News

Meeting brings conservation, 1966, political scene into focus

Alaska Association of Conservation Districts marked its 40th anniversary with great information and good times at its conference in Fairbanks, Oct. 19-21.

The meeting included staff and board training on Thursday, along with a visit by Diane Benson, candidate for Congress. Benson's visit and AACD's invitation to Rep. Don Young and his opposition unwittingly embroiled AACD in controversy when Young, who had agreed to speak to the group, abruptly canceled when he knew Benson was to appear the same day. The event was never billed as a political event, but rather informational give-and-take between each of the two candidates and the conference attendees. The candidates were not to appear together. Each spring and fall, AACD invites state and federal dignitaries, including Young and US Sen. Ted Stevens.

More politics were served up on Friday with a forum hosted by Dermot Cole of the Fairbanks Daily News-Miner. Again, this was not a political event, per se, but an opportunity to hear more about the gas pipeline and other issues from legislators from the Fairbanks area. Friday night's banquet featured visits by gubernatorial candidate Andrew Halcro, an independent, and Ethan Berkowitz, who is running for lieutenant governor with Tony Knowles on the Democratic ticket. Sean Parnell, Republican candidate for lieutenant governor, canceled his plans to attend, citing a conflict.

The politics brought a new dimension to the meeting and exposed each of the politicians to the goals, objectives and work of AACD and the Soil and Water Conservation Districts in Alaska. AACD is not a political organization and endorses no candidates.

Also highlighted on Friday was the alternative energy projects at Chena Hot Springs Resort. Owner Bernie Karl provided an overview and tours of the facilities.

Friday night, the calendar rolled back to 1966 and the year of the first AACD meeting, though it had a different name at that time. Tie dye, peace signs and funky glasses made the scene, along with vintage rock and roll.

It was back to business Saturday for an all-day meeting of the AACD Board of Directors.

Highlights

Chena Hot Spring Resorts' chief horticulturist explains the greenhouse procedures to Al Poindexter (clearly interested in the greenhouse's structure), Crystal Leonetti and Paul Shaw, and others.
(33 Kb)		 Bernie Karl explains the sculptures in the ice hotel to a group that includes Anchorage SWCDs' Greg Bell and Ryan Stencel.
(46 Kb)		 Blythe Brown (left), invasive plants coordinator for Kodiak SWCD, chats with Phil Kaspari, Salcha-Delta SWCD board member and long-time weed fighter, and Gino Graziano, AACD's Invasive Plants Program coordinator.
(65 Kb)		 Only three "Beatles" appeared but they did so with enthusiasm. The British Invaders are portrayed by (from left) Carolyn Weimer, Wasilla SWCD, Catherine Inman, Palmer SWCD, and Gene Schock, NRCS.
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Ethan Berkowitz, the Democrat's candidate for lieutenant governor, said Alaska agriculture should key on the security issues.
(30 Kb)		 AACD President Chris Rainwater brought spaghetti westerns to life with his portrayal of Clint Eastwood.
(35 Kb)		 Independent candidate for governor Andrew Halcro, indicated he'd done his reseach on AACD and praised resource projects done with school children.
(32 Kb)		 Jonalynn Helminiak, AACD's administrative assistant, receives her award from Kenai SWCD's Sue True.
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Friday evening's banquet was an opportunity to recognize and thank individuals for their contributions of past and present. Among those honored were Henry Gettinger, with AACD President Chris Rainwater.
(31 Kb)		 AACD President Chris Rainwater turned back the clock with his groovy '60s outfit
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(47 Kb)		 Panel moderator Dermot Cole (left), Fairbanks Daily News-Miner, shares ideas with Kenny Lake SWCD's Doug Vollman (center) and State Sen. Gene Therriault.
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Discussions on the natural gas pipeline brought politicians to the meeting on Friday. Panelists included (from right) State Sen. Gene Therriault (obscurred), Rep. John Coghill, Sen. Ralph Seekins and Fairbanks Borough Mayor Jim Whitaker. The audience includes Carolyn Weimer and John Schirack, both Wasilla SWCD.
(73 Kb)		 Never let it be said AACD conferences are dull. NRCS State Conservationist Bob Jones brings Elvis to life, much to the amusement of RC Hardy (left), Kodiak SWCD, and the rest of the amazed crowd.
(63 Kb)		 Nathan Mudd, Kodiak SWCD, and others obscurred in the mist take a dip in the famed hot springs.
(12 Kb)		 Networking is always one of the most valuable aspects of the conferences. Alaska SWCD's new Southeast coordinator Dick Coose (standing) confers with NRCS RC&D coordinator Al White.
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(60 Kb)		 Getting down to business on Saturday are board members and staff. From left, Jerry Norum, Greg Bell, George Krier, John Schirack, Jonalynn Helminiak, Eric Wade, Al Poindexter and Shirley Schollenberg.
(88 Kb)		 Invitations to Congressman Don Young and his challenger Diane Benson (right) to attend the AACD conference ended up causing controversy when Young backed out of appearing the same day as Benson. AACD President Chris Rainwater (center) answers questions from a television reporter.
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Wasilla, AK 99654-8563

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