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Wednesday
September 03, 2014
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Ketchikan's Water Front
The Freedom from Ketchikan is docked next to an unidentified fishing vessel out of Bellingham, WA.
Front Page Photo By MANDY NEWELL ©2014
(Please respect the rights of photographers, never republish or copy
without permission and/or payment of required fees.)
Alaska: Alaska Natives Win Landmark Voting Rights Lawsuit - In an historic victory for Alaska Native voters, a Federal Court in Anchorage found the State of Alaska violated the Voting Rights Act by failing to provide translations of voting materials to voters whose primary language is Gwich’in or Yup’ik in the Dillingham, Wade Hampton, and Yukon-Koyukuk Census Areas. United States District Court Judge Sharon Gleason issued the decision today after presiding over a two week trial in June and July.
In response to today's ruling, Lieutenant Governor Mead Treadwell said the State of Alaska’s Division of Elections will expand efforts to provide language assistance to Alaska Natives to comply with a partial legal ruling related to the Voting Rights Act (VRA) made by U.S. District Court Judge Sharon Gleason today in Toyukak v. Treadwell.
Last summer, the Native American Rights Fund (NARF) and the national law firms Wilson Elser LLP and Bingham McCutchen LLP, acting on behalf of four tribal councils and two Alaska Native voters, filed the lawsuit. In the complaint, Plaintiffs Mike Toyukak of Manakotak, Fred Augustine of Alakanuk, the Native Village of Hooper Bay, the Traditional Village of Togiak, the Arctic Village Council, and the Village of Venetie Council asked the Court to order state election officials to comply with the language assistance provisions of the Voting Rights Act and the voting guarantees of the Fourteenth and Fifteenth Amendments to the United States Constitution.
The Alaska Native plaintiffs filed the lawsuit three and a half years after the State of Alaska settled a similar lawsuit filed by Native voters from the Bethel region in Nick, et al. v. Bethel, et al. The evidence at trial established that state election officials made a policy decision to only provide limited, if any, language assistance to Native voters in the three regions immediately adjacent to the Bethel area. Under Section 203 of the Voting Rights Act, state election officials are required to translate ballots and other election materials and information into Gwich’in and Yup’ik. Officials also must provide trained bilingual staff to register voters and to help voters at the polls through complete, accurate, and uniform translations.
Judge Gleason found that the State fails to provide limited-English proficient Alaska Native voters with voting information substantially equivalent to what voters receive in English, in violation of Section 203. The State places much of the burden for translations on “outreach workers” from Native villages in the three regions. Judge Gleason determined that those workers are asked by the State to provide only limited translations, with no instructions to translate the Official Election Pamphlet the State sends out before each election. Judge Gleason noted that the State compounds these violations through its limited efforts to inform voters that language assistance is available.
Furthermore, Judge Gleason found that the State fails to translate voting information into dialects of Yup’ik spoken in the Dillingham and Wade Hampton regions. Instead, the State only offers a single translation into the Central Yup’ik dialect that is not widely spoken and has “limited value” in villages outside the Bethel region. The State has been informed about the dialectical differences many times over the years, but has taken no action. Judge Gleason concluded that the State’s failure to account for other dialects of Yup’ik denies voters outside the Bethel area information they need to cast an informed ballot.
Judge Gleason alluded to the State’s longstanding violations of Section 203. She observed that the State previously settled the Nick litigation involving similar claims in the Bethel area. She further noted that the State has had a “rocky road” with the United States Department of Justice since first becoming covered by Section 203 in 1975. Except for 2008, when the State translated only two out of four ballot questions, Judge Gleason found that no Gwich’in translations have been provided in the Yukon-Koyukuk region beyond what individual translators might communicate. No Gwich’in audio translations are provided on touch-screen voting units. - More...
Wednesday PM - September 03, 2014
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Alaska: Walker-Mallott Form Joint Ticket for November Ballot By MARY KAUFFMAN - In what is described as an unprecedented move by their campaigns, Independent candidate for Governor William M. “Bill” Walker and Democratic candidate for Governor Byron Mallott announced they have formed a joint ticket for the Novermber ballot.
