March 22, 2014
Saturday

I feel compelled to reiterate my argument on the behalf of the residents/ private property owners of Herring Cove. I guess I'm befuddled as to why the Ketchikan Borough deems itself the purveyor of tourism activities in a predominantly residential neighborhood.

And listening to the testimony of Mr. Kolanko and Mr. Korn does nothing to convince me that the voices of the property owners have been taken seriously.  

It gets back to the conundrum which has evolved as a result of a certain sector of wanna-be entrepreneurs who continually circumvent the system and then cry foul when their methods are scrutinized.

Question, which of you would, in your right mind, operate a tour business in the dangerous manner in which virtually each tour operator has engaged in since day one. And, would you as a visitor to this community, if you were fully informed before you bought said tour that you would be lead onto a non-pedestrian highway bridge on the chance you might see wildlife, would truly pay for the tour.

Guy standing in road is the tour operator. Happens all day, every day May thru September.

The Assembly's pandering to this rouge industry by paying for infrastructure, and still not answering the demands of the property owners, is merely rewarding bad behavior of those who have little or no regard to the concerns of the Herring Cove residents.

Forget the road safety issues, which is the obligation of the Sate DOT. The primary issue which I see as being ignored is one of INVASION OF PRIVACY. It was bad enough that Rain Forest Sanctuary pirated the huge acreage on Wood Road thus altering the character of the neighborhood forever. And credit them for having a business plan for decent development,  at least it was done with class and people invested their own capital.  These independent tour operators have nothing invested in that neighborhood whatsoever.

Under the guise of free enterprise and public access, they roll in with their dilapidated hand me down obsolete busses and heard their unsuspecting clients like sitting ducks onto a non-pedestrians freeway bridge for the thrill of seeing a salmon. How crazy is that?

We can thank God that to date no one has been seriously injured, yet, again this is not the primary issue with the Cove residents. And, which of you would be willing to purchase a home on Powerhouse road under the present circumstances.

Guy standing in road is the tour operator. Tour bus creeping along bridge. Another bus parked on shoulder impeding car behind. Happens all day, every day May thru September.

Hypothetically, were the Borough to back away from the discussions to date, other than to ban tour operators from invading the Herring Cove neighborhood, and demand that the tour operators work with the Cove residents and property owners to resolve this issue to the satisfaction go the Cove residents, this would be the preferred course of decision for the Cove residents.

Personally, I think that the Borough is setting  the wrong precedent in taking the course of further developing Herring cove to accommodate commercial tourism. What area in the Borough is next for such Borough sponsored commercial development encroachment upon private residential neighborhood?

There is a reason that Saxman has regulated Commercial tourism which makes sure that numbers are within acceptability and that the community/neighborhoods are not negatively impacted by rouge tour operations. How is Herring Cove different except in size?

Then there's Settler's Cove, Totem Bight and other Beach sites which restrict the types of activities occurs and by whom……. I think that the key word, which the Assembly shouldn't lose sight of is, IMPACT.

Admittedly, the tourism impact on the Herring Cove residents has evolved over the years and somewhat under the radar, to what is now a problem, created by rouge tour operators looking to make a fast buck. And, how many more will see the opportunity for financial gain and follow suite, thanks to the blessing of the Borough Assembly.

FATAL ATTRACTION
Whitman Hatchery Chinook Salmon 2013

The argument from Mr. Utterburg and Mr. Mcdonald about tax revenues and employment pales, as the tens of thousands of clients that they claim they serve would go elsewhere if rouge tour operations were restricted or didn't exist, I'm quite certain that other shore excursions would absorb the visitor volume and the Borough would experience none the worse and the rouge tour drivers would find employment elsewhere, no doubt.

Those of you who are business owners might find these rouge tour operation enviable, if it were fully realized at how little these operators have in overhead verses the monitory gains. I'd squirm and scream too, if after a lot of years undetected suddenly interested entities started asking questions and making recommendations.

I think that the Borough Assembly shouldn't spend a dime on pedestrian walkways at Herring Cove, especially on the highway which is State DOT right of way, not the Borough's.

If Rain Forest Sanctuary wants to work something out with the rouge tour operations, as they already have a walkway above the wetland next to the tideland and creek which is where the best viewing of salmon and bears takes place, then they should pursue such a proposal. I think that this could be the Borough's out on this issue, baring the Boroughs dealings with the State DOT regarding highway shoulder and bridge sidewalk, which should have been addressed and accepted by DOT ages ago.

It's not too late to refocus on this issue, as it was the residents of Herring Cove who came to the Assembly for intervention and not commercial development consultation.

Respectfully,  

Ken Arriola
"Grew up on Wood Road 1960's, now almost cry when in that area."
Ketchikan, Alaska

About: A copy of this letter was sent to Ketchikan Borough Assembly members prior to the meeting of March 17, 2014.

Received March 19, 2014 - Published March 22, 2014

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