Palin appoints Rural Advisor. Solution to desperate problems in Y-K Delta? Or empty gesture to deflect criticism?

Gov. Sarah Palin's found her rural affairs adviser.

John Moller, a 47-year-old former crab fisherman and CDQ general manager started the job Jan. 30. He replaces KTUU Channel 2 reporter Rhonda McBride, who left in October.

Moller said he's been meeting with lawmakers and planning a trip to the Y-K Delta next week.

Q: Why did you want the job? (Given the tension, and spotlight surrounding the post)

A: I wanted the job because as a lifelong Alaskan, the state has been very generous to me. And I am in a position in my life now that I'm able to you know, give back to a state that's been very good to me. That's why I wanted the job, and I specifically wanted to work with this governor, and I threw my name in the hat. ...(Uh oh!)

Q: You said you specifically wanted to work with this governor, why is that?

A: I think many of her positions are parallel to mine, and I agree with the policy that I've seen her make thus far. (This is troubling news. And this last portion is even more concerning.)
(Moller said it was late in the day and couldn't list examples of Palin's positions that he agrees with.) (In other words Moller is not completely clear on what Governor Palin's positions are, but he knows he agrees with them. Can you say "Palin-bot"?)

I asked if the state ought to, or can, declare a fisheries disaster in the Wade Hampton area. And whether state fuel vouchers would be a good idea for the region. Moller said that since he's just started the job, it's too early to say.

"My thoughts are, lets try and do something that is meaningful and helpful," he said.
(Well if this is true then Mr. Moller does not support the Governor's positions on this issue, since her response was to do something "meaningless" and "unhelpful".)

I have a number of reservations concerning ANYBODY that Palin appoints, based mostly on her past performance in choosing the right people for the right job, but Mr. Moller does have at least one potentially helpful characteristic:

Here's how Moller describes his heritage:

"I am Aleut from Unalaska. My grandfather was a Norwegian immigrant and my grandmother was an Aleut from Unalaska, on one side, and Russian/Aleut on the other side."
He said he believes in simply choosing the best person for the job but can also see the value of having an Alaska Native in the position. "It can be easier to manuever in Rural Alaska. And maybe I have a bias in that, I am Alaska Native."

It may sound less then politically correct to say, but based on the information I have gleaned from native newspapers and Dennis Zaki (after his trip to Emmonak), it seems clear that having a native Alaskan in this position will be extremely helpful in gaining the trust of the people in this region as well as providing a framework for understanding their unique challenges.

I certainly hope that this John Moller takes his responsibilities seriously and does his level best to explain the problems facing the native community to Governor Palin, and then helps to craft some real solutions instead of just making promises that they have no intention of keeping.