In a letter Monday, Lt. Governor Mead Treadwell was informed that The Walker/Fleener, Mallott/French campaigsn have merged to form a Walker/Mallott ticket for Governor and Lt. Governor respectively. Upon the resignation of Byron Mallott as the Decomcratic nominee for Governor, Walker designated him as the Lt. Governor candidate and his running mate.Walker and Mallott requested that an emergency regulation be adopted to allow for this to occur. The letter requested their names appear on the November ballot as" Bill Walker (Non-Affiliated) Governor, Byron Mallott (Non-Affiliated) Lt. Governor.
The Walker and Mallott campaigns said this is an historic moment in Alaska and a momentous decision. In a prepared statement Walker and Mallott stated, "We understand that the decision to form a combined team is unusual. But this is not about any one person. This is not about any one party. This is about putting aside partisanship and putting Alaska first."
The decision was made to form a joint independent ticket after meetings with their running mates, Senator Hollis French and Craig Fleener, their families, and other key advisers. By joining together on an independent ticket, decisions will be based on what is best for Alaska, not what is best for any political party, individual or interest group.
Quoting a news release, "Without the selfless actions of two highly qualified and dedicated Alaskans, Senator French and Craig Fleener, this step could not have been taken."
Lieutenant Governor Mead Treadwell reviewed the request with the Alaska Department of Law and announced Tuesday the Division of Elections accepted the withdrawals of Byron Mallott as the Democratic candidate for Governor, Hollis French as the Democratic candidate for lieutenant governor, and Craig Fleener as Walker’s original running mate by petition.
Treadwell’s decision was in response the request from the four candidates for an emergency regulation which authorizes Mallott as a candidate for lieutenant governor. Treadwell issued the regulation based on the advice of Attorney General Michael Geraghty and the Department of Law. A precedent for this case was set during the 2006 gubernatorial election, and was based on opinions of the Department of Law dating back to 1982. - More...
Wednesday PM - September 03, 2014 |
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Alaska: Governor Vetoes Bill Restricting Access to Public Records - Alaska Governor Sean Parnell vetoed legislation that would have restricted public access to criminal court records.
“The provisions in Senate Bill 108 attempted to solve a complex issue that requires striking the right balance between open and transparent criminal court proceedings, the rights of crime victims, and the rights of persons who have been accused, but never convicted, of a crime,” Governor Parnell said.
“Unfortunately, the legislation summarily swept all such cases under the cloak of confidentiality in an unnecessarily broad manner, without respect to likely adverse impacts on the public. In my view, the legislation unnecessarily restricted access to criminal court records, which would have adversely affected the ability of Alaskans to protect themselves and to hold their judicial system accountable. Additionally, the proposed law would be vulnerable to legal challenge," said Parnell.
In his decision last Thursday, Governor Parnell pointed to a newly amended Alaska Court rule adopted to better protect Alaskans’ privacy and reputational interests.
The Alaska Court rule, as amended, provides that those arrested under the following circumstances will no longer have that record visible in the electronically searchable CourtView database: - More...
Wednesday PM - September 03, 2014
Alaska: Alaska’s Vote to Keep Oil Exploration Incentives May Stabilize Production Trends, a Credit Positive - Moody’s Investors Service has validated Alaskans’ rejection of Ballot Measure 1 and support for Governor Sean Parnell’s tax reform plan as a credit positive to the State of Alaska. On August 28, Moody’s released a credit update recognizing the importance of oil production to Alaska's revenues and the action the state has taken to stem the decline.
The August primary results showed Alaska's ballot initiative to overturn new oil production tax incentives failed by a narrow margin of 52% to 48% - defeating a measure that would have repealed the new tax law, known as the More Alaska Production Act (MAPA), and reinstated a prior law called Alaska’s Clear and Equitable Share (ACES).
Moody’s report stated the rejection of Ballot Measure 1 is a credit positive for Alaska, which in January implemented a new oil production tax law to encourage exploration for new oil fields and halt declines in North Slope oil extraction, which for many years has generated most of the state’s operating revenue.
