this valley drama is entertaining, but alas, the gov was within her rights to fire the sad commissioner.

    And much thanks to our lawmakers for drawing this out and spending 100k on an investigator. its okay palinbots, your hero will survive "

    You got duped wrote on Jul 28, 2008 7:39 PM:

    " You still don’t get it. It doesn’t matter what Trooper Wooten did. It was already dealt with, whether you agree with the punishment or not. The accusations wouldn’t even have stood up in court. However, there is a strong possibility that Palin used her position to try and get back at Wooten. This is very illegal. He still has rights as an employee and you can’t trample over those rights as much as you would like. She fired a very competent commissioner and then covered it up for not assisting, or at least tried to. "

    remembers when wrote on Jul 28, 2008 12:26 PM:

    " Sure she would influence a decision like this, politicians are in a position where they can, every day. Remember when she fired Stambaugh from WPD as soon as she was voted in as Mayor of Wasilla? Because he disagreed with her ideals for Wasilla and the local police department and laws.

    Keeping the bars open till 5am is what got her voted in to office anyway...Whats that say about the company we keep here in the Valley? "

    We love you Sarah wrote on Jul 28, 2008 1:00 AM:

    " Wooten did more than taser a child. He drove his SQUAD CAR with an open container and threatened to KILL people. And no, the social services nazis would never go near a prominent citizen. They only target the poor who cannot afford a lawyer. Sarah has targeted dysfunction in this state and look at all the vicious comments she gets for it! Obviously by cops and their families. I guess the cops think they are untouchable. And definitely many of these comments sound like Lyda Green spewing her hatred. Like on the Halcro site. "

    Ralph C. wrote on Jul 27, 2008 11:25 PM:

    " Come on people. The Taser was a "dry training taser" that inflicts the same feeling as jamming your elbow in that funny spot. And...the kid asked to have it done to him. Wooten was punished..end of subject. More importantly-what about the 78 pages of SECRET emails Palin will not hand over? What IS she hiding? Her lies are just beginning to catch up with her and I for one am elated. She has damaged so many people with her gestapo tactics. "

    Do You Really Think So wrote on Jul 27, 2008 8:07 PM:

    " Yes, "I Respect Sarah Palin", why would I respect someone who has lied to me. I'll tell you why she has lied. Because Palin used her position to go after a trooper she legally couldn't go after (oh, that is also a crime in this state). When the current commissioner (who is doing a good job) wouldn't support her, she fires him and hastily replaced him with an incompetent commissioner. Who suffers?...every Alaskan. That is not someone I want in office making decisions for this state. The means don't justify the end. "

    I Respect Sarah Palin wrote on Jul 27, 2008 11:49 AM:

    " I'm surprised by reading through the posts how much some people dislike Sarah Palin. I really respect her efforts and her work on behalf of the state. My opinion is that people have reasons for doing what they do. Let it all come out and then make your judgements. If a state trooper tasered his 10-year-old step son, and his boss was told about it, and nothing happened... As a responsible person in charge, I would definitely feel it was my duty to do something about it. Public opinion be darned. "

    cottonwood wrote on Jul 27, 2008 10:27 AM:

    " It appears to me, Sarah's getting well trained for that Vice-Presidential nomination! "

    Sylvia Plath wrote on Jul 26, 2008 3:36 PM:

    " To: norman
    What kind of life-long alaskan are you if you are so easily paid off by PFD and such? A REAL life long Alaskan such as myself remembers the days before the money hand outs to the likes of you. I also remember when your name, and worth were staked upon your words being matched by your deeds. Hoouey with "forward thinking" nonsense. In my day, that did not get the meal caught, water hauled or the cabin built. Enough with the pretty talk your Sarah spews. In my day, we did not have time for a headache. "

    Palin Forever wrote on Jul 26, 2008 12:12 PM:

    " Sarah is the first govenor to do something proactive for the whole state...not just anchorage. I like her and im sticking to it. "

    Poor norman wrote on Jul 26, 2008 2:21 AM:

    " norman, I don't owe Palin a thing. She is not responsible for our PFD. She is a liar, period. What has she done so positive during her time in office, nothing. Her administration will be known for accomplishing nothing. If I get $1,200 then great, if not, oh well. Remember, Bush tried to buy our votes too when we got money back from the IRS. "

    May not be what it seems wrote on Jul 24, 2008 10:53 PM:

