Sorted by date Results 876 - 900 of 947
Promotional fact To the Editor: I enjoyed the quote from Mr. Giesbrecht in the October 25, 2012 Pilot “We need to make sure that all of our promotional information is based on fact.”So now we have fact to support a crumbled foundation. The foundation that I refer to is the Charter and Petition. The Petition makes promises which are not carried into the Charter. Once the vote is taken the Petition is meaningless. Charter provisions important to those living outside Petersburg were removed or changed. Public meetings were held early on to sel...
We’re surprised at the lack of candidates filing for elected positions within the borough. We thought a few “outliers” would throw their hats into the ring and become a part of the government process that many outliers are opposing. The entire system works on participation, both from outside and inside the borough chambers. Following our most recent comments on revenue sharing for the new borough, the city finance office reports the numbers are even higher now. Conservatively, the new Borough has budgeted to receive an estimated $300,000 in add...
Promotional Facts To the Editor: I enjoyed the quote from Mr. Giesbrecht in the October 25, 2012 Pilot “We need to make sure that all of our promotional information is based on fact”. So now we have fact to support a crumbled foundation. The foundation that I refer to is the Charter and Petition. The Petition makes promises which are not carried into the Charter. Once the vote is taken the Petition is meaningless. Charter provisions important to those living outside Petersburg were removed or changed. Public meetings were held early on to sel...
There are 2 sides to every coin To the Editor: I’ve noticed some things other boroughs have done that have drawn attention to themselves. Wrangell’s hospital board recently were called to task by a resident for a possible Open Meetings Act violation on Sept. 19, after walking out on people attending the board meeting to go on a guided tour of the facility out of the presence of the public in attendance. Mat-Su is trying to sell their $80 million fast ferry which was supposed to transport commuters from Anchorage to the Valley. It’s never even...
With the establishment of the State’s borough formation election in December, people are asking questions and the city is working to provide factual information as they answer those queries. One person this week commented that some don’t realize the City of Petersburg will go out of existence if and when the borough is formed. There will be no more city government. The only remaining city within the borough will be the City of Kupreanof. Were the City of Petersburg to remain in existence, we would not favor borough formation. Having lived in...
It’s no wonder borough formation efforts have taken more than 10 years to culminate in a determining vote in December. Initial council discussions over borough formation began about 2002 as the body debated whether to annex land into the city’s corporate limits or to establish borough boundaries. This week a letter writer charges that this newspaper and the city failed to correct information that was printed, challenged and corrected over two years ago. There is certainly enough information in the city’s borough petition that provides fodde...
More borough government To the Editor: Is now the time for more government? It sounds like the City of Petersburg is having trouble rounding up candidates for the proposed borough Assembly. Who would be foolish enough to sit on an Assembly that is dead set on more purchases and more spending? That person would be eaten alive if he or she tried to stop the spending. Why extend this kind of government to a huge borough area that will require more government? Extra staff will be needed for such a large area. That will only be the beginning; there...
Eva, a longtime resident of Anchorage passed away peacefully of natural causes October 2012. Surrounded by her loving family at Alaska Regional Hospital. Eva was born in Petersburg to Jesse Woods, (Berkeley), Keanu and John Keanu Sr. on March 8, 1933. She attended Petersburg Elementary and attended high school at Sheldon Jackson Junior College graduating in 1953. She loved basketball, being a cheerleader and song queen. She was often a soloist in the high school choir. In 1953, she married her high school sweetheart Gary H. Tennison. In June,...
Freedom on the Last Frontier To the Editor: “Daddy, thanks for bringing us all to the cabin for the weekend. I love it here. Seeing the deer and mink on the beach when we set the crab-pot was really cool. What shall I do first? Can Muttley and I play in the woods?” “Yes, but you have to keep him on his leash now.” “That’s lame! Well, can we build a brush-fire? And roast hot-dogs? Can I ask the neighbor around the point to have supper with us? I like him; he tells great stories about the old days. Later, can we set off the fireworks we saved fr...
Once again, incorrect information was cited to justify opposition to the formation of a Petersburg Borough. Tom Reinarts wrote in a published letter that Wrangell’s borough government had added 29 employees since its formation. In two letters in this week’s Pilot, both Reinarts and Wrangell’s Borough Manager correct the information stated in last week’s letters column. In September, letter writer George Cole apologized for an error where he stated the Petersburg Borough could raise sales taxes without a vote of the people. The Pilot has a f...
An irresistible source of borough revenue To the Editor: I find it inconceivable that anyone in Petersburg would even consider voting “yes” for the borough petition which gives the Borough Assembly the power to levy personal property tax without a vote (page 4, subsection 11-B). This would include taxing cars and private and commercial boats. Because fishing is so vital to the local economy many believe that the possibility of personal property tax on boats is very remote. But how remote is it when borough costs are projected to exceed the reve...
Sing Lee Alley bridge work needed To the Editor: If the city feels they can afford to spend 1.4 million dollars on property and take it off the tax rolls, then they should consider re-planking the Sing Lee Alley Bridge (or Indian Street bridge) before someone goes through it. Many of the planks are rotten and have holes, and it also would be easy to trip on some of the bent over spikes. As for the borough, it will cost more money and we all will end up paying more taxes. The people that live in the outlying areas probably spend as much money...
Remember to vote on Tuesday, October 2 at the municipal election. Your vote can influence the course of future events in Petersburg from taxes to industrial services for the local fishing fleet. The only competition for public service positions happens to be for three persons seeking seats on the harbor and ports advisory board. This year the propositions will be the topics of interest for voters since two of them involve money. Proposition #1 asks if Petersburg should withdraw from the Inter-Is...
