Enter Matt Claman, Acting Mayor or Worm Maker?
Yesterday in a conference room in City Hall on the 50th Anniversary of Alaska’s Statehood, Mayor Mark Begich handed over the reins of the city to the Chair of the Anchorage Assembly, Matt Claman, who is now “Acting Mayor” until July of this year.
Claman is a decent guy, and a concensus builder whose heart is in the right place. I like his values. I like him personally. Is he the best person for the job of mayor? Maybe, maybe not. Is he going to be running for the position come election time? Maybe, maybe not. In April, the city will officially elect a new mayor, and Claman has yet to decide whether he will throw his hat in the ring.
My two cents, (which, granted, nobody has asked for) are that he should not, and here’s why.
I cannot begin to explain the agonizing torment that the recently deposed conservative Anchorage Assembly inflicted. I sat through untold numbers of Assembly meetings where Chair Dan Coffey would whisper behind his yellow notepad to fellow Assembly member Debbie Ossiander, who would giggle and roll her eyes. This would happen repeatedly while those who had given up their Tuesday night to come speak their peace for three minutes in front of the Assembly, were rudely and completely ignored. There were eyerolls, and snarkiness, and the whole lot of them – Dan Coffey, Paul Bauer, Dan Sullivan, Chris Birch, and the rest of the crew, behaved like a crowd of bullies, belittling the more liberal Assembly members, and wielding their majority vote like a big fat club. There was hardly a reason to attend sometimes because minds were made up, the gang held together, and did whatever they had already decided to do ahead of time. And they definitley weren’t gracious winners. No “team of rivals” here. Just rivals.
Then, as suddenly as a gentle spring breeze, as warm as the sun coming out from behind a cloud, last year, by the skin of Anchorage’s collective teeth, the progressives gained a majority in the Assembly. Enter new Assembly members Mike Guttierez, Elvi Gray-Jackson, Harriet Drummond, Patrick Flynn, and enter a level of civility and respect that the Assembly chambers had not seen in a long time. The people of Anchorage had spoken, and they were tired of business as usual. There was lots of sulking and pouting from Coffey & crew, and not a drop of sympathy from me. I needed a Coffey break.
So, where are we today? Imagine if you will a giant see-saw. One one side of the see-saw are the following conservative Assembly members:
Chris Birch, Jennifer Johnston, Bill Starr, Dan Coffey, and Debbie Ossiander.
And on the other side:
Sheila Selkregg, Matt Claman, Harriet Drummond, Mike Gutierrez, Elvi Gray-Jackson and Patrick Flynn.
Quick math reveals that the progressive side of the see-saw has one more person than the conservative side. Just one.
So what happens when one member on the progressive side hops off? You may say that the see-saw will balance. But ultimately the Anchorage Assembly see-saw must have eleven people sitting on it. So when the one who hops off gets replaced, there are no guarantees which way it will go. Will we continue to have a constructive progressive Assembly, or will the see-saw tip the other way and leave us all sitting there on Tuesday nights wishing we were doing something fun, like chewing on broken glass?
So, Matt Claman. Good guy. Don’t want him to run for mayor.
Sheila Selkregg. Also on the correct side of the Anchorage see-saw. Great woman. Capable, competent, visionary. LOVE her. We could even have a Dr. Mayor. (She holds a ph.D.) Don’t want her to run for mayor.
Sheila, though, has already decided to run. She decided a while ago, and has already hosted several fundraisers, and has gotten some political movers and shakers behind her campaign. Makes me really nervous.
The field also includes:
The very competent and motivated ex-legislator, Democrat Eric Croft. Another good guy. I’d be pleased to have him as my mayor, and he isn’t currently holding office, so no net loss.
The suddenly very famous, also competent, ethics champion and ex-Commissioner of Public Safety Walt Monegan. Also not holding office. Also a good guy. I’d be pleased to have him as my mayor.
Paul Honeman. I’ll confess I don’t know much about him, but those I respect report good things.
and finally, …..
[Oooo. Excuse me for a moment...I just felt a cold breeze. (checks to see if windows and doors are securely closed) That's strange. I can suddenly see my breath, turning to steam. The hair is standing up on my arms... And what's that oozing out of the walls????]
Dan Sullivan.
