By Mona Painter
Turnagain Times
Cooper Landing Correspondent
Photo courtesy of Ben Shier/Office of the Governor
KPEDD Executive Director John Torgerson, Gov. Sean Parnell, Mayme Ohnemus, and Mona Painter on Feb. 10 with the autographed poster that will be framed to hang in CLSCCI's office. Gov. Parnell added “Best wishes to all my friends at the Cooper Landing Senior Center, Sean Parnell.” The poster is a reminder of the red truck donated Phillips Alaska several years ago.
Juneau Trip Allows For Discussions with Legislators on Local Projects
“We're baaaack!” That was the message on the pin Cooper Landing resident Mayme Ohnemus wore next to the big yellow Sexy Senior Dumpster Cleaner's Watch For Bear badge that got attention wherever we went in Juneau—inside the capitol building and on the city streets.
And back we were! In five days we met with or spoke to Gov. Sean Parnell and 29 legislators and/or members of their staffs as advocates for Cooper Landing Senior Citizen Corp. Inc.'s garage/workshop, which was chosen number one priority for a state capital improvement project from our area and for Camp Fire USA's Camp Kushtaka's capital project for site work and utilities.
It was easy for us to speak on behalf of both projects since each non-profit works hard to find or earn additional funding, each provides facilities and experiences, which enhance the lives of children (Camp Fire) and seniors (CLSCCI), and we are neighbors on Snug Harbor Road. Another good point is that funding for each project will come about in different ways so there isn't direct competition.
Our old friend, Kenai Peninsula Economic Development Districts Executive Director John Torgerson, was also in Juneau for the week, and we ran into each other often. John is no stranger to Juneau after eight years as a senator and frequent business trips. Walking with him from the hotel to the capitol is always a “meet and greet” situation several times on each block.
Jim and Marcia Turnbull from Haines, also old friends, were in town for a couple days, and I had the privilege of taking Jim into the capitol for the first time and escorting him to quick visits with Haines legislators Sen. Albert Kookesh and Rep. Bill Thomas Jr. Though the 90-day session makes for busy and long days, “I will always make time to meet with constituents if only for a few minutes;” Sen. Hollis French told me while we were visiting at the airport.
Mayme and I visited our Sen. Gary Stevens and his staff several times. Rep. Paul Seaton's office was a place to leave items to be picked up later and his staff is very helpful. We give special thanks to Katie, Louie, and Mary Jane.
John Torgerson suggested I talk to the photographer who took pictures in Gov. Parnell's office during our visit when I mentioned wishing I could have one of the photos for this column. We found Ben Shier in Lt. Gov. Craig Campbell's office. He hadn't had time to download the pictures, but when I told him what I wanted he quickly made a CD for us.
We especially enjoyed visiting with Darwin Peterson, a local fellow who went to school with our sons and is now Finance Aide for Sen. Bert Stedman. Heavy stuff, but Darwin carries it well.
I have to mention Rep. Mark Neuman who left me speechless for a couple minutes as I was launching into a personal plug for House Bill 179 regarding expanding the Kenai River Special Management Area. He has a unique way of making people slow down and take a breath. We saw him several times and learned about his legislation, passed a couple years ago, regarding vocational education programs and tax credits. Sounds like a good idea.
Cooper Landing Seniors Serving Dinner and Estate Planning
Cooper Landing Senior Citizens Corp. Inc. is sponsoring a fund raising rib dinner from appetizers to dessert by Chef Arden Rankin on Sat. Feb. 20 at 6 p.m. at the community hall. Adults pay $17. Call the CLSCCI office at 595-3000 or find a ticket selling senior soon.
Come to the Estate Planning Workshop on Feb. 25, 6-8 p.m. at Helen Gwin Commons at Eagles View Senior Housing. Attorney Richard Foley will talk about wills, trusts, probate, estate taxes, protection of assets, and much more. Richard visits Cooper Landing often. His mother-in-law, Jane Behlke, is one of the Sexy Senior Dumpster Cleaners when she's in town.
School Kids Learn to Fly
News from Cooper Landing School includes the kids learning to fly a Piper J-3 Cub with a virtual flight-training program, and preparing for academic and P.E. competitions. February is also Battle of the Books month and C. L. kids do a good job in competing against all the other school in the district. Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly Member Sue McClure announced at the Cooper Landing Chamber of Commerce meeting Feb. 2 that our school will be a K-12 grade school next year providing enough kids are enrolled.
