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CLARION
Sunny 51/31 More weather on Page A-2
P E N I N S U L A
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2014 Kenai Peninsula, Alaska
Vol. 44, Issue 311
50 cents newsstands daily/$1.00 Sunday
Parnell, Walker debate
Question Would you like to see a greater law enforcement presence in the borough’s unincorporated communities? n Yes n No
Candidates clash over gas line, spending
To place your vote and comment, visit our Web site at www. peninsulaclarion. com. Results and selected comments will be posted each Tuesday in the Clarion, and a new question will be asked.
By BECKY BOHRER Associated Press
In the news Plaintiff won’t appeal ballot lawsuit ruling
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ANCHORAGE (AP) — The plaintiff in a lawsuit challenging the merged campaigns of two Alaska gubernatorial candidates will not appeal a judge’s ruling that an emergency order allowing the ticket was valid, he said Monday. Plaintiff Steve Strait said, however, that state lawmakers should enact a permanent regulation to address a legal “train wreck” — the label used by Superior Court Judge John Suddock in describing a gap in Alaska election statutes. Suddock sided with the state on Friday. The Sept. 2 emergency order was issued by Lt. Gov. Mead Treadwell, who was named in the lawsuit along with elections director Gail Fenumiai. The order paved the way for Democratic gubernatorial nominee Byron Mallott to join campaigns with independent gubernatorial candidate Bill Walker and run as Walker’s lieutenant governor after their lieutenant governor candidates withdrew from their races. The state maintained that Alaska statutes are silent on how to fill vacancies left by the withdrawal of a no-party candidate. The state argued that invalidating the order would derail the November election and disenfranchise voters, saying more than 2,400 overseas ballots have already been mailed out. Strait, an Alaska Republican Party district chair who filed the lawsuit Sept. 17, said he decided not to appeal for two reasons. One is the sheer expense of taking the case to the next level. The other is that Oct. 9 would be the earliest the high court could schedule oral arguments. That was too close to the Nov. 4 election, Strait said.
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Photo by Kelly Sullivan/ Peninsula Clarion
Becca Satathite practices intravenous injections on classmate Jessica Roper Monday at Kenai Peninsula College.
A shot in the arm
KPC’s EMS program continues to grow Assistant Professor of Paramedic Technology Paul Perry said. “If they practice on each other it makes them much better Straight-faced, Luke Michael casually clinicians. It teaches them to be a little bit congratulated Darren Finley on success- gentler. By the end of the program they will fully inserting an intravenous catheter into have practiced at least 250 injections.” his forearm as blood poured from his vein. Finley mumbled a “thank you” and then The setup began to self-critique his first attempt. Michael and Finley are Kenai PeninsuThis fall, nine students are in the 10th la College Paramedic Program students, class to go through KPC’s Emergency who practiced intramuscular, intravenous Medical Services program since its conand subcutaneous injections for the first ception 10 years ago, said Perry. By the time on willing and able patients — their end of the program, they will join 73 classmates. alumni who have graduated the nation“A few have passed out over the years,” ally accredited program, he said. By KELLY SULLIVAN Peninsula Clarion
KPC’s program has a 91 percent graduation rate, while the national average is 64 percent, Perry said. Upon completing the required capstone internship, which is usually done out of state, virtually all walk away with job offers, he said. A college program that offers an associate degree in Paramedic Technology is almost unheard of. It makes them more marketable than if they had gone through a certificate program, and it ensures his graduates are “top shelf.” If a student’s academic standing drops below an 80 percent average they are dropped from the program and have to See GROW, page A-6
JUNEAU — Republican Gov. Sean Parnell clashed with his major rival, independent Bill Walker, on state spending and a gas-line project during a debate in Juneau on Monday. Parnell also sniped at Walker teaming up with Byron Mallott, who abandoned his Democratic bid for governor to be Walker’s running mate in order to create a ticket deemed to be more competitive with Parnell. Parnell said voters were disenfranchised by the partnership, which followed the August primary and resulted in the candidates’ initial running mates stepping aside. A judge has upheld the pairing. Walker, who lost the GOP primary to Parnell in 2010, said he wants a nonpartisan administration and to have a true team effort, with Mallott as a senior adviser. Parnell, whose running mate is Anchorage Mayor Dan Sullivan, said there can’t be co-governors. “The issue is not trying to be co-equal and make everybody happy,” Parnell said. The bipartisan coalition that governed the Senate for the first 3½ years of Parnell’s tenure “spent their way past their differences,” he said. The lieutenant governor can play an influential role, but the constitution says the buck stops with the governor, Parnell said. See DEBATE, page A-2
