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P E N I N S U L A
Monday, November 5, 2018 Kenai Peninsula, Alaska
Vol. 49, Issue 31
In the news Anchorage was far warmer than usual in October ANCHORAGE — If October seemed far warmer than usual in Anchorage, that’s because it was. KTUU reports that the month’s average temperature was 10 degrees above normal. The normal October average is 34.8 degrees, while October 2018 was 44.8 degrees. According to the National Weather Service, Oct. 17 was 17.7 degrees above average for that date. A new record also was set for the latest first freeze. This year, it fell on Oct. 28, breaking the old record for latest first freeze that occurred Oct. 16, 1969.
New Bethel program to train aircraft mechanics BETHEL — A new training effort is being launched in Bethel to address a severe shortage of aircraft mechanics in the Yukon-Kuskokwim region. Yuut Elitnaurviat, the regional adult workforce development program, is opening an aircraft mechanic school to fill the gap, KYUK reported . Some of the planes to be used were donated, according to Yuut Elitnaurviat’s executive director Mike Hoffman. “It’s just people understanding this school and what it’s going to bring to the region,” he said. Keith Henthorn, with regional airline Yule Commuter Service, said virtually all airlines he knows of are looking for mechanics. None of Yute’s mechanics are Bethel residents, but people who come from Anchorage or Fairbanks or outside the state. Henthorn said he just offered a Florida resident $42 an hour to work for Yute. He said he would rather hire locals, adding that bringing in outside workers is expensive, with flights and housing among the costs. “Our goal is to have 10 aircraft available every day,” Henthorn said. “Typically, we have eight. Now we still get most of the things flown that we need to get flown. Just makes for a little bit longer business day than is practical in most environments.” The first round of the new school is set to begin in February and run for a year and a half. — Associated Press
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Candidates make final appeals By BECKY BOHRER Associated Press
ANCHORAGE — Candidates rallied voters, visited churches and knocked on doors Sunday as they made their final pitches to Alaskans and worked to get voters to the polls. The two major races on the ballot in Alaska are for U.S. House and governor. But Tuesday’s election also will decide the makeup of the state Legislature. Republican U.S. Rep. Don Young, who has served in the House since 1973, faces a challenge from independent Alyse Galvin. Republican Mike Dunleavy and Democrat Mark Begich are vying to succeed independent Gov. Bill Walker. Walker ended his campaign last month, days after his lieutenant governor resigned over what Walker has called an inappropriate overture to a woman. Walker voted early on Friday and said he voted for Begich. “I consider I voted for Alaska,” Walker said. He has
Alaska Republican gubernatorial candidate Mike Dunleavy Alaska Democratic gubernatorial candidate Mark Begich prestands with his wife, Rose, on stage during a GOP rally in An- pares for an interview in Anchorage on Sunday. (AP Photo/ chorage on Sunday. (AP Photo/Becky Bohrer) Becky Bohrer)
age on Sunday before planning offered qualified support for cal plan and Medicaid expan- for Alaska than Dunleavy. Begich visited churches and to go to Fairbanks. One of the Begich, saying Begich’s posi- sion are in line with his. He has See FINAL, page A3 tions on issues like a state fis- said Begich would be better knocked on doors in Anchor-
Alaska has more registered voters than eligible residents By JAMES BROOKS Juneau Empire
Alaska now has more registered voters than it has people eligible to vote. According to the newest figures from the Alaska Division of Elections, the state has 569,903 registered, active voters. The latest population estimates from the Alaska Department of Labor, released in January, show Alaska has 548,373 people who are 18 or older. Take into account the number of people who are noncitizens or are otherwise barred from voting by criminal conviction, and the state of Alaska likely has tens of thousands of extra people on its voting rolls. Using figures from the United States Elections Project at the University of Florida, Alaska has registered 109 percent of its eligible voters. “It’s not all that unusual,” said Charles Stewart III, a professor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology who studies voting in America and has provided advice to the Presidential Commission on Election Administration. “My guess is now that it’s up to a dozen states or so where that’s true,” he said. Wendy Underhill, director of the National Conference of State Legislatures’ elections and re-
