Viewpoints
Ketchikan Dock Expansion:
Vote Yea
By Robert McRoberts
August 10, 2005
Wednesday
Well I can not vote on the docks,
but you are hearing my vote. I have debated both sides of the
issues and I came up with this. I hate these big tour companies
policies and I really hate the way some of the tour bus drivers
drive. But I do appreciate the drivers that take their foot off
the accelerator when they fly past us working along the road.
It really depresses me to see these shops jump on the tourist
to get them in their shops and I really do not like to have to
go into one of the stinky bars to use the restrooms because there
are no public restrooms. I would even like to see some restrooms
at the airport ferry terminal - but back to the topic. We've
only got one thing going that is going to improve our downtown
and that is to spread out the impact of these ships on our streets.
My friend calls this area Newtown. Well if you vote yea then
it will be again. In the days when city float was developed
there were fishing boat tied up 20 abreast, there were grocery
stores close by. Old Log Cabin was in the Annabelle's building
when we moved here in 67. Rollogs market was some where by the
new Pioneer Pantry. The Nordby building was selling fishing gear
and there was the Honda shop in in the Taquan Building before
Ken's dad owned it. Water front storage had just closed
down. - what I am getting at is that big of a harbor is not needed
there any more because the boats only have Murray's Pacific
there now. The boat docks need to be closer to food and
fuel. If we shrink that harbor down, we can in the
future build more docks or add fill to develop places to get
these buses and lost people out of the middle of the damn road.
I am not sure on this old wise tale that for every bar there
had to be a church was the rule. Well I think we should
only allowed local kinds of shops in this area. Nothing exported
from other countries however it might not bring your property
values up to the downtown scale.
Look at what we had at the
Blueberry Festival. That was great. Maybe Dale can make the old
Marine Bar into the old dance hall bar with a old player piano
and dress the dress - or even the First City Saloon. That part
of town is just dying and only has this hope to lessen the gap.
Besides, how many more times can Chaz, and Don, and Don
remodel the buildings downtown?
As a community we should build these docks.
As for a bridge... well I am
still not for that for reasons previously stated. But I do not
blame the property owners over there for wanting it. I would
be in favor of it too. Give me a deal on a rock quarry and I
will change my opinion.
It's getting late so here are
two other things that have been brought up in conversation with
two men who definitely do not "smoke pot". What is
going to stop this bridge from icing up? I can see someone dying
on the way across the bridge because they're late for the plane.
And port security... we have
to stay 300 yards from the cruise ships in the channel. What's
to stop a loaded fuel truck from driving off the thing or a bomber
from dropping something down a stack. Pearl Harbor all over.
I guess we could just shut the thing down every time a boat went
under.
And last, Karen I am different than Don Hoff. He is for his family.
Maybe you get tired of seeing
my poor writing style but I am not afraid to say what I
think needs to be said. And I thought Rob Glenn, David Rettke wrote
very good letters. I think your approach has improved.
Wish I could do as good.
So have a nice day. I would
have to vote yea.
Robert McRoberts
Ketchikan AK - USA
On the Web:
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Ketchikan Port Berth
Expansion Bond Initiative
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Ketchikan
Port Berth Expansion Bond Initiative
Vote August 16,
2005
The City of Ketchikan
is proposing to expand and improve facilities along the waterfront
to provide enhanced public use and additional economic benefit
to residents, business owners, and the City. A bond initiative
will be placed on the August 16, 2005 ballot to gain approval
for up to $70 million to fund the project. - More... Port
Expansion Project Information
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