Those who know me well know that I am not generally a name-caller. I generally find it unhelpful in the grand scheme of things, and it cheapens your argument. But I will tell you, in the interest of full disclosure that I rarely, in my real waking life, ever say his name without inserting the moniker “the worm” in between Dan and Sullivan. So, I may from time to time, between now and the election, refer to him here as Dan “the worm” Sullivan. It will probably be just out of force of habit. That’s my story anyway, and I’m sticking with it.
Dan Sullivan is too conservative for even many conservatives here in Anchorage. And Dan Sullivan is responsible for many engaged citizens who are ANYwhere left of extreme right, losing considerable amounts of sleep, or waking up in a cold sweat. The nightmare? That the mayoral vote will be sliced up in lots of very small pieces on the progressive side, with one big honking conservative slice on the other side. This scenario would assure us a worm Mayor, and I don’t want one.
So, Matt. You are young. You are smart and resourceful. You have time, and gifts to offer. Do a bang-up job as acting mayor, learn all you can, make connections, return to the Assembly, do good work, and doors will open for you. Don’t be the one who slices up that pie one more time. Don’t be the “Worm Maker”.
perfectly written again. a truth in story form.
thanks, akm
Wow new year, renewed energies, stories aflight!
Thankyou and Good Luck!
Publish this in the ADN.
I’m sick of the “Party of Mean”.
I’m guessing that advise applies to all the more progressive councilmen..
- divided we fail.
Okay AKM I am a little confused, it was so hard to discern your meaning from the post. Are you saying you DON’T like Dan Sullivan?
LOL! By the way I LOVE the headline! Very eye catching. I had to race right over here to see what a “worm maker” was. And now I am all edjumicated. Thanks.
McCain/Palin Camp: Levi’s Mom
Trooper, union say politics delayed Johnston drug case
Apparently the gopers wanted to make sure the kiddies buying were getting their fixes so to keep the publicity and blowback from happening, as we know it didn’t work anyway!!
OMG, how fortunate ethical progressive liberal citizens are having you as the interested blogger writing about Alaska.
Kudos, kudos, kudos….and….keep posting.
Wish NY had someone like you.
Yes, yes, we have Frank Rich at the NYT but he only writes for the Sunday paper….
Now who among the amazing commenters will find the one or two illogical statements that prove the union is lying about not serving the supoena before the election….the election that gave us Obama….lets out a deep sigh that the repugs dirty tricks did not give this country to….holds back the choking starting deep in my body.
An aside….is it possible to add a spell check….
I see from the ADN that the original TV show, “Palin’s Place,” has been expanded into a soap opera …. now that they’re alleging misconduct in the drug investigation. And we all thought we’d be bored after the election!
I so agree with you and also suffered thru many a nasty Assembly meetings with DC and crew. Anna Far~~~ was part of this clan too; I was glad she left for JNO. Thanks for a great read everyday!
BTW, is Dan “The Worm” Sullivan related to the (deceased) Harvey “The Lower than a Worm” Sullivan (son of former Anchorage mayor Whatziz name Sullivan)?
Getting a politician to swallow ambition is difficult – getting one to take one for the team is well nigh impossible.
Do they have real worms in AK.??
There are actually real live worms that live in glaciers. Ice worms.
Regina Wilson: “OMG, how fortunate ethical progressive liberal citizens are having you as the interested blogger writing about Alaska.”
Must say, we really are fortunate….AKM, you have educated me bigtime about the goings on in this town; though I have intuitively sensed some of it, the facts you unearth and your style of writing add up to some great teachings for those with ears to hear. It is to your credit that I am (much) smarter about things politic (and polemic) since late August.
Thank you immensely.
M
OT – Just saw where Gov. Richardson has resigned as Obama’s pick for Commerce Secretary, citing conflict of interest with a company he is part of that a grand jury is investigating. Good thing he wasn’t elected!
OT: but ongoning favoritism Barbie style, ADN has a article about how the drug bust of Sherry, (timing) was influenced by politics.
http://www.adn.com/front/story/641997.html
But something very…well Wormy is showing up at ADN….if you click, most recommended posts, they are ones usually “critical” of Barbie… “This comment has been hidden and is pending site review. Click here if you wish to view.” Didn’t we just read how Barbie contacted the ADN b/c she was unhappy how they reported the AP “dropout” story re: Levi and Bristol. Is she trying to influence free speech also? Just sayin’ weird…
Philip Munger is reporting this also, as he is having ongoing problems with ADN….????
