On Nov. 26, 1986, governor-elect Steve Cowper appointed more members of his cabinet, a week ahead of taking office.
The day before, Cowper chose former Kenai Rep. Hugh Malone and Sitka Mayor Rocky Gutierrez for commissioner of Revenue and Commissioner of Transportation and Public Facilities, respectively. He then chose William Nix to temporarily fulfill his past position as commissioner of Public Safety, Marsha Hubbard to lead the Department of Administration, William Ladwig as the commissioner of the corrections department, Ronald Lorenson as the acting attorney general, Willis Kirkpatrick as the commissioner of the Department of Commerce and Economic Development, Connie Sipe as commissioner of the Department of Health and Services, Robert Arnold as commissioner of the Department of Natural Resources, and Keith Kelton as the Department of Environmental Conservation commissioner.
Some of these appointees planned to only stay on the job temporarily and many already led these departments before being chosen for the position.
After Gov. Bill Sheffield proposed a budget plan suggesting state workers again cut salaries and lengthen work hours to Cowper, many were unhappy.
Although Cowper disapproved, the suggestion disappointed unionized workers greatly.
The Juneau Empire announced that it would not publish a paper the next day and wished Juneau a Happy Thanksgiving.
“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.
