No shortage of sand: Deliver your promises, Governor Dunleavy

The great economist Milton Friedman once observed, “If you put the federal government in charge of the Sahara Desert, in 5 years there'd be a shortage of sand.”

I was pleased to see former state senator and school superintendent Mike Dunleavy win the Alaska Governor’s race. He was the right choice at the right time.

Governor Dunleavy’s plans are ambitious. Admittedly, in a Trumpian tone he’s postured stances more in generality than specifically, similar to our President’s goals to lower taxes, build infrastructure, reduce costs, lower the budget and endow all with prosperity. Life doesn’t work that way, unfortunately, nor does government. Funds and largess often grow, not shrink. Friends get hired, paybacks surface, but services are not made efficient and it’s déjà vu all over again.

As the State House of Representatives postures on who will be the Majority, whether a Republican-led organization or a bi-partisan approach, Governor Dunleavy really needs to be cautious and prudent in his management oversight across the board. He needs partnerships and diplomacy as much as determination. The complexity of state departments and gauntlet of divisions and state-owned corporations, along with programs and obligations will all make for a challenging four-year term. People are already asking when they’ll get their $6,000+ PFD. More jobs, expanded resource development, transportation and educational modernization, significantly reducing crime and prisons; everything is suddenly expected by the electorate after a robust election of campaign promises.

In particular, when I reference caution, I’m considering some of the Governor’s recent appointees too. The people in charge of the proverbial desert. For instance, I don’t know Amy Demboski. I do know Rick Green (Rydell) and old friend who I trust and am confident will do a good job. Both are now former talk show personalities that Governor Dunleavy chose for top tier positions as Deputy Chief of Staff (Demboski) and Special Assistant at the Fish & Game Department (Green). Both may have the brains to do their respective jobs, but I’m unsure of their credentials or experience beyond Demboski’s previous Anchorage Assembly tenure. Some have said their backgrounds don’t coincide with their new jobs. Time will tell.

At an even higher level, and what I’m perplexed about, are what my friend Tom Brennan and several other journalists have highlighted in opinion pieces; that being a curious choice of commissioner appointments. I work in prison ministries nationally and hope to bring more programs to Alaska, so I will be careful in my assessment so as not to affect our thoughtful efforts here. However, Nancy Dahlstrom is a former state representative with no experience I’m aware of in corrections and the prison industry, but the Governor named her as the commissioner in charge of the entire department. I am hoping she is supportive of prison ministry and chaplaincy which has proven very successful. This, after the Senate Bill 91 debacle, makes me take pause. Amanda Price is another question mark. I’m told she oversaw Standing Together Against Rape and worked in domestic assault advocacy; her husband is apparently a retired Anchorage Police Department officer. But to name Ms. Price the Commissioner of Public Safety? With zero law enforcement background, is confusing. It was tough enough to watch non-State Troopers get named as directors and commissioner in the past, like Walt Monegan, but this appointment may be the most questionable of all Dunleavy’s choices.

I could go on. Adam Crum, who worked for his parents’ Valley training business is now in charge of a multiple billion-dollar Health and Social Services Department with little to no experience that I’m aware of in that direct industry. He’s not a medical provider or doctor or nurse, nor a hospital administrator. Dunleavy’s biggest challenges will be in law enforcement, education, and particularly statewide healthcare, so a seemingly inexperienced mid-30s age commissioner managing HESS will be intriguing to observe.

Dig a little deeper, and granted I’ve only read press releases and recent news stories, but more appointments raise an eyebrow. One of the new colonels in Alaska State Troopers is the former union boss for the agency’s employee association. Any veterans out there? Did you ever see a Sergeant promoted to a Colonel? And if you review in detail the various departments and divisions. I speculate one would find more appointments of friends, and perhaps contributors to the Governor, but perhaps not experienced enough to competently fill the role. This is not new. It’s a pattern of practice most mayors, governors and presidents are afforded within their executive discretion. I just hope this time the departments, divisions and programs are in competent hands.

I watched a KTUU Channel 2 News report a while back highlighting a Dunleavy executive order consolidating budget office powers and apparently requiring 13 of our state departments to transfer administrative services positions to the Office of Management and Budget. OMB has a new director, Donna Arduin, who isn’t from here. My friends and I wonder, even if Ms. Arduin is competent and seasoned, if this isn’tpremature to take such oversight and powers away from commissioners to this degree? Is Ms. Arduin not being from Alaska relevant?

I’ve managed hundreds of restaurants, bars, clubs, liquor stores and divisions of hotels. I’ve been a successful commercial realtor. In all capacities, whether in Anchorage and statewide in Alaska or in other cities and states, rare was it that I hired or promoted inexperienced staff, or staff and employees outside of the hospitality industry or from outside the state to manage for me. Sure, they may have been smart, charismatic, even complimentary and supportive of me, but that doesn’t equal managerial acumen or a track record of success in a comparable capacity, or knowledge of Alaska. It’s a delicate calculus.

I wish Governor Dunleavy well. I wish his management staff well, too. In fact, everyone I’ve highlighted deserves a chance to prove themselves. I sincerely hope they do. But if they don’t - and if the departments and divisions they supervise fall short – or worse, like under the Walker Administration, then be sure to let our Governor know his commitments and our expectations matter.

The last thing we need is to run out of “sand” and feel the pain of more broken promises at the hands of a new bureaucracy.

This is your chance, Governor Dunleavy, Alaskans are counting on you and your appointees to deliver. Happy New Year.

Frank Dahl is the former president of Anchorage CHARR and a 50+ year restaurant and bar entrepreneur in Alaska and nationwide.