This is the work of an organized effort by “Team Sarah”. Don’t ask me how I know. Find it through Google if you feel compelled to check it out. I don’t want to link from here.
AKM
I have a lot of sympathy for Matt Claman after his colleagues wanted him removed him from his position in case he got some “unfair” mayoral experience for a few weeks. What rubbish!
It is not unreasonable to want the interim mayor
to Not be seeking the mayor’s seat.
I hope he stays with the council too.
Those meetings are 250 miles away from me, thanks for
sitting thru them and paying attention. .
AustinTX, I live in Anchorage and have monster earthworms in my compost bin. I don’t know how they survive our winters, but every spring they’re back like clockwork.
“This is the work of an organized effort by “Team Sarah”. Don’t ask me how I know. Find it through Google if you feel compelled to check it out. I don’t want to link from here.
AKM”
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My God, I did. That is scary. Who are these women? They’re like Stepford wives for Palin. I hope they’re tireless, because putting out Sarah’s fires is going to be debilitatingly endless, thank God.
OMGawd! Team Sarah….That is so frightening. 63,000 members?? Will have to mine this site some more. Some serious money/power is behind this. As an independent, working class, feminist, community organizer, mother and wife, I am offended on sooo many levels. And scared, too. For my daughter.
OMG, went to, ahem, team sarah, and read their poison.
Group founded by Jeri and Fred Thompson…well, he does have money.
And they are defaming Susan B. Anthony, claiming that she supported the rights of the unborn.
It’s obvious all these fundy convervo repugs know only how to LIE.
Aghhhh….
Doe, a young
Team Sarah – the Handmaidens of the Lord. Stepford Wives would be an improvement over those women.
kittenstcyr (15:41:34) :
It is not unreasonable to want the interim mayor
to Not be seeking the mayor’s seat.
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There are no rules preventing the actual mayor from nominating for re-election. Nobody asks the mayor to step down. Nobody whines about his “unfair” experience.
I think it’s completely unreasonable to ask Matt Claman to step down for the few weeks of the campaign – or not nominate. He wasn’t voted into his position on the condition that he never nominate for mayor.
I am usually a very creative and effective googler, but wasn’t able to find what you all have. Can anyone give me the terms you used in your search?
I realize that to get “inside” I have to probably use the “cached content” button, but still, I’m feeling quite disappointed in myself…
Blue_in_AK(16:10:36) :
AustinTX, I live in Anchorage and have monster earthworms in my compost bin. I don’t know how they survive our winters, but every spring they’re back like clockwork.
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Could be that the worms like living in a nice, warm compost heap. Composting generates quite a lot of heat, it turns out. And they can always go live beneath the permafrost…
Teamsarah & Michele malkin all require you to BE registared to read their blogs and forums and post!!!!!
Wonder why???? And they all write “oh everyone’s scared of Sarah” b/c ……????
and in reality b/c they are and her too fricken unreal and “out there” politically and Mentality!!!! There a bunch of wingnut crack pots!!!! That’s why all her “gates” need to NOT BE IGNORED by any Alaskan or US citizen of the US.
Hey everyone google teamsarah or go to Faux news then google but don’t go from this site to theirs, b/c that’s how trolls, like “notalib” get here.
FYI….
OMG – Team Sarah almost made me throw up.
Gave me a very scary thought too – God forbid it never happens again – but I can just picture SP telling these 63,000+ to ‘drink this kool-aid’.
Another Jonestown ?
I will NEVER go back to the Team Sarah site again – I will have nightmares.
crystalwolf a.k.a. caligrlNo Gravatar (19:12:13) :
Hey everyone google teamsarah or go to Faux news then google but don’t go from this site to theirs, b/c that’s how trolls, like “notalib” get here.
FYI….
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Tell me how that works, please. I always open a new tab to do my searches. Is that OK?
Lance the Boil aka Crust ScrambleNo Gravatar: Your using firefox? I think if you open a new tab its ok, just as long as you don’t go directly(search) from this blog to them!!!
AKM, is that right?
With Firefox, that’s right. Just open any site from your Most Visited or Favorites in a New tab, and type your search in the Google box at top right of the page.
crystalwolf a.k.a. caligrlNo Gravatar (19:31:25) :
Lance the Boil aka Crust ScrambleNo Gravatar: Your using firefox? I think if you open a new tab its ok, just as long as you don’t go directly(search) from this blog to them!!!
