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PACE
By Lonnie Adams - Good Day all. My name is Lonnie Adams and I
am a 27 year resident of Ketchikan, my wife Lisa and have been
married for 16 years. My two children were born and raise here
in Ketchikan, we have one child in 7th grade at Schoenbar and
one in fourth grade at Holy Name. Our youngest child was blessed
with dyslexia and has struggled in school from the beginning.
In third grade her teacher did research on dyslexia and our daughter
had the same characteristics, after struggling for years to help,
and get her help we finally have a direction that does help her,
my wife spent countless hours researching ways to help her finally
finding Camille Booth with the Pace Program out of Craig, AK.
- More...
Thursday - September 24, 2009
Voting
in Hydaburg's City Election By Frances C. Natkong - To Registered
Voters of Hydaburg: I'm writing once again with the threat of
being sued hanging over my head because I feel that our school
here in Hydaburg needs to be about the children again. Right
now there are two (2) teachers for Kindergarten to 5th grades.
Sounds like way back in the day when all grades were grouped
in one class. We're supposed to be moving ahead not going further
back. - More...
Thursday - September 24, 2009
Catching
a Can in Ketchikan By Bill Rentz - Great and informative
article on the history of canning in Ketchikan! We have a very
interesting history for such a young city. The fish wars were
one of the most exciting. - More...
Thursday - September 24, 2009
Cats,
Wolves, Winter By Ardath Piston - If you let your cats outside
to roam, the likelihood that they will be eaten, hit by a car,
stolen, or killed by ingesting poison is high. There are many
possibilities as to why a cat does not come home besides being
eaten by a wolf. If you let your cats outside, you must accept
that they may not return. - More...
Thursday - September 24, 2009
Multiple
pool indoor facility By Mick Nelson & Sue Nelson - The
USA Swimming Facilities Development Department is pleased to
learn of the community's interest in developing a multiple pool
indoor aquatic facility that would include pools for not only
competitive swimming but also pools and programs dedicated to
water safety for children and health and wellness for adults.
- More...
Thursday - September 24, 2009
Concert/
Spaghetti feed fundraiser By Kayla Howe - On October 8th,
Ketchikan High School is holding a fund raiser for Kyle Palmer.
As we all know Kyle is recovering at Harborview Medical Center
in Seattle, Washington. Kyle is uninsured and will be requiring
extensive surgeries. - More...
Thursday - September 24, 2009
RE:
Customer service By Candice Bailey - I am a frequent shopper
at our local big box store. I have had more bad shopping experiences
there than good ones. - More...
Thursday - September 24, 2009
Alaska
Airlines Fails to Live Up To New Moto, "North of Expected"
By Russell Thomas - Before Alaska Airlines rolls out another
catchy slogan to adorn its uniforms and promotional material,
they ought to spend some time talking with their team about how
it might actually be implemented. Yesterday I watched as nearly
twenty of their customers were left in the Ketchikan lobby because,
although they had been in line for more than hour, they checked
in too late for the flight. Although most of my 45 clients and
their bags made the 6:15 a.m. ferry, the ferry was too full to
allow our last van (carrying some of the luggage) to board the
ferry. When the last van did arrive the lobby was stilled packed
with people and fish that had arrived on the 6:15 a.m. ferry.
The people whose luggage arrived on the 6:45 a.m. ferry lined
up behind the others who were already patiently waiting in line.
- More...
Monday PM - September 21, 2009
Drugs
By Ken Lewis - It is understandable that we have an emotional
outrage over drug use, locally, regionally and nationally. And
that focusing upon our young adults just might curb future use.
But if the reason we send our youth to public schools is to get
the best education, then I will suggest the following: - More...
Monday PM - September 21, 2009
To
pee or not to pee By Chris Elliott - I'm confused. Is the
current drug testing policy, the one in place in the Ketchikan
School District, unconstitutional? What about Acton v. Vernonia?
