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The City and Borough of Juneau Assembly on Monday evening gave special recognition to outgoing and incoming members with a tone of seriousness — and sparks of humor.
Assemblymen Malcolm Menzies and Peter Freer both joined the Assembly for several months of service — elected members Bob Doll and Jonathan Anderson resigned due to moving out of state. Both had served on the Assembly before.
“One of the great hallmarks of the American system, whether we’re talking state, federal or local level, one of our greatest contributions to the world is peaceful, organized government,” said Mayor Bruce Botelho. “We are at a transition tonight. Three of our members will be stepping down, two of whom helped us in the continuum.”
Freer thanked the Assembly for allowing him to serve again.
“When I served 28 years ago, I was a young man and wasn’t sure what I was getting in to,” he said. “It felt as though I had never left. I felt very comfortable in the chair and doing the work of the community.”
Menzies echoed Freer’s comments about serving many years ago and having it feel comfortable.
“I appreciate the honor and the opportunity to serve our community,” he said. “I want to thank all of you for continuing to serve our community.”
Sanford, who has termed out, took the opportunity to make one last speech. Sanford quipped the audience knew he was a man of “few” words.
He had three points for the Assembly and public to think about.
“Lands in Southeast Alaska are the most restricted there are anywhere in the United States,” Sanford said. “We have 17 billion acres of national forest and we just about can’t touch any of it. It’s important as you deliberate in the next years, pay attention to what little bit of lands we have. We don’t have a bunch of land available to us to do whatever we want. So don’t lock it all up, please. We have to pay attention very sincerely. Less than 1 percent of our lands are in private ownership. You will not find that anywhere in the United States. It is the big gorilla in the room.”
His second point for the Assembly was to pay close attention to neighborhood needs.
“This past year or two we have had to make some very hard decisions that weren’t right in line with individual neighborhoods’ (opinions),” he said. “That’s the most difficult thing for us to do.”
Sanford urged them to look at what’s best for the community, because oftentimes decisions that sprout a lot of controversy work out well. He pointed to the asphalt plant, 12th street reconstruction and First Street in Douglas as examples. He said 12th Street has turned into a beautiful project, and believes most residents think the project was good after all. Sanford said the Douglas cul-de-sac turned out nicely as well, where fire trucks won’t have to back up extensively to turn around.
Sanford’s third topic turned to the interactions he’s had with Assembly members, the public and staff the past nine years.
“Thank you for all the interface I’ve had with you over the years,” he said. “You’ve been respectful and come forward with your ideas.”
Sanford held up a firefighter figurine, and admitted when he first came on the Assembly he thought the police and fire departments were the most important in the city. Sanford served as a fireman for 30 years.
“As I’ve sat here the past nine years, I’ve gained a great deal of respect for all of the other divisions working hard for us every single day,” he said. “... A lot of things that can happen in the city that can be just as big a catastrophe. Things we take for granted every single day.”
Sanford told the Assembly members the biggest thing they will need — from his perspective as a firefighter and retired Marine — is teamwork.
“Not that you all have to agree, but you need to sit down and really think about what you’re doing and if it’s better for the community in your mind,” he said.
Botelho said Sanford is a classmate, friend and colleague. He said sometimes the two have come down on opposite sides of big issues.
“Merrill, it has been an honor to serve with you,” Botelho said. “Merrill has been an incredible leader for this community. He is a plain speaker. In politics that is not a dominant characteristic. He’s an independent thinker.”
Botelho said the public tends to think Assembly members serve in factions and stick with them.
“Merrill can’t be pigeonholed,” Botelho said. “He is something all of us need to aspire to. He exercises his judgment. It’s a good judgement.”
Botelho joked he couldn’t say that judgement is unfailing.
City Attorney John Hartle led Randy Wanamaker, Carlton Smith and Jesse Kiehl through the swearing-in process. They all raised their right hand and pledged to follow the U.S. Constitution and all federal, state and local laws.
Hartle followed the procedure with a “good luck.”
Assemblyman David Stone was elected as deputy mayor.
In other business, the Assembly unanimously approved a letter of support to the U.S. Postal Service asking it to keep the Douglas Post Office open. It also unanimously approved a resolution for the library department to apply for grant funds to build a new Mendenhall Valley library.
The Assembly meets again Tuesday in retreat from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Assembly Chambers. Topics will include replacing the retiring city manager and its top 10 goals for the year.
• Contact reporter Sarah Day at 523-2279 or at sarah.day@juneauempire.com.
Comments (9)
Add commentSanford wrong again
"Lands locked away"? Are you talking about the land that produces our #1 job creator, salmon? Lands that are the future generations land to show that our generation did not destroy everything? Lands that make our state attractive to tourists? Lands that have an intrinsic value beyond commodity prices?
Not to worry. Dear, confused Sanford is not going anywhere, just gearing up for the mantel of mayorhood.
California guy..
You must have sand in your eyes and ears dude...you can't be for real.
