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SitNews - Stories In The News - Ketchikan, Alaska
Wednesday
February 15, 2023

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Alaska Historical: Ketchikan State Rep is still youngest in state's history; Terry Gardiner was also the youngest to be Speaker of the House By DAVE KIFFER - Fifty years ago, Ketchikan's Terry Gardiner became the youngest person ever elected to the Alaska State Legislature. Gardiner, who would later go to co-found Silver Lining Seafoods, would spend a decade in the state legislature and would also become the youngest person to serve as Speaker of the House, the top post in the State House of Representatives.

Ketchikan State Rep is still youngest in state's history; Terry Gardiner was also the youngest to be Speaker of the House

Terry Gardiner, 1977
Photo courtesy Creative Commons: www.commons.wikimedia.org

It was a time of unprecedented and unrepeated power for Southeast Alaska, with Gardiner serving in the House with Oral Freeman of Ketchikan, Ben Grussendorf and Dick Eliason of Sitka and Ernie Haugen of Petersburg, while Senators Bob Zeigler of Ketchikan and Bill Ray of Juneau looked out for Southeast's interests for decades in the upper chamber.

Gardiner was born in Ketchikan in 1950, the son of Herb and Helen Gardiner.  The Gardiners came to Ketchikan in 1947 and Herb worked for Fidalgo Island Packing - the 123-year-old downtown Ketchikan cannery that eventually became Trident Seafoods - for many years. He ran salmon tenders, brailed fish traps and did construction work with pile drivers. Terry Gardiner says his father “retired” in the 1960s to work in the “indoor logging camp” at the Pulp Mill in the wood room, running the band saw, the cutoff saw and the chipper until his second “retirement.” Helen Gardiner was a housewife.

In high school, Terry Gardiner began fishing with two halibut skates, that he pulled by hand and a 14-foot skiff.

“We did not make much money,” he said recently. “We fished the herring roe on kelp fisheries from my skiff until they closed those fisheries in Craig and Hydaburg.”

His first “job” was as a deckhand on John Hjorteset’s troller Pam in 1966. In 1967-68, he was a gillnet deckhand for Dick Bishop, a friend from Kayhi who was two years older.

In 1969, he took over the lease of the gillnetter Veto and then purchased his own vessel, the Connie Anne, in 1971, which he continued to fish in the summers until 1981.

“Growing up in Ketchikan, I loved everything outdoors – fishing, hunting, camping and trapping,” Gardiner said. “Commercial fishing was a natural extension and a good way to pay for college. I ran my gillnetter down to Bellingham and fall fished salmon at Point Roberts while attending Western Washington.”

Gardiner graduated from Ketchikan High School in 1968 and attended college at Western in Bellingham.

“I majored in political science and history,” he said. “The turning point was a legislative internship in Olympia (for Rep. Gladys Kirk of Queen Anne) in 1971 for a session. It was a great education and inspired me to think seriously about politics and public policy at a practical level.”

In 1972, he worked in the Alaska Legislature for Rep. Mike Miller of Juneau and the House Local Government Committee.

“He was a great boss and a mentor,” Gardiner said. “In 1972, I became very involved (with the) Alaska Democratic Party to nominate George McGovern for President, primarily over the Vietnam War issue. I became a delegate to the Democratic conventions. This was known as the Ad Hoc Movement in Alaska. The Ad Hoc movement decided…to promote new candidates for the Alaska Legislature who opposed the war and were progressive in general. I served on the District One Committee to recruit candidates. When the committee became desperate needing another candidate, Dick Whittaker asked me to run. I said ‘in the future,’ I needed to finish my senior year (at Western) and graduate. He somehow interpreted this as a ‘yes’ and filed for me while I was out fishing before the July 1 deadline. I heard on the radio while fishing at Tree Point that I was a candidate.” - More...
Wednesday - February 15, 2023


PeaceHealth Ketchikan Medical Center to celebrate 100 years of service

PeaceHealth Ketchikan Medical Center to celebrate 100 years of service
Little Flower Hospital, aka Ketchikan Hospital, built in 1923; replaced in 1963.
Photo courtesy KMC & Ketchikan Museums: Tongass Historical Society


