Legislature(2019 - 2020)BUTROVICH 205
02/26/2019 01:30 PM Senate TRANSPORTATION
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| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| SB4 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| *+ | SB 4 | TELECONFERENCED | |
SB 4-NAMING SCOTT JOHNSON MEMORIAL BRIDGE
1:30:51 PM
CHAIR HUGHES announced the consideration of SB 4, "An Act naming
the Scott Johnson Memorial Bridge."
1:31:15 PM
SENATOR JOHN COGHILL, Alaska State Legislature, sponsor of SB 4,
explained that members of the public safety community from
Fairbanks have asked that the new bridge in the Tok area be
named in honor of Sergeant Scott Johnson. He grew up in the Tok
area and served the state with distinction before being
tragically killed in the line of duty. He shared that after
burying his father a few days ago, he's come to realize how much
one individual can mean to the people of Alaska. Thus it is
fitting to honor this man who left such a huge legacy in Alaska.
He deferred further introduction to his intern, Radames Mercado.
1:31:26 PM
SENATOR MICCICHE joined the committee meeting
1:33:57 PM
RADAMES MERCADO, Intern, Senator John Coghill, Alaska State
Legislature, shared that he was surprised to learn that
legislation is required to rename a bridge. "It is very
interesting to see how this is all working out," he said.
He explained that the Tok River Bridge will be renamed the
"Scott Johnson Memorial Bridge" to honor his name, legacy, and
ultimate sacrifice as an Alaska State Trooper. Mr. Mercado noted
that Sergeant Johnson is survived by his wife and three
daughters. He was actively interested in wrestling and spent
many years encouraging youth to embrace wrestling and counseling
them to become better leaders. Renaming the bridge acknowledges
Sergeant Johnson's contributions to his community and state and
honors his sacrifice.
1:35:46 PM
CHAIR HUGHES noted that becoming an Alaska State Trooper was a
goal Sergeant Johnson had since he was a young boy living in
Tok.
SENATOR COGHILL related that honoring Sergeant Johnson in this
way is in keeping with past practice in the Fairbanks North Pole
area. It is a small reminder of the men and women who have made
this country what it is, he said.
CHAIR HUGHES asked why the fiscal note was zero when new signage
would be required.
MR. MERCADO explained the cost of signage was built into the
project, thus the zero fiscal note.
SENATOR COGHILL added clarification that the old bridge was
being dismantled and replaced with this new bridge "as we
speak."
CHAIR HUGHES asked when she could expect to see the new sign.
MR. MERCADO answered that the project should be finished in
October 2019.
1:38:33 PM
CHAIR HUGHES opened public testimony on SB 4.
1:39:09 PM
JESS CARSON, Lieutenant, Alaska State Troopers, Department of
Public Safety, Fairbanks, said he grew up with Sergeant Johnson
in Tok. He said Scott was one of the few athletes from Tok to
compete collegially. This made him a local hero and the person
all young athletes wanted to be like, regardless of the sport.
It was his dedication and hard work that made him the best and
inspired the town. He was very successful in college, and while
he was ranked number 1 in the nation going into his senior year,
he chose to skip that year to pursue his dream by taking a job
with the North Pole Police Department. When he joined the Alaska
State Troopers, he was a mentor to many.
LIEUTENANT CARSON said he and Sergeant Johnson were workout
partners and the sergeant would never leave the gym without
doing a pullup for every fallen officer. "That's just how he
lived his life." Nothing will bring Scott back, he said, but it
will mean a lot to preserve his memory in this way.
CHAIR HUGHES commented that his testimony was particularly
powerful because he understands what troopers face every day.
1:41:22 PM
BRANDY JOHNSON, surviving spouse, thanked Senator Coghill for
inviting her input in drafting SB 4. She related that she was
advised of the renaming after the fact. She shared that she is
thinking about this policy change beyond herself and what change
it may bring to others. She likes that the Tok River Bridge is
named as it is. It's held that name for many years and she and
Scott "have floated that river from dawn to dusk, hunting moose
from the Glenn Highway to the Alcan Highway ending at the Tok
River Bridge." She said while floating that section, he told her
stories of camping with his family as a boy. She said that for
18 years she and Scott crossed that bridge going to and from
Eagle on moose hunting trips.
