On Nov. 24, 1986, Steve Cowper prepared to assume Bill Sheffield’s role as governor of Alaska on Dec. 1. While waiting for the transition period to end, Gov.-elect Cowper requested (through a memo issued by Gov. Sheffield) that the current management-level team stay with Cowper until some personnel decisions are made. The memo sought to avoid all workers leaving their positions at the same time, causing problems for the incoming Cowper administration.
One of Gov.-elect Cowper’s transition team members vowed to start an investigation of the treatment of disabled people at the Juneau airport; a woman was temporarily refused service while trying to board a plane with her guide dog. The woman was Roberta Stein, a disabled rights activist and head of the nonprofit Barrier Free Alaska. She had multiple sclerosis, was legally blind and used a wheelchair. While at the airport, Stein attempted to purchase a drink but bar staff refused to serve her and prohibited her guide dog from entering.
As Sheffield’s time in office neared its closing, the governor waited to part from his position satisfied with the work he accomplished while there. Although his session was bombarded with budget issues and what some Alaskans called “bad luck,” Sheffield remained positive that his hard work and determination would be later remembered in a positive light.
In other news, the U.S. Olympic Committee voted Anchorage as its representative to host the 1994 Winter Olympics. The committee also approved Colorado Springs, Colorado, and Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
“This Day in Juneau History” is compiled by Empire free- lancer Tasha Elizarde, who sums up the day’s events — 30 years ago — by perusing Empire archives.
