MAYOR'S REPORT

Mayor George Wuerch
Anchorage, AK
Jan. 24, 2003

U.S. Conference of Mayors

This week's report is coming to you from Washington, D.C., where I've been attending the U.S. Conference of Mayors. In addition to comparing notes with other mayors from around the country, I've taken advantage of the opportunity to discuss issues important to Alaskans like ANWR and a Gas Pipeline with many of them. If elected officials from cities are given facts about ANWR they can bring that message home with them and help change their constituents' misperceptions.

At a small breakfast meeting in the White House on Wednesday, Alaska issues were discussed with the President's Intergovernmental Affairs Director and staff. Throughout the week I've had individual meetings with Alaska's Congressional Delegation to discuss Anchorage priorities like the Knik Arm Bridge and the Port of Anchorage expansion.

Changing faces

Dennis Fradley, who has served as director of external affairs for my administration for the past two and a half years, will become Governor Frank Murkowski's director of communications starting next week. I have been honored by the governor's selection of some of my staff and see it as a win-win situation. The governor gets the benefit of good people with proven professional experience, and Anchorage gets the benefit of having individuals in key state positions who understand the municipality's priorities. To replace Fradley, Kevin Bruce, former co-owner of the Northwest Strategies public relations agency in Anchorage, has been appointed to help organize a business roundtable and also inherit the communications responsibilities of the external affairs position being vacated by Fradley.

MUNIversity

The new MUNIversity program has been met with great enthusiasm. Over 100 people have signed up to attend these lunchtime lectures to find out how their local government works. The lecture series will continue through March 11, 2003. On Tuesday, January 28, featured speaker Police Chief Walt Monegan will present, "Anchorage Law Enforcement and Crime Prevention" at the Loussac Library, noon - 1pm. For more information, visit here.

To RSVP, call 343-6114.

AWARE Academy on for another year

Due to the popularity of the Municipality's Anchorage, Watchful, Alert and Ready for Emergencies (AWARE) Academy, it has been extended for another year. This past Wednesday, the Academy held its first class of 2003. The classes are designed to teach citizens the basic principals of emergency response. Graduates of the AWARE Academy are trained to be prepared for disasters and be self-sufficient until help arrives. Already more than 1,100 Anchorage residents have attended the Academy to date. For more information and class schedules, please call 343-6114 or visit here.

Free timers from Muni

The Municipality's Department of Health and Human Services Environmental Services section is giving away another 1,000 free, programmable timers for vehicle engine heaters. It's all part of our focus on cleaner air for Anchorage. Studies show that a warm engine start-up reduces carbon monoxide emissions by about 74 percent. The Environmental Section teamed up with the state Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) who also added another 1,000 low-cost engine block heaters to the program. Using federal highway funds, this cooperative Municipal and State program has gotten off to a great start in raising awareness about the impact that starting a cold engine has on our air. Call 343-4200 for more information.

Have an enjoyable weekend,