MS JOHNSON said she'd appreciate hearing supportive testimony
from community residents in the area of the Tok River Bridge.
She continued:
Testimony from just family, friends, and coworkers
limits the space for community participation and
tailors the policy to a few individuals. Through
public deliberation across all factions, community
members will voice their respect for change or no
change. Not everybody likes change. Change shouldn't
be based on tradition, personal or political gain of
groups or individuals. Allowing and encouraging such
involvement can be realized in a way that allows ...
community representatives to become more active
members in the policy making process.
After Scott was murdered, I was asked if I was
interested in naming the bridge after Scott and
[indisc.] I was not, based on the location of the
bridge. I don't want to drive past the sign of Scott's
name and see it's been shot up with bullets and spray-
painted. The disrespect and hurt is terrible. What is
going through my child's mind when they see this
vandalism. As much as I appreciate the thoughtfulness
of the honor, none of these honors take away the pain
and loss. If anything, they make it worse for me. This
is where I must look beyond myself for others. Scott's
job was that of a public servant and now I have found
that his death, for many, will always be remembered by
his job and not the person he was.
In conclusion, I support the renaming of the Tok River
Bridge to the Scott Johnson Memorial Bridge if there
is broad-spread community support of the centralized
area of the bridge. How our lawmakers measure that
support, I will leave to them.
CHAIR HUGHES thanked Ms. Johnson and assured her that as the
bill goes through the process, the hope is to hear from
community members.
1:45:06 PM
SERGEANT JOSHUA MOORE, Alaska State Troopers, Department of
Public Safety, Fairbanks, said he knew Scott as both a state
trooper and as a family member when the Johnson family accepted
him in that capacity. He shared that Sergeant Johnson was a
legend both inside and outside of work. He was playful and lots
of fun outside work, whereas on the job he was the "go to" who
solved problems and made things right.
SERGEANT MOORE shared that when he's traveled around the nation
and seen bridges named after officers, he researches the names
and stories, and appreciates the sacrifices the people made. He
said he appreciates that this will be the Scott Johnson Memorial
Bridge rather than defining him through the job he did for the
state. "The appreciation is there from the public and the
legislative branch in regard to what we do, but it's not who we
are and what we leave behind. He left a family and a lot of
friends behind," he said.
1:47:34 PM
CHAIR HUGHES found no one else who wished to comment and closed
public testimony on SB 4. She asked the will of the committee.
1:47:45 PM
SENATOR SHOWER moved to report SB 4, work order 31-LS0098\M,
from committee with individual recommendations and attached zero
fiscal note.
1:48:05 PM
SENATOR MICCICHE objected to explain that he was signing no
recommendation on the bill based on Ms. Johnson's desire to gage
public support for this name change. Her comments about wanting
the policy to be one Alaskans support, not just recognize her
husband, demonstrates a level of integrity that is rare these
days, he said. "I think that is pretty amazing."
CHAIR HUGHES said she understands that, and for herself it was
good to hear Sergeant Moore's testimony about Scott being a fun-
loving person.
1:49:13 PM
SENATOR MICCICHE removed his objection.
1:49:19 PM
CHAIR HUGHES found no further objection and SB 4 moved from the
Senate Transportation Standing Committee.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| STRA Agenda 2.26.19.pdf |
STRA 2/26/2019 1:30:00 PM |
|
| SB 04 Sponsor Statement.pdf |
STRA 2/26/2019 1:30:00 PM |
SB 4 |
| SB 04 Bill Text.pdf |
STRA 2/26/2019 1:30:00 PM |
SB 4 |
| SB 04 Fiscal Note - DOT&PF.pdf |
STRA 2/26/2019 1:30:00 PM |
SB 4 |
| SB 04 Images of Bridge.pdf |
STRA 2/26/2019 1:30:00 PM |
SB 4 |
| SB 4 Bridge Blueprint.pdf |
STRA 2/26/2019 1:30:00 PM |
SB 4 |
| SB 04 Bridge Location.pdf |
STRA 2/26/2019 1:30:00 PM |
SB 4 |
| SB 4 Memorium.pdf |
STRA 2/26/2019 1:30:00 PM |
SB 4 |
| SB 4 Scott Johnson Obituary.pdf |
STRA 2/26/2019 1:30:00 PM |
SB 4 |