 

Ketchikan: PeaceHealth Ketchikan Medical Center to celebrate 100 years of service - February 22, 2023, will mark the 100th anniversary of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Peace’s caring service to Ketchikan. On February 22, 1923, Bishop Joseph Crimont dedicated the Little Flower Hospital in Ketchikan to serve all members of the community, including Alaska Natives. "Little Flower" was the name of St. Terese, the patron saint of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Peace, the order than "ran" the hospital for the Catholic Church. The hospital was dedicated in her honor but records are unclear if it was officially known as Little Flower Hospital. Primarily, it was known as Ketchikan Hospital. The old building on Bawden Street deteriorated over the years and was demolished in 2013.

PeaceHealth Ketchikan Medical Center stated in a news release, for 100 years, the Sisters of St. Joseph of Peace have brought compassionate care to the First City. Now known as PeaceHealth, the organization remains committed to serving southern Southeast Alaska with the same courageous compassion of our founding Sisters.

As PeaceHealth marks 100 years of excellence in healthcare in Ketchikan, the PeaceHealth Ketchikan Medical Center acknowledges the countless people and entities that have made this hospital and our community thrive. PeaceHealth Ketchikan caregivers are the backbone of PeaceHealth's work. Quoting a news release, the commitment each extends to caring for members of our community has made Ketchikan a better place to live.

While the Sisters of St. Joseph of Peace advocated for the latest technology and training, the Ketchikan community continually stepped up to raise the funds necessary. Philanthropic giving has consistently provided Ketchikan with some of the best technology and equipment available for a community of our size. Time after time, Ketchikan has been praised for is exceptional care stated the news release.

The City of Ketchikan has been an instrumental partner in ensuring safe, compassionate care is available to the local population. The City of Ketchikan built and owns the current medical center facility operated by PeaceHealth, which first opened in 1963. Over the past 60 years, the City of Ketchikan has remained central to the provision of quality healthcare to Ketchikan through the maintenance and expansion of the hospital and clinics. In 2021, PeaceHealth and the City of Ketchikan signed a new lease outlining responsibilities between the entities and solidifying that continued relationship. - More...
Wednesday - February 15, 2023


Ketchikan Borough Officials Advocating For Issues in Washington, D.C

Ketchikan Borough Officials Advocating For Issues in Washington, D.C
Pictured: Assembly Member Jeremy Bynum; Borough Mayor Rodney Dial; Assembly Member Grant EchoHawk.
Photo courtesy KGB Clerk

Ketchikan: Ketchikan Borough Officials Advocating For Issues in Washington, D.C. - It was announced Friday by Ketchikan Borough Clerk Kacie Paxton that Borough Mayor Rodney Dial, Assembly Member Jeremy Bynum, Assembly Member Grant EchoHawk, and Manager Ruben Duran are currently in Washington DC advocating for policies and issues for the citizens of the Ketchikan Gateway Borough.

While in Washington DC, the delegation will be meeting with White House staff, our Alaska Congressional Delegation, and multiple Federal agency officials. The delegation will be addressing the following top Ketchikan Borough policy issues:

• Cruise Industry Assistance - urging the Federal government to reform the Passenger Vessel Services Act (PVSA) and supporting language or bills that would allow for the safe transportation of passengers to Alaska without interference by foreign countries.

• Secure Rural Schools Funding - urging Congress and the Executive Branch to achieve a long-term solution for continued revenue sharing payments to boroughs and counties that encompass National Forest lands. This program provides assistance to rural counties, boroughs, and school districts affected by the decline in revenue from timber harvests on Federal lands, and has provided critical funding for Borough schools since 1963.

• Payment in Lieu of Taxes Program - urging Congress to support mandatory full funding of the Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILT) program. Since 1976, the PILT program has provided critical funding to the Ketchikan Gateway Borough. The PILT program funds partially offset losses in tax revenues due to the presence of substantial acreage of Federal land in our jurisdiction.