Job well done To the Editor: Thanks to Jesse O Connor, our local gardener who does all the hanging baskets and who cares for the little parks we have downtown. Also who has a more beautiful cemetery then Petersburg? I think we do. I’ve been to most of them in Alaska and we out shine them all. Great job Jesse. Hope we don’t ever lose you. Patty Simpson Do your own research To the Editor: I admire and respect those who have been advocating for the formation of a Petersburg Borough. I know that they are good people who have worked hard for the...
Marlie Bernaldo Agustin, 45, was granted her angel wings on September 7, 2012. Marlie was born on February 18, 1967 in Lezo Aklan, Philippines. She arrived in Juneau, Alaska in January of 1980 and moved to San Francisco, Calif. in the mid 80s where she met the love of her life Fredy. They both moved back to Juneau where they made their home. She worked at Foodland Drug Store, KeyBank, and First National Bank of Alaska. She was one of the nine children of the late Jaime and Elena Bernaldo. She... Full story
Last trip as Representative To the Editor: I have trips to Petersburg and Sitka coming up, this will likely be for the last time as the representative for District 2. If there are issues that I might be able to help with, or thoughts on new legislation needed in Alaska, or you’d like to show off your state-funded projects, please give me a call. I’ll do what I can to help through the end of December – as long as I’m still your representative. I’ll be in Petersburg Wednesday, September 12 through Friday, the 14th, in the Petersburg LIO. I‘ll...
After only one month on the job, Petersburg’s newly appointed Assistant District Attorney Nicholas Polasky is already facing criticism from Petersburg Police Chief Jim Agner for failing to prosecute a case of a stolen television. Since the case involves parties with criminal records it’s easy to see why the D.A.’s office would rather not prosecute the case. Neither the victims of the crime, the witnesses to the crime, nor the suspects were very credible witnesses. Parties interviewed by the police disagreed on how the transaction to sell the s...
Sales tax apology To the Editor: I need to correct an error I perpetuated. I had been under the impression that the proposed Petersburg Borough could raise the sales tax rate without a vote of the people. This error was a result of my misreading Note 3 on page 37 of the petition wherein it says: “For years two through four, an annual 1% increase in Sales Tax has been considered.” I initially read this to mean the petitioners were ready and able to raise the sales tax rate from 6% to 9% over that 3-year period. A careful reading of the pro...
That’s what I’m talking about To the Editor: Tonight I was listening to the Republican National Convention and was awestruck by a speech given by New Jersey Governor Chris Christie. As I listened to his inspiring words, it was as if he was addressing the issue of the Petersburg Borough. I would like to quote him here: He said that in thinking about his children and grandchildren, “I don’t want their only inheritance to be an enormous government that has overtaxed, overspent and over-borrowed a great people into second-class citizen...
Remembers Kito To the Editor: Our paper last week featured an article about Harry Kito and the bridge that will be named after him. The day after the article was published, I was told that Harry was killed by friendly fire. This is a false rumor. Harry was killed by shrapnel in the battle of Conthien during operation Buffalo. A major at the time referred to them as the walking dead as they were surrounded by enemy fire. Harry was the first fatality in Vietnam from Alaska. I grew up with Harry and was a guest countless times in the Sam and...
Like many residents of Petersburg, fish often determines how I vote. As a former Executive Director of United Fishermen of Alaska and Southeast Alaska Seiners, I write to strongly encourage your readers to Vote Fish and support the coastal management initiative on August 28. You may be surprised to learn that Alaska’s fisheries have benefitted from the Alaska Coastal Management Program for more than 30 years. The Alaska Coastal Management Program has helped protect fish habitat and ensure harbor and waterfront development for the fishing i...
Worry for nothing To the Editor: I was worried about the Borough election until I reviewed the voter registration list for Petersburg. I discovered that Petersburg has twice as many Republicans as Democrats. (602 R’s vs. 297 D’s) Since Republicans believe in smaller government, they will naturally vote against the borough since becoming a borough will expand governmental control by 100 times. Simple logic now lets me sleep easier at night. Borough = bigger government. Republicans are against bigger government. Therefore, Republicans are aga...
Workers appreciated To the Editor: It is hard to believe Fall is on the horizon, so before Summer has completely faded into memory I would like to publically thank a group of individuals. Each morning I ease past Trident Seafood employees as they head across the street from their plant to the cookhouse and they cheerfully wave good morning. I question is this the beginning of, or are they already on their second break of the day? I wonder if they know how appreciative we are of their dedication to the important work they do and the attitude in...
Make no mistake, the Coastal Zone Planning Initiative that will appear on this August’s Primary Ballot, as Proposition 2 is very different from the Bill that passed the House 40-0 in the 2011 session of the Legislature. Proposition 2 will do nothing more than add more government and another permitting layer that will delay projects and cost jobs. As proof – only 7 out of 60 Alaska Legislators supported what will be Proposition 2 when it was proposed as legislation in the 2012 session of the Legislature. Remember – there had been debate on Co...
Changing ordinance jumping the gun To the Editor: The nicest feature of the City of Petersburg is having our volunteer EMTs and firefighters. They all put in a lot of time for training in addition to their other work. They may not be perfect but neither are any of the paid employees. The idea of changing the ordinance because of a bunch of unfounded rumors is jumping the gun. Thank you very much – all of you volunteers. Sigrid Medalen...
