SARAH PALIN

“The city council is scheduled to vote next Monday on the proposed municipal ordinance—which would
allow police to confiscate a violator’s skateboard and fine the owner $100.” The Frontiersman added,
“Mayor Sarah Palin, who supports the ordinance, said in a May 26 information memo that she receives
more complaints about skateboard problems than any other nuisance in the city.” [Frontiersman, 6/17/98]
Wasilla’s Pension Was Only Funded at 73 Percent When Palin Left, As Opposed to Almost
Completely When She Became Mayor. In fiscal 2002, Wasilla funded 73 percent of its defined benefit
pension plan obligation and had 52 percent unfunded liability as a percentage of its covered payroll. In
fiscal 1995, Wasilla funded 97.5 percent of its obligation and had 4.3 percent unfunded liability as a
percentage of payroll. [Wasilla Comprehensive Annual Financial Report 2003, page 29; Wasilla Comprehensive Annual
Financial Report 1996 page 45]
Palin Supported Penalties for Using Skateboards on Public or Private Property in Wasilla.
“Beginning Oct. 15—after the expected opening of the $233,000 Wasilla Skate Park—skaters will be
breaking the law if they use their skateboards, in-line skates, bicycles, scooters (or any other recreational,
non-motorized wheeled device) on public or private property where signs are posted forbidding their use.”
The Frontiersman added, “In the ordinance approved Monday, the penalty for first-time violators of the
ordinance is a written warning and the skate device may be confiscated for 10 calendar days. For a second
offense, a $50 fine shall be paid and the skate device may be confiscated for 30 calendar days. A thirdtime
offender will have to pay a $100 fine and will lose his or her skate device permanently.” [Frontiersman,
9/18/98]
1999: Palin Cut Parks and Recreation Budget. “Recent cuts to the summer recreation program by
Mayor Sarah Palin mean that Parks and Rec will have to pick and choose which summer activities it
wants to sponsor.” [Frontiersman, 6/22/99] CHECK THE LONG TERM NUMBERS
Palin Was Criticized for Dismantling Recreation Services. “Wasilla’s mayor is facing criticism from
the city’s parks and recreation commission for what the members see as attempts to dismantle recreation
services.” [Frontiersman, 2/28/97]
Palin Said She Wanted the Old Wasilla Airport to Become a Recreation Area. In 1992, Palin said,
“I’m excited by the potential of the old Wasilla airport. I grew up a quick 400-yard dash from that airport,
and I’ve been considering its potential for years. Wasilla sorely needs a family-oriented recreational area,
a great site with bike trails and esthetically grand attractions.” [Frontiersman, 9/30/92]
Palin Voted to Make Old Wasilla Airport a Recreation Site with No Buildings. “The Wasilla City
Council accepted a new master plan for the Old Wasilla Airport Site, directing that the 29 acres be
preserved as a greenbelt with no buildings. Mayor Sarah Palin broke a council tie. Nick Carney, David
Chappel and Darlene Langill voted to accept the plan, with Norman Fuller, Dianne Keller and Judy
Patrick opposing.” [Frontiersman, 8/29/97]
Palin and Knowles Agreed In Calling for A Corridor Connecting Anchorage to Trails in Mat-Su
Valley for Snowmachiners. “An army of Anchorage snowmachiners is taking on Fort Richardson in a
battle for a trail out the Glenn Highway and into the great beyond. A route along the highway -- inside the
fenced right of way -- would connect Anchorage and its thousands of riders to a planned network of
winter trails in the Matanuska and Susitna valleys. That would be great fun, promoters say. And, making
an argument intended to cross political, cultural and military barriers, they say it would be good for
business…The snowmachiners have written backing from Gov. Tony Knowles, who called the Glenn
corridor ‘‘a vital link’’ in a planned regional winter trail system, and from Anchorage Mayor Rick
Mystrom, who said ‘‘all of us can certainly agree’’ that the corridor would be good for recreation and