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SitNews - Stories In The News - Ketchikan, Alaska
Thursday
March 18, 2010

Front Page Photo by MIKE GATES

March Evening
Front Page Photo by MIKE GATES



  

Southeast Alaska: Sport Charter Halibut Permit Application Deadline Nears - NOAA Fisheries is reminding sport charter fishing operators in Southeast Alaska and the central Gulf of Alaska that the April 5, 2010 deadline to apply for a permit to operate in 2011 is approaching.

"If you don't apply before April 5 this year, you won't get a permit, even if you qualify otherwise," said Jim Balsiger, Administrator of NOAA Fisheries' Alaska Region.

Staff with the Alaska Region of NOAA Fisheries have sent application packets with blank forms to all operators they believe to be eligible, and that they have current addresses for. Application forms are also available on the web at: http://alaskafisheries.noaa.gov/ram/ or by calling 1-800-304-4846 (option 2).

NOAA Fisheries' Alaska Region estimates that 527 businesses will apply for a total of 920 permits under the new limited license program. As of March 15, NOAA Fisheries had received applications from over 400 businesses. - More...
Thursday - March 18, 2010

Alaska Science: Gulls love garbage By NED ROZELL - Garbage allows gulls to thrive in the oilfields of northern Alaska, and furry little pikas might be changing their body shapes in response to changes in climate, according to two graduate students who recently gave public defenses of their theses at the University of Alaska Fairbanks.

Emily Weiser spent a few summers on Alaska's North Slope, studying glaucous gulls, creamy white and gray birds most people refer to as "seagulls." The birds spend their summers off the north coast of Alaska and inland up to about 100 miles.

Weiser studied gulls at Barrow, Alaska's northernmost city; at Cape Simpson, where no people live; at Alpine oil field, in the North Slope's Colville River Delta; and at Deadhorse, a town just south of Prudhoe Bay. She wanted to see if the presence of available garbage enhanced the population of glaucous gulls, which eat just about everything, including the eggs and chicks of other birds.

"Glaucous gulls are the most abundant human-subsidized predator (in the oilfield area)," Weiser said. - More....
Thursday - March 18, 2010

Alaska Science: Pikas love cold By NED ROZELL - Pikas are cute, fist-size mammals with round ears that live in lonely rock piles in Alaska's high country. Despite their hamster-like appearance, they are more closely related to rabbits, and they survive the winter beneath the snow, eating vegetation they stacked in piles during summer.

Pikas love cold

Pika
Photo by Link Olson

Hayley Lanier studied collared pikas, which live on talus slopes in Alaska and northwest Canada, for her doctorate at UAF. One of her goals was to see if pikas might have adapted to the warmer temperatures of recent decades.

Pikas are intolerant of high summer heat, and a species of pika in the lower 48 states has disappeared from spots down there, possibly because their high-country habitat is becoming too warm. Lanier measured skulls of pikas that people had collected for the UA Museum of the North during the last 60 years.

She and her advisor Link Olson noticed that a man named Robert Spooner had collected a good number of the pika specimens that she had used in her study. After wondering for several years about the person who had so carefully prepared the delicate skins, Olson found Spooner's name in the Fairbanks phone book and invited him to attend Lanier's thesis defense. He accepted.

A UAF graduate student in the early 1960s, Spooner used a .410-gauge shotgun loaded with No. 9 shot to retrieve pikas from several locations in Alaska before deciding "research wasn't my bag" and becoming a teacher in Fairbanks.

Lanier compared the body size of pikas Spooner had collected off the Denali Highway to pikas she found in the same area 45 years later. She found the more modern pikas had larger skulls and a shorter body length. - More...
Thursday - March 18, 2010

   

Columns - Commentary

DAVE KIFFER: Planning For The Next Big Thing - With all of our eyes shifted north to see who crosses the Iditarod finish
line first (I bet it will be a dog), it's time to harness up the old entrepreneurial spirit sled and come up with some ideas for other funtastic events to boost our great state.

For example, our Vancouver friends are still basking in the afterglow (or maybe it's just that the fourth leg of the Olympic torch has finally come on) of their Olympics. But what have they got happening now and in the immediate future? The upcoming Stanley Park Magic Mushroom Frolic just isn't going to cut it.

With the Iditarod already underway, we need to be looking ahead. We need to be planning for the next big thing.

I'm never afraid to borrow something (the line about the dog being first in the Iditarod was stolen from the Right Honorable Rev. George Pasley), so first up, kudos to the Anchorage Daily News for first promoting of the idea of an "Iquitarod" in honor of the former governor when she decided to "spend more time with her family" last summer.

But why not take it step farther (or further if you prefer). She's reportedly been house hunting in every state in the union (or at least those with early primaries) so her new contest - at least in relation to Alaska - is the "Isplitarod."

This time of year, an event called the "Isplitarod" would be very welcome amongst the year round denizens of the Last Frontier. Unfortunately, it doesn't do much for the local economy if we are spending our permanent fund checks in Maui and Cabo.

So what can we do to "enhance" our statewide event calendar and actually bring some suckers, uh, I mean "visitors" northward?

Here are some modest proposals.

Islitarod - A fish gutting contest could be big business with all those beefy fisherpersons who clog up the seats on Alaska Airlines every summer. Then again, they probably don't really want to "self process" the fish they catch. It gets spots on all those spotless Cabelas shirts they seem to favor.

Perhaps another "outdoorsy" option could be:

Ispitarod - I see these goofy tobacco spitting contests all the time, Well, I see them mentioned all the time, usually in some back country fair in the hills of the Deep South. Imagine the tie-ins with the Red Man or Chattanooga Chew! Of course, there is the nasty little problem of the spittoons to deal with. They really dot the landscape and don't add to the Big Wild natural picture that is Alaska. Perhaps we could link them with
the "honey buckets" that visitors seem to find so quaint about rural Alaska?

Speaking of rural Alaska, it could hardly be more rustic if we could figure out a way to celebrate our outhouses. Perhaps a 1,000 mile race to visit all (or at least a large portion) of them. We could call it the (CENSORED). Could be big! - More...
Tuesday - March 16, 2010

      

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Questions, please contact the editor at editor@sitnews.us or call 617-9696.

letter Don't Sell KPU Telecom By Mike Harpold - Saying that the KPU Telecommunications Division is losing profitability, the city wants to sell it. But voters need to ask if selling the utility is truly in the best interests of city residents. - More...
Tuesday - March 16, 2010

letterEnsuring Accurate Tribal Counts In 2010 Census By Norman Arriola & Lee Wallace - Ketchikan Indian Community (KIC) and Organized Village of Saxman (OVS) are proud partners with the 2010 Census. The 2010 Census will provide us with a snapshot of our nation and tribal communities. By being counted, tribal citizens will help paint a clearer picture of Alaska Native peoples. - More...
Tuesday - March 16, 2010

letterStolen Tongass Tribe Lands, 202 By Aan Kadax Tseen aka Don Hoff Jr. - We are the lineal descendants of the Taan ta Kwaan means Sealion People or known as Tongass Tribe a traditional and historical Alaskan Native Tribe in Ketchikan indisputably recognized by all Tlingit, Haida and Tsimshian tribes in Southeast Alaska. My Clan, Gaanax adi Clan is the oldest Clan in the Tlingit Nation, with that said, Ketchikan is the aboriginal territory of the Gaanax adi Clan that is Tongass Tribe. We still claim all the low tide lands starting from Tatsuda's to the Tunnel. Tongass Tribe also owned unoccupied village sites on Tongass Island, Long Island, Village Island, Cat Island, Duke Island, Annette Island, Portland Channel, Nakat Bay, Cape Chacon, Pennock Island, Gravina Island, Prince of Wales Island, and Kasaan. - More...
Tuesday - March 16, 2010

letterLands Sealaska Wants NEVER Belonged to Sealaska By Roger DiPaolo - The following argument has become very prevalent of late: "Sealaska only wants the lands they are entitled to returned to them" - More...
Tuesday - March 16, 2010

letterSealaska Land Bill By Jean Bland - I attended the meeting in Craig; Sealaska's Attorney said to quit hiding behind these letters and call them, they welcome calls and will answer your questions, the land will still be open for public use, if you read the paperwork they handed out. - More...
Tuesday - March 16, 2010

letterSealaska Land Swap bills By Roger DiPaolo - As a resident of Edna Bay, one of the 3 communities most affected by this bill, the major reason that these bills are bad is that the lives of the residents of our 3 towns were not adequately taken into consideration. We residents of these towns are not hostile to Sealaska nor our native neighbors, we wish to see them live and prosper equally beside us. - More...
Tuesday - March 16, 2010

letterBig thank you to Sitnews By Sandy Powers - I just want to thank Sitnews for their lack of bias in running articles and letters which present various points of view, THANK YOU! Also for running a lot of user generated content, pictures, classified ads, etc. It is very encouraging that, while the local printed newspaper's content shows a marked bias, yours does not. - More...
Tuesday - March 16, 2010

letterTHE OLD FOLKS AND THE CORPORATION By Lois Morgan - There was once an old woman who had spent her whole life in the Great Forest. She was the daughter of a lumberman on the most southern edge of the Great Forest, she grew up benefiting from the beauty and purity of the nature around her and learned at an early age that the nature beings were much kinder then most humans; counting on the creatures of nature to soothe her when a human had abused her. She grew up wanting to go to Alaska, at the far north of the Great Forest, where there were alleged to be fewer humans as well as more pristine nature. When she met a man who wanted to go with her, she abandoned her studies and left with him on their grand adventure. - More...
Tuesday - March 16, 2010

letterIce Rink Suggestion By Kara Steele - I was reading Linda Beaupre's letter and wanted to say kudos! An ice rink is an EXCELLENT idea for Southeast! - More...
Tuesday - March 16, 2010

letterEnergize with Nuclear Power By Donald A. Moskowitz - Oil is a diminishing and expensive source of energy, and coal is dirty. - More...
Tuesday - March 16, 2010

letterThe Need to Stop S. B. 881 By Eric Muench - The people of Southeast Alaska need to know what is in Senate Bill 881, sponsored by Senators Lisa Murkowski and Nick Begich, and the subject of a meeting Saturday, March 13 at the Borough Assembly Chambers. So far much of it appears to be unknown to most people. - More...
Friday - March 12, 2010

letterSealaska Bill listening sessions on POW By Bob Claus - The Sealaska Bill listening sessions on POW proved the bill is controversial and splits our communities. But they did not serve the stated purpose of letting affected communities be heard. Nor do the way they were handled give residents confidence that their statements will be accurately conveyed to the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee. - More...
Friday - March 12, 2010

letterS881 Sealaska Lands Bill: Port Protection & Point Baker By Judy Magnuson - Port Protection and Point Baker residents deserved the common courtesy of notification that their meeting was canceled. Residents of both communities kept calling to ask - has it been canceled? And the answer was always the same- no word yet. Finally, with no notification to the contrary and needing a half hour to travel from Point Baker across the open Bay to Port Protection, and not wanting to miss the only opportunity to be heard we have had , people came. We were never notified by Mr. Kleeshulte that he was not coming until 5 minutes AFTER the time the meeting was to start. Even though he must have known in advance of that he would not make it. - More...
Friday - March 12, 2010

letterS.881 Impact: Town Hall Meeting Canceled in Edna Bay By Myla Poelstra - The community of Edna Bay is deeply disappointed that Chuck Kleeschulte has unilaterally canceled a meeting in Edna Bay scheduled for 1:00 pm Wednesday. Had he consulted with us first we could have told him the timing of the meeting was ill conceived and dangerous.  - More...
Friday - March 12, 2010

letterS.881/HR.2099 - SEALASKA LAND GRAB LEGISLATION THE WRONG ANSWER FOR SOUTHEAST ALASKA By Myla Poelstra - S.881/HR.2099, two highly questionable pieces of legislation that are quickly becoming stark examples of the wrong approach being taken to resolve an issue that cannot possibly be defended by its sponsors as equitable. The responsibilities being avoided or ignored by our representatives only add to the perception that something is wrong with this process. The recent ethics violations by Senator Kookesh during his lobbying on behalf of Sealaska Corp., in which he is Chairman of the Board, bring into focus the tip of an iceberg many now believe exposes unconscionable support for a contentious proposal that will only represent the interests of its proponents. - More...
Friday - March 12, 2010

letterProhibition of U.S.Citizens from Commercial, Personal fishing By A.M Johnson - The Obama administration has ended public input for a federal strategy that could prohibit U.S. citizens from fishing some of the nation's oceans, coastal areas, Great Lakes, and even inland waters. - More...
Friday - March 12, 2010

letterDXM By Lela Raymond - I would like to say how thankful I am to the Ketchikan school board, police chief Ed Talik, Kyle Johanson, Dave Scott and the Ketchikan Daily News for really getting the issue of DXM out there. I missed getting tapped in to the school districts mailing to get this thank you out to all the parents for the support that I have received which has been overwhelming and more than I expected. - More...
Friday - March 12, 2010

letterIndoor Ice Rink By Patrick Branco - Thank you Linda. Families can skate together, boys and girls can learn figure skating, boys and girls and men and women can play hockey. And on the heels of the olympics we could try a curling club here. (that wasn't a joke, by the way). I love the idea of an ice rink for family fun. - More...
Friday - March 12, 2010

letterThe cup half full By Ivy Rose - With the days seeming to fly by and caos of our everyday life we all fall short of looking at the cup half full. I remember not to long ago writing a letter on sitnews about customer service and being positive, and it got me thinking. Customer service is more than just serving people, and being nice, but what how we react day to day. It is a proven fact that people remeber and hold on to negative experiences more than the positive ones. How easy it is to let the zen of goodness be zapped by something as silly as someone not letting us out in traffic when we are in a hurry. Then we feel that the whole world needs to know of the wrong doing. - More...
Friday - March 12, 2010

letterRe: Wake Up Parents By Bethany Phippen - So the debate continues. First and foremost I have totally given up the talk about the older children who ditch their coats. There is only so much that can be done when it comes to the kids who can actually speak for themselves leaving their coats when they are told to put one on. - More...
Friday - March 12, 2010

letterS 881 meeting set for Ketchikan By Johnnie Laird - I want to take this opportunity to thank those that sent in emails to Sen Murkowski asking her to set a meeting about this legislation in Ketchikan. It has been set for Saturday, March 13th at 12 noon at the borough chambers.

I want to make a few statements about this legislation. - More...
Monday - March 08, 2010

letter Why are S 881 meetings being rushed through? By Alan Stein - The Sealaska's Bill S 881 should die immediately in committee in Congress. Two weeks ago, I warned the Senate Staffer, Chuck Kleeschulte, who is conducting the S 881 dog and pony shows in Alaska, how dangerous travel conditions are on Prince of Wales this time of year. In a stampede to get this bill through Congress, Chuck Kleeshulte did the opposite. - More...
Monday - March 08, 2010

letter Landless By Charles J. Jackson Jr. - As part of the landless and relatives, when is Sealaska going to help-out the landless people of Southeast? - More...
Monday - March 08, 2010

letterSealaska S 881 observation By Michael Lee Beasley - Arm in arm and toe-to-toe, Sealaska tribal member shareholders are united in their quest to secure acreage owed for for a debt unpaid on behalf of the Federal Government and the People of the United States, since 1971. Nearly 4 decades or 40 years have not satisfied this debt totally. - More...
Monday - March 08, 2010

letterSouth Tongass Hiway Ferry Terminal By Rob Holston - Back in 2007 Saxman missed an opportunity. Perhaps this is their second and last chance to take advantage of their strategic location. The measure failed at that time because the Saxman political leadership took the position that the waterfront property could never be replaced once it is sold. I think they can have their cake and eat it to. The Saxman community should sell the land necessary (Seaport A or B) for the new terminal for 100% of commercially appraised value with the following conditions: - More...
Monday - March 08, 2010

letterKetchikan Wellness Coalition: Letter to the community By Karen Eakes - In July of 2006, the United Way of Southeast Alaska sponsored the United Way Compass II Community-Building Assessment in Ketchikan. The McDowell group completed this assessment with 300 randomly selected phone interviews, ten focus group discussions with different segments of the community and individual interviews with community citizens and leaders. The comprehensive report on the results was released in January of 2007 and copies were distributed to our governmental bodies and throughout the community. - More...
Monday - March 08, 2010

letterWard Cove By Rob Holston - As I enter my 11th year of trying to purchase or long-term lease waterfront property in Ward Cove, perhaps this information, gleaned from a news article by Dave Kifer will help folks understand the history behind the present circumstances in Ward Cove: - More...
Monday - March 08, 2010

letterAnnual immigration cost By Al Johnson - Do you wonder as you watch the various newscast reporting Tea Party frustrations, what it is that has these usual normal non-activist citizens on the streets and in front of public buildings or at Town Hall meetings? Lord, there are so many encroachments by Government into the lives of private citizens to the extent the collective weight test the patience and patriotism of each. - More...
Monday - March 08, 2010

letterGood Samaritan By Will Roberts - Dear Good Samaritan, the words "thank you" aren't enough to describe the gratitude that I feel when I think about what you did for me Tuesday in line at Wal-Mart. I've been thinking about what you did ever since and am proud to have met you. Love for one another is rare these days, especially between strangers. You are the proof that "love thy neighbor" isn't a pointless phrase these days. - More...
Monday - March 08, 2010

letterUncle Al By Jay Jones - I heard with my own ears The "Honorable" Senator Kookesh threaten, bribe the Craig/Sitka City Council. He received a slap on the wrist and has to write a letter of apology to the Craig Council for use of a poor choice of words which implied he would use his senatorial power to block funding for capital improvement projects for the City of Craig. Since the ethics findings Kookesh has already denied intent and claims his statements were "misconstrued". - More...
Monday - March 08, 2010

letterRE: WAKE UP PARENTS By Julie Steiner - Okay! Sounds like we have some controversy along the "kids and coats" subject. Lori Headley is right: You can't force your kids to wear something they don't want to wear! You can try, however, you can also give them consequences when they disobey! But they will just leave and then take it back off! It's a battle your gonna fight until they are 18! - More...
Monday - March 08, 2010

letter GOLDEN PARACHUTES & BIRDS THAT CANNOT FLY By David G. Hanger - Mr. Jarvi keeps referring to these bills (plural) that I have not paid and I must confess you have one on me, because I am not familiar with any unpaid bills. I duly noted back in July I was late paying a bill, but that has nothing whatsoever to do with your allegations that I am not paying my bills. Where did you get that from? You have been carping so loudly about all these unpaid bills of mine, I invite you simply to provide the venders' names, the amounts of the bills, and copies of all of these invoices you keep saying I have not paid. Put up or shut up. - More...
Monday - March 08, 2010

letterThank yous to others By Judith Green - You know it is just nice to finally see that our community can and will and does put on sitnews.com the positiveS about our town and peoples and organizations. - More...
Monday - March 08, 2010

letterGood Things Happen in Ketchikan By Charles Edwardson - WHAT does lumpia and the Cape Fox Dancers have in common? Nothing but the KAYHI girls' basketball team. So often I write this publication to complain or find fault in our elected officials. Today I want to change the tone. - More...
Wednesday - March 03, 2010

letterCustomer Service By Scott R. Davis - In 1989 I popped a hole in my fuel tank. While the details of that particular incident aren't important, what happened after that is. - More...
Wednesday - March 03, 2010

letterNew Column - "Community Endeavors" by Enough is Enough Citizens Committee By Bobbie McCreary - The Enough is Enough citizens committee is proud to announce a new Sitnews column written by Jessi Chapman addressing positive actions taken by individuals and groups of citizens to improve the quality of life in Ketchikan. - More...
Wednesday - March 03, 2010

letterRe: Wake Up Parents By Bethany Phippen - I just finished reading Lori Headley's letter responding to Spring McCurry's statement. I don't know if you have children, but I don't know of one single Pediatrician who is going to have ANY child with a fever outside in just a diaper. Yes, my kids are 4 and 7, and I have to argue with them occasionally about wearing their coats outside to go play. I can understand where high school students don't wear coats, but having an infant outside in a diaper there is no excuse for. If a child has a dangerously high fever you alternate tylenol and ibuprophen every 4 hours, you run them a cool bath, not so cold that they go into shock. If you know of ANY doctor that is recommending a child go outside in 40 even 50 degree weather to get them over a fever, they need to be turned in for malpractice. That is just asking for pnemonia. - More...
Wednesday - March 03, 2010

letterIndoor sports facility By Linda Beaupre - Instead of a indoor turf field, why not an ice rink? - More...
Wednesday - March 03, 2010

letterSB 881: No Lands Bill Meeting for Ketchikan By Johnnie Laird - I was surprised to read the schedule of meetings about SB 881 being arranged by Senator Murkowski's staff do not include Ketchikan. - More...
Monday - March 01, 2010

letterIndoor Sports Facility By Jeff Carson - You may have noticed a petition going around town that asks for your support in urging the Borough to help a local group remodel the veneer building into an indoor turf field facility. This letter is to answer the questions that have come about because of this petition. First of all, the plan is to install a 250' by 100' sport turf field that would run from the south wall of the building 250 feet to the north. Currently in Ketchikan there are 2,241 kids who participate in Little League baseball, youth softball, youth soccer, wrestling, dribblers league, gymnastics, Kayhi baseball, softball & soccer & youth football. All of these kids would benefit from this facility, especially in the Winter months. That doesn't include adult soccer, baseball & softball leagues that could benefit from a field like this. - More...
Monday - March 01, 2010

letterCongressional Reform Act of 2010 By A.M. (Al) Johnson - The following caught my attention while studied current events surrounding the arrogance of our Congress in addressing many important issues of the day relating directly to our well being. - More...
Monday - March 01, 2010

letterBrief Letter of Thanks By Jeff Hendrickson - This brief letter is just to say thanks to Kris W. I too am tired of reading the "childish bantor" and business bashing that happens regularly by Mr. Hanger. - More...
Monday - March 01, 2010

letterKPU Telecommunications: Why Sell? By Karl Amylon, On Behalf of the Ketchikan City Council - On April 6th 2010, a special election will ask voters to vote 'Yes' or 'No', regarding authorizing the City to negotiate a sale of the KPU Telecommunications Division. The Ketchikan City Council recommends a 'Yes' vote. - More...
Saturday AM - February 27, 2010

letterS 881: A BAD HISTORY FOR A BAD BILL By Alan Stein - If S 881 passes out of a US Senate committee next month, Southeast Alaska and the nation will be worse off. Here is an untold story behind the legislation. 

Back in 1977, Sealaska got Congress to change ANCSA, then six years old. The amendment required Governor Hammond to consent to the transfer of 76,600 acres in Yakutat, and others in Saxman. Also removed from were Sealaska lands around Angoon. - More...
Saturday AM - February 27, 2010

letter Re: Wake up parents By Lori Headley - In defense of the parent outside with the toddler in the diaper, perhaps this mother was advised to do so by the family doctor because the toddler was having dangerously high fevers that were throwing the child into seizures even after having the kiddie cocktail. - More...
Saturday AM - February 27, 2010

letterMore pressing issues By Kris Williams - Mr. Hanger is very quick and obviously a very educated man, and with that being said what he lacks is some common sense. In a town the size of Ketchikan a public bashing of another business or another resident is just uncouth. Voicing your opinion about a personal experience with a product or service is one thing, and I've had issues with my phone line not working for the last six months and can't get a repair man; but bad mouthing other tax preparers, or for that matter another citizen, well that's just not classy. I've lived here my whole life and people here have more respect, and values than Mr. Hanger has shown on this discussion forum. - More...
Saturday AM - February 27, 2010

letterRe: The real issue By Paul Jarvi - Mr. Hanger, you are a real piece of work. Nothing you said in your response of 2-25 is true. I don't think you are a lowlife, I just think you should pay your bills. - More...
Saturday AM - February 27, 2010

letterSealaska Land Bill: Single Interest Proposal By Sandy Powers - The opening paragraph of Mr. McNeil's letter clearly sets the tone for the Sealaska/ congressional delegation's attitude toward the rest of us who do NOT stand to benefit from Sealaska land bill S881. To state, "The Tongass National Forest is a Native Place" clearly implies that those of us who are non-natives do not belong here, should not have a say, and our opinions are dismissible. As far as this land bill "enabl(ing) the government to complete the contract that it made with Sealaska and other Alaska Natives when it enacted ANCSA in 1971", one of the biggest issues is that the public lands they are now trying to take WERE NOT a part of the "contract"! These are public lands we have, as individuals, communities, and taxpayers to the federal government poured years and money into roading and managing, and built our very livelihoods around. Surprise! These value-added, roaded, multiple-use, highly used public areas are now the very areas they want to grab. - More...
Friday AM - February 26, 2010

letterSealaska Bill S-881 By Judy Magnuson - While trying to maintain the image of environmental responsibility Mr. McNeil ignores the facts that 71% of Sealaskas enterprise areas on North Prince of Wales Island and Kosciusko are on Karst, currently protected by the Federal Cave Resource Protection Act. This Act which directs Federal land managers to secure, protect and preserve significant caves on Federal land for the perpetual use, enjoyment and benefit of all people. To protect the caves one must also protect the karst system as a whole. The conveyance of karst to a private entity so that they may destroy it violates the FCRPA. - More...
Friday AM - February 26, 2010

letter The real issue By David G. Hanger - People whose stock in trade is porcelain and glass should not be throwing stones, Paul Jarvi. Your presentation reminds me of those Pipster cons of about five years ago, those who knew it was a fraud and were gaming it for their own profit, thus used a variety of diversionary tactics to try to distract others from the fact that the whole thing was just a massive half-billion dollar Ponzi scam. OK, we now understand clearly you believe that anyone who gets behind on their bills for even five minutes, whatever the reason, is a lowlife. I rather imagine there are now a bunch of lowlifes out there who won't be doing business any time soon with you, either. - More...
Friday - February 26, 2010

letterCompetition is good By Marilyn Catron - I would like to commend Mr. Hanger for standing up for himself after receiving such "Bad Person" services from a KPU employee. Most people would just complain about it for a little while and just let them get away with what they did even if friends prod them to do something about it. That is why people who abuse their positions continue to get away with treating people so badly. - More...
Friday - February 26, 2010

letterWearable Arts Show By Kathy Flora - Thank you Kathleen Light, Ann Froeschle, and Anita Maxwell for another exceptional, and seamless production of Ketchikan's Wearable Arts Show. Thank you backstage managers, front of the house, and Cape Fox staff. - More...
Friday - February 26, 2010

letterKayhi's Art Honor Society By Bobbie McCreary - Thank you for sharing the story of the Art Honor Society decorating for the Schoenbar Dance. This is the most awesome way of mentoring younger students coming behind the high school students and showing them and their teachers and their parents and families what time well spent with energy and talent can produce! - More...
Friday AM - February 26, 2010

letterPreserve Bell Island!! By Carrie Lawrenson - I have lived in Alaska all my life. I was born in Fairbanks and lived in southeast all of my life. My family always had an airplane, and I have some of the best memories flying in to Bell Island Hot Springs. After beach combing or just lake hopping, we would stop at Bell Island so I could swim. Some of the time mom and dad would join me, but it was just the best treat a kid could have. - More...
Friday AM - February 26, 2010

letterRE: Wake up parents By Charlanen Thomas - While I tend to agree with you regarding smaller children not being dressed appropriately, I still find the need to point something out. I have four children, all of which never wear their coats. Yes, I buy coats for my children every year, sometimes more than one. Yes, I make sure they have them on when they head to school. Yes, I remind then constanly to put on their coats. However, once they leave my sight, the coats come off and go straight into the backpacks! I can't even count how many times I've been told, "Mom I left my coat in the car", or "Mom I left my coat at school" (three hours after school is closed). - More...
Friday AM - February 26, 2010

letterResponse to "Wake up parents" By J. Smith - In response to your letter about the teens in this town not wearing a jacket... Have you ever tried to "make" a teenager wear something??? - More...
Friday AM - February 26, 2010

letterSealaska land bill: Time to work together By Chris E. McNeil, Jr. - The Tongass National Forest is a Native Place. Southeast Natives gave up claims to over 17 million acres of land for approximately 375,000 acres. From less than one-half of one percent of all lands conveyed under the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA), Sealaska has shared over $300 million dollars with other Alaska Natives under Section 7(i) revenue sharing. The Sealaska land legislation S. 881 and H.R. 2099, currently before the U.S. Congress, enables the government to complete the contract that it made with Sealaska and other Alaska Natives when it enacted ANCSA in 1971. - More...
Tuesday - February 23, 2010

letterWhere's Lisa? By Bob Claus - In October, 2009, I had the opportunity to testify in front of the US Senate Subcommittee on Public Lands and Forests about Senate Bill 881, the Sealaska land transfer bill. Senators Murkowski and Begich were there, as were other members of the committee. This makes me the only person from Prince of Wales Island to have had an opportunity to speak directly to the decision makers in an official setting. This is not fair to those who wish to express their own opinions about this legislation. - More...
Tuesday - February 23, 2010

letterCrossing Guards By Tracy Mettler - If you believe that the downtown crossing guards should should wear a uniform, or at the very least, have a dress code this season (and seasons to come...) please follow the link below to the Mayor and Council pages and let your elected representatives know. - More...
Monday PM - February 23, 2010

letterDrug testing By Kay Taylor - I agree with the opinion letter by Jose Garcia. Since drinking and boating is not allowed by Coast Guard directive, why doesn't the city require drug testing for new hires and applicants as well as current employees? They are on duty in the harbor and are responsible for our safety. Why they are exempt and the operators of boats are not flies in the face of discrimination. - More...
Monday PM - February 22, 2010

letterAn Open Letter to Senator Bingaman: Sealaska Land Grab By Myla Poelstra - Can you hear the growing chorus of voices sounding the alarm throughout all of Southeast Alaska? One by one over the last few days, city after city within the Alexander Archipelago, and nearly every town in between, have come forward with formal resolutions of opposition or requests for formal congressional hearings. What would make so many different and diverse communities cry out for justice and fair consideration? Something really wrong is happening in Southeast Alaska. That something is a bill known locally as the "Sealaska Land Grab". S.881 ­ Southeast Alaska Native Land Entitlement Finalization Act has been wrapped in a well designed package that looks and sounds very good, but what's inside is greed and total disregard for everyone but themselves. - More...
Monday PM - February 22, 2010

letter Open Letter to Senator Lisa Murkowski: Sealaska Land Grab Bill By Myla Poelstra - We read your latest news release this morning in the Juneau Empire, "Public Hearings in Southeast region to begin in early March". Everyone is once again disappointed by what appears to be stubborn indifference to formally addressing our concerns. We have been writing letters since 2003 when you introduced S.1466 - The Land Transfer Acceleration Act. Sealaska had already made their out - of - withdrawal area selections on N. Prince of Wales at that time. Over seven years and several different attempts at legislation, and they have never really adjusted their proposed selections. You have left us to feel there has been an extensive effort of stonewalling against the legitimate concerns of the people living in these areas. Evidently we do not have the deep pockets that it must take to gain your support. If this letter sounds angry and cynical, its supposed to. Your deliberate remarks designed for deflection are easily picked up on. People living remote are not as intellectually challenged as you might think. - More...
Monday PM - February 22, 2010

letterRequest for information By Lauren Stevens - My name is Lauren Stevens. I am a fourth grade student at Evansville Day School. I am doing a state report on Alaska. The reason why I wanted to do Alaska is because I wanted to learn as much as I can about the animals because I want to be a vet. - More...
Monday PM - February 22, 2010

letterKPU SALE ADVERTISING BUDGET By Pete Ellis - Further to Edwardson's commentary on the approved budget for the KPU Sale Election referendum did not the City Council action really result in a budget that should be divided equally between those in favor and those opposed? - More...
Friday AM - February 19, 2010

letterSealaska Landless Communities By Vernon Grant - In my last letter for public interest, on November 16th 2009, I had voiced my personal opinion about how Sealaska has not addressed the landless issues of the 5 communities, that were left out of the original ANCSA of 1970's. But have you noticed the Sealaska website headlines: "Haa Aaní Legislation" you would think that what they were speaking about is the final act of the ANCSA to finalize the whole bill as promised!  - More...
Friday AM - February 19, 2010

letterDO NOT ALLOW The Sealaska Bill out of Committee By Myla Poelstra - S.881, the Sealaska land grab bill, should die in committee. Sealaska's selections should only occur within the area specified by ANCSA in 1971.- More...
Friday AM - February 19, 2010

letterThank You Ketchikan & Metlakatla By Blanche Dilleshaw - I would like to give a huge heartfelt thank you to the family and friends for the seafood fundraiser held in Metlakatla. Ý A lot of work went into it.Ý I heard the food was awesome!!Ý I do wish I could have been there. - More...
Friday AM - February 19, 2010

letter Thomas Jefferson By A.M.Johnson - From all reflections of current community, National and local awareness, it seems the history of the greatness of America from its founding days is not taught in a manner that is retained by students of public education. - More...
Friday AM - February 19, 2010

letterAre the Ports & Harbors exempted from drug test for applicants as Ports Security Officers? By Jose S. Garcia - In my recent stint as Port Security Officer for the year 2008, the interview and CPR/First Aid Training was done in conjunction to what protocol has agenda'd. Nevertheless, there were no drug tests applied or even mandated to by the hiring personnel of the Ports and Harbors having to note that these hired personnel reflects being a model ports officer in the City of Ketchikan. - More...
Friday AM - February 19, 2010

letterKayhi's National Art's Honor Society By Frankie Urquhart - I want to acknowledge the wonderful students who are a part of Ketchikan High School's National Art's Honor Society. These students, led by Jeanette Sweetman, did an amazing job decorating the Schoenbar Valentine's Dance last Friday. This group of students worked for hours after school everyday and put in 20+ hours building pieces of art for the dance. They crafted a very impressive Eiffel Tour that became the center piece for our dance. They also built a heart shaped frame that students were able to stand in front of to take pictures with their friends, and a few other wonderful banners. These students did all of this on their own time, and the day of the dance actually came and set up for 4 hours before the dance. - More...
Friday AM - February 19, 2010

letterBell Island Hot Springs By Kara Steele - I was just on Facebook, and one of our classmates has discovered a horrible end that no one expected at Bell Island. If anyone remembers this precious site, the hot springs pool and cabins were all the rave! Now, the pool has been left unattended for who knows how long, critters and moss have taken over the inside, the boardwalks to everything are falling down, the cabins are gone, and apparently the lodge has had a major cave in with the roof some years ago. - More...
Friday AM - February 19, 2010

letter RE: KPU By Barbara Dupea - The last time I checked there aren't many businesses in this world that give service away for free, including First City Tax. I suspect that's why Mr. Hanger has remained in business for as long as he has. Just pay your bills on time, seems pretty simple to me. - More...
Friday AM - February 19, 2010

letterRE: KPU By Paul Jarvi - Mr. Hanger, pay your bills. - More...
Friday AM - February 19, 2010

letterCreate and Keep Jobs in U.S. By Donald A. Moskowitz - President Obama is promoting a new $300 billion economic stimulus program. When he took office in January 2009 he said the $787 billion stimulus program will CREATE 3.5 million jobs by the end of 2010 and unemployment will remain below 8.0%. Unemployment is hovering around 10.0%, and the jobs promised by Obama might hit 1.5 million by the end of 2010, but during the last 13 months we lost 5 million jobs. - More...
Friday AM - February 19, 2010

letterWake up parents! By Spring McCurry - I don't understand what I have been seeing this winter or any winter for that matter. On my way into work I see high school students walking to school with NO jacket! I see middle and elementary aged students waiting at the bus stop or walking to school with NO jacket! It's raining and windy out, but these kids don't have a jacket on. Why is that? As I drive through town I notice the kids that are walking with their parents, parents have a jacket on, but not the kids. - More...
Friday AM - February 19, 2010

letterDoggie Dems By Kara Steele - I almost fell outta my seat reading this one! LOL Good job on the letter! Yes I must admit, I believe my dog too, is a Democrat....she sleeps all the time, eats, I feed her, bathe her, take her to the doctor....all she has to do, is be here when I get home! - More...
Friday AM - February 19, 2010

letter DOG POO/WARD LAKE By Kathryn Smith - I PICKED UP AFTER YOUR DOG THE OTHER DAY. - More...
Friday AM - February 19, 2010

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