Gov. Mike Dunleavy honored several Alaskans Tuesday night at the State of the State address. They included people from Wrangell involved in the deadly landslide in November.
“I’ve been governor during 35 state disaster declarations. That averages out to one almost every 54 days,” Dunleavy said. “As Alaskans, we know it’s not a matter of disaster strikes, but when. As governor I also know that I can always count on Alaskans to pull together.”
Dunleavy talked about how Wrangell’s community took action immediately after the landslide. It destroyed a few homes and covered 450 feet of highway.
He mentioned the sole survivor, Christina Florshutz and named the six people who perished – Otto Florshutz and the Heller family – Timothy, Beth and their children – 16-year-old Mara, 11-year- old Cara and 12-year-old Derek.
On top of memorializing those who passed and survived, Dunleavy honored Wrangell’s mayor, Patty Gilbert.
“Mayor Patty Gilbert is here today to represent her community,” he said. “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, but their spirit is with her tonight.”
“Mayor Gilbert gives back to the community that has given her so much…”
He gave a brief timeline of Gilbert’s life. She worked as a teacher all over the country and in Venezuela. He talked about how she and her husband ended up in Alaska, first in Cordova where she worked at Prince William Sound College. She and her husband then moved to Wrangell where she taught for approximately 20 years.
Dunleavy acknowledged Gilbert’s activism as the president of the Wrangell Medical Center Foundation. They help fund travel expenses for Alaskans who need cancer treatment. Gilbert also raises money for health careers and student scholarships.
“Mayor Gilbert gives back to the committee that has given her so much, and we’re glad she’s here tonight,” Dunleavy said. “Mayor, I’m going to ask you to stand and be recognized for all the hard work you do, and the first responders across the state.”
On top of her activism, she’s served two terms on Wrangell’s City Council, followed by serving as a borough assembly member.
Gilbert traveled to Juneau for the Governor’s address. The crowd gave her a standing ovation.
