Opening a direct line to the governor

March 15, 2005

JOEL DAVIDSON/Frontiersman reporter

WASILLA - Mat-Su legislators, school board members and Mat-Su Borough Assembly members joined a host of other Valley leaders Saturday afternoon for the official open-house festivities of Gov. Frank Murkowski's Mat-Su office.

The governor, however, was unable to attend due to a knee injury for which he is preparing to have surgery. First Lady Nancy Murkowski filled in for her husband, however, welcoming roughly 60 people to the event.

The new office is located in the Wasilla Jobs Center, 835 E. Commercial Dr., Wasilla. It will provide governmental outreach and constituent services to the Valley, which remains the fastest-growing area of the state.

Rep. Carl Gatto, R-District 13, said the governor's Mat-Su office presents new opportunities for Valley residents to voice their concerns.

"Short of having the capital a little closer, this provides a direct connection to the state governor," he said.

Gatto said he hopes the Mat-Su office will also enhance communication between Valley constituents and their representatives in Juneau.

"I have a lot of dreams for this state, but dreams don't come true unless you get ahold of people," he said.

In January, Gov. Murkowski named Colleen Sullivan-Leonard, a former Wasilla City Council member, to staff the new office. Sullivan-Leonard is also a former board member of the Greater Wasilla Chamber of Commerce and an active member of several Mat-Su community and civic organizations.

"Colleen will provide an excellent conduit between this administration and the people of the Mat-Su Valley," Gov. Murkowski said in a press release earlier this year. "I am confident that she knows the community and will serve effectively as my representative in the Valley."

Office hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Friday. Leonard can be reached at (907) 352-2585. Her fax number is 352-2588.

Contact Joel Davidson at joel.davidson@frontiersman.com.