On Friday, April 25, I made the following Facebook post:
“Did my morning walk through Golden Heart Plaza with my K-9 units. Did not find any beat-up toilets! The graffiti on the bridge (we know the tagger) gets removed and painted over by the FNSB Parks and Rec when warmer temperatures come. As the warmer temperatures have come, more people come in from villages or come out of shelters to live their lifestyle. We operate the downtown on behalf of Fairbanks residents, but we live here too, not just for visitors. The foot patrol police presence starts in 3 weeks — not because of the tourist season, but because wonderful, retired police officers come back and spend their summers/fall in Fairbanks working on behalf of its residents. A Portland Loo will be installed to the east of the log cabin in a month. This summer we are totally remodeling the park area to the west of the cabin, to Cushman Street along the river, to give Fairbanksans another place to be proud of spring/summer/winter/fall.”
So how did this post start?
I was traveling on Thursday when I started getting texts about a malicious post on the Fairbanks, Alaska, Facebook page. He equated the people who hang out at Golden Heart Plaza — and the city’s care of the Plaza — to a dirty, used toilet. He even posted a photo of a used toilet. He claimed that the city only cleans it up for summer tourists, that summer is the only time police are present, and that we let it “go to hell” the rest of the year. He also posted a video showing clothing, food and trash strewn about during his visit. It did not present the facts fairly.
Just about every morning now, as the sun has returned, I go for early morning sunrise walks with my two dogs. I walk from the borough building to the river, under the bridges, across the footbridge, up to the Morris Thompson Center, then back home. I do this around 6 a.m. each morning. As I did my walk on Friday, I saw that the park was clean and presentable.
At 7:15 a.m. Friday, I parked on First Avenue, got out of my vehicle, and took two photos of Golden Heart Plaza from different angles. I posted them along with the comments above.
There was no malicious or racist intent on my part. I was answering, sticking up for, and protecting this wonderful park and the people who use it from inaccurate statements made the day before.
The references to the toilet and police were made in response to that critique — not directed at the people who use the Plaza. In my post, I also included updates about improvements we’re making this summer: the installation of the Portland Loo (a much-needed public restroom downtown) and the upgrade of the park area west of the log cabin. These upgrades show we are proud of Golden Heart Plaza and continue to invest in its operation, presentation and structure.
Interestingly, the person who posted the original critique was also critical of my post and continued to berate the park, its users and Fairbanks. I answered some of the questions that came in — such as how and when police remove people from the park. (Police only remove a person if alcohol is involved, and even then, it is only for the remainder of the day.)
I was criticized by someone who said she was a past EMS provider and commented that she never needed dog protection. I replied that my dogs — a Dalmatian and a Blue Heeler — are not protection dogs. I also said I always carry plastic bags to pick up after them. I mentioned that the new EMS provider service would be starting within a week or so.
I was asked if I pick up trash, and I answered yes, I do — mainly under the bridges and in front of the church tables, as that’s where most of the food wrappers and other trash end up. (Some wonderful Fairbanksans, after reading that response, went down and cleaned up even more of the area.)
I live within a five-minute walk of Golden Heart Plaza. Over the years, during my morning walks with my dogs, I have never received any hostility, bad comments or threats from anyone I have encountered.
It is that time of year when Plaza and park activity naturally increases with the sunshine — just as it does throughout the Interior. From May through October, we are all active outside. We pack 12 months of activities into six months. With the return of sunlight, we all come out to live life outdoors. It’s why we live in Fairbanks.
In my post, I think a better wording would have been: “We operate downtown on behalf of the residents of Fairbanks, not just for the tourists.”
Also, the sentence “As the warmer temperatures come, more people come in from villages or come out of shelters to live their lifestyle” could and should have been phrased better.
I meant no disparagement toward rural Alaska residents. I spent my childhood summers at Healy Lake, and those memories are some of the best of my life.
I wrote the Facebook post quickly, from my cell phone, while parked on First Avenue, wanting to quickly address the insult posted the day before. I did not mean to insult or denigrate anyone. I realize those sentences could be construed as insensitive, and that was never my intent.
I apologize sincerely for my words.
If you would like to meet with me — to offer criticism, ideas for Golden Heart Plaza or Fairbanks, or to just talk — please call me directly at 907-750-2888.
David Pruhs is mayor of the City of Fairbanks.