AKM, is that right?
————
Yes, firefox. Heaven forbid that I would lead a troll to my Alaska home away from home. I’ve been hanging out here so long, I feel like a resident.
CRFlats (17:30:24) :
OMGawd! Team Sarah….That is so frightening. 63,000 members?? Will have to mine this site some more. Some serious money/power is behind this. As an independent, working class, feminist, community organizer, mother and wife, I am offended on sooo many levels. And scared, too. For my daughter.
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You can only get so far in the site before you have to register; what’s with the rant on “90 radicals” who are attacking their site? I then went to the Susan B. Anthony List site- their main, perhaps only, focus is anti-abortion. (I refuse to call them pro-life.) I wanted to comment on the incorrectness of the use of Susan B. Anthony’s name- she was against the Catholic Church teachings and pro-womens rights- but I couldn’t do it without registering. Bummer.
Lance the Boil:
I use Firefox, but I Google sites that I don’t want to trace my previous paths…I think that prevents trolls following me home- I don’t even use a new tab or put them in my Most Visited.
CO almost native (19:55:50) :
Thank you. I Google and use Mozilla’s Key Scrambler. OK. I’m feeling better now. I don’t feel like I need to be looking over my shoulder for a tail (what a nightmare that would be to look back and see Team Sarah gaining on me, like those verizon people – eeek).
Wow. AKM, Team Sarah requires a post all of its own. There is some scary stuff going on there!
I went just so far–there is NO WAY I’m giving them my real email address–so let’s see if “overmydeadbody” will be approved as a member! I hope so!
Keep up the great work!
I find it hard to believe teamscarah has 63k members! Alot of those idiots probably register 10 times or register their relatives and stuff without them knowing. I can’t believe there are THAT many IDIOTS around! Barbie has her own cult! Hide the kool-aid. Pretty soon they will want their own preggers teen age daughter and DS baby! Scary people, really scary, Cultlike idiot people.
OK, so I signed up at Team Sarah under a new hotmail account and name. I am pending approval by the Administrator. Questions asked in the sign up processes: Do you love Sarah Palin? What do you like best? How did you hear about Team Sarah?
Personally, I believe I emulated her very well. Everything I wrote was a lie.
I’ll report back, if I’m accepted.
I really can’t believe this.
CRFlats:Do you love Sarah Palin?
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LOVE HER????? WTH?????? OMG! You must of been gagging over your keyboard.
We need to pin a “muddy” medal on you for that braveness on your part!
It was just like sneaking the Muddy ornament onto the tree in Anchorage, ugh, slightly “wormier”
You are hereby awarded the Mudflats medal of courage!
CR
wow You are brave to sign up and I though going to the rallies took courage but to sign up at team sarah is over the top..I guess that i would not be a very good rebel. yes, and you deserve the medal.
What??
You people do not love Sarah Palin? Not loving Sarah Palin is like… not liking your morning coffee or your daily dose of absurd humor.
Plus, just how many of those 63,000 “members” are Alaskan residents? The number has the same meaning as a sock in a teenage boy’s pants; they are just trying to impress people with a false figure.
btw – does anyone truly believe Sarah Palin attributes her political success to God? She simply mouths what she thinks people will latch onto. Her “I am a true believer” claim is rubbish. Pure, unadulterated rubbish. She is where she is by virtue of following the same path as the Blago’s of this world: ego, worminess and a bra-full of lies.
Best of luck to your progressive candidates.
My usual “junk” e-mail account is — at godisdead.com. Do you think Team Sarah would notice if I used that one?
the problem child (a jerk, also)No Gravatar (06:32:17) :
My usual “junk” e-mail account is — at godisdead.com. Do you think Team Sarah would notice if I used that one?
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Hmmmm? They might possibility overlook it, that is if you answered the “Do you {gag} Love Sarah”, question properly…UGH!!!!!
Rolling eyes and incivility, shocking. I still remember attending Assembly meetings to the tune of Tom Fink’s gentle snoring. His blithe disdain of the democratic process at least expressed itself in soothing noises rather than the more pathetic snappiness of recent pols.
After reading about some of your ‘elected’ politicos, I can only think that, collectively, they appear to have the IQ of a Yorkshire Pudding. What a pathetic bunch of immature people.