Valley waits for apology

Monday will be a sad day in the Mat-Su Borough as former state Rep. Vic Kohring reports to federal authorities in Anchorage to begin serving a 42-month sentence for convictions on bribery, conspiracy and attempted extortion charges.

We will take no pleasure in watching Kohring wave goodbye on the side of the Glenn Highway tomorrow morning, as he has pledged to do, nor have we relished reporting Kohring’s downfall. Kohring in many ways truly is the innocent gentle giant his defense tried to portray during his trial; yet, he’s also the same person captured on audio and video surveillance asking for and accepting money from former VECO oil services company executives — the same company and officials who had contributed money and support to his election campaigns.

What is saddest of all, however, is that on the eve of losing his freedom for the next three-and-a-half years Kohring still doesn’t get it.

While Kohring continues to fight his conviction — he’s pledged to appeal from prison — Valley residents continue to wait for one they trusted to elect seven times to represent them to accept accountability. What Kohring doesn’t understand is that it does not have to be in the form of a guilty plea in a court of law.

We have no doubt Kohring wholeheartedly believes he did nothing wrong and has been bewildered and befuddled by the process that saw him investigated, indicted, tried and convicted. His life has been made public and he hasn’t backed away from answering hard questions about his personal finances and family situation.

As Kohring puts on a brave face and waves goodbye Monday morning, the people of the Valley continue to wait for those simple words: “I made a mistake, and I’m sorry.”

He doesn’t have to admit guilt to crimes he truly believes he’s innocent of; however, the simple acknowledgment that it was wrong to ask for and accept money from a personal friend who just happens to be CEO of one of the state’s largest oil interests and a significant political contributor is in order.

Vic Kohring served the Mat-Su Valley in the state House of Representatives for 12 years, and during that time he accomplished a lot of good for our communities. For that we thank him.

He’s also embarrassed the Mat-Su Valley and has brought negative attention to our communities. For that, he needs to apologize.