Representing the neighborhoods of Airport Heights, Campbell Park, College Village, Downtown, Fairview,
Geneva Woods, Government Hill, Green Acres, Midtown, Rogers Park, Spenard, South Addition, Tudor and Waldron
 

Working hard • Solving problems • Getting things done

June 27, 2008
 

Senator
Johnny Ellis

June 27th, 2008

WE’RE (STILL) IN!

Friends and Neighbors,

         This weekend, Anchorage will celebrate the 50th anniversary of Alaska statehood with a series of fun and educational events around the city.  On June 30th, 1958, the famous “We’re In” headline appeared on top of the Anchorage Times to celebrate congressional approval of statehood.  50 years later, “We’re In Weekend” kicks off with a free concert by Wynonna Judd at Elmendorf Air Force Base tonight. 

         The Arctic Thunder Air Show runs Saturday and Sunday at Elmendorf, and the 50th on 4th Celebration will feature four stages of live entertainment, a Firefighter’s combat challenge, and a historical reenactment all along 4th Avenue from 10 AM to 4 PM Saturday.  Full details are available at www.anchorage.net/50.

Miss Fur Rondezvous Rita Martin climbs a fire truck ladder to pin the 49th star on the flag in a celebration June 30th, 1958, and the front page of the Anchorage Times that same day. Don’t miss a reenactment of this historic event noon Saturday, June 28th, at the Federal Building at 4th and G, along with a full weekend of celebrations for Alaska’s 50th anniversary of statehood (photos courtesy Alaska State Library).

Methadone Clinic

         Many of you likely saw the front page article in the Anchorage Daily News about heroin use in our community, a problem that leads to increased burglary, theft, and assault.  While use of this drug is skyrocketing, funds to fight this addiction have not increased.  Those who seek treatment are forced onto a waiting list that is months long, and Anchorage’s only clinic is so backed up that it can only accept pregnant women.  I attended an open house last month, where I learned that just $200,000 woul be enough to clear the waiting list and heal break the cycle of addiction – an attempt to stop criminal activity before it starts.  I am working with the administration, the municipality, and law enforcement to secure this money, and need your assistance.  If you can testify to the impacts of heroin in your community and help make the case for this funding, please contact my office by email or phone at 269-0169.

Taking a break during last week’s AGIA hearings
with Representative Berta Gardner.

Exxon Valdez Decision 

         On Wednesday, the Supreme Court announced its decision in the Exxon Valdez case.  After 19 years of litigation, the dicision cut the punitive damages Exxon was ordered to pay to more than 32,000 Alaska fisherman from the original $5 billion awarded in 1994 to just over $500 million.  I am extremely disappointed in this decision.  Many of these fisherman had their livelihoods ruined and have yet to recover economically, and despite billions of dollars in clean-up oil remains on the beaches of Prince William Sound today.  By slashing the damages, the Supreme Court has increased the likelihood of a future company cutting corners and putting Alaska at risk.

         Until next week,

        Senator Johnny Ellis

http://ellis.aksenate.org