• Tongass National Forest - supporting an Alaska exemption to the 2001 Roadless Area Conservation Rule and subsequent amendments to the 2016 Tongass Land Management Plan (TLMP) to return to a sustainable yield limit of 248 million board feet. - More...
Wednesday - February 15, 2023


 HJR 5 moves out of Alaska House Fisheries Committee supporting protection of Southeast Alaska’s troll fishery

HJR 5 moves out of Alaska House Fisheries Committee supporting protection of Southeast Alaska’s troll fishery
Spring Chinook Salmon.
Photo Credit: Michael Humling, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service


 

Southeast Alaska: HJR 5 moves out of Alaska House Fisheries Committee supporting protection of Southeast Alaska’s troll fishery - Yesterday, Tuesday, the Alaska State Legislature’s House Special Committee on Fisheries received testimony and passed a resolution (HJR 5) that calls for state and federal agencies to defend Southeast Alaska’s troll fishery from a potential closure this year due to a lawsuit that a Washington-based organization, the Wild Fish Conservancy (WFC), has filed against the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS). The lawsuit alleges that Alaska’s Chinook troll fishery imperils the Southern Resident Killer Whales and aims to shut the fishery down, leaving nearly 1,500 fishermen without a job. Alaska’s trollers have intervened in the case, calling attention to the WFC’s misguided claims and the well-documented impacts that habitat loss, water pollution, urbanization, and vessel traffic are having on the Puget Sound’s salmon and orca populations. 

The resolution was introduced by freshman legislator Rep Himschoot of Sitka, a sitting member of the House Special Committee on Fisheries. During the hearing, the committee heard from local fishermen, community leaders, and fishery experts on the economic impacts of Southeast Alaska’s troll fishery as well as the devastating impacts of a fishery closure to the region’s economy and fishing families.

“In our community, trolling is a huge portion of our income, and in particular in the winter months when all the summer activities - all the lodges are shut down, all the sports fishermen are gone - there’s nothing else,” said Casey Mapes, Yakutat resident and lifelong commercial fisherman. “Out of my troll income, king salmon is probably two thirds of what I make in a year’s time.”

“Fishing is now the mainstay of Craig’s economy since logging is all but gone on Prince of Wales Island. Commercial salmon trolling is a significant portion of our fishing fleet. Our fleet on Prince of Wales is over 100 boats with 120 charter boats also operating out of Craig each year… We stand to lose all of this if this Wild Fish Conservancy lawsuit is successful,” shared Tim O’Connor, Mayor of Craig and commercial fisherman.

After hearing all of the oral testimony, the House Fisheries Committee unanimously voted to move the resolution forward out of the committee; it will next be voted on by the House then the Senate before becoming final. The Alaska Trollers Association and Alaska Longline Fishermen’s Association celebrated the committee’s vote.

“We thank Representative Himschoot and the rest of the Fisheries Committee for standing with the thousands of fishing families in Alaska who depend on Southeast Alaska’s troll fishery, which provides more jobs for Alaska residents than any other fishery and is especially important to those who live in Alaska’s smaller, remote communities. Trollers are doing everything  we can to fight this misguided lawsuit and defend our state’s economy, but we can’t do it alone and hope that the State Legislature will move to pass this resolution swiftly,” said Amy Daugherty, Alaska Trollers Association Executive Director. - More...
Wednesday - February 15, 2023


Cape Fox Corporation Participates in the 2023 TREND AK Fashion Show with Original Designs

Cape Fox Corporation Participates in the 2023 TREND AK Fashion Show with Original Designs
Designers Kenneth White and Jeremy Barrett show off their original Tlingit art fashion designs at the 2023 Alaska Trend Fashion Show.
Photo courtesy Cape Fox Corporation


 

Ketchikan: Cape Fox Corporation Participates in the 2023 TREND AK Fashion Show with Original Designs - Cape Fox Corporation (CFC) recently brought its unique style and art to the fashion world. On January 28, 2023, CFC participated in the 3rd annual Trend Fashion Show in Anchorage, Alaska. Six unique outfits were showcased.

