Parnell talks Valley issues

WASILLA — Gov. Sean Parnell has been pounding the Valley pavement and getting to know voters in the last few days.

Among the issues he’s addressing: the shift from Knik Arm Bridge and Toll Authority (KABATA) leadership on the potential construction of a Knik Arm Bridge to state Department of Transportation and Public Facilities leadership, accomplished at the end of the 2013-14 legislative session. The transfer means bridge construction is more likely because the original means of financing, known as a public-private partnership (P3 for short), is no longer available, Parnell said.

“I think our administration was instrumental in getting it back on track this last year when the financing mechanism wasn’t available anymore,” he said.

The plan to move the bridge in-house was proposed by the state Department of Revenue as a result, Parnell said. Officials are working hard to maintain momentum going forward, which includes focusing on how the bridge would benefit Alaska as a whole, not just the Valley.

“That’s kind of what Valley residents, and actually your legislators, are really good at remembering how to communicate beyond the Valley about the benefits to other areas to get legislative support,” he said.

The next step will be to accumulate additional federal support, something that has slowed, if not quite stopped entirely, according to Parnell. The next step on the federal level will be obtaining a Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (TIFIA) grant, Parnell said.

The campaign — Parnell faces the “unity ticket” opponent of Bill Walker and Byron Mallott in November — comes amid the implementation of recommendations from a report issued by the National Guard’s Office of Complex Investigations, which says victims of sexual assault in the Alaska National Guard “do not trust the system due to an overall lack of confidence in the command.”

The report lays out seven recommendations to improve management of assault cases in the state, as well as five recommendations for the Guard’s State Equal Employment Opportunity program. Parnell says he’s working hard to implement them, while also trying hard not to demoralize Guard soldiers. He’s appointed Brig. Gen. Jon K. Mott to lead that effort. Mott, in turn, has assembled a team of specialists designed to focus on each of the recommendations.

Parnell has also asked for assistance from the U.S. National Guard organization in seeking out an Adjutant General for the state to replace resigned Maj. Gen. Thomas Katkus. He’s also spoken directly and privately to members of both the Army and Air National Guard leadership, saying a culture of mistrust could harm an enviable track record.

“I went into each place and let them know how much Alaskans appreciate and know that they get the job done when it comes to search-and-rescue, Guard duties,” he said. “The report was very clear that the Guard gets the job done. But it also said the culture internally, and the issues that were brought to light, will diminish their ability to accomplish their mission.”

The Governor’s Office was one potential model for dealing with the issues, Parnell said.

If romantic feelings develop between subordinates and supervisors in the governor’s office, “we move the supervisor,” he said. “We don’t want a hostile working environment to be created. If they want to pursue the relationship, they can do that, but it’s not going to be in the supervisor chain.”

Parnell also reiterated his intention not to devote state resources to examining the effects of legal marijuana until (or if) Proposition 2 passes, which would legalize marijuana in Alaska. He’s also taken a personal stand on the issue, though he’s clear it’s his own opinion.

“I’m going to vote no on 2,” he said. He paused. “I just took off my governor’s hat when I said that.”

Contact Brian O’Connor at 352-2269 or brian.oconnor@frontiersman.com.