Sarah Palin Visits North Pole

Sarah Palin, pictured above addressing Alaska Republicans at their 2006 statewide convention, visited Fairbanks and North Pole this week. Friday, she addressed Interior Republicans at their weekly luncheon and received a standing ovation for unifying the Republican Party.

Saturday, she visited with a couple dozens voters in North Pole Saturday morning after visiting with KJNP listeners on "Over the Coffee Cup".

Sarah and her husband, Todd, are no strangers to Interior Alaska. They spend a lot of time here during the winter months training for the Ironman Snowmachine Race. Todd is a two-time winner of the event.

Sarah spent about an hour with North Pole voters, answering questions about her position on issues and taking comments. She promised an administration with integrity and transparency. One attendee thanked Sarah because he said most elections he is picking the better of two evils and this year he can go to the polls and vote, then come out with a smile because he actually got to vote for someone he really wants to vote for.

As everyone knows by now, Sarah received over 50% of the Republican votes in the Primary Election, defeating Johne Binkley and Governor Murkowski. Johne Binkley publicly endorsed Sarah election night and was on the campaign trail three days later giving a pep talk to the Friday Republicans at their weekly luncheon. He stressed the importance of unity in this race to defeat Tony Knowles.

Sarah told the North Pole crowd she and Lt. Gov. candidate, Sean Parnell, will be traveling to the Interior often. She said she will work with the legislature not against them to solve the gasline issue and PERS/TRS. Senator Gene Therriault and Representative John Coghill attending the meeting with her.

Sarah said people come to her to say they are tired of government being in their lives. They want to be free to live the American dream without the regulations and laws that create unnecessary burdens on their everyday lives. She said she shares that sentiment. She also committed to asserting and protecting States' Rights for Alaska and protecting everyone's right to our fish and game resources. She also said she would protect the permanent fund and any changes to it would have to be approved by a vote of the people.

After speaking to the crowd in North Pole, Sarah headed to Delta Junction. She's on the road to the governor's mansion!!!!!!!!!

Check out her website: www.palinforgovernor.com

Paid for by District 11 Republican Party of Alaska, 1193 Pueblo Street, North Pole, AK 99705; Rynnieva Moss, Treasurer.

Annual Labor Day Picnic

District 11 Alaska Republican Party

invites you to

its Annual

LABOR DAY PICNIC

Monday, Sept 4th

Terry Miller Memorial Park

Come join fellow North Pole residents celebrate Labor Day and meet candidates for local and state elections. Free food and refreshments will be provided. The picnic starts at 2:00 p.m. and will end at 5:00 p.m. Terry Miller Memorial Park is located at the corner of Fifth Avenue and Santa Claus Lane. Bring the whole family!!!

This year we are inviting all Republican Party District Chairs, their families, and their candidate to the picnic, so as to make it a boroughwide celebration of Labor Day.

Labor Day started with a celebration and parade in honor of the working class by the Knights of Labor in 1882 in New York. In 1884, the Knights held a large parade in New York City celebrating the working class. The parade was held on the first Monday in September. The Knights passed a resolution to hold all future parades on the first Monday of September, designated as Labor Day.

In the late 1880's, labor organizations began to lobby state legislatures for recognition of Labor Day as an official state holiday. The first states to declare it a state holiday were Oregon, Colorado, New York, Massachusetts, and New Jersey in 1887. Then in 1894, Congress passed a law recognizing Labor Day as an official national holiday.

Labor Day is over 100 years old. Over the years, it has evolved from a labor union celebration into an event signifying the end of summer.

For more information, contact Todd Larkin at 378-TODD or Rynnieva Moss at 488-6583.

Hooper Bay School Book Drive

Sen. Lisa Murkowski - Special Announcement : : Visit Senator Murkowski's Web SiteAugust 21, 2006

Drive Underway to Replace Books in Hooper Bay. As many of you know, Hooper Bay, a Yup'ik village of about 1,100, was struck by a catastrophic fire August 3. The school, teacher housing, a store and many other buildings and homes were destroyed. Hooper Bay's K-12 school served about 400 children, and the library was open to the public, as well.

Hooper Bay Book Days is seeking new and gently used books for children and teenagers, as well as reference books and books about Alaska. Book donations are being accepted at all Anchorage Municipal Library branches, at the University of Alaska Anchorage, and at other locations around the city.

In addition, Title Wave Books and Cook Inlet Books will both have a display of books aimed at the school's needs, so customers can buy something they know is needed. Both stores also will accept cash contributions so teachers may select their choices. Title Wave customers who have store credit may also donate their credit to a Hooper Bay school account.

