Bronson Administration Backs Down — Will Now Seek New Library Director Appointee

The Bronson administration is backing off its plan to give oversight of the Anchorage Public Library system to Mayor Bronson's new Chief of Staff, Sami Graham. According to Alaska Public Media, the administration will appoint a new library director in the "near future."

After announcing Sami Graham as his new Chief of Staff last Tuesday, a statement released by the Office of the Mayor said that Graham would also have oversight of the Anchorage Public Library system — a move some suggested may not have been legal — raising concerns Graham would be acting as a 'Shadow Librarian.'

On Wednesday, Assemblyman Felix Rivera, who was the subject of a political recall by supporters of the Mayor — wrote a statement on Facebook indicating that he had concerns about Mayor Bronson giving Graham oversight of the library.

Rivera wrote that he believed the Bronson administration's move was a possible violation of the separation of powers doctrine, Charter, and Municipal Code. Rivera wrote that he was strongly urging the Mayor to review these issues and reverse this dangerous precedent.

The Bronson administration's announcement that they intend to seek a new appointee to head APL seems to have quieted Rivera's concerns.