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Wednesday
May 09, 2012
A Little Sign of Spring
Front Page Photo By CINDY BALZER
Alaska: New Strategy to Preserve the Nation’s Smallest Post Offices; Modifying Retail Window Hours Could Keep Offices Open - The U.S. Postal Service announced a new strategy today that could keep the nation’s smallest Post Offices open for business, while providing a framework to achieve significant cost savings as part of the plan to return the organization to financial stability.
The plan would keep the existing small Post Offices in place, but with modified retail window hours to match customer use. Access to the retail lobby and to PO Boxes would remain unchanged, and the town’s ZIP Code and community identity would be retained.
“Meeting the needs of postal customers is, and will always be, a top priority. We continue to balance that by better aligning service options with customer demand and reducing the cost to serve,” said Postmaster General and CEO Patrick R. Donahoe. “With that said, we’ve listened to our customers in rural America and we’ve heard them loud and clear – they want to keep their Post Office open. We believe today’s announcement will serve our customers’ needs and allow us to achieve real savings to help the Postal Service return to long-term financial stability.”
The new strategy would be implemented over a two-year, multi-phased approach and would not be completed until September 2014. Once implementation is completed, the Postal Service estimates savings of a half billion dollars annually.
Megan Brennan, Postal Service Chief Operating Officer said, “The Postal Service is committed to serving America’s communities and providing a responsible and fair approach for our employees and customers.“ Brennan said, "The Post Offices in rural America will remain open unless a community has a strong preference for one of the other options. We will not close any of these rural Post Offices without having provided a viable solution.”
The Postal Service will provide an opportunity for the Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC) to review this plan prior to making any changes. The Postal Service intends to file a request for an advisory opinion on the plan with the PRC later this month. Community meetings would then be conducted to review options in greater detail. Communities will be notified by mail of the date, time and location of these meetings.
This new option complements existing alternatives, which include:
- Providing mail delivery service to residents and businesses in the affected community by either rural carrier or highway contract route;
- Contracting with a local business to create a Village Post Office; and
- Offering service from a nearby Post Office.
- A voluntary early retirement incentive for the nation’s more than 21,000 non-executive postmasters was also announced.
In July 2011, the U.S. Postal Service announced that it would review about 3,700 post offices throughout the country and provide a list of recommended closures. In total, 36 Alaskan postal facilities were selected for review. Following the review and after hearing from countless Alaskans, 31 post offices were taken off of the review list. The five remaining Alaskan postal facilities still under review are not affected by today’s announcement and their statuses will be determined in the near future.
In Southeast Alaska for example, proposed post offices hours for Kake, Angoon, and Hydaburg would reduce their hours of operation from 8 hours to 6 hours.
U. S. Senator Mark Begich (D-AK) said, “One thing that is certain is that no post offices will be closed before May 15. But we’re still not clear about the remaining 5 in Alaska that were on the docket to be closed. The Postmaster General continues to have reports, or proposals, that are very inconsistent. They change every time they speak over there and right now we are still not clear what it all means. The real solution to this issue around the post office and one that reforms the post office is a Senate bill that passed with overwhelming bipartisan support. It’s now sitting over in the House waiting for action. If the House would just take action on it we would have more certainty. We would know the hours and operation and really move towards real reform. Instead, we have the Postmaster General coming out with a new plan every day it seems creating more uncertainty.” - More...
Wednesday PM - May 09, 2012
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Southeast Alaska: M/V Matanuska Strikes Dock - The Alaska Marine Highway System (AMHS) said Tuesday that the M/V Matanuska continues to sail its scheduled service after the May 7th allision or the striking with the Ocean Beauty Seafoods dock in Petersburg, Alaska.
“We are particularly thankful that there were no injuries resulting from the accident,” said Michael Neussl, Alaska Department of Transportation & Public Facilities Deputy Commissioner for Marine Operations.
Shortly after striking the dock, the U.S. Coast Guard inspected the M/V Matanuska to determine if the vessel had sustained any damage that would require immediate repair before resuming ferry service. No significant damage was found and the ferry was cleared to continue passenger service by the Coast Guard.
The exact amount of damage to the seafood processor’s dock is not fully known; an assessment was conducted yesterday.
“This is an unfortunate accident for everyone involved,” said Neussl. “We apologize to Ocean Beauty Seafoods for any disruption this may cause to their operations.”
The exact cause of the incident is still unknown and under AMHS investigation. The vessel was maneuvering for their approach to the AMHS terminal with a strong current on their stern. The ferry crew responded appropriately after the accident with their immediate actions and by notifying appropriate authorities. The personnel on the M/V Matanuska are trained seafarers, and all undergo regular and periodic training in their duties and responsibilities in the event of an incident. - More....
Wednesday PM - May 09, 2012
Southeast Alaska: Man Sentenced For Embezzling Federal Funds - Gerald K. Bigelow, currently a resident of Puyallup, Washington, pled guilty on April 25, 2012, to embezzling federal funds from the Southeast Alaska Indian Cultural Center in Sitka, Alaska pursuant to a plea agreement. U.S. Attorney Karen L. Loeffler saud Bigelow was sentenced in federal court to a three year term of probation and ordered to pay full restitution to the Southeast Alaska Indian Cultural Center (SEAICC).
Chief United States District Court Judge Ralph R. Beistline imposed the sentence on Bigelow, 46.
According to Assistant U.S. Attorney Kevin Feldis who prosecuted the case, Bigelow embezzled $17,296.81 between October 2010, and May 2011 when employed as the Executive Director of the Southeast Alaska Indian Cultural Center (SEAICC). Bigelow admitted that during that time he worked at the SEAICC he used a company debit card to make cash withdrawals and purchases for his personal use and without permission or authority from SEAICC. Bigelow made unauthorized use of the debit card more than seventy-five times, and in total, he stole $17,296.81 from Southeast Alaska Indian Cultural Center (SEAICC). - More...