    " I had a chance to look back at all the comments... The taser event makes me wonder. Has anyone out there ever touched an electric fence on a dare or just did it??? I know of a fam who's dad is a cop. They know he had to be tased as part of his training and WANTED to be tased too. They were dry tased... quickly tapped on the butt. They laughed. They have a huge appretiation for what their dad went through as he got tased big time! They greatly respect him and what he has to dealwith "

    norman wrote on Jul 24, 2008 9:24 PM:

    " You people give me a heaache..we get a leader that actually DOES SOMETHING positive and forward looking for the STATE for once and you still cannot stop complaining and moaning! How incredibly discusting and embarrarssing..Oh and enjoy your alaska STIMULUS check and YOUR PFD...get a clue...Life time alaskan here by the way. "

    Sylvia Plath wrote on Jul 24, 2008 4:11 PM:

    " I have known Sarah as long as many who have seen her in action as mayor. It is disturbing that over the years, her behavior and reaction to trouble and crisis is always the same. First: make yourself a savior and reformer, next, bully and control those who do not comply, lastly, cry "victim" and deflect blame to other people when caught in a lie. She may never change so it is time for us to let her go. Resign before we impeach you. "

    Cop v Pol wrote on Jul 24, 2008 8:19 AM:

    " Who do you believe, a cop or a politician? I say the pol loses this contest every time. Sarah may not be lying, but I'd bet fingers Todd is. "

    Ken Steiniger...a reply wrote on Jul 24, 2008 1:16 AM:

    " There are four questions that must be answered regarding the moose kill:
    Who signed the tag?
    Who cleaned the moose?
    Who ate the moose?
    And finally, and most importantly,
    who complained regarding the above long after their bellies were full?

    Bottom Line: ABUSE OF POWER! "

    To Sarah is a liar... wrote on Jul 24, 2008 12:11 AM:

    " I appreciate your opinion, I think it is somewhat suspicious that Sarah fired this guy after having this long drawn out issue with Trooper Wooten. I think that some things are going to come to light that will both vindicate and villify Mrs. Palin. I also think that there are going to be some things that finally surface that are going to be the back breakers for Trooper Wooten. I need to say that on the whole, Alaskans truly appreciate AST! This will ultimately be to your benefit that one of the bad seeds departs!gottarun lights out here at API! "

    BWAAAH wrote on Jul 23, 2008 5:51 PM:

    " OK, she got caught deceiving the locals. She still wants us to love her. She didn't mean it. She didn't mean to hurt anyone. You guys are awesome. BWAAAH! I am a victim. I want you to love me again, Oh, please. Todd made me do it. (Act 2 in the melodrama, when deception or bulying doesn't work anymore. "

    From a SP Voter wrote on Jul 23, 2008 4:51 PM:

    " SP has let us all down. She ran a race on being honest and up front. I wish I could take my vote back. How many more people will support her decptive ways. At least I knew Frank was a crook. She is a MAJOR disappointment..... "

    Sarah is a liar. wrote on Jul 23, 2008 1:40 PM:

    " I'm not supervoter Mr. Steininger, but you do seem to have some time on your hands. You are such the little detective, but wrong. Sorry you love Sarah so much and I meant to say her "dad" hepled clean the moose and Sarah and her family ate it. They didn't report it until two years later. Why? Oh, and I am not Angry Alaskan, Poor Decisions, Shouldhavebeenwiser, Disgusted, Sarah is wrong, or frindly, ho, there's another spelling error, that must be me too. I am sure API has a bed for you. "

    PLEASE wrote on Jul 23, 2008 11:25 AM:

    " We can and will judge Palin. It is our right as voting citizens. She is an elected official who ran on a promise of an open and transparent government. Now she is lying to cover up her mistakes. I just feel sorry for those who still believe in her propaganda. "

    frindly wrote on Jul 23, 2008 9:51 AM:

    " People of Alaska you got what you wanted, a governer who has no idea what she is doing. There are so many things wrong with what she is doing and what she has done in the past that it no longer suprises me when something else surfaces.