The artwork for the outfits was created by Kenneth White,  Miilgm Ts'amtii (Michael Milne), and Kyle Hudson and then put into fashion apparel by Ts'iingyimgm'aatk (Jeremy Barrett). Miilgm Ts'amtii, Kyle, and Ts'iingyimgm'aatk are Ts’msyen Alaska Natives. This was the first year CFC was represented at the Trend Fashion Show, and we were delighted to be able to exhibit the talent of the members of the CFC team and present the unique style, colors, and meanings illustrated in our Alaska Native art.

The Trend Fashion Show is an exclusive event that showcases Alaska's artists and fashion designers. This is the third year the show has taken place. Each year proceeds from the show are donated to a meaningful cause. This year's event supported Let Every Woman Know, a local nonprofit organization dedicated to preventing and ending gynecologic cancers through education, support, advocacy, and arts programs.

CFC had six designs on exhibit at this year's show, which contained bold, Indigenous-inspired prints adorning the ready-to-wear line. This clothing collection included streetwear with designs inspired by the Tlingit culture. CFC was asked to participate in the event when one of the hosts happened by the Cape Fox Lodge gift shop and saw a pair of shoes that caught her eye. The shoes have been designed with Kenneth White's Human Tinaa design and Jeremy put his artistic flair by adding the design to the shoes.

When interviewed recently, Jeremy Barrett was asked what he wanted others to feel when they see his fashion and the Alaska Native designs. Jeremy replied, "My mission with this clothing line is for people to see that our art is alive and thriving, evolving, and coming to life in more and more ways. I want to get our artists' names out there. I want people to reach out to these artists and help provide revenue for Saxman, Ketchikan, and Alaska. Being invited to the Trend Alaska Fashion Show was such an amazing feeling. The art made by local artists and how I applied them to clothing and accessories being noticed by a fashion show that Alaska hosts is such an amazing feeling. It makes me proud. I look forward to next year, and I already have ideas brewing." - More...
Wednesday - February 15, 2023


SitNews Front Page Photo By WENDY HAMILTON

Tongass Sunset
SitNews Front Page Photo By WENDY HAMILTON©2023
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Southeast Alaska: SEITC Says Proposed Canadian Open-pit Gold Mine in the Unuk River Watershed Threat to Southeast Alaska; Comments due Feb. 16th; Tahltan and Nisga’a Nations Announce Partnership To Maximize Economic Benefits of "golden triangle" - Upstream from Southeast Alaska, in the British Columbia wilderness, a significant mining boom is taking place. The mineral-rich region is the mining industry's "golden triangle"; for Indigenous peoples, "the sacred headwaters" – the origins of immense watersheds that include the culturally important Shtax'heen (Stikine) Joonáx? (Unuk) and T'aa?u Héeni (Taku) rivers that are vital for Southeast Alaska Tribes, ways of life and the survival of wild pacific salmon.

The recent completion of the high-voltage Northwest Transmission Line, constructed to facilitate major mining projects, is further accelerating the rapid development and dozens of mining projects currently exist in the transboundary watersheds.

Skeena is proposing to resume operations at the underground Eskay Creek mine as an open-pit gold-silver mine. The mine, re-branded as the Eskay Creek Revitalization Project, lies in the Unuk River watershed, 77 miles south of Iskut, B.C.

The mine plan includes two open pits, the dumping of mining waste into natural lakes expanding behind tailings dams and calls for structures that will have to be maintained into perpetuity - a time frame within which complete failure is guaranteed to occur.

"The tailings have to remain underwater forever so as not to go acid. Skeena has no plan to treat the water leaving the tailing lakes. The levels of lake water will have to be maintained, neither going dry nor overtopping the dam, forever.", states Guy Archibald, scientist and executive director of Southeast Alaska Indigenous Transboundary Commission (SEITC), which represents 15 Tribal Nations that calls on the Government of Canada and the Province of British Columbia to work jointly with U.S Tribes to consider the transboundary impacts of mining operations.