Wednesday - May 09, 2012
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Alaska: 2011 Economic Impact Study Released by NACA - The Native American Contractors Association (“NACA”) released its 2011 Economic Impact Study, which the association says will serve as a valuable guide for federal agencies, congress, and the administration on the importance to Indian Country of the Small Business Administration’s 8(a) Business Development program.
“Our goal is for the study to serve as a glaring illustration of the importance and success of Native participation in the SBA 8(a) program. This study is made available not to only our membership, but also for the agencies and legislators that work with, and seek information from, Tribes, Alaska Native Corporations, and Native Hawaiian Organization when it comes to government contracting matters and concerns,” stated NACA’s Executive Director, Kevin Allis.
NACA published its first impact study in October 2007, shortly after critics of the Native 8(a) program proposed legislation that would have negatively impacted Native participation in government contracting. The 2011 study updates key information as it relates to Native participation in the SBA 8(a) program, and the benefits derived from the program. “The story is compelling, as our study clearly shows how important this program is to our Native communities,” stated Lance Morgan, Chairman of NACA. He continued, “Native participation in the SBA 8(a) program stimulates the economies of some of the poorest communities in the country and creates Native human capital growth.” - More...
Wednesday - May 09, 2012
Ketchikan:
Ketchikan: HHS announces $10.4 million to enhance rural health care - Rural health providers across the nation will receive more than $10.4 million to provide direct health care services to their communities. The funding announced last week by HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius will be used to meet a broad range of health care needs in rural areas, from health promotion and disease prevention to expanding oral and mental health services.
Among the 70 nationwide receiving this rural health services outreach grant is PeaceHealth Ketchikan Medical Center in the amount of $444,413.00. Ketchikan Medical Center is only recipient in Alaska.
Each of 70 grantees nationwide will receive approximately $450,000 over a 3-year project period to address the needs of a wide range of population groups including, but not limited to, low-income families and individuals, the elderly, pregnant women, infants, adolescents, minorities and individuals with special health care needs. - More...
Wednesday - May 09, 2012 |
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Viewpoints
Commentary
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Questions, please contact
the editor at editor@sitnews.us or call 617-9696
Sitnews reserves the right to edit.
 High fives and other crimes By
A. M. Johnson -
For the days following the removal of Mayor Jack Shay's official Ketchikan Borough photo and the ensuing aftermath I have pondered on the lack of reactions of civic members of the Ketchikan community. I wonder if the honor and moral obligations of civic leaders are being excused without prejudice by peers. I wonder what lessons on principles are being cast aside. I wonder. - More...
Wednesday PM - May 09, 2012
Education Funding Confusion By
Allegra Machado -
I attended the Borough Assembly Meeting Monday night regarding local Education Funding. There seemed to be confusion amongst Assembly Members about Senate Bill 182 and its intended use. I heard the term " taxpayer relief" used rather loosely in reference to its purpose. - More...
Wednesday PM - May 09, 2012
RE: Progressive Activism By
Kevin Hufford -
Jim Guenther's letter titled "Progressive Activism" is a masterpiece of uninformed, brainwashed and delusional thinking devoid of fact or truth. Sitnews should show more civic responsibility and professionalism by not printing such rambling garbage. - More...
Wednesday PM - May 09, 2012
RE: Progressive activism By
Bill Ayers -
The Progressive Activism letter by Jim Guenther seems to exhude the type of hate-mongoring that permeates the media today. It does not state an undeniable fact, but instead takes a snippet of a viewpoint and states it as a fact pointed towards a specific section of society. - More...
Wednesday PM - May 09, 2012
RE: Progressive activism By James Dornblaser - First let me say “blessed be the opinionated, for they are true time savers”. No time need be wasted gathering facts, applying logic, or providing proof of your statements; just jump to a conclusion! - More...
Wednesday PM - May 09, 2012
RE: Progressive Activism By
A.M.Johnson - Aaaa, the political season has hit Sitnews, well tit for tat, I say. While I profess that I am not as clever as some, I do recognize the written word that profoundly champions my personality and would offer those in my stead. Being an adopted child, the discussion on the subject of abortion has greater meaning. - More...
Wednesday PM - May 09, 2012
RE: Progressive Activism By
Chris Barry -
In response to Jim Guenther's recent letter and his claim to fame as a "retired teacher" and his views on the GOP, I can only hope that those that were taught by him did not listen to his incompetent babblings. - More...
Wednesday PM - May 09, 2012
Progressive activism By Jim Guenther -
I don't believe that corporations are people. The GOP does. I don't believe that the government should assert itself into the reproductive organs of my wife, or my female children, or of any woman. The GOP does. I don't believe that the ability to afford health insurance should determine if a human being should be kept alive. The GOP does. I don't believe that dangerous mental patients should be allowed to carry concealed assault weapons. The GOP does. I don't believe that the wealthy should pay a lower percentage of their income in taxes than middle-income wage earners. The GOP does. - More...
Tuesday - May 01, 2012
Sunken cement barge By
Tim Finch -
Nine years after it was written, I enjoyed the story of Bill Huckins and the sunken cement barge. I was searching around on line for info on Bill's Dad and came across June Allen's article. The older Bill occasionally worked with my Grandfather, Henry Finch Jr., also a diver. His Dad, Henry Sr. first located the SS Islander the year after it sunk, in 1902, but couldn't do much beyond that, given the +300 foot depth. Henry Jr. also worked with the Islander expedition starting in 1929 but did not go back after the first year. A good decision in hindsight. - More...
Tuesday - May 01, 2012
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