    To use her office to get back at her former brother-in-law is as close to corruption as you can get. As for Wooten, if he has done something wrong with his child, the social service nazi's would have been involved. Sarah made a complaint based on hear-say. I hope sues her. "

    The real story wrote on Jul 23, 2008 8:04 AM:

    " I only hope that the real story comes out. Sarah you have our support. "

    Disgusted.... wrote on Jul 22, 2008 11:04 PM:

    " Well Palin and her co-governor have truly shown their true colors. they have hidden behind the grand curtain in the house of the Wizard of Oz. Loud commanding voiced, all of us quivering in their presence, fearing vindication, all to find out, they are phoney, liars, in competent manipulators, ....I am at a loss for words. I am disgusted with this undynamic DUO and embarassed to call Palin my governor. She can never admit to being anything less than perfect. She is a miserable person with some psychological problems. "

    AKRepublican wrote on Jul 22, 2008 10:42 PM:

    " It hasnt been proven that she fired Monegan because of personal issues. Even if she did, he deserved to be fired. He only gave Wooten a 10 day suspension for tazering his 10 year old step son. If it was a regular citizen there would have been child abuse charges and jail time. Authority figures, such as troopers, are supposed to lead by example, not commit crimes themselves and not be fairly punished for them. We need a Safety Commisioner who does their job correctly and upholds the law whether the offender is a citizen or cop. "

    swr wrote on Jul 22, 2008 9:06 PM:

    " my mistake on the tasering comment I hadn't read the story about it being a family member everyone makes it sound like he tasered that child on duty for no reason "

    SWR wrote on Jul 22, 2008 8:56 PM:

    " It's a two way street making judgments. Wooten who from what I have seen personally is a great trooper and a caring soccer coach. As far as him tasering an 11 year old anyone with their eyes open to the real world knows that even a child that young can be just as uncontrollable and deadly as any full grown adult. People just need to stop and think before making judgments about others. Besides that Palin is the one in the hot seat for misuse of authority not Wooten. "

    Dear Palin is a Liar and Super Voter... wrote on Jul 22, 2008 4:03 PM:

    " Since you are the same person with the same spelling mistakes (Her "day"(?) helped with the moose?) why don't you just say so rather than try to appear to be two angry torch and pitchfork wielding super citizens outraged at what you see. How many people would be posting within 7 minutes of each other just after 2:30 in the morning except for people who don't work days and night shift troopers. So please have an opinion, but at least admit you are only one voice! Decent effort, don't worry - we all still love the troopers! "

    You were duped wrote on Jul 22, 2008 2:45 PM:

    " Proud Alaskan, I am not the one who is the Governor that ran on the promise (yes promise) that I would have an "open and transparent" administration. Then hide behind the fact that it is my right as a governor to hire and fire whom I want and give no real explanation for it. She made a poor decision based purely on her own benefit. Doesn't the governor serve for the people, and by the people. Not for Sarah, and by Sarah. You're just too blind for your love of Sarah, you can't see that. "

    Proud Alaskan wrote on Jul 22, 2008 1:46 PM:

    " All of you can judge Mrs.Palin...but that is all you can do. None of us know the true story so hold your judgements...i am pretty sure all of you who are throwing stones have some skeletons in your closets and i would be willing to bet thier worse than what she did and that is trying to take a bad trooper out of a postion of authority. "

    Lost Vote wrote on Jul 22, 2008 5:33 AM:

    " The last time I voted for Sarah will be just that...THE LAST! "

    Super Voter wrote on Jul 22, 2008 2:44 AM:

    " Sarah has been caught in several lies now and it is so obvious. Now she has replaced a good comish with a bad one, who has had a sexual harassment complaint against him. One that has not be unfounded. Why? She is now in "cover up" phase. Based on what I see, Sarah makes decisions based on personal family problems. If I were the trooper I would sue the state for everything it has, and our state has how many billions? "

    Palin is a Liar wrote on Jul 22, 2008 2:37 AM:

    " Hey ken steininger and all you Palin lovers, Palin's day cleaned that same moose and the Palins had a turn in deposing of it. Sounds like evidence tampering to me. Also, why did they wait two years to report it? All you Palin lovers can't admit that you were duped by a pretty lady. I was one, but no more. Good bye Sarah! "

    ROBERT wrote on Jul 21, 2008 7:15 PM:

    " YAH RIGHT "

    Disgusted Alaskan wrote on Jul 21, 2008 5:42 PM:

    " "Valley supporter"---get back on track. If she or her family were so afraid of this man, someone should have filed a restraining order. the real question-who leaked the AI paper's to Molly's attorney? Why did the governor only speak with Monaegan 45 minutes in over a year? Communication skills? She never voiced any concerns with him at all. and yet "her" new direction paper is almost identical to Walt's...so...what is the new direction? I saw Kopp's victim on TV tonight. Why did Palin not think that was sexual harrassment? Disgusting. Impeach. Resign. "

    Wasilla city employee wrote on Jul 21, 2008 2:01 PM:

