What others say: Silence and secrecy no more

  • Sunday, January 17, 2016 4:26pm
  • Opinion

This newspaper once referred to Gov. Bill Walker as a rogue while endorsing his opponent, Sean Parnell, during the 2014 election. In recent weeks Walker has certainly proved us right.

Today, we’d like to thank him for that.

Walker told the Empire in late December 2015 he intended to release videos connected to the deaths of four inmates in custody of the Department of Corrections, one of which died at Lemon Creek Correctional Center.

The governor since has lived up to his word, releasing three of the videos so far.

ADVERTISEMENT
0 seconds of 0 secondsVolume 0%
Press shift question mark to access a list of keyboard shortcuts
00:00
00:00
00:00
 

These videos are not easy to watch, but that pales in comparison to when Walker met with the families of the deceased individuals and expressed his desire to make the videos public.

The tendency in Alaska politics leans toward disclosing as little as possible until a court mandates otherwise. It’s why media outlets typically band together to sue for access to documents (think Troopergate, National Guard scandal and the state’s Medicaid expansion review).

The deaths of these individuals without doubt tarnishes the image of Alaska’s prison system, but Walker decided not to withhold a recent report highlighting problems within DOC.

“I’ve heard from some folks that are uncomfortable, not families, but people in the system,” he told the Empire, referring to state employees who cautioned against releasing the videos. “But it made me uncomfortable watching the video, and we’re talking about a death, we’re talking about somebody who lost their life.”

Many of the abuses of power and negligence covered in the DOC report existed before Walker took office, but he was the first to expose them. And it didn’t take a lawsuit or threat of one.

“If we’re making mistakes, if our system is making mistakes — and it was — the light of day is the best way,” Walker told us “People will think differently when they’re making some decisions.”

The governor is right on both counts.

Yes, Walker is a rogue, but not the necessarily the type we thought Alaska was getting. While some in government prefer silence and secrecy, Walker is taking a different path

The truth is sometimes ugly, and sometimes it’s uncomfortable to witness, but in those situations it’s even more important the truth be told. Otherwise, these problems will fester instead of being fixed.

The governor understands this, and for this newspaper and for all Alaskans it means a change for the better.

— Juneau Empire,

Jan. 17

More in Opinion

A silver salmon is weighed at Three Bears in Kenai, Alaska. Evelyn McCoy, customer service PIC at Three Bears, looks on. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)
Opinion: Will coho salmon be the next to disappear in the Kenai River?

Did we not learn anything from the disappearance of the kings from the Kenai River?

Jonathan Flora is a lifelong commercial fisherman and dockworker from Homer, Alaska.
Point of View: Not fishing for favors — Alaskans need basic health care access

We ask our elected officials to oppose this bill that puts our health and livelihoods in danger.

Alex Koplin. (courtesy photo)
Opinion: Public schools do much more than just teach the three Rs

Isn’t it worth spending the money to provide a quality education for each student that enters our schools?

Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks to reporters at the Alaska State Capitol on Thursday, April 17, 2025. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire file photo)
Letter to the Editor: Law enforcement officers helped ensure smooth, secure energy conference

Their visible commitment to public safety allowed attendees to focus fully on collaboration, learning, and the important conversations shaping our path forward.

Laurie Craig / Juneau Empire file photo
The present-day KTOO public broadcasting building, built in 1959 for the U.S. Army’s Alaska Communications System Signal Corps, is located on filled tidelands near Juneau’s subport. Today vehicles on Egan Drive pass by the concrete structure with satellite dishes on the roof that receive signals from NPR, PBS and other sources.
My Turn: Stand for the community radio, not culture war optics

Alaskans are different and we pride ourselves on that. If my vehicle… Continue reading

U.S. Sen. Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska) delivers his annual speech to the Alaska Legislature on Thursday, March 20, 2025. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire file photo)
Opinion: Sullivan, Trump and the rule of lawlessness

In September 2023, U.S. Sen. Dan Sullivan established his own Alaska Federal… Continue reading

UAA Provost Denise Runge photographed outside the Administration and Humanities Building at the University of Alaskas Anchorage. (courtesy photo)
Opinion: UAA’s College of Health — Empowering Alaska’s future, one nurse at a time

At the University of Alaska Anchorage, we understand the health of our… Continue reading

U.S. Rep. Nick Begich III, R-Alaska, address a joint session of the Alaska Legislature on Thursday, Feb. 20, 2025. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)
Opinion: A noncongressman for Alaska?

It’s right to ask whether Nick Begich is a noncongressman for Alaska.… Continue reading

Boats return to the Homer Harbor at the end of the fishing period for the 30th annual Winter King Salmon Tournament on Saturday, March 23, 2024 in Homer, Alaska. (Delcenia Cosman/Homer News)
Opinion: Funding sustainable fisheries

Spring is always a busy season for Alaska’s fishermen and fishing communities.… Continue reading

Gov. Mike Dunleavy holds a press conference on Monday, May 19, 2025, to discuss his decision to veto an education bill. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire file photo)
Opinion: On fiscal policy, Dunleavy is a governor in name only

His fiscal credibility is so close to zero that lawmakers have no reason to take him seriously.

Sen. Jesse Bjorkman, R-Nikiski, speaks in support overriding Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s veto of House Bill 69 at the Alaska Capitol in Juneau, Alaska, on Tuesday, April 22, 2025. (Mark Sabbatini/Juneau Empire)
Capitol Corner: Finishing a session that will make a lasting impact

Sen. Jesse Bjorkman reports back from Juneau.