Wrangell Mayor Patty Gilbert was the governor's guest at his State of the State address Jan. 30 in Juneau. Gov. Mike Dunleavy introduced Gilbert, who was sitting in the gallery during the joint session of the state House and Senate.
Gov. Mike Dunleavy invited Mayor Patty Gilbert to attend his State of the State speech at the Capitol on Jan. 30, introducing her during his annual address to a joint session of the Alaska Legislature.
His remarks follow:
"This past fall, just before Thanksgiving, tough times came to Wrangell. On the evening of Nov. 20, a massive 450-foot-wide landslide engulfed homes, blocked the road and cut off power lines.
"Despite the wind, the rain, the cold and the dark, the community sprang into action. Fishermen maneuvered their boats to cast light onto the disaster area. Volunteers and first responders braved the harsh conditions and plowed through the mud searching for survivors.
"Thankfully, they were able to rescue Christina Florschutz, who'd been trapped in the slide and miraculously survived into the next day. Tragically, six of our fellow Alaskans perished: Christina's husband Otto, and the entire Heller family of Timothy and Beth and their three children Kara, Mara and Derek.
"Words are never enough to express our grief when a disaster like this strikes as it has before and unfortunately will again. But even in the worst disasters, our communities are home to good people who do their best to recover and rebuild.
"Wrangell is just that kind of place, and Mayor Patty Gilbert is here to represent her community. She'll be the first person to tell you that she doesn't deserve any credit for the actions of those who rushed headlong into danger. Mayor Gilbert may not have ended up covered head to toe in mud like those first responders and volunteers, but their spirit is with her tonight.
"Mayor Gilbert is originally from Omaha, Nebraska. She was a teacher all over the country and even in Venezuela. She and her husband began their Alaska adventure in Cordova, where he was a hospital administrator and she worked for Prince William Sound Community College. They eventually made it to Wrangell, where she continued teaching for another 23 years.
"Along the way, she served two terms on the city council and then on the borough assembly. She's president of the WMC Foundation, which raises funds to pay travel expenses for Alaskans who need treatment for cancer. She also helps raise money for student scholarships in health careers.
"Mayor Gilbert gives back to the community that has given her so much, and we're glad she's here tonight.
"Mayor, will you please stand and be recognized on behalf of the great Alaska community you serve and represent? Thank you."
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