Sorted by date Results 676 - 700 of 954
Roads with ferries don’t work To the Editor: This fall Governor Walker has been weighing the pros and cons of proceeding with the Juneau road extension. The project entails fifty miles of new pavement, which would dead end at a ferry terminal on the uninhabited Katzehin River delta across the Lynn Canal from Haines. As residents of Petersburg and Wrangell know, long roads with short shuttle ferries have not worked out as hoped for in Southeast Alaska. The South Mitkof and Coffman Cove terminals, while beautiful facilities, have been largely shu...
To the Editor: Thank you for welcoming us into your communities. We are grateful to you for making time to visit with us to discuss the land exchange legislation and share your concerns about potential timber sales on Trust land near your community, if the legislation does not pass. At the meetings, we heard how important public safety is to the Petersburg community. We realize the announcement back in August about the potential timber sales surprised members of the community, and that created great concern. We take responsibility for the way...
The State of Alaska provided Petersburg pedestrians with one of the most important safety measures that money could buy. They completed the Haugen Drive walking path to Sandy Beach Park. It’s a smooth, dry solid walking surface that’s easy to navigate with strollers, bikes, dogs or kids. However, it can only keep walkers safe if they use it. We continue to see people walking along the sometimes very narrow Haugen Drive right-of-way, at night, wearing no reflective clothing and with no light. Certainly there’s no prohibition to walking next...
IFQ violations To the Editor: I am writing this letter in regards to the October 27 article “Two Petersburg vessels charged with IFQ violations.” I am the current owner/operator of the F/V Lone Fisherman. It is common for NOAA enforcement reports to only note the date citations were issued, not the date the violation occurred. I understand that this can cause confusion when reporting on information found in the enforcement reports. The violation mentioned in this article occurred prior to my becoming the owner/operator of the F/V Lone Fis...
Vote your conscience To the Editor: The current political environment in America is very polarized and vitriolic. Many are, rightfully, disillusioned with the two party system and really want a fresh choice. Many people do not like either of the “main” options running for President, but feel like they have to vote for one or the other of the “main” candidates in order for their vote to “count.” I’ve heard many people say they don’t like either of the “main” candidates, but they are going to vote for “the lesser of the two evils”. The problem w...
Tax the biggest city To the Editor: To Governor Bill Walker - instead of stealing money from Alaskans, why not tax one of the biggest cities in Alaska – Anchorage? Tax them with sales tax, alcohol tax and car and tire sales tax. Why you are not looking into this is beyond me when there are 399,086 people living there. That is over half the population of Alaska not counting all the tourists and people who have to go there for one reason or another. Just think of all the money you could be getting the right way instead of stealing Alaskans m...
Waterfront property with utility services (water, sewer, power) is in limited supply. Waterfront property zoned for industrial use is even scarcer. That is why the borough assembly should uphold the planning and zoning commission’s decision to keep the Menish building on S. Nordic Drive a warehouse and not a duplex residential structure. We’re a fishing town and it’s important that the Borough maintain a supply of industrial property along the waterfront. The fishing industry has to have room to expand and industrially zoned land must be kept...
Thank you for movie To the Editor: Thank you to all who organized the showing of the movie “Chasing the Dragon.” And thank you to the panel members. It was worth seeing. I do wish that someone on the panel had responded to the person who asked the question, “What about Marijuana?” Maybe something like the following could have been said: “Thank you for your question. Marijuana use can be addicting but it is not as dangerous as opiate use. A similar discussion could be held regarding the effects of Marijuana use at some later date. Especiall...
Ballot initiative wording confusing To the Editor: Voters in the October municipal election need to be careful when they check their preference. In simple terms, no means yes and yes means no. If no, you don’t want the legal sale of marijuana in town, then you vote yes. If yes you do, you vote no. Be careful. I already know of one voter who voted just the opposite of how they intended. Don Cornelius Base your vote on facts To the Editor: So, you think you’re going to vote in favor of opting out of legal sale of marijuana products in Pet...
Voters who want to ban commercial growing and sale of marijuana within our borough should not be intimidated by some of the arguments for allowing the enterprise to exist. Voters should remember that there is no harm in waiting. 1. Wait for federal law to change. Should other states allow for the commercialization of marijuana, it’s likely elected officials will change federal regulations. 2. Wait for banking regulations to change. Eventually legal business enterprises will have to be permitted to deposit funds in federally controlled banks. 3...
Alaskans will soon receive our annual dividend checks. This year’s $1,022 check for every qualified resident will help Alaska families with things like winter fuel, food and clothes, holiday gifts, and saving for college. These checks will boost local businesses and increase local tax revenues. At the same time, I am keenly aware that many Alaskans are disappointed – and some are angry – about the size of this year’s dividend. While the average dividend since the inception of the program has been $1,150, many were counting on a larger amount...
Search and Rescue tips To the Editor: This past Wednesday evening a young boy in our community became lost. Thanks to the dedication of many in this community he was found cold but safe. As I witness the out pouring of volunteers willing to go out on a rainy night to find this young boy I felt a lot of pride in the caring folks of Petersburg. Whereas we live on the edge of the wilderness events like this will happen again. So that we can avoid a tragedy Search and Rescue would like to make the following recommendations. In the event of someone...
To the Editor: As there have been a few letters against the cultivation and sales of marijuana in our town I would like to share my personal opinions from the other side. I am in favor for the cultivation and retail sale of Marijuana in the Borough of Petersburg for many reasons. First is that it is much less detrimental to society than alcohol. I have served as an EMT for almost 25 years and have never once had a call where marijuana was the issue. That cannot be said for alcohol and hard drugs which I have been on numerous calls for. In my yo...
