On December 16, 1986, the Juneau Empire reported on a transition made in July that put the Gastineau Humane Society in charge of animal control instead of the Juneau Police Department. Since the transition, the humane society had impounded 390 dogs and investigated 9 cases of suspected cruelty against animals. The biggest change in the regime, according to humane society director Howard Gile, was the new emphasis on community relations and creating long-term solutions.
The City and Borough of Juneau Assembly chose a law firm including Clark Gruening and Jane Ayers as its lobbyist for the upcoming legislative session. Having a lobbyist was an idea proposed months ago by Mayor Ernie Polley that would help the city negotiate with the state legislature to prioritize Juneau’s budget. However, both Mayor Polley and assembly member Errol Champion voted against hiring a lobbyist during one of the latest meetings. Champion was concerned with the amount of money—$45,000 —it would cost to hire Gruening and Polley claimed a lobbyist would be unable to privately strategize with the assembly before lobbying due to the Open Meetings Act. The assembly will have held another meeting to decide whether or not they will form a committee for the new lobbyist.
Back at Gov. Steve Cowper’s office, Cowper was trying to decide whether he would take the financial suggestions of former Gov. Bill Sheffield’s administration. He did decide to reorganize the Office of Management and Budget, choosing Jay Hogan to continue his role as director of the Division of Budget review.
• “This Day in Juneau History” is compiled by Empire freelancer Tasha Elizarde, who sums up the day’s events — 30 years ago — by perusing Empire archives.
