To the Editor:

This letter is in response to the letter from Karen Bosley titled “Democrat at Heart” (9/19). In that letter, Ms. Bosley stated that former governor of Alaska Sarah Palin was not of the same “caliber” as were the numerous Democratic women that she cited who, in her opinion, possessed the qualities to be president. It’s obvious that Ms. Bosley is unaware of Gov. Palin’s record of achievement as a small business owner, a city council member, a mayor, a gas and oil regulator and as governor of the largest state in our country.

In the interest of brevity, I will focus on Palin’s tenure as governor. All stated items are a matter of record.

• Reformed ethics laws with bipartisan support.

• Cut state spending by 9.5 percent between 2007 and 2010.

• Forwarded funded education to give districts greater flexibility. Increased funding for special education by 175 percent.

• Implemented a Senior Benefits Program to assist low-income older Alaskans.

• Reduced federal earmark requests by more than 80 percent.

• Forced Exxon’s hand to drill at Pointe Thomson after it held a lease for almost three decades, thus creating jobs and tax revenues.

• Alaska Gasline Inducement Act, Alaska’s law to advance construction of a natural gas pipeline from the North Slope to market. This had been attempted for decades without success. Palin became governor; it got done.

• In 2007, Palin signed Alaska’s Clear and Equitable Share – a net tax on oil profits that was passed in a bipartisan and transparent manner. Result? A record number of oil industry jobs were created, and it helped Alaska bank $12 billion.

• During Palin’s tenure, Alaska was second in job growth compared to all other states.

• Palin’s tenure as governor resulted in a bond rating increase by Moody’s Investor’s Service.

• As governor, she earned approval ratings of 89 percent and 93 percent (May 2007) and was credited by Democratic Party Chairman Jake Westbrook as a leader that worked across party lines.

• Business license fees were cut in half.

Let’s see, important legislation passed in a bipartisan and transparent manner, job creation, development of natural resources, reduced spending and an increased credit rating, all while looking out for education and senior citizens. If you’ve formed an opinion of Sarah Palin based upon “Saturday Night Live” skits and a certain media narrative, I’m betting the above performance is quite surprising. With great ease, I could continue this list with examples of what a real reformer can do. Not the same “caliber”? Perhaps the simple truth of Sarah Palin’s executive accomplishments sets the record straight.

Jackie Siciliano

Surf City