Is it lawful to drug test students who participate in extracurricular
activities? My suggestion or recommendation that parents and
teachers work together on a plan for selective or suspicion-based
drug testing was just that. Perhaps it wasn t as clear as it
could have been, but I was envisioning a voluntary, confidential
program. My whole point was that it should not be punitive. In
addition, I would strongly disagree that the only information
teachers have is gossip picked up in the hallways. - More...
Monday PM - September 21, 2009
To
Pee or Not to Pee By Kristenia Johnson - I would first like
to say that while I agree that drug testing should be performed
and more frequently with no interference from coaches, it is
not the only problem facing children and teens today. I do not
know if drugs or alcohol were involved in the recent suicides
but there certainly was no reference of them in the police reports
as I saw. This should show that a mental or emotional issue was
prominent and along with the debate (and action) of drug testing
should be the debate (and action) of helping our young adults
with their mental and emotional wellbeing. -
More...
Monday PM - September 21, 2009
Wolves
in Ward Lake area By Ardath Piston - It is always good to
be aware of wolf activity in our area. I appreciate Meghan Hogben
taking the time to inform everyone that the packs are making
their way closer to town. - More...
Monday PM - September 21, 2009
Wolves
By Bev Newell - I read Meghan Hogben's SitNews letter about wolves.
We have two of our cats missing since April to Sept 3rd. Our
last cat went missing Sept. 3rd. We were told by Humane Society
for Animals that wolves could have gotten our last cat. It is
odd, three cats missing in four months. One of our neighbors
cats went missing this summer too. That makes three cats that
I know of missing. - More...
Monday PM - September 21, 2009
Gas
Prices By Steve Randall - While visiting Juneau this past
week (Sept. 18, 2009), I was astounded to see gas prices at multiple
service stations that were 60-70 cents a gallon cheaper than
any in Ketchikan. - More...
Monday PM - September 21, 2009
Customer
Service By Cayenne Rowton - Moving to Ketchikan from larger
cities in the south has been quite an experience. Mostly positive,
I find this town to be refreshing in its simplicity and beauty.
Being that there are limited places to shop for general goods,
I too am a frequent visitor to the local Wal-Mart. - More...
Monday PM - September 21, 2009
Mr.
Fisherman Sculpture By Mary Ida Henrikson - Regarding the
"Mr. Fisherman" wire sculpture divers found off the
Arctic Bar Deck, don't you just love that art is everywhere in
Ketchikan? - More...
Monday PM - September 21, 2009
Sobriety
Walk By Wanda Isaacs - On Saturday, September 26, 2009 in
Klawock there will be an island wide Sobriety Walk. The event
is intended for families and individuals. - More...
Monday PM - September 21, 2009
Reckless
Health Care Changes By Donald A. Moskowitz - President Obama
continues to pitch his reckless and unrealistic health care initiative
to the public. "Big Brother" Obama wants Congress to
pass a bill quickly before Congress and the public understand
the plan. - More...
Monday PM - September 21, 2009
Abusive
treatment of animals By Alka Chandna - Reports of color blindness
experiments on squirrel monkeys at the University of Washington
(UW) have only speculated on any relevance to human beings and
have failed entirely to mention the pain and misery suffered
by the hundreds of monkeys, cats, dogs, gerbils, and rats used
by the experimenters over the past 25 years. These animals are
invariably forced to endure lives of deprivation, terror, depression,
and physical trauma. - More...
Monday PM - September 21, 2009
Mega-disaster
pool By James Schenk - Thank you Mr. Dial. I appreciate your
watch. - More...
Monday PM - September 21, 2009
Important
Community Information By Rodney Dial - As you decide how
you will vote on the proposed Pool bonds on October 6th, you
may want to consider the following concerning the health of the
City and Borough finances: - More...
Thursday - September 17, 2009
To
Pee or Not to Pee By Evan Bolling - Aside from the extreme
unconstitutionality of the current drug testing system, the proposal
for a "selective drug testing policy" offered by Chris
Elliot is much MUCH worse. - More...
