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Photo by Sam Harrel

FAIRBANKS — Colleagues, constituents and good friends toasted — and roasted — Sen. Gary Wilken on Wednesday night at the Carlson Center as he shared an emotional retirement speech after representing Fairbanks for 12 years.

Deb Hickok, executive director of the Fairbanks Convention and Visitors Bureau, recounted knocking on doors in Juneau, lobbying for support.

“We never knocked on Gary’s door,” she said. “That door was always open.”

Accessibility, responsiveness and effectiveness were themes repeated in a stream of thanks from building trades, arts organizations, fellow lawmakers and the mining industry, among others.

Wilken cleaned out his Fairbanks office on Tuesday and said he’ll be meeting soon with Joe Paskvan, who voters chose to fill the Senate District E seat.

Wilken said the first session with the incoming senator might be a little like trying to sip water from a firehose. His advice to Paskvan?

“Make sure your rudder is deep in the water, and you’re able to adjust your sails,” Wilken said.

And above all, he added, have fun.

“Joe is going to do fine,” Wilken said. “He’s got good roots. He’ll represent Fairbanks well.”

The heartfelt words shared Wednesday evening were evidence Wilken served the community well, too.

The Republican was a stalwart supporter of all things important to his Interior constituents. He capped his tenure as a member of the Finance, Education, Transportation and Armed Services committees, where he negotiated increased funding for the University of Alaska Fairbanks, cemented state support when Eielson Air Force Base faced closure and helped guide management of unparalleled state surpluses.

UAF Chancellor Brian Rogers called Wilken a true friend of the university. Funding for the institution was at $85 million when Wilken entered the Senate; now, the school enjoys $147 million.

“Clearly, Gary made a difference to the University of Alaska Fairbanks,” he said. “Thank you, ‘Mr. University.’ Thank you, Sen. Wilken.”

Education was a focus for the senator, who said he is proud of whittling complex information down to a format people could discuss in a meaningful way.

“I’ve been proud of our work in trying to make K-12 funding understandable,” he said. “I’m proud people talk today about the student dollar.”

And while he exits the Senate without regrets, Wilken said he failed by not managing to negotiate change in the way the state funds public schools.

But he said his proudest accomplishment is maintaining contact and following through with constituents.

“I don’t think we’ve ever left one hanging,” Wilken said. “That has been very fulfilling.”

His assistant, Sheila Peterson, with the help of Wilken’s wife, Sue, assembled a hefty album of thank-yous and news clippings — souvenirs collected through a 12-year political career — that are testimony to that commitment.

“Those are the things that make this job so fulfilling and rewarding,” Wilken said, reflecting on routine run-ins with constituents at the grocery store, post office and community events.

“They either pat you on the back or kick you in the rear,” he said with a smile. Either way, he said, at least people were involved. “It’s the people who don’t say anything, or who hide behind anonymity, who don’t help the process at all.”

As the Legislature prepares to convene in January, Wilken said the session could hinge on how Gov. Sarah Palin, home from a whirlwind campaign for the vice presidency, reconnects with lawmakers.

“I think the governor has to reach out and remind each legislator that she is first an Alaskan, that this distraction that we’ve had is over and she is back to being the governor of Alaska,” Wilken said. “If the legislators don’t believe that, she is going to have a difficult time. She has to make that connection.”

With so much work to be done, cohesiveness will be critical in the Legislature. Wilken said falling oil prices also should be a priority for the next Legislature.

“As amazing as it seems, a budget deficit is going to be back before us,” he predicted. “We’re going to have to grapple with that.”

And if the state’s oil production continues to decline along with crude prices globally, the state’s budget could be hit with a double whammy, he said.

“The glory days of free and wild spending are over,” he said. “We’re going to have to pay the piper.”

But now, that will be a bill for other lawmakers to settle. For Wilken, it’s time to re-prioritize and spend time with family and friends.

“It’s been a little difficult, the past few years, on my family and on my friends,” said Wilken, 62. The Wilkens have four children and three grandchildren with another “12 on order.”

While Wilken has committed to take time off in 2009, he anticipates future service on a state commission such as the Alaska Railroad board and said he’ll stay active with community causes, especially education.

“The wonderful thing about the Legislature is it stretches your envelope almost every single day,” he said. “I don’t want to run from that challenge.

“I’m going to miss the heck out of it,” Wilken said. “It’s been such a great ride.”