Opinions

Politics got you down? Don't worry: Alaska Legislature can't kill summer

It's just "a walk in the park." That oft-used phrase conjures up peaceful feelings in the brain. As an Alaskan, when I think of a walk in the park, I think about being in wilderness, shut away from the world, with just me and my thoughts and a pack on my back, the sounds of Alaska in my ear. Just the thought of it makes my soul happy. It's one of the reasons I love Alaska and one of the reasons why summer is so great.

But right now, in the Municipality of Anchorage, the drama of winter still disrupts the flow. What should be happy, mellow summery vibes rolling through downtown are instead those of legislative discontent that belong to Juneau's Januarys.

It's not uncommon that legislators cannot come together to accomplish their tasks. This is the norm. Alaska hasn't been blessed with many legislators like Andrew Halcro, Ethan Berkowitz or Arliss Sturgulewski. We get stuck with partisan poll-watchers who often glance up at higher office -- and who are not too shy to mention that to reporters.

But it doesn't usually go this far, and it never bleeds into my city.

So here we are. The heat index, calendar and sweat on my forehead all tell me it's June, however, the Legislature so far has failed to complete its sole constitutional requirement. Why is that?

There is an interesting mix of grandstanders, game-players and those aiming for higher office in the leadership of both parties of the Legislature, and it is disgusting. A disappointment. I want to call every single one of those people out by name and make them publicly explain to Alaskans and to all of the state employees who are about to receive a layoff notice in the mail because of political shenanigans outside their control.

When lawmakers do this, there should be giant poster-board photos of these "leaders" in the background laughing and joking during this special session, while families wait eagerly to learn their fates.

ADVERTISEMENT

This is what I want to do, but I don't have the energy for it anymore. I'm drained. It's June. Walks in the park are tempting me. Do the leaders of the two parties in the Alaska Legislature really want to be sitting in their Anchorage crystal palace when it's in the 70s and beautiful outside? Is this how they want to spend the few summer days we get in Alaska? They might see a flock of ducks, convocation of eagles or a prickle of porcupines.

I'd much rather strap on the backpack, fill up the water bottles and head out for a walk in the park -- any of Alaska's parks, urban and rural -- than keep watching the inaction.

You might be surprised how many urban parks Anchorage really has, and to help you find and explore them, the Anchorage Park Foundation has created a smartphone app. You can get your electronic passport "stamped" the first time you go to each of Anchorage's many parks. It's a fun way to find the different parks in our city.

You can also take a drive out to Kincaid Park and discover how easy it is to feel like you're out of town, in town. There are plenty of in-town trails for the day hiker or late afternoon hiker to experience nature with limited time. As an East-sider, one of my favorite places is Far North Bicentennial Park, which has a tremendous trail system and is right in the heart of Anchorage. I spend many summer afternoons walking through those trails.

If the legislative session, special session and extra special session, and whatever else they're calling the place they are now, start to wear on you, and anger at the evening news starts to bite at you, take some time, a deep breath and get lost in nature. Whether you head out of town for a overnight backpacking trip, wander around some trails in town or stamp your park foundation passport, you will thank yourself for taking a chance to enjoy summer.

Our legislators would be well advised to do the same.

Mike Dingman is a fifth-generation Alaskan born and raised in Anchorage. He is a former UAA student body president and has worked, studied and volunteered in Alaska politics since the late '90s. Email him at michaeldingman(at)gmail.com.

The views expressed here are the writer's own and are not necessarily endorsed by Alaska Dispatch News, which welcomes a broad range of viewpoints. To submit a piece for consideration, email commentary(at)alaskadispatch.com.

Mike Dingman

Mike Dingman is a fifth-generation Alaskan born and raised in Anchorage. He is a former UAA student body president and has worked, studied and volunteered in Alaska politics since the late '90s.

ADVERTISEMENT