Palin’s out, Parnell’s in

FAIRBANKS — At 3:32 p.m. on Sunday, former Lt. Gov. Sean Parnell became the governor of Alaska, sworn in by Alaska Supreme Court Justice Daniel Winfree at Pioneer Park. Outgoing Gov. Sarah Palin chose the annual governor’s picnic in Fairbanks for the transfer of power after her July 3 announcement she would resign.

Several thousand people attended the ceremony where Palin and Parnell served hot dogs to picnic-goers beginning at noon. Fairbanks state Sen. Gene Therriault was the master of ceremonies for the inauguration of Gov. Parnell and temporary substitute Lt. Gov. Craig Campbell. Campbell, Palin’s choice as Parnell’s successor, is expected to be confirmed by the Legislature at its special session on Aug. 10 in Anchorage.

Palin’s family, including her husband Todd and daughters Piper and Willow, accompanied her to the picnic. Her parents, Sally and Chuck Heath Sr., along with her brother Chuck Heath Jr., a teacher at Gladys Wood Elementary School in Anchorage, also attended.

“We feel real good about what’s happening now, that Sarah’s doing this for unselfish reasons,” Heath Jr. said. “She’s doing it because she spent far too much time defending herself from all these frivolous accusations. And she knows she hasn’t been able to put 100 percent into the state.”

Still, both Palin’s father and brother say they have no idea about her plans for the future.

“That’s the million dollar question, and we have no idea,” Heath Jr. said.

“Everyone thinks we sit down and converse with Sarah … and we never talk politics, it’s either sports or family,” Palin’s father said.

The majority of the crowd, which included many non-Alaskans, were Palin supporters. Fairbanks resident Jeffrey Smith said that when Palin served him a hot dog he asked her to change her mind and not resign. Bob Gibson, who owns Santa’s Candles and Gifts, a retail outlet at Pioneer Park, was selling T-shirts printed with Palin’s photo in a heart and the words, “Thanks Sarah, we still love you,” along with the location and the date. Gibson said he sold out before 9 a.m., long before the official festivities began.

In her farewell speech, Palin noted her administration’s accomplishments — the oil and gas tax known as Alaska’s Clear and Equitable Share, the Alaska Gasline Inducement Act and ethics reform, which, due to the high number of ethics complaints against her, she encouraged legislators to reform further.

She also criticized the media during her speech while a sizable contingent of national media outlets, including “The Daily Show,” watched firsthand. After speaking about a funeral she attended recently for three Fort Richardson servicemen, she told the assembled media, “So, how about, in honor of the American soldier, ya quit makin’ things up.”

Palin also referenced Gov. Parnell’s daughters, Grace and Rachel, and said the media should leave them alone, an obvious reference to her frequent tussles with the media about their treatment of her children.

Parnell’s inaugural speech focused on two elements: the economy and families. He promised to further Palin’s commitment to building a natural-gas pipeline, but also spoke of the importance of seeing small businesses succeed, and encouraging large companies to invest in Alaska. He also addressed the issue of Alaska’s low high school graduation rate and restoring the state’s commitment to family values.

“In the next 50 years, will Alaska move forward, or will time pass us by?” Parnell said near the end of his speech. “I, like Governor Palin, believe Alaska’s best days are ahead of us.”

Brendan Joel Kelley is a reporter for the Anchorage Press.