Tag: Trump

Trump says McKinley, but Denali forever a popular Alaskan sentiment

North America’s tallest peak is renamed Mt. McKinley, but many Alaskans favor a name that spans deep into history.

A common sentiment in Alaska is that while President Donald Trump has ordered the name of North America’s tallest peak to be changed from Denali to McKinley, Alaskans will call it what they want.

And popular consensus seems to favor Denali.

Jeff King, a four-time winner of the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race, whose kennel operates just outside Denali National Park and Preserve, told the Associated Press:

“I don’t know a single person that likes the idea, and we’re pretty vocal about it,” King said. “Denali respects the Indigenous people that have been here and around Denali for tens of thousands of years.”

The 20,310-foot peak had been known as Denali until 1896, when a gold prospector unofficially named the peak after William McKinley in support of the then-presidential candidate.

Even though McKinley had never been to the mountain and had no special connection to Alaska, the peak was officially named in the late Republican president’s honor in 1917. (McKinley served as president from 1987 until his assassination in 1901.)

The name was officially changed to Denali, as a symbolic gesture to the Koyukon people, by the Obama administration in 2015.

https://www.instagram.com/p/DFGXPzdv1t0/

On Monday, two resolutions were introduced by Democratic Reps. to register the Alaska Legislature’s opposition to the change back to McKinley. One resolution quotes Alaska Sen. Lisa Murkowski:

“It is called Denali, which means the great one. So I would just suggest to President Trump, who wants to make everything great, they already have a great name for it.”

Last week, Alaska News Source asked residents via social media what they thought of the name change. The responses were mostly favored Denali over McKinley.

Th top comment reads: “It’s Denali. I don’t know why we are fighting so hard to name it after a President that didn’t even go to AK let alone trying to erase its original and indigenous name.”

A comment in favor of the change: “Mt. McKinley, as it was before Obama.”

–Image showing Mt. Denali in September 2020 courtesy of ©Jay Christensen

Trump hiring freeze puts hold on seasonal jobs at national parks

At least 400 seasonal positions have been rescinded, but the number could be much higher as parks prepare for the busy season.

The National Park Service might have to make do without hundreds of seasonal employees this spring and summer because of a hold placed on those positions by the Trump administration.

The Washington Post reported Friday that about 400 job offers have been rescinded. National Parks Traveler reported that the number was closer to 1,400 positions.

The National Park Service, which typically hires about 7,500 seasonal employees for peak tourism seasons, had not issued a statement regarding the issue at the time of this post.

The move apparently was part of a national hiring freeze announced by Trump on Monday, despite claims by the Office of Management and Budget that seasonal jobs would be exempt.

Kristen Brengel, senior vice president at the National Parks Conservation Assn., told National Parks Traveler that “people all over the country who had been hired as seasonals for many, many parks got a notification over email that their job offer that they had was rescinded.”

Brengel expressed “extreme concern” that the National Park Service will not be able to adequately fulfill the needs of visitors without seasonal employees.

“If they don’t fill the positions that had been opened, this could be so problematic for the parks,” Brengel said.

Seasonal employees fill many critical roles, from park ranger to traffic control to park maintenance to visitor services.

The Washington Post obtained a form email from the NPS, issued to seasonal employees. It reads:

“Your job offer has been rescinded at management request. Should the bureau be able to fill the position again, another announcement will be posted in due course.”

One person whose job offer was rescinded stated via Reddit: “Just signed a lease and I’m supposed to move across the country in three days. I’m feeling so panicked and confused. I really hope we at least get some guidance moving forward soon.”

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PGA of America and The Trump Organization reach settlement regarding 2022 PGA Championship

“We look forward to continuing to support the mission of the PGA and its Professionals.”

The 2022 PGA Championship was originally scheduled to be held at Trump National Golf Club in New Jersey, however, the PGA of America canceled the contract. Today, it was announced that the two sides have reached an agreed settlement.

Despite the conclusion, the details of the arrangement were not released.

“The Trump Organization’s contribution to the golf community is appreciated,” the PGA of America said in a statement. “We are thankful the company employs hundreds of dedicated PGA Professionals and consistently gives back to the golf community through hosting charitable events and sponsoring junior golf programs. As stated in 2014 when announced, Trump Bedminster is a major championship-worthy golf course and in a portfolio along with some of the finest private and public golf courses anywhere in the world.”

As for The Trump Organization, Executive Vice President Eric Trump released the following: “We have great respect for the work of the PGA.  Over the past 20+ years, we have enjoyed working with the PGA to deliver to our club members and the public some of the greatest golf experiences anywhere in the world.  We look forward to continuing to support the mission of the PGA and its Professionals, who are the best in the golf industry.”

The tournament will now be played at Southern Hills Country Club in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Southern Hills has hosted seven major championships on the men’s side, most recently the 2007 PGA Championship won by Tiger Woods.

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