December 4, 2008

Georgia (and Max Cleland) On My Mind; Solutions Not Soundbites Part 2 & Lower Energy Costs

By Les Gara

Dear Neighbors,

Well, the election was over on November 4. So, obviously, we're... still campaigning?????? A few words on Governor Palin's campaign stop in Georgia this week; on an Alaska House Race that's still being recounted; on a Thursday volunteer opportunity to help the City save on energy costs; and more. . . .

And hopefully to only minor fanfare, this will be our final e-newsletter before the holidays (I've leaving for vacation). Please be nice to my Aide Dave while I'm gone - he's now the only one in the office not on vacation (Katie's off in England and Ireland ).

The Ugliest Campaign Ever? Comparing War Hero Max Cleland to Osama Bin Laden in 2002.

Governor Palin has the right to campaign for folks outside Alaska now that she's reached national prominence. But I don't have to like who she's helping. I didn't realize who her chosen candidate in a Georgia U.S. Senate race was, until I read a recent editorial in the newspaper (http://www.adn.com/opinion/view/story/605452.html, see the second half of the article). The Governor flew to Georgia to help Saxby Chambliss, who was in a runoff this week (which he won Tuesday).

I admit I don't know a lot about Saxby Chambliss or his opponent. She probably has fair reasons for her choice in this race. But this is what I do know, and it brings back a dark piece of American campaign history.

Until six years ago Max Cleland held this Georgia Senate seat. Cleland was a war hero. He gave two legs, and an arm, to a hand grenade during the Vietnam War. He's the kind of person no one would ever suggest is un-American. No one outside of politics that is.

In his 2002 re-election campaign his opponents challenged Cleland's patriotism. How? By running TV ads with pictures associating Cleland with Osama Bin Laden and Saddam Hussein. Classic Carl Rove-type politics.

Sen. Cleland apparently didn't toe President Bush's line on foreign policy - heresy back in 2002, but no longer today. Frankly, I don't care how he voted. It didn't justify the ads and dishonor thrown his way. Many call this the most shameful American political campaign ever. There were likely many legitimate issues to run on for both candidates in that campaign. This wasn't one of them. Saxby Chambliss beat Cleland in that election. I'll do a toast to Max Cleland tonight: he lost a campaign, but not his honor.

Soundbites and Energy Part 2.

Below you'll see an opinion piece I recently sent in for publication. If I told you want it said, you wouldn't read it.

And, you'll then see a press release we just issued on a piece of legislation we are likely to file on gasoline prices. We could use some input as we think this issue through. Here's the problem. Gas prices in Anchorage have been roughly $1 above the national average for many months now. Historically, we've paid close to the national average. What's going on? Surprisingly, it's not gas station dealers that are making the money. They are being strapped too. But Alaska 's refineries are charging a premium price to them for gasoline products. Why? It appears they are pricing based on what they know dealers would have to pay if they shipped gasoline up from refineries in the Lower 48, knowing local dealers won't do that.

There's no easy solution for making refiners charge a fair price. That's business. Large companies usually charge as much as they can for their product, and that's what's going on here--even if it leads to gasoline prices that reached almost $5/gallon in Anchorage a few months ago. Not to mention that it's hit $9/gallon in some places in rural Alaska.

A few of us are considering legislation that says the state can limit the price a refiner charges if the Alaska refinery price is too high. In the event the margin between the Alaska price and the benchmark West Coast price is greater than normal, we'll give the Regulatory Commission of Alaska (RCA) the power to look into whether the Alaska refiners' prices are "fair and reasonable". That's roughly the standard used by the RCA is setting phone rates. We're still working on the concept (the effort is being led by Reps. Pete Petersen and Christ Tuck in the House & Bill Wielechowski in the Senate). The idea will generate a lot of discussion. Hopefully a version of this solution, or a better one, will come out of the debate.

It's naïve to assume the refiners will fix this problem on their own, without some prodding. If you have other ideas on approaches to this problem, let us know.

Saving City Energy Costs

The Municipality is looking for some volunteers Thursday evening. The following is a notice they have put out. It seems like a worthy effort.

The Mayor's office invites you to attend a very important lighting event the evening of December 4th, 2008. Your input and participation will directly influence the future of outdoor lighting in Anchorage , and perhaps the country at large. National lighting experts will be guiding local residents through a controlled study to evaluate sample roadway lighting installations.

Last March we held a resident survey that was instrumental in developing our outdoor lighting efficiency program. It was the first of two surveys the city needed in order to gauge local resident's lighting preferences-and your input was invaluable. The December 4th event will complete the second stage of our investigation, and the city very much appreciates your continued input.

Attendees will meet at the Loussac Library for an instructional briefing prior to loading onto busses that will take them to the test locations. The buses will take a first group from the library at 6pm, and then a second group at 8pm. We're aiming for approximately fifty people at each time slot, so please note your time slot when you RSVP. People should allocate about two hours to complete the survey, and please dress for cold weather.

RSVP instructions: Please email Michael Barber at barberm@muni.org

In your email RSVP please provide:

1) Your Name

2) What time slot you can attend (6pm or 8pm)

3) If you're reserving slots for more than yourself, please provide as much information as you know about your party, including the total number of people

Thanks!

From a Les Gara newsletter