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P E N I N S U L A
Thursday, October 18, 2018 Kenai Peninsula, Alaska
Vol. 49, Issue 16
In the news BLM approves oil field in National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska ANCHORAGE — The federal Bureau of Land Management has signed off on another oil field within the National Petroleum ReserveAlaska. The BLM announced Monday that it had issued a joint record of decision with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers approving Greater Mooses Tooth 2. ConocoPhillips Alaska, Inc. expects to start construction at the site this winter. The company says the site should be in production for 30 years, from 2020-2050. ConocoPhillips in 2015 applied to build a 14-acre pad and up to 48 wells. The company estimates the site will produce 40,000 barrels of oil per day. An 8.6-mile pipeline will move crude oil to Greater Mooses Tooth 1, which began production Oct. 5. BLM says 199 leases cover 2,163 square miles of the NPR-A.
Anchorage man sentenced to 81 years for attempted murder ANCHORAGE — A 24-year-old Anchorage man was sentenced to 81 years in prison for trying to kill two people. Christian Beier was convicted July 13 of two counts of first-degree attempted murder. Anchorage television station KTUU reports Beier was sentenced Tuesday to 141 years in prison with 60 suspended. Beier on October 23, 2015, shot 19-year-old Caia Delavergne through the eye and shot 17-year-old Conor Lally multiple times in the chest inside a west Anchorage home. He later posted messages to Facebook and sent messages to the victims claiming they deserved to be shot. He also threatened to “finish the job.” Delavergne lost her eye in the shooting. Beier at sentencing apologized to his victims. Anchorage Superior Court Judge Michael Wolverton said neither shooting victim had done anything to deserve being shot. — Associated Press
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3 Friends Dog Park marks 1 year By JOEY KLECKA Peninsula Clarion
When the ribbon was cut to open 3 Friends Dog Park in Soldotna last September, park organizer Connie Hocker realized a dream. One year later, that dream is getting bigger. The 3 Friends Dog Park, located on a 2-acre plot of land on North Aspen Drive just off the Kenai Spur Highway in Soldotna, is celebrating its one-year anniversary with a special gathering Oct. 20 from 1 to 3 p.m. The celebration will be Halloween themed and there will be a costume contest. Hocker said the gathering will also see the release of three balloons into the air commemorating the three people that the park owes its name to — Dean Birmley, Martha Brewer and Alice Puster. “It has literally been a blessing for our community,” Hocker said. “It is providing a safe place for people and pets to exercise.” It was Brewer’s real estate holdings that helped pave the way for the park to open after
exercise equipment that will make for a better experience for dogs to unleash their energy. “I’ve been working on this since back in 2011 when it was designated as an off-leash park,” Hocker said. “It’s taken me a while to get to this point.” The part opened Sept 30, 2017, essentially as a remodeled edition of the former Aspen Park. Hocker played a major role in developing the park and bringing together the necessary funds and volunteer efforts to stage the reconstruction of the wooded area. Prior to 3 Friends Dog Park opening last year, the area sat inconspicuously behind a row of businesses that line the Kenai Spur Highway. Thanks to Hocker and other supporters, the area quickly brightened up with a colorful display sign and fencing. “I drew that big beautiful entrance on a napkin,” Hocker said. Decorated dog bone signs hang on the outside fence Friday afternoon at the 3 Friends Dog Hocker was able to gain the Park in Soldotna. (Photo by Joey Klecka/Peninsula Clarion) support of several local outlets, including Alan Sherlock of the her death. Brewer’s grant of all of the money be used to ben- niversary celebration will see Kenai Home Depot location, $55,000 went to fundraising ef- efit canines and other animals. the work done this year come Kelly Keating Griebel of Cenforts under the stipulation that Hocker said the one-year an- to fruition with a slew of new See DOG, page A8
Lt. governor’s resignation sparks doubt By BECKY BOHRER Associated Press
JUNEAU — Some supporters of Alaska Gov. Bill Walker struggled Wednesday to understand the abrupt resignation of Walker’s lieutenant governor and what that means for his re-election hopes. Byron Mallott resigned Tuesday after what Walker, an independent, described as an “inappropriate overture to a woman,” Walker spokesman Austin Baird said. Walker campaign manager Alaska’s new lieutenant governor, Valerie Davidson, right, John-Henry Heckendorn said looks on as Gov. Bill Walker addresses a news conference “as of today, the campaign is Tuesday in Anchorage. Davidson was sworn in Tuesday after moving forward,” with new former Lt. Gov. Byron Mallott resigned after the governor’s ofLt. Gov. Valerie Davidson as fice said he made “inappropriate comments.” (AP Photo/Mark Walker’s running mate. But Thiessen) he acknowledged the campaign was communicating Heckendorn declined to concerns about the dynamwith Walker’s Democratic ri- characterize the talks but has ics of a three-way race. Some val, Mark Begich. said they were prompted by Democrats and independents
