MAYOR'S REPORT

Mayor George Wuerch
Anchorage, AK
Jan. 31, 2003

Alaska Botanical Garden gets extended lease

Today the Municipality of Anchorage gave the Alaska Botanical Garden an extended lease for the 80-acres of land on which the botanical garden sits. Since the early 90s, the group has operated under a short-term land agreement on the Heritage Land Bank property located at East Tudor and Campbell Airstrip Road. Now the group will be allowed to occupy the land for at least 55 more years. This long-term lease opens up opportunities to receive grants and other donations the Garden had difficulty securing when it operated year-to-year.

Bus hero

Last Friday, Bus Operator Scott Stewart observed a man and a woman struggling near Milky Way and Nebula. He stopped the bus, went to the woman's aid and held the perpetrator until police arrived. I want to personally recognize Mr. Stewart for his bravery and sense of community.

E-911 Task Force

The E-911 Task Force has met six times since its formation in December. The group, still in its fact finding phase, has read hundreds of pages of documents and is looking into the technology, data and personnel issues that contribute to an emergency response. The independent group will evaluate the changes the city has and is making to determine if it's doing enough to ensure police are sent to correct addresses when citizens call 911.

City gives food for thought

A new "Food for Thought" pilot program has the potential of educating families about nutrition and feeding needy children. An agreement between the Department of Health and Human Services' Women, Infants and Children (WIC) program and the Anchorage Libraries Youth Services now allows WIC participants to read a reserved list of children's books about good nutrition at the Muldoon Branch Library. Then, after filling out a questionnaire on the book, the WIC participants can receive food vouchers through the mail. Usually, WIC participants have to pick up their food vouchers at one of the four MOA-wide WIC offices, after having a one-on-one nutrition lesson. The new mail voucher program should free up some of the program's nutrition counselors, so they can provide other services to clients. Nearly $1 million a year goes to low income infants, children and breastfeeding women to ensure they receive enough protein, calcium and vitamins in their diets.

Congratulations Sheffield

Former Governor and current Director of the Port of Anchorage, Bill Sheffield received the Alaska Business Hall of Fame award from the Junior Achievement of Alaska this Thursday. This event marked the 17th year the award was given. It recognizes leaders who have made significant contributions to Alaska's economy and those who have helped promote the growth of Alaska's business. Other 2003 awardees include Peter Leathard, David Rose and Richard Wien.

MUNIversity

Next week's MUNIversity program features Fire Chief John Fullenwider who will present, "Community lifeline, firemen and paramedics" at the Loussac Library, noon - 1pm on Tuesday, Feb 4. These free, lunchtime lectures are designed to inform the public about how their local government works. For more information visit here.

To RSVP call 343-6114.

Drive Safely!