Merrill has been one the very best Assemblymen we have had in this town, he is spot on with his comments and most importantly his ACTIONS!
NO
I believe he is refering to lands that are not currently being husbanded to their highest and best use, as in managed for sustainability and utilised as a resource for products and employment, but rather left to their own devices while Southeast withers away.
Sanford
I think he was talking about not locking up the remaining private land, alaskaguy.
I've often disagreed with Sanford's positions, but no one else on the assembly worked as hard as he did. He was willing to listen and learn before making his (sometimes wrong) decision. I respect the guy.
wrong again and again
17 billion acres? He's not very good at math either. We just can't touch the national forest? Way wrong on that one too. No wonder the CBj is so out of whack.
"Lands in Southeast Alaska
"Lands in Southeast Alaska are the most restricted there are anywhere in the United States"
These so called "restrictions" are the reason WHY we have what we have and these "restrictions" keep our billions in fisheries and our largest source of jobs for Alaskans alive!
it is so good to see you go Sanford, I am so tired of you trying to get the government to build roads for all your mining and logging friends!
Hmmmmmmmm.
The functional analysis of this meeting as reported is: Local pols are given audience to talk about how comfortable they are and then dispense advice to the community following observations by the Mayor on the gravity of the situation and sanctity of democracy, etc., etc.
Our little local government is not very little, for one thing and in any event too many of the local pols stray way outside their core competency in too many instances to natter on about issues that are irrelevant to genuine local concerns or about which they are ignorant. In too many instances our local pols have largely abdicated responsibility for delivery of local government to the bureaucracy and often without demanding genuine results or accountability.
In that regard, the advice received from Mr. Sanford was predictable, tedious and nearly worthless. Juneau is not surrounded by 17 billion acres of land that is unavailable for economic activity and the "gorilla in the room" metaphor used by Mr. Sanford is misplaced. Then there was his advice about paying close attention to neighborhood needs that was curiously supported by examples where Mr. Sanford and the CBJ Assembly ignored neighborhood concerns, which isn't surprising. Mr. Sanford was a proponent of the bizarre second channel crossing referendum which suggests his essential management style is: Think locally and then do whatever you want. So much for paying attention to neighborhood needs.
Mr. Sanford concludes with a call for additional teamwork which is part and parcel of every modern pols call for action but observed less frequently in practice than rhetoric.
What this article really underscores is the fact that Juneau has been the recipient of huge amounts of state and federal revenue in the last three decades, too much of which has been wasted by the actions or lack of action on the part of our local politicians down at City Hall. Juneau also has received a significant boost of revenue from tourism in the last decade. Sadly, in too many instances the actions of the CBJ Assembly have squandered the revenue received. The revenue Juneau has received from all sources masks a basically inefficient and even mediocre bureaucratic management system in many instances. This is, as much as anything else, the legacy of the politicians given voice in the article.
Mr. Sanford and everyone that serves on the CBJ Assembly deserve to be acknowledged for devoting their time and energy and for that they have my thanks. On the issue of advice though, I for one am passing. The factual basis for Mr. Sanford's advice was wrong in part and based on erratic performance in other categories.
Juneau needs less advice from outgoing politicians that have performed in a mediocre manner for years. What Juneau needs is for the new and existing local politicians to pay attention to fundamentals and wrest control of the bureaucracy from the upper and mid-level management that in too many situations are under performing and infrequently held accountable.
Juneau has much potential for a bright future but only by following a different and efficient path instead of listening to the erratic voices from the past. If you think I am harsh or wrong here, ask yourself what action items the CBJ Assembly accomplished last night? In the end, the CBJ Assembly approved a letter calling for the Douglas Post Office to remain open and gave the OK to apply for a grant. That's it folks--we sent a non-binding letter that will have no bearing on the issue of whether the post office in Douglas remains open and authorized staff to seek grant funding for a new library. We really do get what we deserve in this little democracy which is mostly chatter and not very much action with regard to topics, projects or ordinances that really matter.
Jesse Kiehl
I noticed Jesse Kiehl in this picture. He is a very intelligent young man and I have high hopes for him.
He has my complete support, and no, he doesn't even know me, if you're thinking he does.
Congratulations Jesse.
Merrill right on
I have known Merrill Sanford for so long, we swam together in the Evergreen bowl pool full of water from Gold Creek. After I left Juneau I have kept in touch with Merrill and watched him work constantly at the job (that's how he sees it) of helping to shape the future of Juneau. He is spot on that the Federal grab of our land at Statehood has completely frozen us out of a real future, and so the town relies on government, and tourists to sustain itself..Not your best combination, in my opinion. Merrill has had a strong voice for progress, a strong voice for jobs, (which leads to independence for individuals, not relying on someone else's goodwill). Everytime I come back home I see him pouring over the peoples work. Perhaps he can be talked into being a candidate in the future and continue to be that strong voice that Juneau needs. Sure, I am an old friend, and damned proud of the "kid".