Press Release

Rural Action Subcabinet Travels to Unalakleet, Kotzebue

September 11, 2009

Anchorage, Alaska - Attorney General Dan Sullivan, Commerce, Community and Economic Development Commissioner Emil Notti, Transportation Commissioner Leo von Scheben and gubernatorial Rural Affairs Advisor John Moller will travel to Unalakleet next week as part of the governor's Rural Action Subcabinet outreach effort.

The goal of the trip will be to gain a deeper understanding of the challenges confronting rural Alaska and to hear from rural Alaskans about potential solutions.

"Although our challenges are complex, the mission of the rural subcabinet is clear: To improve the quality of life in rural Alaska," said Sullivan, the subcabinet chair, who also will go to Kotzebue. "To that end, we're making this trip to enhance our ability to hear directly from residents of rural Alaska -- whether it's their concerns about energy costs, the local economies or any other issues. We're looking for partnerships."

"All my life, I've been involved in looking for solutions to improve life for rural Alaska," Notti said. "And I know Governor Parnell wants a ground-up and action-oriented approach to easing the struggles that rural Alaskans face."

The subcabinet will have public hearings on Monday, Sept. 14, from 2-4 p.m. in the Community Hall in Unalakleet, and on Wednesday, Sept. 16, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. in the Northwest Arctic Borough Assembly Chambers in Kotzebue.

Additional meetings have been scheduled with community leaders.

Future trips to rural Alaska are being planned as part of an ongoing outreach effort.

Suggestions for the subcabinet can be e-mailed to attorney.general@alaska.gov.

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Department Media Contacts: Communications Director Patty Sullivan at patty.sullivan@alaska.gov or (907) 269-6368. Information Officer Sam Curtis at sam.curtis@alaska.gov or (907) 269-6269.