Daily Sitka Sentinel du lieu suivant : Sitka, Alaska • Page 1

Member of the Associated Press A I i Governor's Race Still Up in the Air Wednesday, November 9,1994 Sitka Alaska Volume 56 No. 217 500 ByROSANNEPAGANO Associated Press Writer (AP) Democrat Tony Knowles holds a razor-thin lead -01 339 votes over RepubUcan Jim Campbell today. But an undetermined number of absentee votes could determine the winner in the race. With all 468 precints counted, Knowles had 41.1 percent of the vote 1 Percent for Campbell. But ntee ballots were 601 oat and 8.UOO of those still haven't been returned.

Those could be in the mail, or simply not used. Of the 9,000 absentee ballots that have been received, an undetermined number remain to be counted. Lt. Gov. Jack Coghill, running for governor on the Alaskan Independence Party ticket, retained a steady 13 percent and Green Party of Alaska candidate Jim Sykes had 4 percent in his second bid for governor.

Ralph Winterrowd, an Anchorage 'businessman running on the Patriot Party ticket, had less than 1 percent of the vote. The Patriot Party, a nation' wide spuioff of Ross Perot supporters needed 3 percent to become a recoff- mzed party in Alaska. "Kf oing to back and forth Campbell said today, as he -watched a tally that showed him 500 votes behind one moment and 2 000 votes ahead the next Campbell was predicting a win based in part on the outcome of absentee ballots, which tend to favor Republicans. At the Knowles headquarters champagne flowed and the candidate was smiling. The only thing missing was a clear victory.

"This is not what we hoped for," said Fran Ulmer, Knowles running mate. "But we're in Alaska where you come to expect the unexpected." Democrats were forecasting a win based on votes yet to be counted from rural towns that could be swayed by the Alaska Federation of Natives endorsement for Knowles. At least one pre-Election Day poll showed Knowles coasting to a 17 5 percent win over Campbell, despite early predictions that the men who share similar politics would run a close race. A handful of veteran Democratic lawmakers were dumped as the state moved lockstep with the nation and turned to Republicans in statehouses Another factor in the gubernatorial race outcome could be the presence of ballot initiatives that dealt with victims rights, the rights of gun owners term limits and whether to move state Continued on Page 10 Ballot Issues Passed Sitka Says Knowles, Rep. Grussendorf Wv QH AMWfWJ ti A i Holiday Opener Yuske Yaza- The annual fund-raiser drew hundreds of md food (Sentin By T.A.

BADGER Associated Press Writer ANCHORAGE (AP) Some rewriting is in store for Alaska's constitution, as voters have approved amendments to give gun owners more rights and to reorder the priorities of the state criminal justice system. Alaskans also overwhelmingly passed a ballot initiative calling for congressional term limits. With 448 of 468 precincts reporting early today, a proposed constitutional amendment to extend greater protection to gun owners had amassed 72.3 percent of the vote and an amendment to make public safety the top priority in punishing criminals and to guarantee more rights to crime victims had collected 86.6 percent Term limits prevailed with 63 percent of ballots cast. Six other states Colorado, Idaho, Maine, Massachusetts, Nebraska and Nevada and the District of Columbia approved term limits Tuesday, while the concept was defeated in Utah. In all, 23 stales have passed term limits since 1992.

Alaska's measure won't go into effect until 25 states Continued on Page 10 Continued on Page 10 Capital Move Loses By Decisive Margin By T.A. BADGER SHANNON HAUGLAND Sentinel Staff Writer Sitka voters in Tuesday's general election came out strongly on the sides of three races, favoring Rep. Ben Grussendorf and U.S Rep. Don Young in the incumbents' re-election bids, and the "No" side of the capital move proposition. In the governor's race, for which no received 314 votes (10.4 percent) in Sitka.

