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JUNEAU – Hundreds of public ferry workers who operate Alaska's vital Marine Highway conducted a vote this week – and decided by a margin of 86% to reject the package of harsh measures proposed by Governor Dunleavy's administration, that included the following: 1. Cancelling 28 negotiated settlements reached during almost three years of contract bargaining. 2. No wage increases in over 5 years. 3. A one year contract instead of the normal and more efficient three year contracts. 4. The use of...
Juneau, Alaska (AP) - A spokesman for a union representing workers for the Alaska ferry system says the union has gone on strike. Hundreds of ferry workers went on strike Wednesday after failing to reach agreement on a contract with state negotiators. Robb Arnold, a spokesman for Alaska's Inlandboatmen's Union of the Pacific, said the strike began Wednesday afternoon after a meeting with state officials did not yield an agreement. He said the union remains open to a deal. "Unfortunately, we had... Full story
It is no secret that Southeast Alaska is a hot tourist destination. Every year, the region is flooded with nature enthusiasts, retirees, and other tourists. According to a calendar from the Cruise Line Agencies of Alaska, Petersburg will receive a total of 62 cruise ship stops in the 2019 season. Ketchikan, one of the larger cruise ship destinations in Southeast Alaska, is expecting 576 cruise ship stops this year, bringing in a total estimated 1.15 million passengers. The tourist industry is...
To the Editor: Demand destruction is a phenomenon that is often referred to when oil prices rise high enough to harm the economy and reduce its ability to purchase fuel. I have another example of demand destruction; getting rid of ferry service to Alaskan communities because the State budget has been mismanaged, which will result in a self inflicted wound to the economy. These small towns have ferry docks, how much was spent to build these docking facilities? Should that investment be, in...
Laura Davies’ fifth grade classroom has spent the past year learning about how to create and give a persuasive argument. To showcase their newfound talents in persuasive debates, several volunteers in her class will be presenting their speeches to the public at the Nolan Center next Tuesday, at 7 p.m. Writing and giving persuasive speeches has been a traditional part of Davies’ classroom for several years, she said, but she only opened it up to the public last year. From simple arguments to large, formal debates, the ability to create and def...
To the Editor: I wonder what has happened to fiscal responsibility in state government? We no longer have statesmen representing Alaska, but more outsiders that don't understand our way of life. And, this mismanagement of the Alaska Marine Highway System is holding Alaskans hostage. Whose idea was it to compete with the cruise industry? Now the M/V Columbia broke down. When you talk to the terminal agents, wipers, engineers, pursers, stewards, and ABs, it has been mismanagement, no funds for...
To the Editor: Demand destruction is a phenomenon that is often referred to when oil prices rise high enough to harm the economy and reduce its ability to purchase fuel. I have another example of demand destruction; getting rid of ferry service to Alaskan communities because the State budget has been mismanaged, which will result in a self inflicted wound to the economy. These small towns have ferry docks, how much was spent to build these docking facilities? Should that investment be, in hindsight, a waste of resources? People bought land...
Last week, the Alaska House of Representatives passed a budget for the State of Alaska. As a member of the Finance Committee and the Chair of the Education & Early Development, Fish & Game, and Environmental Conservation Department Finance Subcommittees, I am a part of the budget process from the beginning until the end. For the past month, we have dug into each department budget, asking critical questions, and analyzing impacts of potential cuts. The budget was an intense collaborative effort;...
To the Editor: We need resolutions from the cities of Wrangell, Ketchikan, Juneau, Hoonah, Unalaska, etc. that request that the Alaska Senate and Legislature keep the Alaska Marine Highway in service. Without this service any of our rural areas will be unable to transport a loved one suffering from a severe medical condition comfortably in their car to Seattle or Juneau, transport teams for sporting events, or visit family and friends. If we listen to the people who work the ferry, they will...
JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) – Gov. Mike Dunleavy's administration is upping the budget and extending the time for a review of potential options for the future of Alaska's ferry system. A spokeswoman for the system, Aurah Landau, said the administration so far has not changed its position on funding to continue operating the ferries while future options are explored. No boats currently are scheduled to sail past Oct. 1, though Senate Finance Committee Co-chair Bert Stedman has said he's working with the administration on alternatives that would allow f...
Many of the strongest and best memories from my childhood growing up in Juneau revolve around riding Alaska's ferries to swim meets to communities like Petersburg, Sitka, and Ketchikan. And later, as an adult, I have traveled across Southeast on ferries dozens of times for family trips, to deliver orthopedic clinics and surgery to remote communities, for hunting, and for basketball games. Those trips opened my eyes to the astounding beauty and breadth of our state, and they introduced me to...
To the Editor: When I walked into the Legislative Information Office to testify in support of the ferry system, I was so proud to see many friends and neighbors sitting at the long table, coming up the stairs, filing in to Sarah Merritt’s small office, ready to let the State of Alaska’s Department of Transportation Committee know how important the ferries are to coastal Alaska. Each individual from Unalaska to Ketchikan testified on why the ferry system is critical to Alaskans. The thread that connected each story was the divesting impact of...
Ever since Governor Mike Dunleavy announced his proposed budget, it has been a hot topic of debate across Southeast Alaska. The proposed budget does offer a full PFD to all Alaska residents, as well as supply “back pay” for PFDs that were smaller than usual, but it also makes some serious cuts to public education and the Alaska Marine Highway System. Many people in Wrangell have wondered how the proposed budget could affect the city. To discuss these concerns, a town hall meeting was held at the Nolan Center last Wed., March 6. “I’m confide...
