Thursday, November 3, 2016

Alaska Ag: The new Director review

If you were hopeful that the new Director of the Division of Agriculture would be a step forward into the future, the skeptic would say: Well that is a foolish thought, given the circumstances.

And what may those circumstances be?  When the former Director was asked to step down, word spread rapidly across the state. Lively discussions ensued, naturally, and eventually, 10 people responded in writing for the position. Five were selected by the BAC initially, and two of those were forwarded to the Governor. (as any Director or Commissioner serves at the pleasure of the Governor, it should also be noted that the Governor can select anyone he chooses, but they would not include those that initially applied since their information was never brought forth) 

It was all for naught.  In Alaska Ag, it's always "business as usual" and thus, the fix was in well before the other applicants submitted letters of intent. I was even told so, by the aforementioned, incredibly clairvoyant friend, back over a year ago. And there again, my skepticism was awry-for indeed, the son in law of the chair of the BAC secured the Director position with the Division of Agriculture.  

Now just how cozy is that?   How is it that of ten applicants, the only two that merited the nod, are personally related to the BAC and ARLF, or have strong political (Former Governor Knowles) ties? In other venues and organizations, this might be called nepotism...or at least raise the subject of impropriety. But with all things Alaska ag, this does not even raise an eyebrow, except for those bemused observers who would agree: It's always been done this way.

Mr. Keyes is now months into his tenure in the big chair that is Alaska Ag. By reading the above, and his credentials, one would presume that his performance would be stellar and that finally, Alaska Ag would have a younger, more modern hand at the helm. One who would understand the challenges and opportunities of the small producer, one who would welcome new ideas, new approaches, new solutions to the many issues facing Ag. One who knows the history, the struggle, and the obstacles of Alaska Ag, through and through.

Or not. Mostly not. Over the course of the summer, an incident occurred at MMM&S, where an employee was escorted off the premises by the Alaska State Troopers, and (reputedly) Mr. Keyes. Several weeks later, the employee returned to full duties...and the status of the "investigation" as mentioned by Franci Havemeister at the October BAC meeting, is unknown. There has been some wild speculation as to the cause for this action, to say the least.

But we do know this: In July, the entire staff of MMM&S gave verbal notice to terminate employment, effective December 15th, 2016. Also in July, the BAC accepted and ultimately rejected, the single applicant for privatizing the plant. All the players know that the plant is going to be closed at the end of June, 2017. That is the message from the legislature, no more funding MMM&S in this time of fiscal crisis. Yet, the BAC did not advertise for another RFP for the plant until October. And the positions at the plant were not announced until yesterday.

That leaves two pretty tough deadlines to meet: The BAC to find some sort of entity to take over the plant for (hopefully!) good before the end of June next year, and DNR to hire and train three correctional officers with specialized training in plant operations-or, hire likely candidates and provide them the special training required to maintain the certification necessary on the state's dime. Then get those replacement workers up to speed with operations at the plant by Dec. 15th.

Of course, the employees are only required to give ten days notice-if they decide to exercise that option, then who knows what will happen? 



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