The Alaska Center for the Book, Alaska's affiliate with the Library of Congress, is accepting tax-deductible financial contributions to buy more books and help offset shipping costs. Checks may be mailed to Alaska Center for the Book, Hooper Bay Fund, 3600 Denali, Anchorage, AK 99503.
For more information, or if your school would like to take part, call 907-336-1604. Hooper Bay Book Days runs through Sept. 1.

Memorial Day, Our American Flag, and Baseball

The picture on the left was taking on Douglas Island as a float plane was taking off from the Gasteneau Channel with a load of tourists from cruise ships to get a look at Southeast Alaska, Mendenhall Glacier, and the Wrangell St. Elias Natlional Park. While shooting a shot of Old Glory waving at a home on Douglas Island, a float plane passed to land on Gasteneau Channel. The sight on my lense so made me think of my vision of T.V. the morning of 911. Our flag does deserve our respect. GOD BLESS AMERICA!

Randy Ruedrich shared the following, inspiring video for viewing by us. Copy and paste the website below to see a fascinating baseball play that explains what our American Flag means to American baseball fans and to most Americans.

mms://a1503.v108692.c10869.g.vm.akamaistream.net/7/1503/10869/v0001/mlb.download.akamai.com/10869/

library/open/features/monday_flag_350.wmvmedia_type=wms&av_type=video&

amp;event_pk=486348&product=gen_video

Regular Session Ends

District 11 should know by now that Rep. John Coghill is one of the hardest working legislators in the State. He usually starts his day about 5:00 a.m. with a brisk walk for his blood pressure and a passage from the King James Bible for his and our souls. As you can see from the photo, he surronds himself with symbols of freedom like the American Eagle and symbols of our purpose in life, like our family.

Representative Coghill is serving his eighth year in the Alaska State House and has represented our district with dignity, honesty, and a belief that we can stop that giant ball of government from rolling down the hill on us.
Representatives Mike Kelly and Richard Foster share a joke just before the Majority Caucus begins. There were fewer caucus meetings of the Majority this year than years passed.

Representative Mark Neuman and wife, Adel, attend Rep. Mike Kelly's birthday party. Rep. Coghill added lanuage to HB 408, Family Rights Act of 2006, by request of Rep. Neuman that required training of front line Office of Childrens Services workers to include knowledge of constitutional and statutory rights of children and their parents.

Here is a survivor. Rep. Kurt Olson is a former staffer for the Senate that went through a multiple-bypass heart operation and beat the odds. He ran for state house from Kenai in 2004 and beat an incumbent in the Primary to take the seat in the General. Kurt took on instant credibility as a thinker when he hired Eleanor Wolfe (formerly with Rep. Ramona Barnes) as his chief of staff.

Rep. Bob Lynn is a regular around the capitol taking pictures for his blog, but they never appear on his blog. We think maybe he is taking the pictures for blackmail or a book, which could be the same thing. Rep. Lynn is probably the first legislator to make a blogspot (correct me if I am wrong) but his pictures are of the nature of landscape, not the nature of the legislature.

Republican Representatives Kevin Meyer and Jim Holm seem light-hearted, but Rep. Eric Croft is much deeper in thought. The House stayed in session until 4:30 a.m. on the 120th day of session to pass out the PPT legislation. The Senate failed to concur.

Representaive Mike Kelly and his bride of many decades celebrate his birthday with fellow members of the House and staff. Next time you see him ask about the home he bought Cherie on Wolverine Drive and the fur coat.

Representative Richard Foster with staffer from Rep. Mike Kelly's office, Nelda Stewart. Rep. Kelly said Nelda makes people in his office smile when they aren't even happy.

Representative Mike Hawker form Anchorage rests in between intensive meetings addressing the PPT and the upcoming special session on the gasline. Hawker is married to the daughter of former borough mayor, the late John Carlson.

Charisse Millet and Pete Ecklund try to ease the stress of the last night of session by posing for the camera. Both have high stress jobs that they do quite well. Charisse is chief of staff for Rep. Vic Kohring and Pete is the house finance aide in charge of the capital budget for Rep. Kevin Meyer.

Representative Peggy Wilson enjoys a piece of Mike Kelly's birthday cake which was a delicious carrot cake. Rep. Wilson represents the Wrangell-Petersberg area of Southeast Alaska.

Sue and Dave Stancliff enjoy a piece of the carrot cake. Sue is a legislative aide for Rep. Mike Kelly and Dave is an aide for Senator Gene Therriault. Dave carried SB 200, the stand your ground bill sponsored by Senator Therriault.

Rep. Tom Anderson has been smiling alot lately. He is the proud father of two-month-old Grayson who is an adorable young man. Rumors are that Rep. Anderson will not be running for office this campaign season. He and Representative Lesil McGuire married a year ago and live in Lesil's house district.