    " Nothing new here on how Sara treats employees. She hired and fired employees at the city in the same way. She fired department heads by leaving notes on their desks. Hired a new Chief of Police and no one found out till 15 minutes before he was being sworn in. I could give you a dozen examples of incidents like this. Everyone here knows about her hatred of Mike Wooten. She has a mean, vindictive side to her and now Alaskans are seeing what we have known for years. "

    ken steininger wrote on Jul 21, 2008 10:56 AM:

    " way to go sarah,any cop that tasers his 11 year old son should be put in prison for child abuse,he also poached a moose he should be fined and have his gun and hunting equipment taken away,also its about time someong starts getting some of them old stagnent people out of comfortable positions and replace them with someone who actually works and cares including police commissioners but especially lawmakers.you are the best sarah.and thank-you.100% "

    Shouldhavebeenwiser wrote on Jul 21, 2008 10:37 AM:

    " Valley supporter is missing the point. This is just not about tasering an 11 year old. It's about the appearance of Sarah Palin (and Todd) misusing her office. There definitely should be an impartial investigation into this matter. I voted for Sarah but she has made too many bad decisions. I cannot support her if she runs for reelection. "

    Sarah Palin wrote on Jul 21, 2008 10:28 AM:

    " If it had to be a woman in office, im glad it was her. "

    karin covey wrote on Jul 21, 2008 8:07 AM:

    " The Palins are true Alaskans. Working hard and walking the talk. We should support them not attack them. This woman has shown herself to be a true hero and a fine example. Let's see trooper vs. governor....male vs. female.....right vs. wrong....cop vs. citizen...Who ya gonna support Mat-Su? "

    Poor decisions wrote on Jul 21, 2008 7:18 AM:

    " Yes, the Governor should be able to hire and fire anyone she wants (who serves at the pleasure of the Governor). However, the problem is that she is deciding this based on personal feelings surrounding her family. It comes at the cost of every Alaskan's safety since she fired a competent commish, and hired an incompetent comish. I would rather have someone in office making the right decisions for the right reasons. Obviously she can't. "

    Give Me a Break wrote on Jul 20, 2008 8:10 PM:

    " Reeks of Lyda...you're an idiot. Don't forget who Palin's Deputy Mayor was when Palin was Mayor, and who just happens to be the Mayor of Wasilla now. Seems odd that both of them have a scandal at the same time...NOT! If Wooten was such a threat to the Palins, then were was her security detail at the picnic the other day. I can tell you, NO WHERE! She dismantled it. Sounds like something someone who is in fear would do. "

    Sarahs just wrong wrote on Jul 20, 2008 6:31 PM:

    " Sarah you have none of my support 0%! "

    Reeks of Lyda... wrote on Jul 20, 2008 4:48 PM:

    " This smells to high heaven of Lyda Green's meddling.
    Don't think for one minute that Lyda Green was not the one who introduced Mike Wooten to Andrew Halcro.
    Todd Palin had every right to warn Monegan about Wooten, the Governor and her family's safety should have been utmost in Monegans mind and any threats to that were definitely his business. Walt Monegan may be a really nice guy, but effective he is not. Don't forget that the Mayor of Anchorage asked him to leave too. Uh, that Mayor was a Democrat. Hmm. "

    Super Voter wrote on Jul 20, 2008 12:10 PM:

    " Sarah Palin is the one with no credibility.

    Since when can the spouse of the governor call a commissioner for a private meeting in the governor's office? And the governor wasn't even there! This reeks.

    Abuse of power. That's what we have here.

    Lawmakers need to call for an independent investigation with sworn statements. NOW!

    Mrs. Open & Transparent would expect nothing less. Right? "

    Valley supporter wrote on Jul 20, 2008 11:57 AM:

    " Someone finally stands up for us and all you rock throwers get in the front of the line. It's said that Wooten tasered an 11 year old child, on purpose! This is unexcuseable for a man who drives in a vehicle stating that he will protect and serve. We must have faith in Palin's choices, sister's ex or not, Wooten is not fit nor is the man who was in charge and let this pass. All in favor of keeping Wooten, get in line for "YOUR" tasering. Maybe that will wake you up. "

    Allen wrote on Jul 20, 2008 10:06 AM:

    " It was moving forward in the right direction with Monegan. It's quite clear why Monegan was fired. I support a legislative or special investigation. Does Palin think she could have objected to one? To even make the statement that she will not object is a telling comment. Thank goodness for balance of power. "

    Sarahs just fine wrote on Jul 20, 2008 12:08 AM:

    " Sarah you still have our support 100%! "

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