JUNEAU, Alaska (AP)– A co-chairman of the Senate Finance Committee said Thursday he wants to reach a budget agreement that would fund the state’s ferry system through mid-2020. Sen. Bert Stedman, a Sitka Republican, said that would allow time for further discussion about management of the system going forward. Stedman said he views Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s budget proposal as an “elimination budget’’ for the Alaska Marine Highway System. A spokeswoman for the ferry system has said it hasn’t scheduled sailings past Oct. 1. Stedman said he wants to s...
Alaska’s new slogan is “open for business” but good luck trying to find out any budget details when it comes to the business of fishing. The Dunleavy administration has a full gag order in place at the Alaska Department of Fish and Game and all budget questions, no matter how basic, are referred to press secretary Matt Shuckerow. Likewise, queries to the many deputies and assistants at the ADF&G commissioner’s office are deferred to Shuckerow who did not acknowledge messages for information. “It isn’t just the media or Alaskans. Legislators...
To the Editor: Do you know who is running the Alaska Marine Highway System (AMHS) into the ground? Captain John Falvey, the General Manager of AMHS, a graduate of the Maine Maritime Academy spent 25 years operating offshore deep-sea oil tankers for the Union Oil Company of California and went on to operate fast ferries for 5 years as a high-speed code type rated Captain in both New England and South American waters. Two northern Alaska Republican Legislators pushed for the fast ferries even though British Columbia and Hawaii told them fast...
April The Department of Transportation is finally able to get started on a major Wrangell road repaving project. Perforated by potholes, the borough’s Evergreen Avenue will be resurfaced and repaired, with pedestrian improvements and other fixes. The major project has been on hold for half a decade, surviving rounds of budget cuts to capital funding elsewhere in the state along the way. Two local right of way issues which had lately been holding up the project were wrapped up in February, allowing the project to move along. Speaking at a p...
Lisa Von Bargen, Wrangell's city manager, has recently been elected to sit on the board of directors of Southeast Conference. Southeast Conference was originally founded in 1958 as a network of organizations to advocate for the Alaska Marine Highway System. Today, though, it is a collection of municipalities, nonprofits, businesses, and other groups working together for economic development in Southeast Alaska. As the newest member of the board, Von Bargen said that she wants to help continue...
JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) – The crew and passengers of a fast ferry celebrated the vessel’s possible last voyage in southeast Alaska over the weekend. The ferry Fairweather traveled from Skagway and Haines to Juneau on Sunday, taking its last trip in the area for the season before continuing operation in the Prince William Sound, CoastAlaska reported this week. Two new ferries of a different class are expected to enter the service of the Alaska Marine Highway next year, casting doubt on the future of the fast ferry. During the Fairweather’s trip...
July 11, 1918 It was a safe and sane Fourth - and a dry one. Everyone had a good time. Money was not scarce: Witness the generous prizes and elaborate decorations. If a few sighed for the days that used to be, the vast majority appreciated the good order and the fact that one was spared, this year, the sights that frequently marred celebrations in the past. In connection with the exercise held in the Redmen’s hall the morning of the Fourth, did you happen to notice the exceptionally fine programs? A great deal of time and thought and care w...
Technical trouble with the state ferry system has put a crimp on interisland travel recently. The M/V Columbia – one of two vessels making the north-south run each week in Southeast Alaska – had a longer than expected stop into Bellingham, Washington after arriving June 29. Crew members discovered black smoke in the ship's bow thruster room, prompting use of a fixed carbon dioxide fire fighting system and evacuation of the vessel. No fire had been evident, and all passengers aboard were rep...
June 13, 1918 A meeting of the local War Savings Stamps Committee will be held at the Town hall June 17, at 8 p.m. for the purpose of making arrangements and appointing sub committees to handle the War Savings Stamp drive of the 28th inst., regarding which a proclamation is published elsewhere in this paper. Everyone who wishes to take part in this, either as solicitors, contributors or otherwise, are invited to attend. We must keep the good work going. June 11, 1943 Frank Dufresne, Executive officer of the Alaska Game Commission, spent a day...
May 30, 1918 Once more Wrangell has demonstrated her ability to go “over the top” in any worthy enterprise. Although the Red Cross drive followed close on the heels of the Third Liberty Loan, the committees in charge of the raising of the Red Cross war fund met with unqualified success. The returns are not complete as there are several canneries to be heard from but the amounts received up to the present time are as follows: Wrangell donations: $1453.35; Wrangell Band: 25.00; Union Bay cannery: 240.00; Santa Ana cannery: 166.50; Burnet Inl...
With the adjournment of the Legislature on May 12, Senator Bert Stedman, R-Sitka, talked to The Pilot during the Little Norway Festival about the session. The legislature realized they have to restructure the Alaska Permanent Fund (APF) and Senate Bill 26 does that. Stedman was one of 13 senators who voted in favor of the legislation. With a $2.5 billion deficit the APF has to be protected. He has favored that idea for a long time because it would limit payouts and gives the public the opportunity to look at its structure. The bill sets a...
The 30th Legislature drew its latest session to a close earlier last week, pushing forward a budget deal that would tap into earnings from Alaska’s Permanent Fund to draw down its spending deficit from the billions to around $700 million next year. Back home in Ketchikan, independent Rep. Dan Ortiz of District 36 thought the package left something to be desired, which under the circumstances was a good thing. “I feel it’s a good example of a good compromise budget,” he reflected. “Nobody really got everything that they wanted, but it reflects...