Five simple questions for every candidate for governor

Two months ago, Gov. Mike Dunleavy refused to answer simple written questions from news organizations, claiming that he has answered every important question in the past and people can look up public statements of his online.

Dermot ColeSeptember 18, 2022 Comments

Candidate Dunleavy creates new 'Office of Food Security,’ saying it won’t cost the state an extra dime

This is 100 percent pure campaign fodder, fresh from the barnyard. It’s aimed at growing the voter supply for Dunleavy. The easiest thing in the world is for a politician to say he wants “food security” and to announce bold plans to study the matter.

Dermot ColeSeptember 16, 2022 Comments

Dunleavy ducks another debate, claiming a phony scheduling conflict

Dunleavy ducked another opportunity to discuss real issues Wednesday at the Southeast Conference. Dunleavy had a state underling claim that his participation at the ground-breaking for a solar project in Mat-Su Wednesday morning kept him from taking part in the forum Wednesday afternoon electronically.

Dermot ColeSeptember 15, 2022 Comments

Cook Inlet lease sale flops, but state plans to do it again for benefit of Dunleavy campaign

The state is going to claim that “new information” has come to light justifying another lease sale press release and burst of publicity. But there is no new information.

Dermot ColeSeptember 14, 2022 Comments

Dunleavy continues to play coy with Alaskans on state taxes

What Dunleavy won’t make clear to Alaskans is what he has made clear to extremist groups Outside—Dunleavy is among the minority of U,S. governors who have pledged to never ever raise taxes.

Dermot ColeSeptember 13, 2022 Comments

If Doyon wants a new $50 million Denali airport for 737s, the company should pay for it

The idea is eliminate the need for visitors to “burn” part of a day traveling from Fairbanks or Anchorage to Denali. And have 737-900 flights fly straight to the airport near Denali from Outside destinations. It would be a crippling long-term blow to the future of tourism in Fairbanks.

Dermot ColeSeptember 11, 2022 Comments

Haphazard planning clouds Nenana land sale, shapes up as Dunleavy campaign stunt

The October Nenana land auction schedule has been dictated by the needs of the Dunleavy campaign. It’s a rush job that does not bode well for the long-term future of the dream to get 100,000 new acres of land into agricultural production over the next 30 years.

Dermot ColeSeptember 10, 2022 Comments

Dunleavy's state-funded reelection campaign

Dunleavy and the state employees beholden to him for their daily bread protest that they are doing nothing wrong, but there has been plenty of proof to the contrary since last year.

Dermot ColeSeptember 9, 2022 Comments

Veteran state engineer quits over handling of $21 million federal airport grant by Dunleavy administration

The Alaska Energy Authority’s promotion of the Alaska Cargo and Cold Storage project, a venture at the Anchorage airport, deserves a complete and thorough public examination.

Dermot ColeSeptember 1, 2022 Comments

Peltola, who had been a long shot, wins the temporary U.S. House seat for Alaska on her 49th birthday

Former State Rep. Mary Peltola ran a positive campaign and managed to win the temporary seat in the U.S. Congress, which will help make her a strong contender for the next two-year term in the fall.

Dermot ColeAugust 31, 2022 Comments