Representative Bill Thomas heads for the House Chambers for Sunday session as the clock ticks down to the end of regular session on Tuesday.

Last, but not least, the first cruise ship, Zaandam, hit town early last week. Believe it or not, this is a smaller cruiseship. Most of them dock at the base of town and appear like a portable skyscraper in Juneau's skyline. Up to four ships can be docked at once. Amazing site.

Easter Sunday Picnic

People from Fairbanks area gathered for a picnic at Auke Bay Recreation area on Easter Sunday. Here Brian Kertz, Barbara Cotting, Susan Rael, George Solli, Robert John, Kat Moss, and Jane Pierson warm up by the fire while waiting for the crab to cook.

Dave Stancliff and Robert John (RJ) discuss how to start a fire and keep it going. Dave was telling RJ how to soak saw dust in diesel to ignite a fire. Dave was also giving tips on outhouse seats at forty below.

Annie and Abbi checking out the live crab.

Susan Rael, Dave and RJ watch crab reacting to being put in freshwater waiting for the water to boil.

Susan, Emily Stancliff and Brian Kertz watch Dave prep the crab for the pot.

Jim and Debbie Pound arrived on Jim's Christmas present, new Harley.
















Designated scouts for the picnic, Barbara Cotting and Kayla Epstein.















Dave and Representative Gruenberg.












Brian, Emily, and Sue Stancliff chat with passerbyer.





Nelda (Rep. Kelly's Office) Stewart's son, Anthony, enjoyed the strawberries.

2006 Alaska Republican Party State Convention

The Alaska Republican Party held its State Convention in Fairbanks on April 6th, 7th, and 8th.


226 delegates from 35 House Districts attended the convention. Here, the delegates listen to Senator Stevens speak at Saturday's luncheon.
Lily of the Valley Church Choir was fantastic. They sang the delegates patriotic songs with such spiritual enthusiasm that everyone in the room was proud to be an American.

Saturday, at the breakfast meeting, Sarah Palin, Johne Binkley, and Merica Hlatcu faced off answering questions from the delegates. The Sarah Palin said it was too early to commit to supporting the winner of the Republican Primary, while Binkley and Hlatcu said they will support whomever the voters select in the Republican Primary in August.

On other issues, the candidates agreed that marriage benefits should be limited to the married union of one man and one woman and they would assert State Sovereignty.

Johne Binkley told delegates Governor Murkowski had started the process of negotiating a gasline and the development of our natural resource base and we now need a governor who can be "steady at the wheel" like Binkley.

Rick Halford and Mike Prax take notes at the Resources Committee. Several resolutions passed at the convention including a resolution to support development of the Pebble Mine.

Sen. Ralph Seekins and Rep. John Coghill were among legislators that came to the convention. Here they visit with Byron Haley about fishing issues.

Bonnie Williams takes notes during the speech by U.S. Senator Ted Stevens. Bonnie, Rhonda Boyles and Mike Dalton, along with volunteers galore, helped bring the Fairbanks convention together. Chairman Randy Ruedrich said this convention brought more money into the party than the last three conventions combined. Good job to our Fairbanks Republican Women who took charge of the convention.

Lt. Governor candidate & former Senator Sean Parnell, wife, Sandy, and Charisse Millette, Chief of Staff for Rep. Vic Kohring, attend the luncheon with Senator Stevens as guest speaker.

Speaking of Senator Stevens, here he poses for a picture with Fairbanks' official hostess, Ruby Riddle. Ruby was a delegate from District 10.

Republican Matriarchs Mike Dalton and Pauline Martens chime in at the Communcations Committee meeting. They agreed that Republicans need to do a better job of letting people know what Republicans stand for. Most people judge Republicans by what they hear from the press and the Democrat Party.

Former State Senator Mike Miller, District 11 Chair Todd Larkin, Vice Chair Mike Prax, and delegate Gerri Benshoof share a light moment with Rep. John Coghill of District 11.

Rhonda Boyles was elected State Vice-Chair and said she would be working to prepare a state convention manual and to gain support to hire an executive director for the statewide organization.

District 11 Chair Todd Larkin discusses national defense issues with Chris Nelson who works for the Dept. of Military and Veterans Affairs.

Former State Representative and current District 10 Chariman, Nick Stepovich, visits with former State Senator, Former Anchorage Mayor, and former Gubernatorial candidate Tom Fink.

Rep. Jay Ramras visits with Ruby Riddle, a delegate from District 10 from which Rep. Ramras was elected.

Cal Skogstad and Cam Carlson listen intently to Senator Stevens' speech.

Keynote speaker for the Friday night banquet was Michael Zak. Here, he autographs a copy of his book for Lt. Governor Loren Leman.