SEITC president and 2nd vice president of Tlingit & Haida’s Executive Council, Rob Sanderson, Jr says British Columbia has buried them in the process. “The engagement from B.C. has been insufficient and ignores our Section 35 rights in Canada. We rely on the healthy waters of the Unuk river for our thousands of years-old cultural and subsistence practices.”

Canada and B.C. have enacted legislation that incorporates the United Nations Declaration of Indigenous Rights into domestic law. If a project affects the territories or resources of Indigenous peoples, the Crown is required to obtain their free, prior and informed consent.

The environmental assessment for the Eskay Creek mine largely focuses on the project in isolation, and consultation is taking place in closed meetings with only the Tahltan nation represented.

The Environmental Assessment Decision is in progress for the Eskay Creek Revitalization Project and the public is invited to participate in the public comment period. Comments are due Feb 16 and can be submitted online at British Columbia Environmental Assessment website or by mail to the EAO, PO Box 9426 Stn Prov Govt, Victoria, BC, V8W 9V1.

Regarding the mention by Southeast Alaska Indigenous Transboundary Commission of the closed meetings with the Tahitan nation, last month the Tahltan Nation and Nisga'a Nation (the “Nations”) joined together in a new partnership to maximize economic benefits at the Seabridge KSM Project. Quoting a news release from the "Nations", this partnership will bring new life to a historic and centuries-old Peace Treaty, through the Treaty Creek Limited Partnership. The new partnership will optimize their participation at the Seabridge KSM project, further establishing the Nations as industry leaders in mining and exploration. This historic partnership was announced at AME Roundup in Vancouver, a conference hosted by the Association for Minerals Exploration.

The partnership between the Tahltan Nation and Nisga'a Nation has been established through their respective development corporations, Tahltan Nation Development Corporation and Nisga’a Growth Corporation. Both Nations will be equal partners in the newly established Treaty Creek Limited Partnership (the “Partnership”). Through the Partnership, there will be new opportunities for Nation members through training, employment, and contraction with KSM. - More...
Wednesday - February 15, 2023


Columns - Commentary

 
jpg TOM PURCELL

TOM PURCELL: THE MISTRUTHS OF POLITICS - There are no small number of accusations lately that — shocking as it may be — some of our politicians are lying to us.

Some Republicans shouted the “L” word during President Biden’s State of the Union Address, when he said Republicans wanted to end Social Security and Medicare.

Freshman Republican George Santos spun a lot of yarn during his campaign and many of the things he claimed — such as where he went to high school and college and many other things — were simply untrue.

And Biden himself, reports Reason, makes claims about his policies that makes his even supporters roll their eyes.

Reason refers to last summer’s Inflation Reduction Act, which the president claimed would tame inflation, which does nothing to tame inflation, according to CBS News.

As Reason points out, all of our recent presidents have practiced in their share of mistruths: - More...
Wednesday - February 15, 2023

jpg CARL GOLDEN

CARL GOLDEN: TRUMP IS A MONUMENTAL PROBLEM FOR REPUBLICANS - Aside from occupying the White House itself, former president Donald Trump is exactly where he wants to be – at the center of the national political dialogue, a dominating media presence and a controlling influence in the selection of a Republican presidential nominee in 2024.

He was impeached twice, lost re-election to an opponent who seldom left his basement, remains under at least two Department of Justice investigations, is the subject of civil and criminal inquiries into his personal and business dealings and stands accused of encouraging a violent assault on the U. S. Capitol.

Despite what appears to be insurmountable baggage, he leads the field of potential Republican nominees, and in some polls holds a lead over President Biden in a hypothetical 2024 contest.

