Sen. Stoltze honored for legislative service

CHUGIAK — The Chugiak Senior Center hosted a gala reception on Monday, December 19th, to honor retiring State Senator Bill Stoltze for his over thirty years of legislative service. Senator Charlie Huggins emceed the event, introducing one notable after another who had worked closely with Stoltze to share some kind words.

Bill Stoltze grew up in Chugiak, where he developed a love and affinity for the people of Alaska. He first went to Juneau as a legislative aide in 1982. After twenty years learning the insides and out of how Juneau worked, he then ran and got elected as a House member in November of 2002.

He became “a force to be reckoned with” in the House. One unique law he’s well remembered for passing during his first term is the one that allowed rat races to be held at the Alaska State Fair, which have subsequently raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for charity.

In the House, he served in leadership positions on the powerful Finance committee, where he became known for his detail and diligence in keeping the reigns on the state budget. In addition, he loved supporting Mat-Su agriculture and always seemed to have fresh carrots to hand out in his office. In 2014, he was elected to the Senate by an overwhelming majority.

As a long-time public servant, Stoltze’s commitment to the communities of Chugiak and the Mat-Su earned him accolades that lasted the entire evening. He has volunteered for the Senior Center, the Chinooks baseball team, the Mat-Su Miners, the Lions Clubs, and many other non-profits over the years.

The legislators there presented him a Legislative Citation, in which they recognized and thanked their “friend and colleague” for his dedication and service to the state of Alaska. Linda Hendrickson, executive director of the Senior Center, surprised everyone when she announced that the dining hall they are in will be named after Bill Stoltze.

At the end, Bill got up from the wooden rocking chair, ‘the king’s seat’, where he had sat graciously throughout the evening to say a few words himself, introducing one notable individual after another, all of whom had worked closely with Stoltze. Each of them shared kind words and memories.

Stoltze thanked his family, saying they were his “biggest supporters.” He mentioned the good qualities he had learned from those whom he worked for in Juneau: Ed Willis, Sam Cotton, Randy Phillips, Rick Halford. And said his seat will be in good hands now with newly elected Shelley Hughes.

Stoltze said he plans on continuing his public activities with the community. On Jan. 4, Stoltze will be part of a Town Hall at the Palmer Senior Citizens Center where he will be presented with a key to the city. The time for that event has yet to be confirmed.