Lt. Governor Leman autographed a copy of the Alaska State Constitution for Michael Zak. Michael Zak is Executive Director of the Lincoln Reagan Freedom Foundation. Before writing Back to Basics for the Republican Party, Michael was a Foreign Service Officer and financial analyst in Chicago and New York.(http://www.lincolnreaganfoundation.org).

"Michael Zak's presentations to Republican organizations around the country often get standing ovations. Among the topics on which he has spoken are The True Heritage of our Grand Old Party, Abraham Lincoln, Republican, Martin Luther King and the Republican Civil Rights Legacy, and Frederick Douglass, Republican. "

You can contact Michael at Grand_Old_Partisan@hotmail.com

Michael and Lt. Governor Leman had time to talk about how the Republican Party is misrepresentated by the press. Michael's recent book, Back to Basics for the Republican Party, gives the history of the Republican Party and helps people better understand what we stand for. Michael said he researched the history for fourteen months. then took only four months to write the book.

Former Representative Jeannette James appears to be giving her opinion to Mary Binkley, who came to the Saturday breakfast to hear her son, Johne Binkley, during to debate of Republican gubernatorial candidates.

District 11 Chair Todd Larkin and District 11 Vice-Chair Mike Prax share an exchange of opinions with the District 11 delegates on resolutions presented to the full convention.

Rep. Mark Neuman sits at his district table with National Committeewoman June Burkhart and her husband, delegate Roy Burkhart.

District 11 delegates Lyman Benshoof, Jeannette James, and Royce Chapman listen to the debate about resolutions brought to the floor from committees.

Senator Ted Stevens and gubernatorial candidate Johne Binkley watch as the Lily of the Valley Church Choir sings "Star Spangled Banner" and "God Bless America". The choir received a standing ovation.

Don Smith and Glen Clarey catch up on party news. Don is running for the State House seat Democrat Representative Berta Gardner now holds. There are rumors Darwin Peterson will also be running on the Republican ticket for this seat. Don was in the legislature years ago and Darwin is a legislative aide for Senator Gary Wilken.

Nick Stepovich of District 10 and Spike Jorgerson of District 6 compare notes.

Lt. Governor Loren Leman and ARP Chairman Randy Ruedrich watch the Lt. Governor candidates, Troy Maulden and Sean Parnell debate the issues.

Gubernatorial candidate Johne Binkley visits with Mike Welch a delegate from District 11.

Delegates from Southeast enjoy the conversation at the Communications Committee meeting. From the left: Chris Wyatt and Paulette Simpson are from Juneau and Kyle Johanson is from Ketchikan.

Sarah Palin addressing the convention Saturday morning to a standing room only group on attendants at the gubernatorial debate.

Roger Burggraf delegate from District 8 watches Sarah Plain field questions from the delegates.

Delegate Sue Hull and Mike Prax found out they agreed on early childhood development and the role of parents in their children's education.

The Resources Committee was by far the most popular where discussions surrounded the petroleum production tax and the natural gasline route.

The Lathrop ROTC Color Guard officially opened the convention with the raising of the flags.

Delegates from District 8 Sue Hull, Beth Seekins, Joe and Kathleen Miller, and Chris Duke listen to the Light Gov candidates.

District 11 delegate Mike Miller and District 12 delegate have been steady soldiers in our battle to protect the unborn children. Mike is a former candidate for Lt. Governor and Governor and is a local businessman in North Pole (Santa Claus House). Debbie is heads up the Alaska Chapter of Eagle Forum and is a strong voice for life. She recently traveled to Juneau to testify for SB 20 the Laci Peterson Bill sponsored by Senator Fred Dyson and HJR 32 which would place a constitutional amendment on the ballot to more strictly define marriage and the benefits that go with marriage. The resolution is sponsored by Representative Coghill.

Charisse Millett and Vice Chair Rhonda Boyles pose for a great picture. For more information about the resolutions passed at the state convention go to the Alaska Republican Party's website at:

http://www.alaskarepublicans.com/

Brandon Matklen listens intently as Lt. Governor candidates field questions from the delegates.

Jonathan Lack is the new assistant secretary for the Alaska Republican Party.

Former Representative Bud Fate (District 7) and wife Mary Jane Fate came to the luncheon to listen to Senator Stevens' speech to the delegates.

Ward Sattler was a delegate from District 6. He will be running against former Representative Carl Morgan in the August Primary for the District 6 House Seat.

Sarah Palin supporter, Todd Larkin, has a friendly dialogue with Johne Binkley.

Chairman Randy Ruedrich introduces Doug Isaacson from District 11 who gave the invocation at the luncheon prior to Senator Steven's speech to the delegates.

Here Doug Isaacson is taking notes of Steven's speech.