On Dec. 19, 1986, thousands of people lined up to meet Gov. Steve Cowper at the annual open house at the Governor’s Mansion. His wife, Michael Cowper, said that the event was “really something of a fishbowl” after shaking the hands of about a thousand people. The event lasted four hours.
The City and Borough of Juneau instructed the town’s new lobbyist, Clark Gruening, to prioritize the number of jobs available to Juneau residents heading into the next legislative session.
Statewide, Myra Munson of Fairbanks was appointed commissioner of the Department of Health and Social Services, and Tony Smith the head of the Department of Commerce and Economic Development. Gov. Cowper also chose Jim Sampson, the Anchorage-based business manager for the Alaska State District Council of Laborers, to act as commissioner of Department of Labor.
“This Day in Juneau History” is compiled by Empire freelancer Tasha Elizarde, who sums up the day’s events — 30 years ago — by perusing Empire archives.
