February 23, 2008
Saturday

"Wednesday the Legislative Budget & Audit Committee directed the Legislative Audit Division to initiate an audit of the Department of Transportation's handling of the Gravina Access Project proposed for Ketchikan. The audit was requested by Senator Bert Stedman (R-Sitka) who is Co-Chair of Senate Finance Committee and a member of the committee."

This audit is just more wasted taxpayer dollars and time for the dead proposed Gravina Island bridge project in Ketchikan. This audit will only show the citizens how much taxpayer money that has been wasted to the "bridge to no-where". Congress has put a stop to earmarked projects. What is going on now is the road to no-where, a $30 million taxpayer dollars for a road and for what? The environmental impacts on sensitive muskegs, stream crossings, wetlands, fish and wildlife should be a major concern by everybody. I would challenge anybody that these environmental concerns are being violated while being constructed.

This proposed bridge to Gravina Island via Pennock Island to further desecrate our Tribal Grave Sites on Pennock Island has been my objection from the start, 30 years ago. Nothing has change and total disregard to our Tribal feelings and objections to the bridge project. It is my own opinion, this attitude by politicians that are in support of this project is bordering on racism and discrimination towards the Indigenous Peoples that still own Pennock Island and Gravina Island. These few elected politicians can care less in Ketchikan about our Tribal concerns and being ignored.

In closing, stop the nonsense. The American taxpayer said no to the "bridge to no-where". There is nothing wrong with taking the short 5 minute airport ferry ride from Ketchikan. They do a fine job keeping on schedule. If some of you folks are so determined to drive over a bridge, there are thousands of bridges in the lower 48 you can drive on all day long. This is my opinion only.

Don Hoff Jr.
Raven4eagle[at]aol.com
Hixson, TN

About: "Former Vice Mayor/Council member - City of Ketchikan
K.P.U. Boardmember - City of Ketchikan
O.H.S.A. Chairman/Boardmember - State of Alaska"

Received February 22, 2008 - Published February 23, 2008

Related News:

Stedman Initiates Legislative Audit of Gravina Bridge Project - Wednesday the Legislative Budget & Audit Committee directed the Legislative Audit Division to initiate an audit of the Department of Transportation's handling of the Gravina Access Project proposed for Ketchikan. The audit was requested by Senator Bert Stedman (R-Sitka) who is Co-Chair of Senate Finance Committee and a member of the committee. - More...

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