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Mike Bangs, who helped pioneer commercial diving in Alaska and was chair of a regional advisory council and Petersburg harbor board, died last week at 62. About 250 people filled the Sons of Norway Hall for the Celebration of Life program on Sunday. Nearly 20 friends and family members told stories about their time with Mr. Bangs. "For many of us here today, the world is already a different place without our friend Mike Bangs," said Glo Wollen, giving remarks at the program. "He passed far too y...
Petersburg boys basketball split two games with Wrangell last weekend, losing on Friday and coming better prepared for the rivalry matchup on Saturday, the coach said. Petersburg had to reach into its bench early in a game against Wrangell on Friday, which caused for a stop-and-go night with recurring scoring lulls. Petersburg lost 44-50. Mark Neidiffer, a Petersburg senior and one of its highest scorers, was benched after being whistled for two fouls early in the first quarter. Dale Strong,...
January The Borough assembly started approval of a program called Local Improvement Districts, which asks Petersburg residents whether they would pay for road work in their neighborhoods. The Petersburg School Board discussed the possible loss of federal funding through a program called Secure Rural Schools. The school district reported a case of a Pertussis, or whooping cough, confirmed in Petersburg. Superintendent Erica Kludt-Painter said it was not a public health emergency. An engineer led...
The assembly on Monday held discussion on a tax break for people over 65 in Petersburg, and possibly amending it to help the borough save thousands of dollars in revenue. In January 1980, a senior sales tax exemption was approved by the city council without a vote from the people. The city charter didn’t require it at the time, according to Jody Tow, the borough finance director. “It was described as kind of a reward for people who lived here and worked all their lives … this gave them a little money back,” Assembly member Nancy Strand said at...
The Petersburg Borough Assembly talked at length in a meeting last week about forming a tax committee, made of community members who could explain how tax finances work and eventually bring recommendations to the council. “I’ve had a chance to talk to several members of the community who had all kinds of questions about senior citizen property tax exemptions and overall sales tax,” said Jeff Meucci, an assembly member. “And what the trends are.” As a result, the assembly agreed to ask community members to sit on a short term – possibly si...
A wide-ranging recall of fire extinguishers produced by Kidde has been issued, after a device failure led to a death and multiple injuries. Announced last week by the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission in conjunction with its Canadian counterpart, the recall involves 134 different models of extinguisher manufactured domestically and in Mexico between January 1, 1973, and August 15, 2017. The extinguishers were sold in red, white and silver, and are either ABC- or BC-rated. In all,...
Anglers who purchased an Alaska sport fishing license in 2017 may soon receive a copy of the 2017 Alaska Sport Fishing Survey—an annual mail survey conducted by the Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) to assess where sport fishing occurs and how many fish are caught and kept by anglers in Alaska. This week, ADF&G Division of Sport Fish will begin mailing the first wave of 2017 Alaska Sport Fishing Surveys. The survey is sent to approximately 47,000 randomly selected Alaska resident and nonresident households having a person who purchased...
After years of filming, Jeff Mittelstadt was able to offer a private screening to about 140 people in Petersburg, the town which supported the making of his whirlwind documentary, "Staring Down Fate." Mittelstadt had an idea in 2011 to put together a series of short films on the red wolf conflict in North Carolina. He would make an interactive online documentary with graphics to illuminate the science and economics of the red wolf, while telling the stories of people on all sides of the issue....
There are new species of squid near Petersburg, and determining their population is like measuring fog, according to one researcher who has defied Alaska squid assumptions for years. In a presentation at the Public Library on Tuesday, Stephanie Hayes, a PhD student in Marine Biology, which she has refined to squid research, described the Armhook species. New to the Petersburg area, the Armhook Squid has increased in prevalence, despite being told that it hadn't been the case, Hayes said....
Debbie Thompson, the Petersburg Borough clerk, denied petition applications on Monday that aimed to recall four Assembly members, causing the group leading the effort to huddle and rethink options moving forward. Sara Heideman, who is an attorney and the Borough legal counsel, reviewed recall applications for Eric Castro, Nancy Strand, Jeigh Stanton Gregor and Kurt Wohlhueter. She recommended the applications be ruled insufficient in a letter to Thompson which led Thompson to notify Gary Morgan, the leader of the application, of the rejection....
We hope the recall sponsors will decide to drop the proposed recall effort. Their time will be better spent looking for candidates that will be willing to file for candidacy and campaign for three open seats on the Assembly this fall. The city manager’s proposal to replace the retiring power and light manager with an inexperienced electrical superintendent is fraught with opportunities for failure. It will provide good campaign fodder for the fall election. It was highly unlikely that the attorney providing the opinion that gave the go-ahead fo...
Due to a reporting error, Eric Castro’s name was omitted from the list of Assembly persons named in the recall application that is being reviewed by the City Attorney. Power and Light employee Gary Morgan submitted the application to the Deputy City Clerk last Tuesday....
Herewith are my observations and thoughts regarding the restructuring of the utility departments as proposed by the Borough Manager with the intent of saving the Borough money. Review of this proposal brings to one’s attention that the manager is endeavoring to create a position to be filled by a preselected individual to manage three utilities. As such, if put into play, it will most likely make it very difficult to recruit for this position at some future point in time. The proposal is flawed, in my opinion for this very reason. The c...
