Sorted by date Results 976 - 1000 of 1031
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...
Thank you during our time of loss To the Editor: I would like to thank the town of Kake for their unbelievable support during our time of loss and to everyone from Kake that showed up at the ferry terminal in Kake with my auntie Kathy Friday. My mom Charlene Jackson didn’t know her mom had passed away shortly after she had left Petersburg to get her older sister Kathy to go be with their mom Martha Jackson. Thank you Kake for being there for my mom and my auntie, and thank you to all that attended the services in Juneau and Kake and traveled t...
Thanks for the new sidewalks To the Editor: I want to thank the young men who built the sidewalk on the ANB Hall blocks. They did a beautiful job and in such a short period of time, and deserve recognition for the good job they did. Thanks guys. Merry Armin Dog Variety Show a success To the Editor: A big thank you to the folks who walked dogs in the parade with our banner and entered them in the Dog Variety Show afterward. The costumes were adorable. Thanks to our intrepid panel of judges, Sean, Jacob, Mary and Sarah, who agreed to take on the...
The perspective of fairness To the Editor: Recently, several city residents in support of the borough made an acrid accusation that my husband and I are free loaders in regard to city services. For the benefit of other like-minded individuals, I wish to put this issue in perspective as it applies to our situation as residents of Farragut Bay. We are probably the most remote of those who live outside city limits in the proposed borough. Our house is approximately a 60-mile roundtrip to Petersburg over often very rough water in Frederick Sound....
We like to hear from our readers. Some people write letters. Some people drop by the office. A recent visitor questioned why the Pilot carried two pages of news on the recall of the Wrangell hospital board and the subsequent firing of the hospital administrator (June 21, 2012 edition). “Didn’t you have any Petersburg news?” the reader queried. Certainly, we had Petersburg news, but nothing quite as important as the goings-on in Wrangell. The news generated by the recall of all but one member of the Wrangell hospital board and the firing by th...
Is music harassment? To the Editor: I am writing this letter concerning how a neighbor could be so eager to call the police on such petty things, including but not limited to the loudness of my music at 7 p.m. while I was in my yard filleting halibut. When an officer came to my house, the officer said my music was not that loud, but as a favor to them could I please turn down my music so that they did not have to deal with another call from my neighbors. This particular neighbor has been known to call the police so often, that when my neighbor...
Because of the alleged antics of a few bad apples, city ordinance 961 has been created, revised and discussed and will soon go before the city council. The ordinance revises the chain of command in the Petersburg Volunteer Fire Department (PVFD) along with other functions. The ordinance was due for a revision because a lot has changed since current volunteer Sam Bunge assumed control of the department as a paid chief during his tenure (1998-2008). Any leader of a volunteer organization will readily admit that it is difficult to maintain...
Made my day To the Editor: A heartfelt thank you to the person who found my wallet on Hungry Point Trail and turned it in to the police. Many thanks, you made my day. Andrea Turner Mounds View, MN Correct title To the Editor: Regarding an article, "Flames claim home Sunday evening," published in the May 31 edition of the Petersburg Pilot, I noticed the reporter referred to the responders as Petersburg Fire Department. The name of that organization is Petersburg Volunteer Fire Department. While it may have been a simple writing-on-deadline...
Softball tourney success To the Editor: I would like to take a moment and thank everyone involved with making the Eric Corl Memorial Softball Tournament a success. Mamie Nilson for doing most, and I mean practically everything in organizing this great event; Parks and Rec for getting the field ready for us; Little League for running concessions and selling our sweatshirts; Duane Bell for umping the games. Without Duane’s volunteering his time and his skill we would really be scrambling for good umps. Last to all the teams that showed up to play...
Hello again. After a short break to visit family, I wanted to report, from my Corner of the House, on all the latest news. Between budgets, a special session, and redistricting, there’s a lot going on. The best news is how well the Capital Budget came out. Because the legislature worked so carefully with the governor to keep expenditures at a reasonable level, there were very few vetoes. All the projects that are so critically needed in our District 2 communities can expect to get started, or at least be put out for bids, very soon. The recent...
We welcome members of the Local Boundary Commission to Petersburg. The long awaited public hearing on Petersburg’s proposal to dissolve the City of Petersburg and form a new borough government is underway. Testimony on Petersburg’s borough petition started on Wednesday and will continue through Friday with the culmination of the LBC’s decision on the city’s borough formation effort being presented on Friday at 3 p.m. according to the proposed agenda. The chair has ultimate control of the agenda. Meetings are held at the city council chamber...
Sense of irony noted To the Editor: I noted with a sense of irony the listing of several of the City of Petersburg’s witnesses to be called at the upcoming Local Boundary Commission hearing to testify on behalf of forming a borough. Their special area of expertise is listed as the history of the City of Petersburg and its Norwegian heritage. I wonder if they realize they are advocating for the demise of the City of Petersburg. If the borough goes through, the current City of Petersburg will vanish. From the day the borough is formed, they w...
Let us be teenagers To the Editor: This year Petersburg High School worked toward hosting a successful, safe and enjoyable Promenade. “Prom” is a classy event where students have the opportunity to dress formally and enjoy an evening with friends in a highly decorated special venue. We were a few of the students who attended Petersburg High School’s 2012 Prom: A Black Tie Affair. The junior class did an excellent job of decorating, and supplying tasty food and drinks. However, if you talk to the students who went, the majority of them will...
How Was Prom? To the Editor: “How was Prom?” This was the primary question asked of me in the days following the Prom (held Saturday night, May 5, 2012). The vast majority of Petersburg High School students and guests rose to the published expectations of the occasion and enjoyed an evening of fun and appropriate dance. Did some individuals need reminding? Yes. Were they respectful when reminded of the expectations? Absolutely. A big thank you and congratulations to our great PHS students for their help in making this a successful Prom. A spe...
Keep it classy To the Editor: As we approach the end of the 2011-2012 school year, our annual Prom dance is almost upon us. As a staff, we enjoy the yearly transformation of our students dressing up and becoming “proper” ladies and gentlemen for a night. Especially in Southeast, devoid of malls and high-priced fashion stores (thank goodness), investing the time and money to dress formally is a major commitment and, coupled with the forever memories of prom night, should be a special night of friendship, festivity and laughter. Petersburg Hig...
PIA changes To the Editor: Out of respect to the many relationships that the Petersburg Indian Association (PIA) provides to the Petersburg School District, City of Petersburg, Roads Programs, and businesses in the community, the PIA Board of Directors would like to reassure the community of the strength and stability of our organization. PIA has undergone many organizational changes within the last year with the addition of new board members and changes in leadership. Change is always a challenge however be reassured that PIA is moving...
Hello once more from Alaska’s capitol. Well, the 90 day session Legislature came to an end shortly after midnight on Sunday. It was a mad dash the last few days, with dozens of bills being passed in both bodies after weeks of deliberation in committees. There was also a rush of creative bill drafting during the last half day that helped both bodies pass some important legislation. One of the great things about working on the budgets this year is that for every dollar spent in the Capital B...