As expected, Sitkans voted overwhelmingly against the capital move question, with 2,934 voters (94 6 percent) opposing it and 168 voting in favor. The FRANK initiative ballot question, to require voter approval of bondable costs associated with a capital move, was favored by 2,766 vot- was the leader in Sitka with 1,494 votes to 1,300 for Republican Jim Campbell and 146 for Green Party of Alaska candidate Jim Sykes. Alaskan Independence Party candidate Jack Coghill received 123 and Patriot Party candidate Ralph Winterrowd II received 17. Voter turnout in Sitka was 53 9 percent, with 3,137 of 5,815 registered, voters casting ballots. The 230 questioned ballots and unknown number of absentee ballots will be counted on Thursday in Juneau.

Absentee ballots are distributed and collected by the state. Results from 11 of the 14 precincts in District 2 show Grussendorf, a 14- year incumbent Democrat, won his eighth term in the state House of Representatives. In the 11 precincts, he had 2 891 votes (68.8 percent) to independent candidate Paul "Andy" Anderson's 1,299 (31 percent). Young, the 21-year incumbent in the U.S. House, carried Sitka with 1,609 votes (53.4 percent) to Democrat Tony Smith's 1,085 (36 percent).

Green Party candidate Joni Whitmore 7 UJ declared-Dema--- ers, percenLpf. those casting -bal- i i lots, while 2Q9 voted against it. Sitka voting followed statewide trends with the other ballot measures About 71 percent of Sitkans supported the proposed constitutional amendment, Ballot Proposition one on the nght to bear arms. The victims' rights constitutional amendment was approved by 86.8 percent of Sitka voters, and Ballot Proposition 4, on Continued on Page 10 By TA. BADGER Associated Press Writer ANCHORAGE (AP) Alaskans enjoy complaining about Juneau as host city of state government, but that dissatisfaction apparently isn't enough to warrant making a move.

Voters rejected a ballot proposal to move the capital to Wasilla by a decisive margin in Tuesday's general election. With 448 of 468 precincts counted as of early today, 53.7 percent of the vote had been cast against news not only for Juneau, but for the whole state," state Sen. Jim Duncan, D-Juneau, said of the outcome. "People finally understand where the capital is located doesn't make better government -it's who you send down." Proponents of the move maintained it would bring state government closer to where most Alaskans live, allowing them more contact with their repre sentatives during the legislative session. They said it also would save money now used for travel and moving lawmakers and their staffs back and forth from Juneau.

Opponents focused on Alaska's uncertain future, saying declining oil revenue made it unwise to consider a move now. They said Carney's group vastly exaggerated travel costs, and that the money necessary to move the capital could be better used on other projects. and all of the state's former governors came out against the capital move. Another ballot measure related to a capital move was passed by better Jan a 3-to-l majority, but it was rendered moot given the failure of the move proposal itself. The second measure would have required approval of costs to transfer the seat of government before any moving was done.

State Rep. Pat Carney, D-Wasilla and leader of the Move It Committee, said he expected the outcome to be closer than it was, and that while he still believes the capital should be moved, he has no intentions of pursuing it in the future. "I've done the best I could with I guess it's something that couldn't happen he said. Tuesday brought no joy for Carney. Along with losing on the capital move, he also was defeated in his re- Continued on Page 10 Capital Move Issue No Go far Sitkans By HEATHER MacLEAN Sentinel Staff Writer Ninety-five percent of Sitkans casting ballots Tuesday voted No on the capital move proposition, a showing of strength that bolstered the anti- move forces that prevailed 55 percent to 45 percent in the statewide vote With absentee and questioned bal- j.

Wltn absentee and questioned ba Some Demos Upset In Legislative Races BylANMADER received 759 votes maiOntV OVPT TTnrl.r i BylANMADER Associated Press Writer ANCHORAGE (AP) Several incumbent Democrats were dumped in legislative races as Alaskans matched a national trend in which Americans voted Republican. The Legislature's most senior member, Sen. Jay Kertiula, D-Palmer was upset by his Republican opponent as a wave of anti-incumbency swept over the Matanuska-Susitna Borough in Tuesday elections. Kerttula lost to businesswoman and teacher Lyda Green 6257-4970. Robert Shumaker received 759 votes.

