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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...
To the Editor: It was 84 degrees near the Arctic Ocean. Severe weather threatens eighteen states. Antarctic is losing its ice fields and Nome is ice free. Deadly California fires. Ninety-four degrees in Omaha, Nebraska. Earthquakes in Oklahoma, Alaska and Texas due to fracking and our politicians who were put in office by the oil companies deny…deny and tell us that there is no climate change? Really? The sea is rising due to the North and South Poles melting. Just look at the Mendenhall and LeConte Glaciers which are slowly retreating as t...
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...
As the State of Alaska grapples with our current fiscal situation, legislators are considering ways to balance the budget while protecting our savings and preserving the PFD. I urge my colleagues to focus on an important part of the discussion: oil taxes. Alaska is the only state in the US that taxes oil based on net profits, yet we are also the state that relies the most on oil revenues for government services. Unique among states, Alaska is also the owner of the resource: most of our oil has been produced from state owned lands. This also mea...
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: Only 15 seconds into my April 12, one minute public testimony for the state operating budget, my microphone was abruptly muted by finance committee co-chair Senator Stedman. His justification explained afterward was, "We are talking about the operating budget." If freeing up $32 million dollars to put toward genuine transportation needs is an invalid suggestion toward relieving our state's fiscal crisis, then Alaska residents have no hope for honest fiscal conservatism. Sen....
From helplessness to optimism Changes in feelings and behavior are not easy. So how can we change how we think, feel, and act? Here are a few things anyone can do. Listen to what you are saying to yourself. If you are saying I'm a failure you can convince yourself you are. Tell yourself you are valuable and cared about. You can choose to think about something different. Recall happier times. Visualize positive experiences. If the problem is overwhelming, deal with it later. It is better to...
To the Editor: I try very hard to keep my budget balanced and pay my bills, so when I hear that a city employee is getting a substantial raise and the Wrangell City Assembly hasn't even passed a budget, I become concerned, especially when I see my Inner Harbor electricity bill skyrocket from $18.00 in the cold month of November to $42.63 in the warm month of April. Then I realize we have the highest sales tax in Southeast and that we may call this electrical overcharge wrongfully charged and don...
This past weekend, I had the opportunity to host three Community Meetings in Juneau, Sitka, and Ketchikan to hear input on the governor's proposed budget for the next fiscal year. First and foremost, I'd like to thank everyone who took the time to attend, especially those who had the courage to speak. In Ketchikan, almost 130 people attended, and 51 people spoke during the 2.5 hours allowed for public comment. In Sitka, over 200 people attended and 61 people spoke. I'd like to share some...
To the Editor: Alaska was well represented by so many communities in Alaska finding common ground by working together with Alaska's Council on Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault (CDVSA). Executive Director L. Diane Castro was delighted to see Wrangell's BRAVE (Building Respect and Valuing Everyone) representatives there: Kay Larson, Joan Sargent and Loretto Jones who attended numerous workshops and shared with other agencies the common thread to provide advocacy for healthy relationships in all...
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...
To the Editor: My recent letter to the editor seems to have been a hit, for at least some. I received an invitation to be interviewed to clean the grade school bldg. So being that I will never know their process of hiring, due extensively to their mind set. I have some observations and evaluations of my own. First off the door I sat next to in the office waiting area is hitting the steel frame too hard and loosening in the wall. This can be repaired, not replaced. One of the downfalls of maintenance people is they do not follow building codes,...
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...
Last week, Governor Dunleavy unveiled his amended budget proposal for Fiscal Year 2020. As expected, there were substantial cuts to government agencies, all of which will affect Southern Southeast. Some of the cuts that will be most noticeable here in District 36 are the Marine Highway, services to our seniors, education, Fish & Game, public safety, and access to information. Governor Dunleavy proposed 68.3% cut to our ferry system, including an 80% decrease in funding for fuel. The intent of such a steep cut is to eliminate the ferry system...
To the Editor: I recently read the story of the new maintenance director, Josh Blatchly’s, report to the (COF) School Board. This is the type of nonsense I expect from an unqualified, “just going to spend your money to justify my possession” type of person. Full disclosure, I was supposed to be in the running for this job, however, the (COF) didn’t even attempt to interview me. With over three decades of construction, remodeling, and building schools, the (COF) just passed me by. So these faulty doors open, close, and lock but need replaci...
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...