December 24, 2007
Monday AM


Voted on by the Ketchikan City Council Thursday, December 20:

1. Eighty-Five Thousand Dollars ($85,000) for a Hybrid Vehicle for the Meter Reader.

2. A New Library Building NOT on the bus route, built on a lot that MAY NOT have adequate parking WITHOUT a parking garage built on an adjacent lot. (Did not the city residents VOTE DOWN this project and location not too long ago?)

3. A new Fire Station, a little bit smaller in square footage than a new one built in Fairbanks. (2006 Population Statistics: Ketchikan 7,622 and Fairbanks 30,552 residents. Off the tax roles: Five Million Dollar ($5,000,000) water front, zoned heavy industrial property.)

Really, if the citizens want and need these two projects what is wrong with George Lybrand s property off of the Third Avenue Bypass? It is largely undeveloped with plenty of room for parking, on the bus route, close to downtown, midtown, west end and the valley.

4. A Thirty Thousand Dollar ($30,000) window for the Police Department. (What is wrong with the current way in which ALL local enforcement officers have trained to shoot their weapons?)

5. Repeal the tax on fuel oil without knowing the financial consequences of this action.

Proposed Federal cruise rule includes ships operating in Alaska. The impact to Ketchikan as reported in the Ketchikan Daily News Thursday, December 20:

Using the 2008 cruise schedules, Cruise Line Agencies of Alaska indicates the change could affect 158 port calls and 334,300 passengers in Ketchikan, nearly one-third of the year s scheduled passenger volume here.

Is any one else concerned with City/KPU spending trends?

Bill and Linda Auger
Ketchikan, AK

About: "Bill: Born and raised in Ketchikan, lifelong resident."

"Linda: Raised in Ketchikan, lifelong Alaska resident."

Received December 21, 2007 - Published December 24, 2007

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