Mat-Su voters also rejected Rep Pat Carney, D-Wasilla and sponsor of the failed capital-move initiative for Republican Vic Kohring. Rep. Ron Larson, D-Palmer and co-chairman of the Finance Committee, trailed Republican Scott Ogan in a close race. Voters in Mat-Su's northwestern House district chose Republican musher Beverly Masek of Willow for the seat vacated by the retirement of Democrat Curt Menard of Wasilla. Republicans were poised to gain up to two seats in the Senate, for a 12-8 in me senate, tor a 12-8 into Alaska? I Angry Electorate Votes for Change By MIKE FEINSILBER aeenda and trv TMnrt a majority over Democrats.

Early results in House races showed that the GOP gained four seats to reach 22. Democrats had 17 seats, and there was one independent who has aligned with Democrats in the past Senate President Rick Halford, R- Chugiak, said he was pleased with the returns, both in the state and "I think there was a reaction to the amount of government," Halford said of Republican gains in Congress and gubernatorial races. "What translated into Alaska? I don't know. I think it By MIKE FEINSILBER Associated Press Writer Republican congressional leaders and the Clinton White House struck a tenuous tone of accommodation today after the American people put the Republicans in charge of both the House and Senate for the first time since Eisenhower's day. Two years after President Clinton took office, the Democrats were tar- agenda and try to work with the Republicans.

"We're laying the groundwork for reaching out," said Leon Panetta, the White House chief of staff. Clinton will push legislative themes that already have a foundation of bipartisan support, including deficit reduction Panetta said. Adding to the Democrats' losses, YYVIW Sen. Richard Shelby of Alabama an- geled for wholesale repudiation, and nounced that he was switching to the today the president's top advisers ac- Republican Party. He was elected as a knowledged he would have to trim his Democrat in 1986.

Rep. Foley Concedes In Washington Contest FLiJS "i'r become conceded defeat loday in havc elecled Foley said new of precincts reporting, the 30-year member of Congress trailed George Nethercutt, a GOP lawyer and political newcomer, by just 2,174 votes, or 50.6 percent to 49.4 percent. More than 14,000 absentee ballots remained uncounted. "It appears to me when the votes are counted, we may fall a few votes short, so there will be a somewhat prolonged counting of the absentee ballots. But if the final result is at it Foley said he had run the best race of his career.

Even if Foley remains in office, the Republicans will control the House and the speaker's job is certain go to Newt Gingrich of Georgia. Earlier this morning, Nethercutt said he was delighted that he was the apparent winner and said of Foley: "He fought a tough, tough fight." I am changing parties to a party of hope for America, not a party of dependency," Shelby said today. The combative Newt Gingrich, a doctrinaire conservative sure to be installed as speaker in January, and Bob Dole, the incoming Senate majority leader, will share power with Clinion. They wasted no time opening the new relationship. In a four-minute phone call this morning, Dole told the president- "I wanted to let you know right up front that we want to work together where we can." Gingrich said he saw his new responsibilities as "a very serious and solemn obligation." But he still in- to enforce the strict tenets of his Reaganesque "Contract With America to reduce taxes and shrink the tederal government's role.

"There's no reason we can't sit down and have a serious discussion," with the White House about implcGovernors: Bj The Associated Press Here is a summary of die races for governor. Won Leading Holdovers Trend Current. NelChange -n, inc trend line gives thc anticipated new party division for the governors. Tt is calculated by adding uie number of races which each party has won or is leading, plus officeholders not subject to election this year. menting Republican legislative priorities, Gingrich said.

Dole saw the election as nothing less than "a vote of no confidence in the Clinton agenda." Today, though, Dole said, "We owe him some allegiance." Continued on Page 6 Senate Summary: By The Associated Press Here is a summary of thc races for the U.S. ocnale. Won Leading Holdovers Dem 14 0 34 GOP 21 0 31 Oth 0 0 0 was as much good candidates running good, individual campaigns, rather than any trend." Democratic political consultant Tom Begich said Alaskans traditionally very separate from the Lower 48 in political thinking appeared to be moving closer to the mainstream. "Pretty devastating for Democrats nationally. Not as bad here, but pretty bad," Begich said.

