Sorted by date Results 751 - 775 of 1051
To the Editor: Have you applied to a city, hospital, or school job in the last seven years and not been interviewed? I have, over and over, ignoring my 33 years of experience. Those that run this town only pass their high paying, secure jobs, to friends and family. Enough is enough, with the city council changing the rules, to suit their agenda. Enough of the ones that have and refuse to share with those that, like me, have nothing. If you are of the same mindset as me, contact me at valhat@aol.com to join my upcoming civil suit against this...
To the Editor: Does the Wrangell Hospital Auxiliary have a future? For nearly half a century, the group has existed to raise funds and otherwise support our local hospital, paying many thousands of dollars for equipment and items to improve the care and quality of life for patients and residents. November 1, 2018, marks the transfer of Wrangell Medical Center to SEARHC. With a stronger revenue stream, the hospital administration will have adequate operating funds. SEARHC will purchase all equipment necessary for the planned new hospital...
You have a beautiful place here in Wrangell, in SE Alaska, right in the midst of God’s wonderful creation. I write this as a visiting pastor invited to minister to the Island of Faith Lutheran Church. The beauty of this part of God’s world is truly astounding. I am reminded again and again of Psalm 104 as I greet most mornings viewing snow-capped mountains arising out of the sea, settle in later watching the sun dance on the waters of the Stikine, or see the sun light up both the sky and ocean near the islands of Woronkofski and Zarembo. Whi...
The 2001 Roadless Rule, covering 58 million acres of National Forest Land, including the Tongass and Chugach National Forests, was pushed through the entire national rulemaking and National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) processes in 15 months. The 2001 Roadless Rule was promulgated by the outgoing Clinton Administration just eight days before President George W. Bush was inaugurated. The Roadless Rule was justified by the Clinton Administration’s claim that a national level “whole picture” review of National Forest roadless areas was neede...
To the Editor: Proposition 1 on the City’s ballot October 2nd is one of the most important decisions the citizens of Wrangell will make for its future. Currently, Wrangell’s hospital and many independent hospitals like it are struggling to stay open because of many reasons. With a yes vote, not only will Wrangell’s hospital be more financially viable, it will also lead to a new hospital which is desperately needed. SEARHC has more resources available and based on the success of AICS with their relationship with SEARHC, the hospital shoul...
During session, the Alaska State Legislature passed multiple bills that affect our senior citizens. It is the duty of the legislature to protect and serve all citizens. In my time in office, I have made it a priority to try to protect the interests of our elders – those that helped to establish this great state. The Senior Benefits Payment Program (formerly known as the Longevity Bonus created in 1972) passed during session and was signed into law by the governor earlier this summer. The Senior Benefits Program provides a modest monthly cash pa...
To the Editor: I recently visited Chuck Oliver at Prestige Care Center, 9100 Centennial Drive, Anchorage, Alaska 99504. We had a great visit, talking of the projects we worked on together in Wrangell. He is always quick to give credit to his crew and the organizations that help complete them. Alaska Lumber & Pulp, City of Wrangell, U.S.F.S., Keene Kohort, Wrangell Chamber of Commerce. You can’t drive very far in Wrangell without using some of them: Nemo Point road and lookout: Wrangell golf course: Running track: Shooting range: Fill area f...
To the Editor: Thank you for the extra edition (User’s Guide, April 5, 2018). I was thrilled to open up the paper and find a photo of my grandfather, Lew Williams, in front of the small press. You should have seen him set type – upside down and backwards, bottom to top. And my grandmother, Winnie, set type on the linotype machine. I still have the slug she made me with my name when I was a little girl. Did you know that during the war (WWII), Winnie alone kept the Sentinel going, ensuring it kept the title “longest continuously published paper...
To the Editor: I’m a bit late but would like to thank the organizers of the 4th of July boat races for all their sincere efforts and success. I would also like to especially thank the young men participating in the event that helped me in many ways to make it legal for me to race with helmet, fire extinguisher, tie down, etc. The last time I participated in a boat race was the year Susie Haye graduated from high school. I think it was 1961 and we raced from Petersburg to Wrangell. The wind was blowing out of the river and my 16’ plywood boa...
The first of August I board the ferry to return to Washington State. I have spent two years in Wrangell, serving as the pastor of Island of Faith Lutheran Church. Before I leave, I appreciate the opportunity to share in print some of the memories I will take with me of my time here. Wrangell makes a lasting impression. This community abounds with hospitality. Newcomers are welcomed with smiles and offers of help, ranging from housing to employment to basic needs of food and clothing. The message is clear: welcome to Wrangell, we’re glad y...
Recently, China announced that it will add an additional 25% tariff on seafood imports. China is Alaska’s top seafood customer, spending $1.3 billion on exports last year. This tariff increase will directly impact tens of thousands of fishermen, other fish-industry employees, and Southeast Alaska’s economy. According to the McDowell Group, the fishing industry produces $2 billion in labor income alone, and a total economic output of $5.2 billion per year. Although I am not in a position to cha...
Legislative session has ended, and now that I’m back in the district, I’d like to give you a brief overview of this year’s legislative actions that will impact Wrangell. As your state representative, I sponsored and passed three bills – “Commercial Fishing Loans,” “Mari-culture Revolving Loan Fund,” and “Dive Fishery Assessments” – that will support and enhance our fishing and mari-culture industries. HB 128, “Shellfish Enhancement Projects” was a fourth mari-culture industry related bill. It passed the House 37-2 and made it through Senate Fi...
