No. Not as far as I know. The City also says books were never censored. If you read carefully what I wrote, you will see that I said that she “attempted” to censor the books, not that she actually was able to.
What does Palin say?
Conflicting things. At the time that all this happened, Palin acknowledged to both of the local newspapers that she had asked the librarian about removing books from the library; she said that her questions were “rhetorical”. However, ABC News broadcast video of her telling Charles Gibson that all of this was an “old wives tale” and I have been told that she is telling people around Wasilla that this whole library story is B.S.
What remains in dispute?
Mayor Palin’s motives for discussing censorship of the library collection remains in dispute. She claims her questions were rhetorical. Her question sure didn’t sound rhetorical to me! A rhetorical question elicits an explanation in response, and after an explanation is received the question doesn’t need to be asked again, but this question was, by Palin’s admission, asked more than once. A challenge elicits a defense; the librarian responded defensively.
Palin also says that the community reaction to her attempt to fire the Librarian had nothing to do with the fact that she fired the Librarian one day and re-hired her the next.
Governor Palin is a very attractive, warm person, with lots of charisma. I think that her high approval ratings are because of that and because media coverage here has been pretty complimentary (she used to work at the largest TV station). It was thanks to reporters from outside--the Washington Post--that we learned how she has been claiming per diem while living in her own home because she didn’t want to live in the governor’s mansion.
On Sept 13, 2008, pro- and anti-Palin rallies were held in Anchorage and the anti-Palin rally was the larger; some say this is because there had been many pro-Palin rallies already.
Reporters tell me that they are having a very hard time finding anyone in Wasilla who will speak on record in support of Palin: this is the exact opposite of how it was here 3 weeks ago. The following story may shed light on why this is so.
http://www.latimes.com/news/politics/la-na-troopergate21-2008sep21,0,829160.story
“Troopergate”
Trooper Wooten (Palin’s ex-brother-in-law) is NOT anyone’s idea of a model State Trooper, but I am of the opinion that everyone should be treated the same. I think it would be wrong for friends and relatives of the Governor to get special favors, OR be more severely punished. This whole thing seems to have devolved into a gigantic political morass.
About aerial wolf-hunting in Alaska.
The recent aerial wolf hunting issue was not about sport hunting. It was about whether or not only State Fish & Game employees would be allowed to shoot wolves from planes when there are emergencies and packs of wolves are attacking kids and pets. Sarah Palin’s position on this issue should not, in my opinion, be construed as lacking a proper “sporting” attitude. This was not a hunting issue; it was a prey management issue.
Funding for students with Special Needs
It is true that at the encouragement of Gov Palin, the Legislature increased funding for Special Needs education. When Palin took office in 2006, the state was spending $27,000 a year per child. The budget she signed this year raised that funding to $49,000 per child. In three years, the amount will rise to $74,000, which is roughly equal to the yearly per-child cost of educating special needs children. So, yes, there was an increase, however, since the increase in funding for educating students with special needs doesn’t yet cover the cost, there will be no improvement in services. And, given the inflation we are seeing, by the time the amount of funding covers the current cost, the cost will be higher! (The deficit in funding is made up by shifting funds for general education to special needs education.)
The reduction in property tax didn’t reduce education funding. School funding is the responsibility of the State Legislature. The Borough (county) contributes about 25% from BOROUGH property taxes. City property taxes pay for city government and services, not schools.
Charging rape victims for tests.
Yes, during Palin’s mayorship the City of Wasilla was charging rape victims for their tests. When this was brought to the attention of a member of the State Legislature, he authored legislation which was passed making this practice illegal.
Multi-use Sports Complex
Mayor Palin has taken credit for having built the Multi-use Sports Complex, so then she should take the responsibility for its costs. When Palin ran for Mayor part of her platform was infrastructure improvements. The Mayor controls the agenda of the City Council. She did not put building a sewage treatment plant on the agenda, or expanding the library. She put bonding for a sports complex on the agenda and she encouraged the Council to pass it so that the voters could vote on it. She did this knowing that passage of these bonds would make it impossible for the City to bond for any other project (like the sewage treatment plant) for many years. The bonds and increase in sales tax passed with a margin of under 20 votes. Palin then directed the construction of this complex BEFORE clear title to the land had been obtained; settling the title issue has cost us $1.3m so far.
Various questions
•I’ve been repeatedly asked if I could verify the accuracy of a racist, sexist comment that is being attributed to Palin. I cannot either confirm or deny that she made this crude comment.
•Her husband was a member of the Alaskan Independent Party (not Sarah); she did speak at one of their conventions.
•Yes, her husband is part Native Alaskan.
•Her children go to public schools. Wasilla High’s enrollment is approaching 1,200.
•Information about Palin’s academic career/grades, etc. can be found on Wikipedia.
•Wasilla has a strong mayor form of government; the mayor is full-time.
•The vote when Palin was elected Mayor was 616* Palin/431 Stein. (*some sources say 651).
•Yes, the Palins were members of the Wasilla Assembly of God church where some speak in tongues.
About ethics
•It’s true: the man she blew the whistle on when she was Chair of the Alaska Oil & Gas Conservation Commission, Randy Ruedrick, is STILL the state chair of the Alaska Republican Party. She tried!
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