Well not really Sarah herself but one of her commissioners by the name of Emil Notti was assigned to let me know about an e-mail I sent to her as a response to droogies diary. My comment and the story unfolds below the fold.
I had e-mailed Sarah Palin in response to droogies diary on the deteriorating conditions in the Alaskan village of Emmonak. The jist of the e-mail was that I was a KOS blogger and as such prone to distortion and pajama wearing who was concerned about the situation in Emmonak. It was a short request for her to look into it and get back to me.
Today's mail came with my response from Emil Notti, Commissioner. It is on State of Alaska Department of Commerce and Community and Economic Development letterhead. I shall re type each substantial paragraph lest I be accused of distortion, although I have to admit I am in my jammies.
"Thank you for writing to the Governor about the situation in Emmonak. Your e-mail has been assigned to me for a response."
"Due to conflicting reports regarding the situation in Emmonak, a state response team consisting of experts from several state agencies flew to Emmonak to perform an assessment. At at town meeting, roughly 50-60 residents appeared. (there are roughly 800 residents) and stated that they were having a difficult time coming up with the funds to pay for highly priced fuel and food."
"Subsequently, and apart from any decision for a disaster declaration, a team of state benefit specialists from the Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS) visited the community and, in conjunction with their partner the Association of Village Council Presidents (AVCP), signed individuals up for existing programs, including heating assistance, food stamps, the Woman, Infant, Child (WIC) program, Medicaid, Denali KidCare and Adult Public Assistance."
"Additionally, the State Department of Education and Early Development is currently deigning a plan to provide bulk foods such as chicken, rice and other staples to area residents who need it. The State Department of Public Safety will assist in the delivery of some of the food shipments. Faith Based and other organizations have also responded and roughly 20,000 pounds of food has been sent to Emmonak."
"The State Department of Fish and Game has acted to expand moose-hunting season for residents, and is reviewing the problems with the commercial king salmon fishery that many residents depend on for a substantial part of their income."
"The Manager of the Village Corporation, which is the retailer of fuel in the community, has also been advised of the availability of a Bridge" (to nowhere) "Fuel Loan program. This program offered through the State Department of Commerce, Community and Economic Development has a maximum loan limit of $750,000, interest free. Many Alaska communities have chosen the Bridge Fuel Loan to help get residents through the winter. This loan can be processed on a expedited basis and often in as short as 72 hrs."
"The State will continue its efforts to provide as much assistance as possible using existing programs and resources that can be shifted to the community, and stands ready to process a bridge loan application from
Emmonak."
"Thank you for contacting the Office of Governor" (thank God not Vice President) "Sarah Palin with your concerns. The administration appreciates your comments. If you have additional questions, please feel free to contact Tara Jollie, Director of Community and Regional Affairs, at (907) 269-4501."
Closed with the usual ending salutation with cc to Mark Kelsey, Special Assistant , Office of the Governor and Tara Jollie, Director, Division of Community and Regional Affairs. The End
As I did not expect any response partly due to my slightly snotty "get back to me " comment in my e-mail I was surprised to actually get a reply. I'm not sure if this is a large enough response to help the people of Emmonak but I guess the pathetic bloggers got her attention to some degree. Feel free to drop my my name if you call Tara with any questions. I'm sure she is standing by.