districting team agreed. “It’s not where anyone wants to be, but it’s not unusual,” she said. “We hear this from time to time in various jurisdictions.” Under the administration of President Donald Trump, the federal government has taken a greater interest in the possibility of illegal voting, and registration errors increase that possibility. There is little evidence that illegal voting is actually happening. “I think there’s evidence that people are registered in two states; I don’t think there’s any evidence that there’s people voting in two states,” Stewart said. Even without fraud, over-registration poses problems. “It requires Juneau to print ballots and do all sorts of things to accommodate people who are not eligible to vote in the state, so that is a cost imposed by the state,” he said. The gap between registered voters and eligible population may be larger in Alaska than in any other state thanks in part to Alaska’s unique demographics and a recent surge in voter registration. In 2016, voters approved a program that automatically registers eligible Alaskans to vote when they apply for a Permanent Fund Dividend. The program allows Alaskans to opt
Before You Vote What to know + Despite withdrawing from the race, Gov. Bill Walker and Byron Mallott’s names will still appear on the ballot. The withdrawal deadline was Sept. 4, and Walker decided to withdraw in October. A vote for any candidate for governor or lieutenant governor appearing on the 2018 general election ballot will be counted as a vote for that candidate + State Senator Peter Micciche’s name will be the only one listed on the ballot for District O, but two candidates Ron Gilliam and Willow King have started write-in campaigns.
Where to go + Polling places will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on election day. + Not sure of your polling place? You can visit elections.alaska.gov or call 1-888-383-8683 to find out. + Outside Anchorage: 1-888-383-8683
What to bring + Voters will need identification to vote. You can bring a voter ID card, driver’s license, state ID, military ID, passport, hunting or fishing license or other current or valid photo ID. + Voters could also bring a current utility bill, paycheck, government check, bank statement or other government issued document.
What to expect + + + + + + +
The election worker at your polling place will ask for your identification. They will look up your name on the percent register. They will check your residence address and ask if their has been any changes. You will sign your name and be given a ballot using card to give to the ballot issuing election worker. You will then be given a ballot. When voting, completely fail in the oval next to your choices. If you make a mistake while marking your ballot, return to the election worker and request a new ballot. Do not mark or cross any votes out. + You will be given a secrecy sleeve to place your ballot inside. + You will then place your ballot in the ballot box or into an optical scan voting unit.
See VOTER, page A3
A taste of Russia just down the road By JOEY KLECKA Peninsula Clarion
It’s hard to miss the bright colors and decorations of the Piroshki Coffee and Tea Shoppe, which stands just north of Soldotna on the Kenai Spur Highway. With the outward appearance of a gingerbread house and the inward comfort of grandma’s house, Piroshki’s has been open since April 20 of this year, and flaunts a Russian-styled menu and theme. The shop is owned by Kenai resident Nika Davidhizar, a retired opera singer who grew up in St. Petersburg, Russia,
Shop Talk but calls her home country Kazakhstan. Davidhizar moved to Alaska 18 years ago and has since worked in business with her husband, and also travels regularly to Washington state to teach voice development and singing classes. Named after the “Piroshki” — a traditional Russian pastry that is typically stuffed with a variety of fillings — the twostory shop offers coffee and tea options, along with cheesecakes, soups, sandwiches and, of course, piroshkis, as well as
gluten-free options. Davidhizar said all products are made with no MSG, bleached flours or processed foods. Davidhizar, who has been able to build her business with the help of her singing career earnings, said that all money made from the shop goes into the soon-to-open Destiny Restoration Center in Sterling, a home-based foster care center for children. Davidhizar mans the shop along with her sister Nurilya, who Davidhizar said is the head chef of the operation. Question: What makes Piroshki’s unique to other See SHOP, page A2
Piroshki’s Coffee and Tea Shoppe stands just north of Soldotna on the Kenai Spur Highway. (Photo by Joey Klecka/Peninsula Clarion)