Debate issues with respect To the Editor: Rumors, allegations and recall threats in the wake of the former Mayor's resignation seem to be reaching fever pitch. To address some of questions and correct the record on several points, I feel it's necessary to weigh in. As for the ex-Mayor's resignation, he made a choice that was prudent for him. I won't second-guess it. In our Assembly-Borough Manager form of government, the Manager is responsible to the Assembly as a whole. His role includes hiring and firing personnel including department heads,...
The Petersburg Assembly is being accused of violating the Alaska Open Meetings Act in a recall application that is sponsored by 12 community members, including city employees and two former mayors. The petition seeks to oust three members from office, including Nancy Strand, Jeigh Stanton Gregor and Kurt Wohlhueter. Member Jeff Meucci is immune to recall because of his recent appointment, according to Alaska Statute 29.26.240. And member Bob Lynn's term is over in October. Mayor Cindy...
A former mayor of Petersburg said he picked up a petition application with criteria that would recall the Petersburg Borough Assembly, which comes after stirring controversy between the city government and some of its constituents. Borough Clerk Debbie Thompson confirmed that she gave Ted Smith an application to recall the assembly. Smith, however, said he “looked it over” and then handed it to another person to take the lead. That person remains anonymous. “I can’t give that name without his permission,” Smith said. “I am neutral on the idea...
I may be mistaken but it was my assumption the Borough assembly could only authorize spending of a limited amount of monies without the approval of the public, but even if I am mistaken, the assembly and manager have seemingly put Petersburg in a very precarious position for future bond issuing by their insatiable spending habits. According to their figures, we are now four and one half million or more dollars in debt and an effort to raid the Electric Utility reserve fund is under discussion to help pay that debt. I believe this action...
Need to regroup To the Editor: Our local paper seems like it’s mixed up. Viking ship (in color) on the front page was perfect. However the criminal (in color) big time loser has been on the front page for the last three weeks, while our lovely Norwegian award winner was put in with the police news. How great is that? Another big news story, our Mayor Mark Jensen resigned, which will be a great loss to our community, in middle of paper someplace. You need to regroup Patty Nelson When rules are ignored, we must act To the Editor: On May 30, 2...
This week, ADF&G Division of Sport Fish will begin mailing the first wave of 2016 Alaska Sport Fishing Surveys to Anglers who purchased an Alaska sport fishing license in 2016. The survey is sent to approximately 47,000 randomly selected Alaska resident and nonresident households having a person who purchased a sport fishing license or who holds a permanent form of license in 2016. Conducted every year since 1977, the Alaska Sport Fishing Survey is a scientific survey that asks anglers to recall basic information on the number of days fished...
Marty Susort is the onsite construction administrator on the municipal building renovation. He's the borough's "eyes and ears," according to Public Works director Karl Hagerman. He's at the site to observe the contractor and sub-contractors and step in if any issues arise. "Marty can act as a liaison to the architect or just point to the right page in the plans and specification book for the contractor," Hagerman wrote in an email to the Pilot. "This type of inspection is common for...
A state finance legislative subcommittee's proposal to cut 100 percent of state operating grants to public radio would mean job and service losses for KFSK. According to a House Finance Budget Subcommittee narrative report, chaired by Rep. Lynn Gattis, "Between fundraising, federal revenues, advertising, and donations, the public broadcast budget approaches $13-$14 million annually, making this approximately a 20 percent reduction to the system," the report states. "I believe her (Gattis')...
Public Works Director Karl Hagerman reported the following information to the Petersburg Borough Assembly in lieu of Borough Manager Steve Giesbrecht’s absence: The underground cable connecting the Blind Slough hydro plant to our distribution system failed, and that portion from the plant to the hatchery had to be replaced. Harbor staff continues to remind people to give them a call so they can keep an eye on your boat when owners leave town. It is also important for folks to check their skiffs during our very wet weather. The Public Works c...
A significant benefit to living in a small town is that everyone knows everyone’s business. Some consider this a detriment, but in the case of Proposition 1, which appears on October’s election ballot in Petersburg, and as Proposition 2 in Wrangell, the Financial Disclosure requirement is not needed. Currently, municipal officers and some candidates for elective office must file a financial disclosure statement. Depending upon how a person’s company is legally organized, the law can be very intrusive, or in the case of a corporation it can r...
The Petersburg Borough Assembly met on Thursday, Aug. 20, instead of their regularly Monday meeting, and took on a light agenda. An ordinance to create a local exemption to the state’s financial disclosure requirement for some public officials passed unanimously on its third and final reading, which will leave voters to make the final decision on the matter in the Oct. 6 Municipal Election. The financial disclosure requirement was put in place by the state to ensure that individuals do not use public service for personal financial gain. For man... Full story
An ordinance to allow voters to determine whether or not local public officials should be exempt from state financial disclosure requirements was passed on second reading by the Assembly at Monday’s regular meeting. By Alaska State law, certain public officials are required to report their income sources and other assets in an effort to ensure private interests do not conflict with their public service. Municipalities reserve the right to exempt their local public officials from the requirement, and locally there has been concern that not d... Full story
