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As 2014 comes to a close, Wrangell's Marine Service Center is looking better and brighter for it. The facility was one of the centerpieces of the year's Southeast Conference in September, demonstrating the economic opportunities possible in the region. At the start, the center already touted a 150-ton mobile boat lift, a 40-ton hydraulic trailer, a federally-approved washdown area and upland storage for 85 boats. The self-service yard gives boat owners the option to rent space and conduct work...
Drawings for the future mariners' memorial at Heritage Harbor were unveiled at Wrangell's monthly Port Commission meeting on Nov. 6 in the City Hall Assembly Chambers. Drawn up by architect Christopher Mertl of Corvus Design in Juneau, the memorial plan calls for a concrete plaza designed to resemble wooden planking, a pavilion and weathered steel patina memorial wall evocative of the prow of a ship. "When it takes that curve it rakes out," explained Harbormaster Greg Meissner, going over the dr...
Ruth Warfel passed away at age 91 in Klamath Falls, Ore. on May 21, 2014, with family at her side. She was a large part of Wrangell for over 80 years. Ruth was born in Bellingham, Wash. on March 8, 1923, and adopted by Henry and Gertrude Scribner from Seattle, Wash. Ruth had fond memories of Henry taking her to watch the Mariners baseball team at Safeco Field and Gertrude taking her to Pike Street Market for fresh produce. When Ruth was three years old, they moved to Wrangell for a brief time...
The Wrangell Ports and Harbors Commission voted 3-0 June 5 to take over management of the Meyers Chuck dock and seaplane float from the state Transportation Department. State officials originally proposed the transfer and offered $1.4 million to sweeten the deal. About half of that money will go into a reserve fund, to be supplemented by dock fees with the goal of eventually replacing the seaplane float and dock at the mainland community, which has seven remaining full-time residents. Greater potential also exists to use that portion of the...
This year's senior projects are a varied bunch. They range from a documentary movie on the Chief Shakes House rededication to middle-school wrestling programs. Whatever the subject of the senior project, whatever the personal interest of the student involved, each student almost invariably used the words “to give back” to describe their project. Senior projects with 25 community service hours are required for graduation from Wrangell High School. While the number is a bare-bones requirement, students often exceed that limit. Take Kristin Gal...
The Wrangell ports commission voted 4-0 Thursday to approve a final draft for the Mariners Memorial. The draft plan represents features compiled from among three options presented to the commission by Juneau-based landscape artist Chris Mertl of Corvus Design. It will now head back to Mertl, who will prepare draft blueprint documents of the Memorial's features, designs which could be taken to charitable organizations, the state legislature, or other potential funding sources. The designs have be...
Members of the public told port commissioners they preferred the second of three options for the proposed Mariners Memorial. At a second public workshop Thursday evening, a clear consensus emerged among attendees that while the second option offered the most pleasing esthetics and the best way for individuals to approach the monument, elements of another option appealed to them. They said they generally preferred a grand staircase visible in one of the other three possible layouts presented by...
Sentinel writer The Wrangell Mariner's Memorial is presently about 3,500 square feet of black empty pavement scattered with mussel shells. It could one day be an educational space. It could one day be an artistic exhibition. It could one day be a memorial shrine. It could one day be a historical exhibit and a place for community gatherings. It could be a navigational aide. It could one day be a tourism draw, though that's not its primary focus, planners said. Wrangell Ports and Harbor...
To the Editor: Concerning the Wrangell Mariners Memorial: In order to encourage more community involvement and add depth to Wrangell’s Mariners Memorial, I would like the community to consider adding a series of kiosks depicting the history of maritime culture associated with Wrangell. The addition of educational kiosks sponsored by specific organizations would help this project obtain additional grant funding. The Nolan Center has interpretative kiosks outside the building conveying site information. I would like the community to consider a s...
Name: John Yeager Age: 45 Occupation: Fishing Guide and co-owner of Alaska Charters & Adventures. What is your previous experience on boards or other relevant experience related to the position you are seeking? I have been on the Port Commission for a few years now and have had the privilege of serving with some positive, community driven individuals. I like the diversity and combined years of experience our current Commission has. I feel that a Commission with members that represent all aspects...
A series of capital projects led the way in Borough Manager Tim Rooney’s final report to the Borough Assembly last week as he highlighted the improvements on-going or planned in the Borough. Starting off, Rooney informed the Assembly about a number of projects related to the city’s Harbor Department, including upgrades at the Marine Service Center pier. “Pool Engineering has begun work on the pier upgrades and good progress is being made,” Rooney wrote. “The two new batter piles have been driv...
Margaret Rose Seimears, 85, of Wrangell passed away on June 30, 2013. Margaret was born June 1, 1928 in Wrangell to Ruth Sylvester Ritchie and Allan V. Ritchie. She was the oldest of three children including Allan V. Ritchie, Jr. and Judith Ann Ritchie. Margaret grew up in Wrangell and graduated in 1946 from Wrangell High School in a class of six, she was the Salutatorian. Margaret met the love of her life Robert (Bob) L. Seimears in Wrangell at the Den O’Sweets. She was 16 and working for h...
A new mayor, renovations to the Shakes Island Tribal House and Marine Service Center, and the ongoing Wrangell Medical Center debate – all of these stories were newsmakers in 2012. Let’s take a look back at some of the biggest stories in Wrangell over the past year. JANUARY A late night blaze destroyed a trailer and sent a woman to Wrangell Medical Center with severe burns on Dec. 22. The fire, which began at 10:30 p.m. in a small pull-behind trailer near the top of the park, severely inj...
At its April 5 meeting, the Wrangell Port Commission discussed how to move forward with creating a design concept and applying for grants to build a mariners’ memorial at Heritage Harbor. Commission members have decided on the memorial being an eight-sided structure resembling a lighthouse, with every other wall panel open for visitors to walk inside. Plaques memorializing those lost at sea would adorn the walls of the structure. Port Harbormaster Greg Meissner said the memorial would have an “old-naval look” and be red and white. He said the n...
At a workshop March 13, the Wrangell Port Commission discussed plans for the mariners’ memorial planned for Heritage Harbor. The Port Commission has yet to finalize a specific design for the project, which will pay homage to those lost at sea. However, last week, Port Commission members talked about their hopes for what the memorial will become. Commission member Clay Hammer said ideally, the memorial would be crafted using local products and people. “This is a Wrangell thing, and I think it would be really cool if it was a Wrangell thing mad...
To the Editor: Thank you Dr. Salard for saving my life, and the very professional and quick response to my recent heart attack. You stayed countless hours at WMC to make sure that I was stable and on my way to Seattle. I appreciate your honest and forth right opinion on my options and not beating around the bush. Thank you Sue Nelson, Diana Nore, Shelly and all the other nurses and staff that babysat me for those hours. I read in the Sentinel that the board and administrator said Dr. Salard was a disruptive physician. Not what I have seen....
