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The Christmas season tends to be a heavy time of year for people. There is simply so much going on that we easily become tired and frustrated. Our calendar’s quickly fill to the brim with shopping, decorating, concerts, recitals, parties, worship services and community events to the point we feel like curling up in the fetal position in a dark corner because of the added stress. While we may enjoy participating in some of these events, the busyness is not always beneficial. The truth is that busyness distracts us from the reason we celebrate Ch...
While the holiday season is sure to evoke a broad spectrum of warm feelings and fond memories, the most prominent is likely to be the abundance of delicious food. Around the world, gathering together over a large meal is an integral part of the holiday tradition. TURKEY Traditional images of early holiday meals often depict Pilgrims and Indians joined together, ready to feast on a a large roasted turkey. In actuality, it’s most likely that early settlers would’ve dined on foods that were already familiar to the Native American palette, suc...
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...
To the Editor: I just had a few questions that the Anan Bear and Wildlife Observatory article brought to mind. I would really appreciate it if your paper would research and report on the following questions and comments. How much does it really cost to “administer” Anan? Really, how much? A memorable quote from the 1996 movie “Independence Day” comes to mind when it comes to government spending: “You don’t actually think they (the U.S. Government) spend $20,00.00 on a hammer, $30,000.00 on a toilet seat, do you?” Does the USFS really need a...
To the Editor: I am writing in regards to the story that appeared on the cover of the November 21, 2013 edition of the Wrangell Sentinel. I must admit to having several emotions while reading the article regarding the school district’s disregard for child safety as it relates to food allergies. Those emotions ranged from sadness, to disgust and anger. It seems that one sided rumors and accusations not supported by any facts are becoming normal for our newspaper. I, of all people, know how difficult it can be to write for the Wrangell S...
To the Editor: Thank you to those in the community who are bigger than Facebook. Thank you to those who look for the facts for yourself, rather than believe what you hear through the grapevine. Facebook is a powerful tool. One that allows you to get in touch with old friends from around the globe, wish somebody a happy birthday, or sell some junk in your basement. It is also the perfect vehicle to ruin somebody’s reputation. A person can spend a lifetime building personal and professional relationships, hours upon hours trying to perfect t...
To the Editor: I propose that the extra $200,000.00 that the borough of Wrangell gives annually to the local school district is suspended, if the school performs in an unbusiness, unprofessional manner. Namely if the school district creates corporate malfeasance, by partaking in corporate welfare. Specifically if the school hires any business to perform their duties of feeding our children. There is no way that any corporation can prepare quality hot meals two times a day one hundred and eighty days a year, without a profit. The true nature of...
To the Editor: Why I can’t move to Wrangell ... along with many others. I grew up in Wrangell. Most of you probably know me, or at least know of me. I’ve spent roughly two-thirds of my life here in Wrangell. Now that I’m looking for a place to settle Wrangell is, of course, on my list of options. But I can’t. Wrangell isn’t a viable option for me or for a lot of other people and businesses because Wrangell lacks something that prospective residents and businesses need - real internet access. On an average day, I use between three and five giga...
To the Editor: Many thanks to each and every person who shared their opinions with me whether you were for or against this initiative. Please know I appreciate each and every one of you that took the time to share. I was one honored to have the freedom as a Citizen of the United States of America to bring forth an initiative to vote on by utilizing our government due process which is not allowed in other countries. I want each person who took the opportunity to do their due diligence as an American Citizen by going to the polls and voting take...
To the Editor: Let’s pull at the heart strings here and I speak of our seniors, children and animals and lowering the sales tax. Again there is no reason to cut one thing. Boy they must want your over charged taxes bad by hitting below the belt. One our children’s education: Explained to me how our borough government can approve $100,000.00 reimbursement for moving expenses with no receipts, not budgeted for and when it was presented didn’t even know which fund of our governments monies this would come from? In the same breath our government th...
To the Editor: It seems like doomsday if the sales tax is lowered. Let me explain how the sales tax came to be. In the late 1940s the first sales tax was to pave our front street from the bottom of the Post Office Hill to the Thunderbird Hotel. When this was paid for the sales tax went away. Then when the City needed money for another worthy project, it came back. The people didn’t seem to mind paying for what we needed. We have been paying 7% sales tax for over 20 years, the highest sales tax in the State. So, the “Johnnies-come-lately” are s...
To the Editor: Wrangell Lions Club would like to thank the people of Wrangell who continue to recycle their aluminum through the Lions club collection boxes around town. If you have not taken notice of them, you can find collection boxes at Bobs’ IGA, City Market, Wells Fargo, Alaska Marine Highway (ferry terminal), Muskeg Meadows and Alaska State Housing Authority. We appreciate the support of these businesses. If you have larger pieces of aluminum to recycle we are able to make arrangements to take that also. The funds that are collected f...
To the Editor: As I am about to launch my boat I want to thank the fine folks of Wrangell and to compliment you on your City Ship Yard. I came to Wrangell two months ago and had no clue as to how I was going to fix my boat or what it might involve. With the assistance of Alan and Leslie Cummings of The Grand View B&B I was off to a good start. I contacted a first class glass man at Keller Marine. Steve did a great job and I was able to have my boat in town in the yard. Once we started digging in to the bad decks I found that my fuel tanks neede...
