Palin was serious about fence

WASILLA, Alaska - Former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin is making good on a threat to build a fence around her Wasilla home to keep her new neighbor - an author who is writing a book about her - from peering in.

Palin, wearing running shorts, a T-shirt and visor, joked with a reporter outside the gate of her lakeside home yesterday about having to build a fence to protect her family's privacy. But she declined further comment, saying she was busy baby-sitting her nephews.

Palin, the 2008 GOP vice presidential nominee, took to Facebook on Monday to "welcome" author Joe McGinniss, who'd previously written a critical magazine article on Palin. She said he was renting a house next door "for the next five months or so" and wondered what he'd gather "while overlooking Piper's bedroom, my little garden, and the family's swimming hole"

She said work would begin on a "tall fence tomorrow."

By Wednesday, a picture of the wooden fence was posted on the blog of Fox News' Greta Van Susteren. Palin is a contributor to Fox News.

McGinniss, author of such best-selling books as "The Selling of the President," "Blind Faith" and "Fatal Vision," is planning a book, tentatively titled, "Sarah Palin's Year of Living Dangerously." It could be on book shelves next year.

McGinniss' publishing house, Broadway Books, did not immediately respond to a request for comment yesterday.

A tree-lined lane leads to Palin's lakeside home. A gate helps keep gawkers at bay.

Attempts to reach neighbors on either side of her property were unsuccessful. A chain-link fence blocks one drive, which is also marked "Private, keep out." No one answered at the other.

Wasilla Mayor Verne Rupright said McGinniss met with him and told him he was researching his book and moving to town. He even told the mayor where he'd be living.

"So at least I knew," he said. "I thought that was a courtesy he paid, and probably the right thing to do."

Rupright said that there hadn't been "any real rumpus" around town and that he's hoping for a quiet next few months.

If Palin wants to put up a fence, he said, that's her right.

"No crime has been reported," he said. "You just want to keep a nice, quiet and safe community."