Thinking outside the box To the Editor: The Greater Southeast Alaska Conservation Community believes there are better solutions than a land exchange to solve the highly controversial Alaska Mental Health Trust debacle. The exchange is detailed in Senator Murkowski’s Alaska Mental Health Trust Land Exchange Act of 2016 (S.3006). Specifically, what should be pursued instead is either a federal buy-out or a land transfer with the State, not Feds, from existing State forestlands. Clearly, AMHT’s threats that Murkowski’s bill be passed— or else—ha...
Marijuana, AMA approved Letter to the Editor: 1) I find comfort, and so should you, that the largest American Medical Association comprised of thousands of doctors; as well as the American Oncology Society; just to name two, have petitioned congress to lower marijuana to a category II listing so that they can prescribe marijuana for their patients. I value their opinion over all individual doctor's opinion. 2) Black Market: By supplying topself, top grade medical marijuana, in large variety at a price lower than current black market prices, it...
Choose to do less harm To the Editor: The following facts about marijuana are taken from a lecture I attended by Darryl Inada CAT-V, CADC 111 and PH.D in Pharmacology at the 42nd Annual School on Addictions and Behavioral Health held in Anchorage on May 2, 2016. Marijuana seriously affects short term memory, concentration, motivation, problem solving, coordination, judgment, reaction and tracking time, and cognitive ability. Though it relieves anxiety temporarily, use over time increases anxiety. The smoke, as with cigarette smoking, seriously...
Everyone is welcome To the Editor: Landscaping has been ongoing at the Public Library this summer and I have heard people ask, “How can they spend so much money on plants when money is so tight right now?” The work was paid for with state grants and from donations from private citizens specifically for construction and landscaping. The landscaping provides finishing touches to a community project we can be proud of. Our Public Library represents many of the core values of our town. Looking around the facility it is clear we care about our kid...
We’ll never forget To the Editor: We want to thank the Petersburg community for the kindness and support you gave to us after the tragic loss of our granddaughter and niece, Molly Parks. Molly will be forever in our memories and hearts. She was unique, a special gift, kind, amazing, and beautiful. We want to give special thanks to the emergency and medical response teams, and to all the folks who helped R.D. and Madonna through that terrible day and night. When we arrived in Petersburg on July 7, we were greeted with warm welcomes, hugs, and m...
Overwhelming generosity To the Editor: We, as a family, continue to be overwhelmed by the generosity and outpouring of support and love from Petersburg, our family, and our friends. Thank you. It does make a difference. I cannot say that we are doing okay, but we are surviving and slowly, more accepting of our loss. A very bright light in our lives has gone out, but we have many more. Joey and Josh, our families, friends, folks from Electra, Texas, and the amazing community of Petersburg. All of you lighten our lives, and are helping us...
I attended my first Rotary meeting in 1976. I was 23 years old and the average age of the membership was about 60. Dave Ohmer, Jim Leekley, Oscar Jones, Jim Taylor and Adolph Mathisen were among the established members. Today, Adolph Mathisen’s granddaughter Desi Burrell, is president of the club which turns 75 years old this year. Adolph would be proud. Charter members of the club in May, 1941 were: Dr. Edgar I. Baggen, Dr. T.W. Benson, Carroll Clausen, Lester E. Elkins, Charles A. Greenaa, John Halvorsen, Bue Hentze, Rev. Thos. Knudson, Justi...
Patrick R. Murphy, 58, of Juneau, passed away on July 1, 2016. Patrick was born the third child of Mark and Patricia Murphy, of Magnolia, Washington on July 26, 1957. Patrick was a 1976 graduate of Queen Anne High School and was employed at Western Towboat for over 40 years, most of those years as a captain. Patrick is survived by his daughter Emma, along with her mother, Melanie Helmick and his siblings and their families, Marcia, R.C., R. L and Marc Quint; Leslie, Chris and Anna von Ravensberg; Mark, Lauren, Erin and Pat Murphy along with...
Performed heroically To the Editor: We all just been through a very difficult time. Our hearts and prayers are with those who lost family and friends on the morning of July 4th. I would like to tell you that those members of your volunteer fire department who responded to the incident, performed professionally and heroically in a very difficult situation. As they now deal with their own memories and thoughts, please keep them in your prayers. Doug Welde Fire Chief... Full story
It is with a heavy heart that I make this statement. The Petersburg Borough sends heartfelt condolences to the Giesbrecht and Parks families for the loss of their daughters. Petersburg will truly miss their presence. Our thoughts are also with the Cardenas and Allen families and all those in our community that are affected by this tragedy. It is our hope that with the support of our caring community we can all come together to help each other in the healing process. In the interim, I have appointed Karl Hagerman as Acting Borough Manager to... Full story
Thank You To the Editor: On Saturday evening, June 11, I was in serious health trouble while visiting Alaska on a friend’s boat, the Liliana. In severe pain, and having had open heart surgery years before, our skipper, was on the radio with the Coast Guard discussing how best to get me medical care. We were in Portage Bay, travelling in a trawler, with a top speed of 6-7 knots. A decision was made to send the police boat from Petersburg, staffed with an EMT team. The wind had come up, raising white caps in Stevens Passage, and the discomfort I...
Considering both sides To the Editor: When any entrepreneur is deciding to invest in a community, one would generally check with as many of the other investors first and assess any obstacles. A very successful business person once told me that “Just because you are willing to invest, does not make you a wise investor.” So how does one check in wisely with “all of the other” investors in a new enterprise, such as the case of recreational marijuana in a community where commercial sales have never been available before? You go to them and give the...
