Viewpoints
Against Ketchikan Borough
Land Grab: Proposed Annexation
By Don Hoff Jr.
February 23, 2008
Saturday
"Sen. Albert Kookesh (D-Angoon) is fighting the proposed
annexation by the Ketchikan Gateway Borough (KGB) of more than
four thousand square miles of uninhabited land lying outside
its boundaries. Senator Kookesh is sponsoring Senate Joint Resolution
15, which calls for the annexation to be stopped."
"Annexation of land is a serious issue with long term consequences
that can permanently affect a community," said Kookesh.
"This proposed annexation was defeated more than ten years
ago and I still don't see any good reason for it to go forward."
I am in total support of Sen. Albert Kookesh concerns about Ketchikan
Gateway Borough attempts for annexation of 4,000 square miles
of uninhabited lands. I am very concerned that annexation will
cause further exploitation of all our natural resources that
still belong to the Taan ta Kwaan (Sealion People) and the Saan
ya Kwaan (Cape Fox People). I will not speak for the Saan ya
Kwaan because it is not my place but I will speak for the Gaanax
adi Clan of the Taan ta Kwaan. We object to any annexation proposals
that the Ketchikan Gateway Borough Government is proposing. Annexation
of these lands will have major effects on subsistence rights
of our people and future land claims that are on-going and owed
to us by the Federal Government for future land selections of
our people.
In closing, I suspect the Ketchikan Borough has a hidden agenda
on annexation. Timber exploitation is a good guess. Wrangell
and Prince of Wales residents should also be concerned and not
support this annexation by Ketchikan. This proposed annexation
of lands is only being pushed by a few opulent people in Ketchikan.
This is my own opinion.
Don Hoff Jr.
Raven4eagle[at]aol.com
Hixson, TN
About: "Former Vice-Mayor/Council
memeber- City of Ketchikan
Member of the Taan ta kwaan (Tongass Tribe)
Gaanax adi Clan
Drifting to Shore House/Raven House
Taan ta Kwaan"
Received February 22, 2008
- Published February 23, 2008
Related News:
Senator Cries Foul Over Ketchikan Borough
Land Grab - Sen. Albert
Kookesh (D-Angoon) is fighting the proposed annexation by the
Ketchikan Gateway Borough (KGB) of more than four thousand square
miles of uninhabited land lying outside its boundaries. Senator
Kookesh is sponsoring Senate Joint Resolution 15, which calls
for the annexation to be stopped. - More...
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