Special ferry use not new

From the inception of the Alaska Marine Highway System with the inauguration of ferry service between the communities of Juneau and Haines in 1957 with the Chilcoot, through the present day addition of the vessels the Fairweather and the Lituya, officials of our government have utilized the ships of the marine highway system to accommodate special events benefiting the public.

• Photos

The Alaska Marine Highway System schedules have been altered to accommodate travelers to attend events such as the Southeast Alaska State Fair in Haines, various school-sponsored sports events, music festivals, Celebration (a gathering of Alaska Natives) and visits to our state by foreign dignitaries, congressional leaders and presidents of the United States.

Recent criticisms leveled by certain Democratic legislators during this political campaign season would have the public believe that this is an unusual circumstance and not in the public's best interest. Routinely, the Alaska Marine Highway System accommodates the arrival and departure of the Alaska state legislators.

The Alaska Marine Highway System is a public asset that is best used to promote the economic and social well-being of our state and its citizens. Recent usage of the Alaska Marine Highway System vessels by the Murkowski administration merely follows more than 40 years of precedents established by the state of Alaska's first governor, William A. Egan. The recent criticism referred to above gives cause to examine the true motives of those who are directing the criticism.

I speak from authority and experience of more than 40 years of direct association with the Alaska Marine Highway System as a passenger, employee and advocate of marine transportation. This is sound public policy at work.

Greg O'Claray,

Commissioner

Alaska Department of Labor & Workforce Development