By any measure, his status is extraordinary, a testament to the most massive ego in modern political history. It’s also revealing about the overwhelming power of social media, which has supplanted traditional media as the primary source of news while trafficking in rumor, uninformed opinion and conspiracy theories. - More...
Wednesday - February 15, 2023

jpg BEN EDWARDS

FINANCIAL FOCUS: Don’t let fear drive investment decisions Provided By BEN EDWARDS, AAMS®- In the past year, we’ve seen some big swings in the financial markets. This volatility may make you feel as if you have little control over your investment success. But the truth is, you do have more control than you might think — as long as you don’t let fear guide your decisions.

Investment-related fear can manifest itself in a few different ways:

• Fear of loss – Some investors may emphasize avoiding losses more than achieving gains. Consequently, they might build portfolios they consider very low in risk, possibly containing a high percentage of certificates of deposit (CDs) and U.S. Treasury securities. Yet, a highly conservative approach carries its own risk — the risk of not achieving enough growth to stay ahead of inflation, much less meet long-term goals such as a comfortable retirement. To reach these goals, you’ll want to construct a diversified portfolio containing different types of assets and investments — each of which may perform differently at different times. Your objective shouldn’t be to avoid all risk — which is impossible — but to create an investment strategy that accommodates your personal risk tolerance and time horizon. - More...
Wednesday - February 15, 2023


POLITICAL CARTOONS

jpg Political Cartoon: Shoring Up Social Security and Medicare

Political Cartoon: Shoring Up Social Security and Medicare
by R.J. Matson©2023, CQ Roll Call
Distributed to subscribers for publication by CagleCartoons.com

jpg Political Cartoon: Democrats Vote to Give Vote to Illegals

Political Cartoon: Democrats Vote to Give Vote to Illegals
by Dick Wright©2023, PoliticalCartoons.com
Distributed to subscribers for publication by CagleCartoons.com

jpg Political Cartoon: China Taunts Biden

Political Cartoon: China Taunts Biden
by Gary McCoy©2023, Shiloh, IL
Distributed to subscribers for publication by CagleCartoons.com

jpg Political Cartoon: Unidentified Flying Objects

Political Cartoon: Unidentified Flying Objects
by John Darkow©2023, Columbia Missourian
Distributed to subscribers for publication by CagleCartoons.com

jpg Political Cartoon: Weather Balloons

Political Cartoon: Weather Balloons
by Rivers©2023, CagleCartoons.com
Distributed to subscribers for publication by CagleCartoons.com


      

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jpg Opinion

Big wins for Ketchikan By U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski Earlier [in January], the 117th Congress formally adjourned, marking the close of a remarkably productive legislative stretch for Alaska. The last Congress was one of the best for our state in recent memory, and the bipartisan bills we passed during it will produce lasting benefits for Ketchikan.

 Most significant is the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, which I played a lead role on. In just over a year, roughly $3 billion from it has been announced for Alaska. Those dollars are helping us build, expand, and modernize everything from roads, bridges, ports, and airports to our water, broadband, energy, and ferry systems. In doing so, they’re creating jobs, boosting our economy, and transforming lives.

The bipartisan infrastructure law includes investments to deploy fiber broadband on Prince of Wales Island and in Metlakatla, along with substantial support that should go to the Marine Highway System to help reconnect Ketchikan and Southeast Alaskans. The recent announcement of $285 million for the Alaska Marine Highway System will allow us to upgrade docks in five communities, modernize several vessels including the Tazlina and Kennicott, and design a new mainliner.

In addition to the infrastructure bill, the budget packages we passed included hundreds of millions of dollars in standard allocations for Alaska. We also leveraged my position as a senior appropriator to directly fund nearly 200 critical projects across the state without adding to overall spending levels.

Leaders in Ketchikan and across the region shared their priorities with me—and now, funding is going to the Ketchikan Gateway Borough and Craig to upgrade their wastewater treatment plants. We also secured the funds needed to repair the crumbling Schoenbar Culvert, for airport upgrades, to deploy electric buses, and for a new CT scanner at the PeaceHealth Medical Center.