Thursday - September 17, 2009
Suicide
and abuse problems in Ketchkan By Donna Teal - I have read
all letters with interest lately on this subject. -
More...
Thursday - September 17, 2009
North
Slope seas contain oil and gas vital to US By Senator Lisa
Murkowski - Alaska's offshore oil and natural gas resources are
vital to the nation's strategic economic and energy security.
That's why I strongly support responsible exploration and production
in the Beaufort and Chukchi seas. - More...
Thursday - September 17, 2009
Drug
Testing By Chris Elliott - As parents we are sometimes (oftentimes?)
oblivious to what is going on right in front of us. We can't
see the forest for the trees. We can't believe that our child
would lie to us or take drugs or routinely drink too much. We
believe that because their friends come from "good"
homes, everything is fine. - More...
Wednesday - September 16, 2009
KPU
DIESEL GENERATION EXPLANATION By Pete Ellis - The reasoning
behind running diesel generators at this time of year needs to
be further explained by KPU so that we can understand the economics
involved in not waiting to see the effect of Tyee connection
access and the extent of lake level changes that will be occurring
later in the year as affected by Tyee and our further rainfall.
Or perhaps the Tyee connection will cost more than the diesel
generation? - More...
Wednesday - September 16, 2009
RE:
They just don't get it By Dave Kiffer - On Sept. 8, the Ketchikan
Gateway Borough Assembly authorized $6,000 for a voter pamphlet
for the swimming pool bond issue AND the transient occupancy
tax changes. It is now estimated that the pamphlet will actually
cost approximately $3,200. - More...
Wednesday - September 16, 2009
Yes
to Proposition 2 By Mary Schulz - YES, it is time to replace
the Mike Smithers' pool with a new facility. The movement to
build pools in Alaska began 40 years ago. The State of Alaska
recognized the value of pools in each community and developed
a plan to assist with the pool projects through the Department
of Education. - More...
Wednesday - September 16, 2009
Airlift
Northwest's History By Shelly Deering - In 1978, a Sitka
house fire left 3 children severely burned. Dr. Michael Copass,
founder of Airlift Northwest, was teaching there at the time
and spent the day assisting Dr. Longenbaugh in caring for and
trying to arrange transfer of these critically injured children
to the regional burn center in Seattle. The children died before
this could happen. - More...
Wednesday - September 16, 2009
Don't
be too quick By Evan Bolling - Let's play a quick session
of Q&A. Question: Does Ketchikan have a major drug abuse
problem? Answer:Yes. Question II: Is that drug abuse the major
force behind the recent suicides? Answer: No. - More...
Wednesday - September 16, 2009
Suicide,
Violence, and Drug Abuse. By Ken Bylund - At thirteen [1955],
two friends and I went to see "Rebel Without a Cause"
[a movie] at the local cinema's 25 cent matinee; a few weeks
later one friend began acting out, the distraught, misunderstood,
unreachable character of young Jim Stark, arguing with
his girl friend - and she played her part too - both seeming
to enjoy the drama... then he did something that stunned us all.
Won't go into detail, just that we all went to the funeral parlor,
saw his mother sitting in a chair, her back against black curtains,
crying her eyes out -- we all felt bad -- there in his coffin,
rosy cheeks and handsome, was our friend, Doug. - More...
Wednesday - September 16, 2009
Rendezvous
Senior Day Services Adult Day Program - Adult Day Services
week is celebrated September 21-25th by centers like Rendezvous
Senior Day Services across the nation. Alaska has 12 adult day
programs across the state, two in Southeast Alaska. Rendezvous
Senior Day Services currently has an adult day program, among
other programs which support our community. - More...
Wednesday - September 16, 2009
Eyes
Finally Opening By Nicole Esau - Upon watching and reading
SitNews lately I have to say that I am encouraged that the people
of Ketchikan are finally opening their eyes! - More...