Wrangell’s theater will be making the switch to digital on the weekend of June 28 - 30. Digital has a number of benefits, not the least of which will include lower shipping fees – rather than paying for 60+ pounds of film to be express-shipped to (and from) Wrangell each week, the film will arrive on a much smaller, lighter hard drive. Additionally there will be fewer man hours involved in splicing the films together and in actually running the film – this means that, even with the cost of going to digital – we will not need to raise our tic...
“WWJD” for the text savvy, is means “What Would Jesus Do?” It is often referred to when trying to figure out the right course of action when dealing with other humans and their needs. All to often these days, people are so focused on their own selfish desires that what is good for others is of little consequence. When observing others in need it's shrugged off with, “It's not my problem”. Occasionally some one does make it their problem, and unselfishly puts someone's need before their own and they are hailed as hero's. In Isaiah 58, God ham...
To the Editor: We are looking forward with anticipation to the upcoming move from the current site of Alaska Island Community Services’ Tideline Clinic to the new location near Alpine Mini Mart. The new clinic will offer patients larger, more family friendly exam rooms whose layout will be even more conducive to privacy. Additionally, having access to more exam rooms will help minimize patient wait times. In order to facilitate a smooth transition to the new building, staff from AICS and Wrangell Medical Center have worked together to d...
To the Editor: Recently I went on a steelhead fishing trip to a nearby stream. The day was partly sunny and the watershed was in good shape to fish. In short time I was into a beautiful fish that put on a great show, shortly after that I was playing another fish. This is one of Southeast Alaska’s great treasures. It was a perfect day until it was time to leave, while crossing the stream my feet went out from underneath me and I fell hard into the water. I sustained minor injury but the point is this would not have happened had I been wearing my...
To the Editor: My 77th Birthday came and went recently, and unfortunately I’ll never see it again. That’s how birthdays are; just another day. An example of Time passing. As a friend of mine said many years ago, over the rim of his glass (his portable horizon—-), “Wayne, do you realize that our lives are passing by at the rate of one minute per minute?” Clever observation. But this birthday was a unique blessing because a Wrangell Lady, one of my first friends, took a long time to assemble a book of birthday greetings from you folks at Home (Wr...
To the Editor: The April 11, 2013 issue of the Wrangell Sentinel contains a quote by me regarding the need for Thomas Bay General Manager qualifications that have been interpreted by some to cast a negative opinion of SEAPA. In the clarity of hindsight, I certainly wish I had phrased my statement differently as that was not my intent. When going into the process of filling the vacant General Manager’s position there was some discussion as to the qualifications that the Commission deemed necessary to move Thomas Bay Power Authority forward a...
Welcome to my last Peggy’s Corner for the 2013 session. We have worked diligently in both houses of the Legislature on many pieces of legislation that will affect our state for many years. Throughout the process this year we have been trying to keep our eye to Alaska’s future. We all knew that if we didn’t manage to do something about our oil decline, we would be committing the ultimate crime against the next generation, our children. The cost of doing nothing was simply too great. We need oil production to increase, otherwise, it won’t...
The fourth Sunday after Easter is known in some churches as Good Shepherd Sunday, and Psalm 23 is included in the Scripture readings. The image of the Lord who cares for people as a shepherd cares for sheep was one the Psalm writers knew the Hebrew people would understand. Perhaps this SE Alaska version of Psalm 23 will provide a fresh look at this well-loved Psalm of comfort and hope. The Lord is my captain, I will not be lost. The LORD guides me to sandy beaches where clams and mussels abound and navigates me to calm waters. You refresh my so...
To the Editor: I had the distinct pleasure of attending a TBPA board meeting the other day, open to the public, I was the public. I find it astounding to the point of recklessness that no one ever attends these types of meetings. Then again no one pays attention, to anything except American Idol, after all look what's in the White House. From my perspective, here is a group of hardworking, conservative, concerned citizens working for your benefit. A thankless job, done for free, on your behalf. They strive to keep costs down, and a prudent eye...
Welcome to this week of Peggy’s Corner of the House. We have entered our last week of the 90 day session so as you can imagine the pace has quickened in order to try to complete the states’ business in our allotted time. We will often work late into the night from now until the end. For the past four years I have been advocating for an Alaska Transportation Infrastructure Fund (ATIF). In FY14 79% of our transportation budget will come from the federal government – this is down from 84% in FY10. We currently have a 20 billion dollar backl...
Welcome to this week of Peggy’s Corner of the House. Several Ketchikan and Wrangell constituents stopped through my office this past week and I appreciate the time that you all take to give me your insight. As you have most likely seen in the news, the Legislature has many bills being heard in committee that pertain to education in Alaska. The bill that I introduced (HB 21) for a 4 day pilot program is currently in the Finance committee. 4-day school weeks have been around for many years in other states and have a proven track record of i...
THANK YOU The WRANGELL VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT is to be commended for their superb handling of Dennis Eastaugh from home to the hospital. Several obstacles impeded the way: a steep incline in the path which was partly paved and partly loose gravel, tight corners within the house and a steep pitch to the driveway. Nothing insurmountable but certainly difficult. You entered the house and did what needed doing in a most professional way. You worked well together as a team, not just smoothly but flawlessly. How kind of you to have driven so cerem...