March 29, 2004
Monday

I like Ketchikan, and it's main source of economical profit - tourism. It pays my summer wages as a deckhand on a charter boat. To say that Ketchikan prostitutes itself is wrong. Yes, we have many jewelers that come in from the Carribean and sell their "gewgaws". But we also have local shops and stores that make profit as well (and stay open all year!). Almost every day this summer I worked double day charters, save for the days where weather wouldn't allow it. Not everyone is into the "gewgaws" and doo-dads. I for one think that, SO WHAT if some one person wants to remember what a good time they had in Alaska by buying a stone or some metal. They go home and tell their friends who then come up to Alaska to experiance it also. Sometimes those same people come back up.

When I am cruising down the dock to pick up our clients I happen to notice that wow, there are alot of jewelery stores here. But I also notice that wow, there are only about 4-5 people in one at any given time due to the fact that we have so many stores. It also shows how busy those stores are because I always happen to see many of the store employees are standing outside smoking, with nothing to do.

I don't know what to feel more, sadness or disgust, with what you have to say about our community. So to all who complain about KETCHIKAN and what it has had to do to stay viable, if you are not part of the solution then you are part of the problem. The Alaska State ferry has many spaces availible for south bound passengers!

Kevin Mackey
Ketchikan, AK - USA

Related Viewpoint:

It's that time again... by Dr. Peter York- Ketchikan, AK - USA

 

 

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