The city that largely grew up around the Alaska Railroad is suddenly under the national microscope as reporters from news and media outlets do their best to describe Wasilla to the world — albeit in different ways.
The Chicago Tribune describes Wasilla as a place where “snow-capped mountains rise to the east and west.”
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A reporter with The Times of London, who said he flew to Wasilla to check out Palin’s hometown, describes the area as unkempt and “defined by a series of out-of-town stores, a huge lumber yard, a ramshackle bar named the Mug-Shot Saloon with Harley Davidsons parked outside, and a lake, by the side of which is Palin’s house.”
How news readers Outside will perceive Wasilla based on news reports is unclear and many local officials say they’ve been too inundated by requests for information and interviews from reporters to pay much attention to what others say about their city.
Wasilla City Councilman Kristopher Larson said Monday he’s been too busy working to pay much attention to the brouhaha, but when he does get a free moment he’s fielding calls from reporters.
Hearing how the London Times reporter describes his city, Larson questions what the writer thought he would find.
“Well, what does he expect?” Larson said.
Mat-Su Borough Mayor Curt Menard has also been busy fielding calls from news outlets asking about Palin.
Menard said he’s been interviewed by The Wall Street Journal, CNN, Fox News, the Boston Globe and some media outfits from Los Angeles. But all the attention — even as he prepares for a Borough assembly meeting in Talkeetna today — doesn’t bother Menard.
“I’m just happy for the governor and Senator McCain’s choice,” Menard said. “I think it’s awesome.”
The media hasn’t forgot about Palin’s parents, Wasilla residents Sally and Chuck Heath.
On Friday, just hours after the Heaths learned their daughter will be on the Republican ticket, Chuck Heath stood in his living room fielding questions from reporters. Both parents talked about the number of news reporters who had either knocked on their door or called by Friday afternoon.
Chuck Heath said he even got a call from a newspaper in India.
The Heaths traveled to the Republican National Convention over the weekend to be near their daughter. While both said they are excited for their daughter, Chuck Heath admitted the trip doesn’t come without sacrifice.
“It’s gonna cost us a moose hunt,” he said.
At Wasilla City Hall Monday, City Clerk Kristie Smithers said she went into the office on Labor Day to prepare for an expected onslaught of reporters looking for historical information from the city.
“I think my office will get hit this week since we handle public records requests,” Smithers said.
She added before McCain announced Palin as his running mate, no one had come by city hall looking for information on the governor and she’s had no request for anything on Palin since she ran for governor in 2006.
“That was busy,” Smithers said of that election season.
It’s unclear just how much more coverage Wasilla and the people who live here will receive from national media over the coming months. Less than a week removed from McCain’s introduction of Palin as his running mate, there is a host of journalists in town looking for anything that hasn’t already been reported about Palin.
Contact Michael Rovito at michael.rovito@frontiersman.com or 352-2252.
Comments
20 comment(s)Hey HATER wrote on Sep 13, 2008 2:08 AM:
There. Feel better? "
Toby wrote on Sep 11, 2008 8:46 AM:
Lenora wrote on Sep 8, 2008 1:16 AM:
We The Sheeple Of The United States Of America wrote on Sep 7, 2008 1:55 PM:
The dumbing down of America isn't an accident, it's a plan. But since we respond based on "information" and "education" we have recieved, we continue to respond exactly the way they have planned.
Throw relgion into the mix, and sheepishly, we our led to the slaughter.
Baaaaaaa! "
.OPPZ SHES DOING IT wrote on Sep 6, 2008 11:53 AM:
RE: Hey LULU and RC, IF YOU THINK THAT WALMART IS ALL WASILLA IS THEN LEAVE THE AREA !!! Those of us that like it here won't mind... "
LMAO! Seems she can divide a town as well as a country, the kind of leader we all need? "
To KTurner wrote on Sep 4, 2008 5:42 PM:
Kathleen L. Turner wrote on Sep 4, 2008 7:42 AM:
Kathleen L. Turner "
Nan Bunch wrote on Sep 4, 2008 6:40 AM:
jp wrote on Sep 4, 2008 6:27 AM:
North Pole comes in first for meth, followed closely by fairview and spenard.
i may be considered a racist for not even considering Obama, but at least i can admit it! "
TR wrote on Sep 3, 2008 8:12 PM:
Michigan Don wrote on Sep 3, 2008 3:27 PM:
Frank Black wrote on Sep 3, 2008 1:19 PM:
HATERS wrote on Sep 3, 2008 1:04 PM:
A Real Politico wrote on Sep 3, 2008 11:00 AM:
Christian = Hypocrate "
Vallite wrote on Sep 3, 2008 10:12 AM:
under scope wrote on Sep 3, 2008 12:12 AM:
aklocal wrote on Sep 2, 2008 8:12 PM:
HAPPY CAMPER wrote on Sep 2, 2008 4:25 PM:
lulu wrote on Sep 2, 2008 3:43 PM:
RC wrote on Sep 2, 2008 10:58 AM:
Speaking as a Wasilla resident I'd have to say that's a pretty accurate description. "