This summer we kicked off many events all over Alaska celebrating a major milestone in our history -- the 50th anniversary of statehood. As chair of the Alaska Statehood Celebration Commission, I'm grateful for the many volunteers and partner organizations who have dedicated countless hours, both to the commission itself and to the many fun-filled family events commemorating our state's history.
That's why I was so disappointed with Dan Fagan's commentary published June 29 in the Anchorage Daily News about the book "Alaska 50: Celebrating Alaska's 50th Anniversary of Statehood." Fagan accuses me and the commission of rewriting history.
By now it is easy to dismiss Fagan with a disbelieving sigh or shake of the head as Alaskans engage in more thoughtful discussion of public issues. Respect for the truth, however, compels me to answer some of the most outrageous of his accusations.
With regard to the book's contents, neither the governor nor her staff wrote it. Stories were written by independent journalists from around the state. Neither the governor nor I saw a draft of the publication before it went to print.
Fagan tries to manufacture a rift between the governor and Sen. Ted Stevens. Such a rift does not exist. Gov. Palin and her administration recognize, respect and appreciate Sen. Stevens and his many achievements on behalf of Alaskans for more than four decades.
Sen. Stevens was legislative counsel to Interior Secretary Fred Seaton, and later solicitor of the Interior Department, during the statehood fight. He spent many days and weeks on Capitol Hill fighting for statehood. And as the book references, he was known from Alaska to Washington, D.C., as "Mr. Alaska."
To accuse the governor and the administration of intentionally manipulating the book's content to slight Sen. Stevens ignores the inconvenient truth that its production, and editorial control of its content, was contracted out to Florida-based Faircount Media Group by the former commission chair when the commission was under the Department of Commerce, Community and Economic Development.
The contract with Faircount stipulated the book would be published at no state expense, but would be funded instead through advertisers solicited by Faircount staff. Faircount also hired the writers.
The contract also made clear that the book is not an official, State of Alaska publication. A disclaimer at the beginning of the book clearly states it is not a Governor's Office or Statehood Commission publication -- another fact Fagan omitted.
Fagan wants to ascribe bias to others without recognizing he might be viewing the book through the lens of his own biases. Opinions are one thing. Half-truths, inaccuracies, innuendoes and misrepresentations are something else entirely. It is unfortunate that Fagan chose not to discuss any aspect of the Alaska Statehood Celebration Commission with me before he wrote his column.
We've just enjoyed a successful weekend packed with great events and fun activities in downtown Anchorage -- and many more will follow over the coming months across the state. Let's not allow the sniping and negativity of some to ruin what will be a fantastic time to be an Alaskan. For more information on upcoming events please log on to: www.gov.state.ak.us/ASCC.
Kris Perry, a lifelong Alaskan, is chair of the Alaska Statehood Celebration Commission. She is also the director of the governor's Anchorage office and the Governor's Office of International Trade.
By KRIS PERRY