In another incumbent loss, Sen Suzanne Little, D-Soldotna, fell to Republican businessman John Torgerson on the Kenai Peninsula. Also losing were Rep. Joe Sitton D-Fairbanks, to Republican businessman Pete Kelley; Rep. Jim Nordlund, D-Anchorage, to Republican real estate man Norm Rokeburg; and Rep. Cliff Davidson, D-Kodiak, to Republican Alan Austerman.

One Republican incumbent was in a position to lose. Rep. Harley Olberg of Delta Junction, was trailing former Demcratic lawmaker Gene Kubina of Valdez. Rep. Lyman Hoffman, D-Bethel won a three-way race for the Senate seat vacated by Sen.

George Jacko D-Pedro Bay. He was trailed by Bryce Edgmon of DiUingham, a former Continued on Page 10 lots stili left to be counted, 2,934 Sitkans voted against Proposition 3 the capital move question, and 168 voted in favor. The proposition called Jor relocation of the state capital to Wasilla by 1997. Statewide, with all 468 precincts reporting, the measure failed 103,706 to 86,036. The heaviest support for the proposition was in Southcentral Alaska.

The capital move was initiated by Rep. Pat Carney, D-Wasilla, who lost his own race for re-election in the Tuesday voting. Carney had argued that there would be no net cost to the state from relocating the capital to a more central location. However, opponents said the costs would be enormous, and would have to come from funds needed for other services and benefits. "Anyone that's a thinker at all knows it's not going to be free," said Dan Keck, a member of the Alaska Committee, which was formed to defeat the capital move.

Keck, the former mayor of Sitka said he spoke of the capital move initiative whenever anyone allowed him to and stressed that the move would cost the state much more than Carney claimed. The voters appear to have agreed. "What I heard from most people primarily was money. They just figured the highest and best use of the state's money is not moving the capital," Keck said in an interview this morning. "The argument I used was that it was not a Juneau issue, it was a statewide issue.

What are you willing to give up to move the capital? Are you going to give up school funding? Grant programs? What is it? You're Con tin ued on Page 10 48 56 52 44 Trend Current NrtChange 0 The trend line gives the anticipated new party division for the Senate. It is calculated by adding the number of races which each party has won or is leading, plus officeholders not subject to election this year. House Summary By The Associated Press summary of the races for the Buddy the Eagle Back in Mews After Getting Taste of Freedom Dem 9 1 8 GOP 24 1 6 Oth 0 0 18 29 31 20 U.S. House. Won Leading Trend Current Dem 199 5 2(M 256 -52 GOP 226 4 230 17S Oth I 0 1 1 0 NOTE: This trend line gives the anticipated new party division in thc U.S.

House, calculated oy adding the number of races which each party 0 or is leading. The net change line gives the change in party division compared to the previous Congress. By HEATHER MacLEAN Sentinel Staff Writer Buddy the eagle, the Alaska Raptor Rehabilitation Center's most famous resident, flew the coop Tuesday morning so to speak and was on the loose for 24 hours before being recaptured. The 6-year-old male eagle, a tame bird that has traveled across the country with ARRC Administrator Dick Griffin to promote the center, broke cise session, said ARRC spokesman Kan Gabriel. "We were very worried, very worried," she said.

When eagles are exercised, Gabriel explained, they are attached by a six- foot rope leash to a leather falconer's glove worn by a trainer. There has never before been a problem with the system, but on Tuesday the clamp attaching the leash to the glove malfunctioned, allowing Buddy to fly away, trailing the rope behind. "He was out for his morning fly and the equipment came loose and off he went," said Gabriel. "Into the wild blue yonder he flew beautifully." ARRC employees kept an eye on Buddy, who stayed close to the center, "He'd go from tree to tree with the leash trailing behind him," she said. "We had him in one tree from about 11 o'clock until dark." Eagles are not active in the dark because they cannot see, Gabriel said, so Continued on Page 10.