Candidates vie for Kenai council seats Holly Spann
Stories by DAN BALMER Peninsula Clarion
Mike Boyle At the end of his third term on the Kenai City Council, Mike Boyle still has a vision for responsible development of Kenai. Boyle, a 25-year Kenai resident, is one of four candidates running for two vacant council seats in the Oct. 7 election. He said he has made it a priority to keep the interests of the citizens in mind, despite spending a majority of his time on the council as a minority voter. When the 2013 Kenai Comprehensive Plan failed in a referendum by a 5 to 2 ratio, Boyle was one of the two council members who voted against the plan before it went to the ballot. In 2009 when the city council battled for months over rezoning 14 parcels on the Kenai Spur Highway, Boyle was in the minority against the rezone. The proposition to repeal the council’s decision passed. “It has been a struggle my whole time (on city council) turning both sides of the highway out of town commercial,” he said. “We heard from a real strong group of people that want neighborhoods to be a sacred place. They don’t want encroachment of commercial developments in their neighborhoods.” He said he was against the comprehensive plan because it favored developmental sprawl, instead of the development of a city center. The plan was flawed and ignored the voice of the people, he said. “The amazing thing to me was 42 See BOYLE, page A-6
What Kenai resident Holly Spann may lack in political experience, she says she makes up in passion for in community involvement. Spann, 30, a mother of four, also brings a unique perspective lacking on the Kenai City Council. She is looking Photo by Rashah McChesney/Peninsula Clarion to become the first female Kenai city Mike Boyle, Henry Knackstedt, Tim Navarre and Holly Spann are running for seats council member since Linda Swarner last served six years ago. on the Kenai City Council. “I’ve had a desire in politics and get more involved in community for a Henry Knackstedt Tim Navarre while,” Spann said. “I absolutely love As a life-long Kenai resident, HenTim Navarre’s record of public serpeople and believe in giving back. I ry Knackstedt has been involved in the vice on the Kenai City Council goes figured why not run now and see this community from the air and on the back long before he was first elected as my opportunity to do so.” ground. in 2011. Spann has served on the Kenai Knackstedt, 53, has been a licensed In his senior year of high school in Beautification Committee for two pilot for 36 years with 25 years of 1972, Navarre served as the student years and was recently named viceservice in the Kenai Civil Air Patrol representative, a position then called chair. She said she thoroughly enjoys as command pilot. For the last 20 junior city councilman. At the time, her role in landscaping and planting years he has served on the Kenai Aircity hall was in Old Town Kenai on flowers throughout the city. port Commission and is currently the Peninsula Avenue in the Civic League Spann helped plant the field of chairman. building next to the old Kenai Powildflowers on Lawton Drive that have On the ground, Knackstedt works lice and Fire Department, which was received a lot of praise from locals and for the Kenai Peninsula Borough as a housed in the Kenai Fine Arts Center. visitors to the city. The committee also road engineer. For the last four years, Navarre said the biggest issue facworks to decorate the city with Christhe has served on the Kenai Planning ing the city in 1972 was having enough mas lights in December and flags for and Zoning Commission. places and activity centers for kids. Independence Day in July. Knackstedt said is decided to run “They really wanted to hear from “It is great to see the things we do for Kenai City Council because he beyoung people and make sure they had and the ideas we have put into action lieves he has a varied experience that a voice,” he said. “It’s a perspective and see how beautiful our city is,” would benefit the city that is undergoyou can’t ignore. If you do you’re not Spann said. “Mayor (Pat) Porter has ing a period of growth. being very open.” great ideas and vision on how to beau“I think I work well with citizens More than 40 years later, Navarre, tify the city.” and I try to do that as a commission 59, is running for re-election for one Spann is running for one of two member and in my personal life,” he of two available at-large seats. The vacant city council seats, along with said. “I classify myself as a leader not other candidates include incumbent incumbents Mike Boyle and Tim Naa follower. I like to get a consensus Mike Boyle, Henry Knackstedt and varre, and candidate Henry Knackstand gather the best information and Holly Spann. edt. Election day is October 7. Spann present it.” Navarre said his parents always said she respects the experience her Knackstedt was recently elected instilled the importance of public serthree challengers bring to the position, See KNACKSTEDT, page A-6 C
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See NAVARRE, page A-3
See SPANN, page A-3