To the Editor: It is with a sad and heavy heart I write this. As much as it is horrible it does need to be shared in the community of Wrangell. The Presbyterian Church of Wrangell has been an open door, 24-7, sanctuary for all who come. For whatever the need, whenever the need, the doors have been open. That time, a time of innocence maybe, has come to an end. About two weeks ago the vacuum and the microwave left the church through unknown means. Last night a person or persons came in and violated the trust of those open doors breaking locks...
To the Editor: Donating a kidney to someone in need is simple… and yet complicated. The simple part is that we are each born with two kidneys, but can live long and healthy lives with only one. When someone’s kidneys fail, the gift of a healthy third kidney gives them the boost they need to avoid dialysis and resume an active life. Why not share? When a friend went on the kidney transplant wait list at Swedish Hospital in Seattle, I applied to be a living kidney donor for her. I had a telephone interview in November and lab tests at Wrangell Me...
Be courteous to everyone and pick up your dog feces, especially on the sidewalks in town. Debrah Johnson...
Reflections from the Health Fair From an airplane (or on a map), the island of Wrangell looks like a bird in flight – some would say a “dove.” We all know that a bird needs two strong wings in order to fly. This image inspired the Baha’i booth at the recent Health Fair to pose a question based on the understanding that material and spiritual progress, like two wings of a bird, must be in balance. Those who visited the booth were invited to answer the question: “What do you think would help make Wrangell a better place?” Twenty-seve...
Jeremiah 31:21a “Set up for yourself road marks, Place for yourself guideposts; …” Guideposts are really necessary to see where you are going and where you have been. I wanted to see Rainbow Falls when it was frozen. A couple of months ago, a friend told me, now is the time. I put on my Yak Traks. The snow on the stairs was 8 inches deep. There was a frozen 1 foot wide path in the middle of the steps. As I was climbing, I could see where some folks had strayed off the path. Others had given up and turned around. I found comfort knowing I was f...
Since June 2017 this newspaper has received three price increases totaling $167 metric/ton from our Canadian newsprint supplier. This newspaper, along with other Alaskan publishers, purchases their newsprint from Canadian manufacturers because there are not enough U.S. paper mills to meet the demands of the newspaper industry. The Trump administration has levied a 22% tariff on newsprint imported from Canada based upon the complaint of a single paper mill (North Pacific Paper Company) that is accusing Canadian mills of engaging in dumping...
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...
To the Editor: Again, another slaughter of defenseless kids and teachers. Again, the same dialog, “outlaw assault rifles”——-“do better background checks”—-“stricter gun laws—-.“ It’s always the same outcry without a word about doing something practical and workable to defend kids and teachers who are like sheep in a pen, weaponless and helpless. How many more times are we going to let murderers roam through schools, freely killing anyone in sight, for minutes or hours without the slightest concern someone might shoot back?? What if they h...
Funding for Alaska’s schools is one of the most important pieces of our state budget. Yet, each year, school funding gets caught in the crossfire of budget debates and ends up being one of the last measures passed by the Alaska Legislature. The delay wreaks havoc on schools and communities who are forced to play a guessing game on what their bottom line will be. It forces School Districts to draft multiple budgets and contingency plans. It creates a climate of uncertainty, especially given the State’s fiscal situation and the possibility of...
Letter to the Editor: In 1971 a friend took me out on his boat fishing for king salmon. From that day on I wanted to fish for kings. Starting out in my teens I spent most of my youth fishing after that. A few years later limited entry was created, I missed out on a power permit because of living in Ketchikan. After that came gear reduction, power trollers went from six lines down to four, hand trollers went from four down to two. All this to relieve pressure on the king salmon along with a quota. I learned a lot from an old fisherman and one...
To the Editor: The Board of Fish was created to protect our salmon, not just some of them, but all of them. The Stikine River fish count is in the thousands, it is what B.O.F is calling a concern. This concern has turned into an emergency closure being very restrictive in management across fisheries. There are five streams south of the Stikine that have King Salmon returning that the B.O.F call stocks of concern. When you look at the number of fish that are returning to these five streams it is astounding. As of Monday afternoon 2-5-2018, the B...
Governor Walker submitted a budget plan for the upcoming fiscal year. The proposed budget includes a direct increase of $34 million in Public Safety Investments, funding for Medicaid, health care reform strategies, and deferred maintenance projects within the state. Unrestricted General Fund (UGF) revenue is projected to be about $2.1 billion while spending is nearly $4.6 billion, leaving a deficit of approximately $2.5 billion. This is troubling because the state has nearly exhausted its savings account, the Constitutional Budget Reserve Fund...
When ownership of a newspaper or broadcast outlet changes, it’s big news. It’s the lead story of the day. Everyone wants to know who the new owner is, and what changes will be made to the organization. In the case of KSTK, Wrangell’s public radio station, the proposed ownership change was advanced with barely a whisper to the public. With approximately 234 letters mailed to active supporters and bits of information shared with a few others, minimal notification was made of changes that were coming to Wrangell’s station. This newspaper stumble...