Whitehorse Daily Star from Whitehorse, Yukon, Canada • 7

The Whitehorse STAR Wednesday December 3 2014 North Walker knows tough days are ahead Walker who supported this failed effort to repeal the tax cut has said he plan to offer changes to the tax structure this session But he plans to monitor whether the tax is having the desired effect of more oil in the pipeline and increased industry investment While he has raised concerns with Alaska's position in the gas project namely that Alaska in the dnver's seat Walker also has said he is not interested in starting over nor in slowing down efforts to make a gas line a reality Kara Moriarty executive director of the Alaska Oil and Gas Association want delays either She said optimistic but her group also is interested in who will comprise gas line team One of his first announced cabinet picks was for Mark Myers a former director of the Division of Oil and Gas to replace Joe Balash as Natural Resources commissioner Balash has been a prominent figure in gas line talks non-consecutive terms Hickel mentor served his first term as a Republican and his second as a member of the Alaskan Independence Party Walker who finished behind Parnell in the 20 1 0 GOP gubernatorial primary ran this time as an independent saying it was time to put politics aside for the betterment of the state The campaign picked up momentum when faced with the potential of splitting the opposition vote with the Democratic candidate Byron Mallott Walker and Mallott who often found themselves at debates or forums without Parnell agreeing on many issues banded together to create a ticket As part of the package Mallott abandoned his gubernatorial ambitions to become running mate and Walker changed his voter registration from Republican to undeclared No deals were cut with Democrats and there can only be one governor Walker said However he has made clear his intent to reach out to Mallott as part of his decision-making process Kay Brown executive director of the state Democratic Party said she hopes to see a coalition-type government where different points of view are represented government should strive to be inclusive and to listen carefully to all points of view and make decisions that reflect best for people as a whole society as a she said The last time Walker served in political office as the youngest mayor of Valdez during the hectic early days of the trans-Alaska pipeline Jimmy Carter was in the White House Now 63 Walker who was bom and raised in Alaska built a law career focused on oil and gas and municipal government issues He is perhaps best known for his efforts to advance an all-Alaska gas line which runs from the North Slope to tidewater Longtime friend Merrick Peirce called Walker a family man who is warm hard-working and genuine has never said anything pri vately that was not consistent with what he has said Peirce who worked with Walker through the Alaska Gasline Port Authority said by email It was frustration with lack of state progress on a gas line that helped spur his return to politics in 2010 During this last campaign while the gas line remained a major topic Walker sought to show he a one-issue candidate He made expanding Medicaid coverage under the federal health care law a priority something Parnell resisted despite broad-based support citing cost concerns Walker said the state needs a fiscal plan and needs to take greater control of its destiny as an not giving in to the whims of industry Industry groups that supported the rollback of oil production taxes championed by Parnell and his efforts to advance a liquefied natural gas project are anxious to see how the incoming administration will govern By BECKY BOHRER The Associated Press JUNEAU (AP)-Bill Walker came into the office Monday faced with high expectations for a renewed spirt of bipartisanship in Alaska politics and the grim reality of plunging oil prices and gaping budget holes Walker knows the months ahead will not be easy but he said it change his feelings about the job which he won last month on his second try against Republican incumbent Sean Parnell He is excited for the opportunity "What people were telling us throughout the campaign was they wanted change and they were tired of the Walker said think what we offered was an opportunity of working On Monday Walker was sworn in as the 1 1th governor of Alaska and its first not affiliated with a political party Two governors Bill Egan and Wally Hickeleach served separate Community council head receives award The Congress of Aboriginal Peo- plesbas honoured Todd Russell pres- ident of the NunatuKavut Community Council the prestigious Aboriginal Troopers probe shooting suspicious fire Congress all of our achievements and successes have been realized as a result of the commitment dedication perseverance and tenacity of members of our community and friends throughout the Congress said The outstanding' contributions of dedicated people in many fields giv6 meaning to the CAP slogan: National voice for the Forgotten People Several years ago the Congress initiated the Congress of Aboriginal Aboriginal Order of Canada Award to recognize awarded persons at a CAP annual general assembly At this assembly the award was presented to Russell for his longtime contributions to the Congress am very proud of Todd and pleased to have been a part of his journey and to continue to be witness to his amazing efforts and dedication to the Southern Inuit of Labrador and to all off-reserve Aboriginal Peoples in said national chief Betty Ann Lavallee Russell sits on the Congress board and helps to steer the political direction and goals of the organization to better serve the constituency Are You Between the Ages of 55-65? Since 1971 the Congress formerly known as the Native Council of Canada has been the national representative organization and the national voice for the constituency and their affiliate organizations making up the family of advocates for the off-reserve Non-Status and Status Indians Southern Inuit of Labrador and Metis Peoples living in urban rural remote and isolated areas throughout Canada Today over 75 per cent of the aboriginal residents of Canada live off-reserve or a new Order of Canada award at the banquet of its annual general assembly earlier this fall the history of the response vehicle Troopers searched a cabin where they thought the neighbour might be hiding but found nothing At about 5:30 am last Sunday troopers took a report that the cabin thfey had searched was on fire The Ester Volunteer Fire Department put out the fire but the cabin was destroyed The cause is under investigation and is considered suspicious No one was inside to be investigated commission last Wednesday rejected her objection to a subpoena That gives the agency the authority to continue the investigation to determine whether money that was spent would trigger reporting requirements Greene says the order should be worrisome to those who take a stand on any issue legal name is Charlene Egbe During a live newscast she revealed herself to be the owner of a medical marijuana business on murder charge and a child were present The death was reported to a village public safety officer Troopers reached the village last Saturday morning Trooper spokeswoman Beth Ipsen says investigators have not confirmed a cause of death and an autopsy was planned Online court records show Jacob is represented by the Public Defender Agency which does not routinely comment on open cases Are you looking for work career direction? FAIRBANKS (AP) Alaska State Troopers are investigating a possible weapons misconduct case and a suspicious fire in Ester the Parks Highway community just south of Fairbanks The Fairbanks Daily News-Miner reports an Ester resident last Saturday night reported a neighbour had fired a round into the home Troopers responded with their Northern Special Emergency Reaction Team which includes a tactical Alaska pot advocate ANCHORAGE (AP)-A campaign finance investigation is moving forward against an ex-Alaska television reporter who quit her job on-air and vowed to work toward legalizing marijuana The Alaska Public Offices Commission wants to know whether Charlo Greene used crowdsourcing funds to advocate for a ballot initiative to legalize recreational pot use Greene challenged the request for documents Alaska Dispatch News reports the Woman is arraigned ANCHORAGE AP) A 20-year-old southwest Alaska woman was arraigned last Sunday in Bethel Alaska on a charge of first-degree murder in the death of her uncle Kayla Jacob of Napaskiak is charged in the death of 28-year-old Mathew Beaver in the village seven miles southeast of Bethel KTUU-TV reports Jacob and Beaver were guests last Friday night in the home of a relative Several adults The Targeted Initiative for Older Workers may be able to help This free program runs 13 weeks January 19 April 17 2015 and includes a paid stipend for participants For more information please contact Cathy Borsa or George Green at 8674568601 or TIOWyukoncollegeykca jet-.