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.
 BRENDEN JOEL KELLEY/Anchorage Press Supreme Court Justice Daniel Winfree swears in Gov. Sean Parnell Sunday in Fairbanks. |
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.
Comments
15 comment(s)buddy glover evansgeorgia wrote on Aug 11, 2009 12:24 PM:
buddy glover evansgeorgia wrote on Aug 11, 2009 12:16 PM:
Debra wrote on Aug 5, 2009 2:22 PM:
Mary wrote on Jul 30, 2009 5:07 PM:
She paraded her kids, herself and Alaska. She made a fool of this entire state. Did you see Wiliam Shatner read her farewell verbatim?
The great one...denali...north to the future...then bashing hollywood and guns? they have more guns in a few city blocks....That kind of talk is very uneducated, about the USA and its citizens, its polarizing and idiotic.
I hate to catagorize her as a valley hick, but she seems to think its ok to label.... "
Mary wrote on Jul 30, 2009 4:56 PM:
There are plenty of women in politics that you know nothing about their children, because they dont parade them around.
Second, the only thing Sean Parnel learned from Sarah is what NOT to do, and he probably would not of done that anyways. Hopefully, that is a once in a lifetime experience.
Sarah is a walking, talking disaster and I personally am embarrased when I say I'm from Alaska, when away. I dont like showing my ID. "
Lisnup wrote on Jul 29, 2009 7:51 PM:
MAT-SU wrote on Jul 29, 2009 5:56 PM:
.
THANKS FOR REPEATING WHAT I WROTE, BY THE SECOND READING, MOST ACTUALLY COMPREHENDED IT. OMG THE TRUTH IS STARTING TO HURT AGAIN....LOLOLOL "
BUH-BYE wrote on Jul 29, 2009 4:24 PM:
" Media will leave his children alone, #1. he's a man,
and #2. the media isn't afraid of him.
He is not a born leader, but a taught leader. And taught well by a born leader
Same shoe, different size. We are still in good hands, nothing has changed in the great leadership and condition of the state....
I'm hoping your "born leader" didn't teach him how to QUIT or parade his kids on stage at every photo op. "
to Lisnup wrote on Jul 29, 2009 4:08 PM:
DUH!
If you're the annointed one by the media, they'll play by the rules and either leave your family alone or at least be nice in everything they write about them. If you're not, they'll rip them to shreds. Only somebody TOTALLY brain-numb or with really, really thick blinders on can't see that! "
EdwardfromAZ wrote on Jul 29, 2009 3:24 PM:
" Media will leave his children alone, #1. he's a man,
and #2. the media isn't afraid of him.
He is not a born leader, but a taught leader. And taught well by a born leader
Same shoe, different size. We are still in good hands, nothing has changed in the great leadership and condition of the state....Just the frivolous distractions are now gone. Good Job Sarah. Now lets get going on straightening out the rest of the nation. It's a one by one job...God Bless America "
=============================
OMG unreal !!! "
Glester wrote on Jul 29, 2009 2:00 PM:
Lisnup wrote on Jul 29, 2009 1:58 PM:
Mat-Su wrote on Jul 28, 2009 11:51 PM:
and #2. the media isn't afraid of him.
He is not a born leader, but a taught leader. And taught well by a born leader...SOOOOOOOOO
Same shoe, different size. We are still in good hands, nothing has changed in the great leadership and condition of the state....Just the frivolous distractions daily are now gone. Good Job Sarah. Now lets get going on straightening out the rest of the nation. It's a one by one job...God Bless America "
M wrote on Jul 28, 2009 3:18 PM:
I wish Gov. Parnell luck in fixing the reputation of Alaska, and the mess that Sarah has made. I do have confidence in him. "
Oops wrote on Jul 28, 2009 7:59 AM: