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Thursday
March 05, 2015
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Beauty of the Wild
Waterfall just after sunrise at Settler's Cove.
Front Page Photograph by STEVEN SPEIGHTS ©2015
(Please respect the rights of photographers, never republish or copy
without permission and/or payment of required fees.)
Alaska: GOVERNOR RELEASES BUDGET BOOK AND SURVEY RESULTS - In hopes of spurring fruitful conversations about Alaska’s current fiscal challenges, Governor Bill Walker and Lieutenant Governor Byron Mallott today released two valuable resources to the public and lawmakers: the Governor’s Budget eBook and results from the Voices for Vision Budget Survey.
“As Alaskans, we’re in this together,” said Governor Walker. “In order to find the best solutions to the challenges at hand, we need as many people as possible to participate in these discussions. Our hope is that these documents will bring more Alaskans to the table as we discuss our fiscal future.”
The Governor’s Budget eBook explains how Alaska’s current budget gap developed, offers possible future scenarios and provides a financial overview for each state department. It is available online and can be downloaded as a PDF or an electronic book.
As a resource development state, Alaska’s economy rises and falls with the price of oil. The State receives tax revenue from each barrel of oil that flows through the Trans Alaska Pipeline and this money is used to provide services and fund projects that Alaskans depend on.
Quoting the Governor's eBook, oil production in Alaska has declined in recent years. The amount of oil now flowing through the pipeline is 25% of peak capacity. Low oil production and low oil prices mean less revenue to the State.
With the lower oil prices, Alaska is now facing a budget gap. The State general fund is the account that pays for most State govern ment operations, services and projects. Oil revenue generates about 90% of the State’s general funds. As of February 2015, oil is worth about half of what it was last year when the current State budget was adopted. As a result, a $3.5 billion gap has formed between the amount the State expects to spend in the current year, and the amount of oil revenue it expects to receive.
Today, to make ends meet, about $10 million a day is being spent from the State’s savings. Alaska has about $14 billion in the bank to help cover the shortfall, but at current spending levels and $50-a- barrel oil prices, the State's savings are estimated to last only 3-6 years.
This sudden, unexpected drop in oil prices has drastically reduced revenue to the State of Alaska, creating a budget gap that is too large to be addressed by spending cuts alone. Getting Alaska on stable financial footing will require a combination of short-term solutions, long-term strategies, and prudent investments.
Every Alaskan benefits in some way from State services and pro- jects. Alaska’s budget supports communities, organizations and individuals through grants, direct payments and capital project funding. 100% of spending benefits Alaskans with 43% of the spending to State agencies and personnel and 57% to Communities, organizations and individuals through grants, direct payments and capital projects.
There are many possible approaches to addressing the budget gap, but three factors are key to influencing any outcome: oil production and price, State spending, and State savings.
Doing What Needs to Be Done; Life At $50 A Barrel explains how the current budget gap developed, offers some possible future scenarios, and provides brief descriptions of all State government departments. - More...
Thursday PM - March 05, 2015
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Alaska: Alaskans Team Up to Prevent Walrus Stampedes By ANDREA MEDEIROS - Last fall, much of the world was riveted by the image of 30,000-plus Pacific walruses hauled out on the Arctic coast near the Alaskan village of Point Lay. Such scenes have become increasingly familiar as climate conditions shift and the walruses, one of the world’s largest pinnipeds, find that the summer sea ice on which they depend is disappearing. It’s a shift with potentially dire consequences, especially for young walruses.
When large groups of Pacific walruses, such as these near Alaska Peninsula National Wildlife Refuge, are startled, they rush back into the water in a stampede. In the process, small young walruses can be crushed. Climate change may be exacerbating the problem. The refuge is helping the Alaska SeaLife Center monitor walrus behavior.
Photo by
Julia Pinnix/USFWS)
With the loss of summer sea ice, walruses that would normally rest on floating patches of ice in small groups are hauling out on land in large congregations. When these large groups are startled, they rush back into the water in what is called a stampede. In the process, small young walruses can be crushed.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Alaska Peninsula National Wildlife Refuge, the nonprofit Alaska SeaLife Center, the Federal Aviation Administration, residents and others across the state are doing their part to gain a better understanding of walrus response to climate change and disturbance and to prevent stampedes and minimize mortality.
In Point Lay, residents long have taken pride as stewards of the Pacific walrus, partnering with the Service to ensure that locals and visitors avoid disturbing the marine mammal. The Service has developed flight guidelines for local air carriers and pilots and issues advisories when a haulout forms. The Service also works with the FAA to establish temporary flight restrictions; and the Point Lay community works directly with air carriers to establish new flight paths. These efforts have kept walrus deaths remarkably low. - More...
Thursday PM - March 05, 2015
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Alaska: Melting glaciers make fjords noisiest places in ocean, study says By MEGHAN MURPHY - Bubbles gushing from melting glaciers and their icebergs make fjords the noisiest places in the oceans, a new study of waters near Alaska and Antarctica shows.
A team of research assistants, the boat captain and a mooring engineer prepare to deploy an underwater microphone into Icy Bay, Alaska.
The underwater noise is much louder than previously thought, researchers found. That led them to ask how the noise affects the behavior of harbor seals and whales in Alaska’s fjords.
“The ocean ambient sound gives us clues to the physical processes going on, but it also is an important aspect of the environment in which marine mammals and fish live. Like teenagers at a loud rock concert, the seals and whales modify their behavior depending on the ambient sound levels,” said Erin Pettit, a glaciologist from the University of Alaska Fairbanks Department of Geosciences.
Pettit conducted the study with researchers from the University of Texas at Austin, the University of Washington in Seattle and the U.S. Geological Survey. The results were published by Geophysical Research Letters, one of the American Geophysical Union’s journals.
The team used underwater microphones to hear and record the average noise levels in three bays where glaciers flow into ocean fjords — Icy Bay, Alaska; Yakutat Bay, Alaska; and Andvord Bay, Antarctica. All of the fjords have many icebergs from glacial calving. - More...
Thursday PM - March 05, 2015
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Columns - Commentary
DANNY TYREE: US Combat Forces In Vietnam: The Fiftieth Anniversary - One of my late father's favorite trick questions was, "What does a cat learn if it jumps on a hot stove burner?"
The answer, of course, is not "To stay off the stovetop when it's hot," but the overly broad "Stay off the stovetop PERIOD."
That comes to mind because March 8, 1965 was the date that the first 3,500 U.S. combat Marines were dispatched to South Vietnam, and I wonder if any of us (isolationist, interventionist or in-betweener) have learned the right lessons over the past five decades.
Nowadays for something as simple as "Are you or aren't you in a relationship?," Facebook offers the "It's complicated" designation. But many people look at a conflict that directly or indirectly affected all the world's superpowers, confounded JFK's "the best and the brightest," brought down a presidency and cost more than 58,000 American lives -- and smugly think they have all the answers about countering a guerilla war, the perils of the military-industrial complex and the proper role of the news media.
True, some individuals have done the requisite heavy lifting of research and wrestled with their consciences about "that old crazy Asian war" (as Kenny Rogers described it in the song "Ruby, Don't Take Your Love To Town"). But a lot of Americans either dismiss the subject as ancient history, close their ears to anything that conflicts with their entrenched worldview or talk AT their opponents over an unpleasant Thanksgiving dinner.
If we can all agree with Gen. William Tecumseh Sherman that "War is hell," one would think that playing DEVIL'S ADVOCATE would be fitting; but too few are willing to try.
Too many people get their unshakeable opinions from fragmentary memories of things their college professor spouted between bong hits or from 5,000 gung ho sessions of listening to a scratchy 45 rpm record of "The Ballad of the Green Berets." - More...
Thursday PM - March 05, 2015
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POLITICAL CARTOON: BENGHAZI PHISHING
By Bill Day, Cagle Cartoons
Distributed to subscribers for publication by Cagle Cartoons, Inc.
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 Careful Consideration Is Needed By Rep. Dan Ortiz - Getting our state’s fiscal house in order by establishing a sustainable operations budget plan should be the Alaska State House of Representatives main priority for this legislative session. It’s in the best long-term interests of all Alaskans that the Legislature significantly reduce our 3.5 billion dollar deficit while supporting programs that spur economic growth. - More...
Wednesday AM - March 04, 2015
Political Correctness in play By A. M. Johnson - Please to hear that I have stated the most racist statement heard. The more vocal Political Correctness crowd across the Nation will be hurt and sadden to learn their trumpeted bellowing has been overshadowed by a single Alaskan. No apology coming! - More...
Wednesday AM - March 04, 2015
Words of Senator McCain By A. M. Johnson - One has to wonder if Senator John McCain has second thoughts regarding his flowery endorsement of then candidate Obama quoted within Mr. Harpold's espial of 2-25-14. - More...
Wednesday AM - March 04, 2015
KRBD budget cuts By Deb Turnbull - I am asking for your help today in lieu of the proposed 59% budget cuts to public broadcasting. We view these cuts as excessive and disproportionate causing significant harm to our system. We know KRBD plays an important role keeping our community informed, educated and entertained. I ask that you place a call today to your legislator and ask where they stand on the 59% cut… a $2.5million cut – that would deeply impact all the stations in the state. - More...
Saturday AM - February 28, 2015
Ketchikan Recorder's Office Closure By Chris Elliott - The Legislature is very seriously considering closing the Ketchikan Recorder's Office. This is where deeds and other documents are recorded for the Ketchikan Recording District, the Wrangell Recording District, and the Petersburg Recording District. If the office closes, we will be forced to mail documents to Juneau for recordation. - More...
Saturday AM - February 28, 2015
Come On, Not Again With Library Funding! By Terri Jirschele - I have never personally used the "library-on-the-cliff", and I don't plan on starting! In this digital age I, like so many other people, read electronic books. I can't remember the last time I held, let alone, actually opened, and read a printed book. - More...
Saturday AM - February 28, 2015
RE: Powers Act By Laurin Boyer - Read Marc Kaiwi's comments with interest and would like to point out that unlike living under a dictator or emperor, our allegiance is given to the constitution which allows for the removal of a President if the conditions seem to warrant as well as the freedom to express our opinions of the country and its leaders as both you and Mr. Johnson have done. - More...
Saturday AM - February 28, 2015
Respect and Legal Pot By James Schenk - Respect, kind of the first rule in life to follow, to coexist with our fellow Human beings. With the Legalization of Marijuana now here, the number one rule to follow should be Respect! Be respectful first to your self, if you are unable to function as you would expect when using this substance do not do anything to put yourself, nor anyone else in danger. Respect the wishes and health of your family, like cigarettes and other smoke producing products, the best use is away from those who have no desire, nor should be around it, find a quite place outside your home or with no access to minors, no one who does not use pot deserves to be subjected to second hand smoke, or the actions of those not responsible enough respect the space of those who do not use pot. - More...- More...
Wednesday PM - February 25, 2015
Changes are way overdue By Guy Lane -Since moving to POW Island it's not hard to see why some small towns just don't go anywhere. First I moved to Coffman Cove where my family was sold an undisclosed buried logging camp dump by the City Administrator which resulted in a lengthy lawsuit with the Defendants paying my family a settlement of $65,000. After the settlement was made, several past and present Coffman Cove Council members and or their associates can't just seem to leave my family alone and continue to harass and slander my family and business which will result in a new lawsuit being filed against them in the near future. My family was threatened and stalked for not wanting to be the proud owners of an undisclosed buried logging camp dump that contained hazardous materials and has since been designated as an illegal hazardous waste dump by the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation. - More...
Wednesday PM - February 25, 2015
RE: War Powers act By Marc Kaiwi - ... Stand the Muslim President down NOW! This is the most racist statement I've heard since the 1960's! I'd ask you Mr. Johnson is it that you just don't like Muslims or is it that you simply object to a black President? Might I remind you that Mr. Barack Obama is currently the President of the United Sates of America, Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces and voted into Office twice by the American people via democratic vote! - More...
Wednesday PM - February 25, 2015
RE: War Powers Act By Mike Harpold - Al, this is what the man we both voted for in 2008, Senator John McCain, had to say about then candidate Barack Obama at a campaign rally in Minnesota in 2008: - More...
Wednesday PM - February 25, 2015
Daylight Savings Time Change By Mike Bethel - Where does the fact that we lose two hours in the evenings if we stop using daylight savings time come from? Metlakatla is not using daylight savings time and they are currently on the same time as Seattle. They gain an hour in the evening, not lose two. - More...
Wednesday PM - February 25, 2015
RE: Culprit of wealth division By Stephen C. Eldridge - Paul Livingston starts off with a class warfare appeal, “The CULPRIT of wealth division is our federal tax code.” I see, in the besotted mind of a Socialist, the Tax Code CREATES “unfair” distribution of wealth TO the rich. Socialists have no concept initially that the wealthy EARN their wealth, legally. Socialists are blinded by their class hatred of the rich and thus cannot process the long known fact that the rich pay most all of the federal income tax, but that would not matter anyway because in their minds, the rich will NEVER pay their “Fair Share” of taxes, no matter how much they pay. - More...
Wednesday PM - February 25, 2015
Ward Creek Trail, Again By Eric Muench - A threat to Ward Creek Trail has receded for now but the risk is still there. The Ward Cove Group proposal to purchase and fully develop the Borough s 297 acres out the Revilla Road, including residential development of Ward Creek Trail in Tract B, has been withdrawn. That is good news, but we cannot let the matter rest there. A new proposal could be made at any time by anyone for any Borough vacant land. It would then be considered and possibly negotiated and approved by the Manager and Mayor and Assembly members. These people are not pushovers; they had serious concerns about the recent proposal, but it would have been better if the proposer had known beforehand what the intents and limits of the Borough s RFP were. It had been too open-ended. - More...
Friday AM - February 20, 2015
Shenanigans By David Nees - Jay Hammond must be rolling in his grave at the current shenanigans in Juneau. In his first term as Senator, the young Jay Hammond sought a way to protect Education and Fish and Game commissioners from political cleansing by the then new Republican administration. Sen. Hammond devised and passed a clever way to balance the system: An appointed board for fish management, another appointed board for game management, and an appointed Board of Education. The governor could not have more than four persons from his party on any of the boards. - More...
Friday AM - February 20, 2015
Do you hate SE Alaskan Children? By Ken Lewis - Gosh I hope the title caught your eye. Senator Anna MacKinnon wants you to think eliminating daylight savings time is good for you. She obviously either hates SE families or she thinks the northern communities (WANTS) are so valuable to us in SE, we are willing to eliminate yet another hour of afternoon daylight for recreation and basic sight for safety. If her ignorant bill should pass, the diference between a kid in Ketchikan prior to 1983 and her version of efficient use of daylight will be two less hours of after school, after work, after diner natural daylight. - More...
Friday AM - February 20, 2015
Hole In The Wall Dock Upgrade By Gail Jackson - The fishermen and hunters haul tons of gear up and down the docks, people that live off the grid haul their supplies up and down the docks. The dock is a working, surviving access to the Alaska waters and marine highway. The dock needs to accommodate those that us it. - More...
Friday AM - February 20, 2015
RE: Ketchikan gas prices By Ken Arriola - Mr. Weaver, we here in K-Town are quite accustom to rolling over and being content with subsidising big business be it fuel, food, housing, utilities, labor, shipping or transportation. - More...
Friday AM - February 20, 2015
War Powers act By A. M. Johnson - Senators Murkowski and Sullivan, enough screwing around with this Muslim President! On the war powers authorization stand firm, damn firm on terms which better include eliminating Terms of engagement - More...
Friday AM - February 20, 2015
RE: Feral Cats By Laura Plenert - What is missing here is the fact that the feral population - if neutered or spayed will eventually collapse because they can no longer breed. - More...
Friday AM - February 20, 2015
Culprit of wealth division By Paul Livingston - The culprit of wealth division is our federal tax code. The tax code has over 74,000 pages with $1.2 trillion in deductions, tax breaks, loop holes, etc. that go up in value with wealth and income. This is the buy and sell tax code game played by special interests, lobbyists and politicians. Do you think winners and losers are being picker? Do you think our present tax code leads to wealth division? Plus it divides us into classes. It has regressive taxes on jobs. The tax code is based on production (income, savings and investment). Production is what creates jobs, a higher standard of living and wealth for the country. Why punish good behavior? - More...
Friday AM - February 20, 2015
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