 Over the past two years, we likewise prioritized improving the quality of life for our servicemembers, and supported and modernized the Coast Guard through the Don Young Coast Guard Reauthorization Act. The bipartisan infrastructure law provided further investments for the Coast Guard - including a 65-ton crane for the Ketchikan industrial facility. - More...
Monday - February 06, 2023

jpg Opinion

THE WELFARE QUEENIES OF KETCHIKAN By David G Hanger - The Paycheck Protection Program was established in late March 2020 with an initial allocation of $394 billion to provide forgivable loans to small businesses to pay their employees for the first two-and-a-months of the Covid pandemic. Thereafter, the program was extended multiple times over a period of about 15 months for a total allocation of right at $1 trillion. The maximum for any job covered was supposed to be limited to $100,000. Yet despite that the program’s average cost ranged from $168,000 to $258,000 per job, and it has been duly noted both by academics and others that any number of government programs would have provided these benefits at a much lower cost, for example the increased use of unemployment insurance.

Thus “the majority of the benefits (of the PPP program) flowed to business owners, their creditors and their suppliers rather than to workers.” Only “23% to 34% of the dollars” went to workers with “three-fourths (of $1 trillion) accruing to the top quintile of households.”

Independent research conducted at the University of Texas at Austin determined that at least 15% of all PPP loans were fraudulent. The Federal government estimates as high as one-third, and in large measure because of this recognition has extended the statute of limitation for PPP fraud to 10 years from the standard three. Some of you are going to be spending a long time looking over your shoulder, and the interest is accruing for every day of that time.

The crassness and the corruption begin with the Small Business Administration (SBA) and the Trump cronies assigned to administer this program. According to the General Accountability Office (GAO), “The report found that the PPP loan application process allowed small businesses to self-certify their needs and qualification. Consequently, some applicants were able to exploit the program by illegitimately inflating their payroll costs to qualify for larger PPP loans, misrepresenting their number of employees to illegitimately appear eligible for a PPP loan, and certifying that the loan proceeds would be used for allowable costs while actually using the loan proceeds for personal use.” What essentially happened is this bunch of corrupt clowns rather than organizing and administering a program chose to open the floodgates to corruption with an inside twist, only starting with certain lenders being paid by SBA to rubber stamp these forgivable loans, most of which have already been forgiven, I should add.- More...
Monday - February 06, 2023

jpg Opinion

Alaska Ferry System Cancellation of Prince Rupert Ferry Route Critique By Mary Lynne Dahl - The numerous problems facing our Alaska Marine Highway System (AMHS) are on the verge of causing this entire transportation system for Southeast Alaska to collapse. The primary reasons for this imminent collapse are budgetary, management and planning mistakes that have been tolerated and even promoted by state government for many years. The subject of this critique is to provide an overview of the problems of the Alaska Highway System in general but more specifically the extreme difficulties resulting from the elimination of regular service to the port of Prince Rupert, BC in particular. Let’s look at some historical facts to get perspective on these issues.- More...
Sunday - January 29, 2023

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In Memory of SitNews' editor
(1999-2006),
Richard (Dick) Kauffman

1932-2007

Mary Kauffman, Webmaster/Editor,
Publisher...
editor@sitnews.us
907 617 9696

 jpg Mary Kauffman, Editor

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Created 1997
1997-2005 Non-commercial
Est. Commercial 2005-2023
©1997 - 2023

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Legacy Real Estate - Ketchikan, Alaska EST 1970

Gateway City Realty - Ketchikan, Alaska

Madison Lumber & Hardware - Ketchikan, Alaska (TrueValue)

Coastal Keller Williams Realty - Ketchikan, Alaska

First Bank - Ketchikan, Alaska

PeaceHealth Ketchikan Medical Center - Ketchikan, Alaska

Tongass Trading Co. Furniture House - Ketchikan, Alaska

Tongass Trading Company - Shop A Piece of History - Ketchikan, Alaska

Rendezvous Senior Day Center - Ketchikan, Alaska - Serving seniors and adults with disabilities.

Alaskan and Proud Markets - Grocery & Liquor Stores - Ketchikan, Alaska

KRBD - Ketchikan FM Community Radio for Southern Southeast Alaska

 

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