School superintendent talks budget cuts, curriculum By VICTORIA PETERSEN Peninsula Clarion
Superintendent Sean Dusek gave the community a Kenai Peninsula Borough School District update at Wednesday’s joint chamber luncheon. Dec. 1 will mark Dusek’s fifth year as superintendent. Dusek started his presentation by saying he hopes the district can offer a high enough quality education that current students choose to stay in the borough and raise their own families in the school district. “I’m very passionate and proud of our school district,” Dusek said. “You’ve heard me talk about the great things happening, and you may have heard that we need your support as much, or more, every year than in previous years.” Dusek said the district is focused on allowing students
Kenai Peninsula Borough School District Superintendent Sean Dusek gives a district update at Wednesday’s joint chamber luncheon on Wednesday in Kenai, AK. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)
to reflect more on their learning. Dusek said the No Child Left Behind Act set the district back. “It really narrowed our curriculums,” Dusek said. “It really focused on a single test on a single day to judge not only
our students but our schools and our districts. I think that set us back a long way because it really focused our kids to be great test takers, instead of thinkers and problem solvers investing in their own See SUPER, page A8
have worried Walker and Begich would split the vote, giving the race to Republican Mike Dunleavy. Begich’s campaign manager did not return messages. Mallott, in his resignation letter, apologized. He has not returned a phone message. A huge “Walker Mallott” campaign sign still stood outside his house in Juneau. State Rep. Jason Grenn, an Anchorage independent and Walker supporter, said with early voting starting Monday, Alaskans want to hear from Walker on his plans. “Everything in politics is timing,” he said. The next few days “will be extremely critical for a lot of people on both sides to kind of see where the path to victory lies, if there is one still, for Gov. Walker.” Mallott’s sudden departure was a blow to a ticket that
grew out of political necessity in 2014. Walker and Mallott, who were both running for governor in 2014, decided their best shot at defeating Republican Gov. Sean Parnell was to join forces. As part of that arrangement, backed by state Democrats, Walker changed his party affiliation from Republican to undeclared, and Mallott, an Alaska Native leader and Democrat, ran for lieutenant governor. This year, after the state Democratic Party changed its rules to let independents run in its primaries, Walker flirted with that option, but backed out when it appeared Begich would run. Walker instead gathered signatures to qualify for the Nov. 6 ballot, ensuring he could run with Mallott. Dunleavy, in a statement, See LT. GOV, page A8
Judge rules Homer-based air carrier must pay pilot in whistleblower case ANCHORAGE (AP) — A federal judge has sided with an Anchorage pilot who claimed a Homer-based air carrier fired him for reporting safety problems. Brian Bell had reported that Bald Mountain Air Service falsified safety records and had gaps in drug and alcohol testing, prompting a Federal Aviation Administration inspection in 2012, the Anchorage Daily News reported Tuesday. Bell filed a complaint with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration after losing his job two days following that inspection. The judge’s order signed last week states Bell is entitled to more than $500,000 in back pay and $10,000 in damages and attorney fees. Bald Mountain also must offer Bell a pilot job once he renews his medical certificate. Bell claimed that the company
had forged training records, deactivated a malfunctioning fire detection system on a plane, and ordered employees to hide maintenance issues from FAA investigators. Bald Mountain is reviewing the judge’s order, and plans to file an appeal to clarify “certain legal inconsistencies within the decision,” attorney Aaron Sperbeck said. The company was “very pleased” that the judge had agreed with Bald Mountain on several issues, overturning findings in a preliminary report from 2016, he said. The company had appealed a 2016 preliminary report by OSHA that found Bell had reason to believe he was fired over his complaints to the FAA. The judge determined there was no proof that the company had “blacklisted” Bell within the aviation industry, which Bell had claimed.