Wednesday - September 16, 2009
I
Do Not Assert A Stigma By Harold A. Maio - There is
such a stigma regarding Mental Health. The sentence actually
reads, "I associate such a stigma." It is the
writer's statement. - More...
Wednesday - September 16, 2009
Mayor's
support of 347 Bawden EPA Assessment By Kenneth Carpenter
- As the owners of 347 Bawden Street, we extend our public thanks
to Mayor Lew Williams III for his writing a letter of support
for EPA assessment on the behalf of the City of Ketchikan. -
More...
Wednesday - September 16, 2009
The
Time Is NOW To Act By Kristenia Johnson - After my letter
was published on Sitnews I received a number of responses from
my friends and family congratulating me on saying what they have
been thinking for years. I also received a reply from a man I did
not know who shared his struggles with staying positive
while growing up in Ketchikan and having to combat
depression almost year round during the rain. He suffers
from SAD. I also knew to expect those replies who did not whole
or at all agree with my opinion, one opinion more personal
to me was from my boyfriend. While he agreed with some
of what I said he still had his disagreements and it hurt
me to hear a semi-lack of support from him. I soon realized that
this was my big test to understand that not everyone shares
the same opinion. However, this is not about me or whether you
believe my opinion is one sided or not. Aren't all opinions usually
geered toward one side? This is about protecting and saving our
children and our town from drugs, alcohol and disruptive behavior
which will most likely lead to a life in and out and in jail
again. - More...
Wednesday - September 16, 2009
Suicide
By Tracey Horne Scadden - Having read Ms. Martin's letter on
her thoughts about suicide.I applaud you for taking the stand
it wasn't your fault. - More...
Wednesday - September 16, 2009
Wolves
By Meghan Hogben - This is a letter to warn people who are walking
dogs in the Ward Lake area. Minutes before 8 pm tonight my boyfriend
and I were walking our dog on the road down to Ward Lake, they
were unmistakable -- wolves, five of them, and they wanted our
dog. - More...
Wednesday - September 16, 2009
RE:
Memorial fund By Linda Beaupre - First of all, my condolences
to the Azure family. Not only do they have to grieve for their
son, but they also have to process the tragic circumstances of
his death. I cannot imagine the heartache they must be experiencing
right now. - More...
Wednesday - September 16, 2009
Response
to "Enough" By Rebecca Clark - I couldn't agree
with Mr. Ziegler more! Drugs, murder and suicide seem to be a
big problem; EVERYWHERE! It seems more threatening when it is
closer to home. "Gatekeepers" is a suicide prevention
coalition that had their open house last night. I encourage those
in our community who want to be proactive in the fight against
these monstrosities(both physical and spiritual) to attend upcoming
invitations. - More...
Monday - September 14, 2009
Ketchikan
Youth By Sara Skan - After reading and agreeing with Public
Nuisance by Harry Howard, it got me thinking. Yes, there are
quite a bit of Ketchikan youth that is disrespectful, destructive
amongst other things. However, there is also a side of our beautiful
town's youth that is worth encouraging. Three of my four children
are enrolled in the Ketchikan school district, on many occasions
my oldest has spoken with me about the things that are said and
done on the bus, the way the "older kids talk" It makes
me nervous to send her off! She is learning things that she shouldn't
know at her age, things their father and I should be discussing
with them at what we feel is the appropriate time. As a parent
I also know that I am responsible for teaching my children to
have good judgment and knowing the difference between right and
wrong. Having respect and compassion for their elders and one
another. - More...
Monday - September 14, 2009
Worried
By Rebecca Simpson - I am a concerned citizen of Ketchikan and
worried about the children and young adults in our area. There
is so many actions being taken by the young people in our area.
With all the drug and alcohol use in this town, WHY isn't drug
& alcohol awareness being taught to our students? - More...
Monday - September 14, 2009
RE:
Too many suicides and attempts By Charlanne Heath - While
I realize that this forum is intended to spout your own point
of view to a community, Kristenia Johnson's letter is a typical
one-sided point of view. - More...
