Quite rightly, Mr Tucker objected to Sarah Palin's patronizing tone and her failure to address any of the problems the villagers have been facing for a long time. Sarah Palin delivered the usual insulting platitudes and that was that.
The Governor and her sidekick Sean Parnell went to Western Alaska for a photo opportunity with celebrity evangelist Franklin Graham and his Samaritan Purse. The trip had the purpose of silencing the Governor's critics about her inaction since the story broke in mid-January and promoting the Evangelical movement.
The residents of the two villages were surprised to receive food they didn't need, but were grateful just the same. Mr Tucker had to fly to Marshall to speak to the Governor.
Sarah Palin's new Rural Advisor, Mr John Moller, responded to Nick Tucker's criticism in a letter.
John Moller, Sarah Palin's Rural Advisor
Here is a snippet:
"I spoke to Mr. Tucker three times while in Emmonak, including just before he left for Marshall. At that time, Emmonak had already received thousands of pounds of food from both state and private resources. Samaritan's Purse made the right decision to deliver aid to Marshall and Russian Mission. The governor and lieutenant governor were guests and not in control of the destinations. Both had also previously made an attempt to fly to Emmonak but were weathered out."
Apart from Rep Jay Ramras efforts to send cash, boxes of food and supplies to the relevant villages, the state had not sent anything other than food vouchers.
Mr Moller ends his letter with this sentence: "The state's efforts will continue."
Mmmmmm...
Links
Jay Ramras and more details about donations in an excellent article
Nick Tucker's letter
John Moller's letter in full
Previous post about John Moller's appointment
Post about the present situation
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