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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...
Last week, the Alaska State Legislature passed time-sensitive legislation to cover funding shortfalls for vital state services, including the Alaska Marine Highway System and Medicaid. The House voted for the “Fast-Track” Supplemental Budget, HB 321, last Monday with 32 in favor and 7 opposed. On Friday, the Senate followed suit and passed it with a vote of 16 to 1. HB 321 includes $24 million for the Alaska Marine Highway System to keep it operating through spring. The AMHS did not receive the total amount of funding they expected for Fis...
The Alaska Marine Highway System announced it has adjusted ferry service schedules for the middle of April in order to help roughly 400 students and chaperones from across Southeast travel to the Region V Music Festival in Juneau. AMHS will be rerouting the M/V LeConte to make a round-trip run through southern Southeast to pick up and return the students. With this service adjustment, students from Ketchikan, Wrangell, Metlakatla and Klawock will be able to attend the annual festival. Students from Sitka and Haines will use a...
Southeast Conference held its annual Mid-Session Summit in Juneau last week, turning the region’s attention to the state of its economy as legislators reach the mid-point of their 2018 regular session. For much of it, the outlook is pretty grim. Indicators since 2014 put the region’s population and jobs on a worrisome decline, along with earned income. “We’re just taking a hit in almost every way you can imagine,” explained Meilani Schijvens, a consultant to SEC and a former executive director. Faced with continued multibill...
January 31, 1918: The next contract for carrying mail from Wrangell to the West Coast points will almost certainly go to Leo McCormack. Mr. McCormack has received notice from the government that his proposal has been accepted. The West Coast mail contract is now held by W.J. Neil, who, it is understood, was an applicant for the new contract. When seen by the Sentinel reporter Mr. McCormack stated that the acceptance of a proposal by the government is merely tentative and that until the contract is actually signed there is nothing certain about...
The sole ferry linking the region’s seaside communities has had to skip a week of its winter schedule due to mechanical problems. Alaska Marine Highway System reported the M/V Columbia has had to remain in Bellingham, Washington, after its arrival last Friday. On its approach to the dock there its bow-side maneuvering thruster stopped working. AMHS public information officer Aurah Landau explained the thruster is a necessary feature for the vessel, particularly during winter weather conditions and while navigating narrow passages. While AMHS h...
The city will be trying to return court services to the Public Safety Building as quickly as possible. The Alaska Court System curtailed its courtroom and legal services in Wrangell just before Thanksgiving, citing air quality concerns with the space it rents from the borough. The building, which is home to the majority of the city’s emergency services, has experienced long-term leakage issues with its roof and siding. The problem at the court offices came to a head in September after the discovery of carpenter ants in an exterior wall, and i...
The ferry servicing Southeast Alaska on the reduced winter schedule fell slightly behind schedule after having mechanical difficulties over the weekend. While on its way to Ketchikan from Bellingham, Washington, the M/V Columbia encountered a problem with its steering system. Alaska Marine Highway System public information officer Aurah Landau explained the issue had to do with a failing indicator rod. This particular component tracks the movement of the vessel’s port-side rudder for its electronic steering system. The problem was discovered a...
Lack of support from KSTK public radio listeners and businesses in Wrangell may bring ownership changes to the station. A public notice published in last week’s Wrangell Sentinel foreshadows the transfer of radio station assets to CoastAlaska in Juneau. CoastAlaska provides administrative support and other services for seven Southeast public radio stations including KSTK. Reductions in grant revenue and local donations, has made the station’s financial situation untenable. We’re not convinced that moving the station’s operations to CoastAl...
One of Southeast’s primary ferries will be out of service longer than expected as it undergoes annual maintenance, affecting the winter schedule. The Alaska Marine Highway System announced last week the M/V Malaspina will be out of commission several months longer than expected. The vessel went in for its annual overhaul and certification on October 1, with the intention of returning it to service on December 22. During the overhaul engineers determined an extensive replacement of the craft’s steel was needed, and that both its propeller hubs r...
KODIAK, Alaska (AP) _ A report by Alaska's Southeast Conference calls for the state marine highway system to increase its ticket prices. The recommendation is part of a 25-year plan that Gov. Bill Walker asked the conference's stakeholders to put together for the struggling Alaska Marine Highway System, the Kodiak Daily Mirror reported Thursday. The major part of the plan is to turn the marine highway into a public corporation. The system's Reform Steering Committee is pursuing legislative changes to make that happen. Stakeholders estimate...