Monday - September 14, 2009
Mental
Health Stigma By Jan Cadero - This letter is in response
to Mykayla Martin's letter regarding too many suicides or attempts.
Mykayla, it is really sad that you at the young age of 17, have
a strong opinion regarding suicide. And it is a tragic thing
that anyone should have to deal with, but you should not say
it is an easy way out. - More...
Monday - September 14, 2009
Healthcare
reform By Dale Albertson - In reading Dale McFeatters' oped
on Healthcare reform I was inclined to ignore this issue. However,
truth always wins out. Revisit the "speech" on this
matter to the joint session. It is empty of fact or substance,
full of rhetoric and grandstanding. There is plenty of denial
on issues dear to the citizens but empty of sources to back up
those denials, just denial, oh, and threats against any who oppose
the "reforms". Here is just one "fact" relative
to peoples concerns: In an article by Byron York, Chief Political
Correspondent, The Washington Examiner, entitled: "Health
care reform means more power for the IRS", he claims that
the IRS would become the main agency charged with determining
if you have "acceptable" health insurance. This article
inspired Herman Cain, "The Herman Cain Show" to do
some research. He found the following little tidbit: "It's
Division A, Title IV on pages 167-215 called Amendments to IRS
Code of 1986. The expanded powers of the IRS in H.R. 3200 would
empower the IRS to require taxpayers to show proof of health
insurance coverage, collect fines on individuals and employers
who did not have adequate proof of health insurance and determine
whether your health insurance was a government approved plan."
- More...
Monday - September 14, 2009
Time
to say "Enough" By Zig Ziegler - There is a huge
problem in Ketchikan that appears to be the undercurrent to much
of the criminal activity, suicides and social problems we are
experiencing. That problem is drugs, specifically, meth and oxycontin.
I would be willing to wager that drug use is directly linked
to so much of what our community has been facing over the past
few years. Is Ketchikan alone in this? Certainly not. Is that
an excuse for not taking on this problem head on? Absolutely
not. - More...
Thursday PM - September 10, 2009
RE:
Too many suicides and attempts By Kristenia Johnson - I am
having a hard time believing that people in Ketchikan could solely
blame a person for ending their own life.There are two (from
what I understand) different suicides in a matter of a few
months in Ketchikan and neither share two commonalities. - More...
Thursday PM - September 10, 2009
Kyle
Palmer Had KIC insurance...but By Wayne Beaupre - Ketchikan
Indian Corp has refused to cover Kyle Palmer, a 23 year member
of Ketchikan Indian Corp because, they were not notified first.
- More...
Thursday PM - September 10, 2009
They
just don't get it By Jon Van Essen - I really find it hard
to believe that the Ketchikan Gateway Borough Assembly feels
the need to spend $55K to supposedly inform us voters all the
details on why we need a new community pool. - More...
Thursday PM - September 10, 2009
My
Roof Thanks You! By Shauna Lee - I recently wrote a letter
to Sitnews regarding my leaking roof and asked for ideas. I must
say, Ketchikan didn't fail me. I had three phone calls and numerous
letters with offers to help. I couldn't even get to them all
so please know that to every one of you that called and wrote,
I thank you so much!! - More...
Thursday PM - September 10, 2009
Sea
Otters By Mike Moyer - In response to Mr. Jean Bland's letter
to me concerning the truth about Sea Otters, I can only say that
if there are no shellfish around Craig, Klawock, or Hydaburg
now, then how did people survive in the old days there before
the Russians wiped out the Sea Otters? - More...
Thursday PM - September 10, 2009
RE:
Memorial Fund By Lisa McClould - Regarding the request from
Deborah Harney, a child is a gift from God. - More...
Thursday PM - September 10, 2009
Obama
Attempts School Intrusion By Donald A. Moskowitz - President
Obama continues to hover over us like "Big Brother".
Tuesday, September 8, 2009 his targeted audience was our impressionable
school children. - More...
Thursday PM - September 10, 2009
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