U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski was in town early last month and again she went on about how much she likes Haines and how she’d like to have a cabin here some day.
We should take her up on it.
Murkowski coos over Haines every time she visits and she visits a whole lot compared to Alaska’s other U.S. senator, Dan Sullivan, or any other former members of Alaska’s Congressional delegation. Don Young showed up in here once, maybe twice, in the 30 years I worked as our town’s newspaper reporter.
Murkowski’s fondness for the Haines Brewing Co. led her to form a brewery caucus in the Senate and during her September visit she passed on apologies for not stopping at Paul Wheeler’s beer cathedral on Main Street.
Murkowski has professed her affection for our town enough that you’d think we’d pick up the hint. A start would be mailing her a packet of information about real estate in Haines, and maybe names of local contractors who could bang together a view cabin fit for a U.S. senator. Maybe include a letter from Mayor Olerud touting our attractions and quality of life.
By the nature of her job, Murkowski spends most of her time in Washington, but she needs an Alaskan address and why not Haines? After all, she grew up in Ketchikan. Her father, a former U.S. Senator and Alaska governor, spends much of his retirement in Wrangell. Her own kids are grown and out of the house.
In terms of improving our town, encouraging Murkowski would require little effort and could pay big dividends.
It’s neither unrealistic nor unethical that a Murkowski move here might pay off handsomely for Haines in terms of federal largesse. Alaska’s senior senator already likes the place and living here, even part time, would provide her intimate information about our town’s needs and challenges.
Even if she lived here only after retirement, Murkowski could be helpful advising the municipality on legislative matters. Before ascending to the U.S. Senate, she served years in the Alaska Legislature.
Encouraging Murkowski to get a place here needn’t be a partisan issue, either.
When Haines Borough Mayor Fred Shields ran for the Alaska Legislature, he had strong support of City of Haines Mayor Frank Wallace, though Shields and Wallace often didn’t see eye to eye. When a reporter asked Wallace about backing Shields, he was taken back by the question, “Shit. Fred’s from here. He’d do great things for us.”
When Bill Thomas was a big gun in the Alaska Legislature, he helped secure critical funding for Haines projects, including the Sobeloff-McRae Wellness Center, American Bald Eagle Foundation, and Southeast Alaska State Fair.
Thomas is still smarting that he didn’t get more Haines votes when he lost to Sitkan Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins, but that’s easily explained. Trying to be loved in your hometown is like trying to being famous in your own family. People who know you can only love you so much.
Murkowski, in contrast, could expect the hero’s welcome we typically bestow on politicians, rich folks and celebrities who come here that we don’t know very well at all.
Witness the adoration paid to Sarah Palin when she was last in town, before abandoning her job as governor. She was swamped by autograph-seekers. Various wealthy elites who’ve camped in Haines a year or two got the same reverential treatment. Small-town folks tend to be distrustful of strangers – unless they happen to be rolling in power or dough.
So Murkowski is unlikely to have to wait long in line at Howsers.
A Murkowski cabin here would be a win for Haines. Could someone with an impressive title please send her a welcome packet?