Marmot day? C’mon, show some love

Every year, it seems, legislation is introduced in the state Capitol’s great halls that reminds us another tree has fallen in vain.

Marmot Day looks like a candidate.

So it’s not unusual the pundits have made much mockery about a bill by our own Sen. Linda Menard that would oust Punxsutawney Phil from his burrow and replace the national celebration on Feb. 2 with a state celebration. Marmot Day would honor Marmota broweri, also known as Brower’s or Brooks Range marmot.

Yes, there are plenty of naysayers out there who would like to remind the senator that in this day and age there are more pressing issues — food and fuel for villages, a state budget facing cutbacks, gas lines. The list goes on. Setting aside a day for a rodent seems, on the surface, a frivolous endeavor. The fact that few people have ever seen our secretive marmot makes such an act of legislation even more questionable.

But then maybe that’s the senator’s point.

Why not cast the spotlight on one of our own instead of a Pennsylvania woodchuck that couldn’t carry Jackie Purcell’s thermometer? Nobody here cares if there will be six more weeks of winter at Gobbler’s Knob. And no Alaska marmot worth his salt would exit his burrow on Feb. 2, let alone expose his hairy hide to predict the obvious: There will be six more weeks of winter.

Even if he did, who among us would venture into the Brooks Range tomorrow to see the prediction?

Because the Brooks Range is where he lives, according to www.marmotburrow.ucla.edu.

A Menard aide said one of the reasons for the bill, including just bringing a little fun to the Capitol, is so school children can become more familiar with what may become a state rodent. For that very reason, the senator has received letters of encouragement from officials in the Mat-Su School District.

Of course the Alaska Zoo in Anchorage is vigorously supporting:

A BILL

FOR AN ACT ENTITLED

“An Act establishing February 2 of each year as Marmot Day; and providing for an effective date.”

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF ALASKA:

* Section 1. AS 44.12 is amended by adding a new section to Article 2 to read: Sec. 44.12.110. Marmot Day. Marmot Day is established on February 2 of each year. The day may be observed by suitable observances and exercises by school programs, the Alaska Zoo, civic groups, and the public.

8 * Sec. 2. This Act takes effect immediately under AS 01.10.070(c).

As of Friday afternoon, the bill had been referred to the Senate State Affairs Committee and the Resources Committee.

“As of now,” Menard aide Michael Rovito said, “it’s not gone in front of any committees as we gather our documents necessary to do so.”

If you have an opinion regarding the merits of this bill, contact the senator toll-free at 1-877-465-6601 or e-mail her at Sen.Linda.Menard@legis.state.ak.us and voice your opinion.

When doing so, remember, even a marmot needs a little love.