Friends and Neighbors,

Well, the yellowing leaves and lower temperatures can only mean one thing- it’s hunting season. If you are headed out this month please be safe and remember to get the appropriate hunting license. For information regarding permits please visit http://www.adfg.state.ak.us/. Silvers are reported to be decent to good in Montana Creek (Parks Highway mile 265.5), so if you are a fly-fisherman like I am, that is good news!

Do You Have Internet Access?
Do you wish it was faster?

We need your help in mapping the current access Alaskan’s have to the internet. All types of consumers (business, residential, education) can participate in helping us identify underserved and unserved areas. Please share your story, tell us what your internet connection is like or take a speed test at www.connectak.org .

High speed affordable internet access is important to our schools, our business and our growth as a community. Connect Alaska is a recipient of stimulus broadband funding to map out access in Alaska. They have completed many projects geared towards the challenges of rural areas and will help to strengthen the infrastructure of our state.

This last legislative session I sponsored a major piece of legislation aimed at creating a stronger, better connected broadband infrastructure. Our remoteness should not deny us high speed affordable access to tele-medicine, online classes, business opportunities or information.

Update on the State Veteran’s Cemetery

Last Wednesday I sat down with fellow legislators, Mayor Hopkins and Colonel Jones, the Garrison Commander of Fort Wainwright, to discuss plans for a cemetery on the current site of the Birch Hill Tank Farm. This site has been identified by local veterans as the most desired land for the Interior Veteran’s Cemetery. My discussion with Colonel Jones focused on the next steps needed to start the process to move the land from Federal to State ownership.

Upcoming Constituent Meetings for the Fairbanks Area

Please join me and Senator Joe Thomas on Thursday September 23rd from 6-8pm at the West Valley High School Library for a constituent meeting. Meetings for the Healy, Anderson, Cantwell and Clear areas will be announced soon.

Thank you for reading and please feel free to call my office and share your ideas.