Letters to the Editor

We need to preserve the biggest of the kings

Tyee is a Native word that has several meanings. The Big One is the one that describes a 30-pound or bigger king salmon.

At the south end of Wrangell Island, there are five rivers that at one time had a lot of big kings, like the one that derby winner Gary Smart caught in 2017. Not all kings are created equal, the genetic strain is what makes the big ones so special. If we lose this genetic strain, it will be lost forever.

More than 70 years ago, the sportsmen in Ketchikan saw this coming and started the first salmon hatchery in Alaska at Carroll Inlet. You can learn more about this from the history online and from a report written by the late Pat Roppel, copies of which are now at the Sitka museum. It will help people understand more about king salmon, its history and hatcheries. I wish I had kept her writings, for I have always enjoyed reading all that she wrote. Her research was fantastic.

The Carroll Inlet hatchery acquired brood stock from the Unuk River, with the genetic strain that still returns to the Ketchikan area to this day, at 35 to 40 pounds. It is also a favorite for tourists, who watch them jump the falls.

We have a choice here in Wrangell. We can wipe out the genetic strain or try and save it for generations to come like they do in Ketchikan. We just need everybody to confront the state and come up with a plan to do so. Would you rather fish cookie cutters at Anita Bay or big Tyees at Earl West?

Salmon with the genetic strain of these fish were released at Earl West some time ago. Most people don't know about this, and it doesn't get much attention, probably because the Stikine run was still strong.

The state of Alaska will not enhance wild stocks with hatchery fish because they are afraid what it would do to the health of wild runs. But that is a different story. Maybe we can get a better strain penned up at Earl West again. But it is going to take time and cooperation from everyone.

Jim Colier

Cell tower should be built away from people

The installation of a third communication tower would benefit our community, but I question at what cost to the health of the individuals living nearby.

A cell tower will emit a potential threat of radio frequency radiation and not just to the immediate properties.

This cell tower will initially serve Verizon, but in the future three additional carriers could be accommodated on this same pole, producing still more radiation.

Personally, I find it ludicrous to trust the safety-distance information given by those intending to build this tower.

The general populace living in the area appear unaware and uninformed as to what is being considered, and I blame the city of Wrangell for that.

I am NOT against cell towers, but I propose a more remote location, away from people, and I feel this is a reasonable request.

Rosemary Ruoff

House and Senate work to resolve budget differences

On May 10, the Alaska House passed a state budget. On May 19, the Senate passed its version. Now, it is time for the two bodies to come together during a conference committee to negotiate the differences.

The House budget includes $5 million in funding for pre-K grants, an Office of Children's Services position in Wrangell, and funding for Juneau's DIPAC and Petersburg's Crystal Lake salmon hatcheries. The Senate version does not include these items.

Unlike the House budget, the Senate version of the budget includes about a $2,300 dividend for each Alaskan.

Both budgets include 18 months of forward funding for the Alaska Marine Highway System, 100% of local school bond debt reimbursement, funding for public broadcasting, and money to reopen the Department of Fish & Game Wrangell office.

Both budgets also include a slight increase for the University of Alaska over the cuts proposed by the governor's compact, in hopes of offsetting revenues lost during COVID-19.

The budget process was delayed this year because the Legislature was waiting to learn guidelines for how the state can spend federal COVID relief funds. Both versions of the budget rely heavily on federal funds from the American Rescue Plan Act. Those funds will be directed to communities to help avoid local tax hikes, to the visitor industry to help summer businesses stay afloat, and to small businesses and nonprofits to help offset lost revenue.

The Legislature on May 20 started a special session to finish work on the budget and the PFD. We still have a lot of work to do to address our state's structural deficit and figure out how exactly to pay for both an appropriate level of state services and a fair dividend. If you have any questions or suggestions on the budget, contact me at Rep.Dan.Ortiz@AKLeg.gov or call 907-465-3824.

Rep. Dan Ortiz

Thank you for support

The children of the late Dan Nore wish to express their deep appreciation to those who have offered support and messages of sympathy.

We especially wish to thank the American Legion Post 6 and Legion Auxiliary, Diana and Iver Nore and family, Dana VanSlyke, the Wrangell Volunteer Fire Department, Dr. Sanoe Harrison and the staff at Wrangell Medical Center, Kem and Susan Haggard, the Hospice of Wrangell loan closet, and the many people who prepared meals for our family, sent flowers, and brought food for our father's memorial service.

Your kindness and support have brought us comfort in our time of sorrow. 

Kristy Woodbury, Staci Dilg, Dan Nore and Lynda Nore