“Moody’s has provided an important and independent validation of the path we are on,” Revenue Commissioner Angela Rodell said. “As this state continues to grow, our AAA rating demonstrates to investors and businesses, large and small, that Alaska is an outstanding place to invest in and that the state is open for business.”
According the Moody's report, while producers have no legal commitment to increase Alaskan production, they have indicated a desire to do so under MAPA’s more favorable provisions. Federal research has shown ample reserves beyond current fields. By the end of December, the state will publish its first revenue forecast that factors in new production associated with MAPA. - More...
Wednesday PM - September 03, 2014 |
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Columns - Commentary
DAVE KIFFER: Ah, technology! - Despite the fact that I love grilled food, I am just not much of a griller.
Maybe I haven't found the right kind of grill yet. Charcoal is a smelly pain and gas, well, really I just can't get over the idea that gas and an open flame is a good idea.
I keep seeing those large black holes in the ground that happen in cities where they have natural gas pipelines. I would hate for our house to end up like one of those.
Someone once gave us a fairly nice gas grill. I noticed you could smell something when it wasn't even on. We gave it someone else. Someone who lives quite a ways away!
So that leaves us to "charcoal it" on those rare sunny days when an outdoor grill is feasible in Our Fair Salmon City.
As I noted, charcoal lends a certain pungent aroma to the proceedings. Especially when you add the three gallons of “fluid” that I always seem to need to achieve the appropriate burn. And charcoal grills are always SO much fun to clean up. More on that in a minute. - More...
Wednesday PM - September 03, 2014
JEFF LUND: Hopefully the last big move for a while - My first memory from college isn’t moving in and shaking hands with my roommate.
It’s sitting at my desk setting up my computer. The door was open because I figured the worst two things I could do as an 18-year old from Alaska trying to adjust to college life in Tucson, Arizona, was to close myself up in my room, or be that guy always on the phone with friends or a girlfriend thousands of miles away. Enticed by the sign on the door which read, “Jeff Lund, “Klawock, Alaska” a short guy walked in wearing a t-shirt and boxers though it was the middle of the day.
“You’re from Alaska?”
“Yeah.”
“That suuuuucks.”
He walked out.
Carlos and I ended up being friends, but transitions are like that. There are certain mistakes you can’t help but make. Like wearing socks with sandals, staying out in the desert sun too long, eating too much authentic Mexican food before your digestive system is prepared…or being from Alaska. - More...
Wednesday PM - September 03, 2014
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Political Cartoon: ALS Money Bucket
By Gary McCoy ©2014, Cagle Cartoons
Distributed to subscribers for publication by Cagle Cartoons, Inc.
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 We Rise United to Meet the Challenge By Bill Walker - On November 8, 1955 Bob Bartlett addressed the Alaska Constitutional Convention in a speech titled, “Meeting the Challenge.” In asking the delegates to set aside their partisan concerns, he recognized the divergent interests and backgrounds that had assembled for the great task. Bartlett aptly stated: “Here, in this element of compromise, is the very essence of the democratic process.” Governor Wally Hickel later reflected, “During the early days of Alaska, it wasn’t them and us. It was all of us.” - More...
Wednesday PM - September 03, 2014
Covered bleacher area needed By Melissa O'Bryan- I enjoyed a lovely KayHi football game this past weekend with my children and several other fans from around town at our beautiful field at Fawn Mountain. I felt very fortunate as we got to enjoy a game as many people around the country usually do, with decent weather in the sun, dry and halfway warm. We had a soccer game that evening that was not as nice. By the time we got home at 8:30 all of us were drenched, dripping and more than a little cranky. Should we have been more prepared? Probably. Was I ready for the next game in the rain the following day with raingear and boots? Absolutely. - More...
Wednesday PM - September 03, 2014
New City Council Members Needed By Douglas Thompson - I thought I had had my own "Groundhog" day and it was April Fool's Day early when I read Marty West's comments from her seat in Ketchikan Council Chambers. - More...
Wednesday PM - September 03, 2014
Barking, Hawking & Concession Stands in the Downtown By Susan Peters - The Downtown Steering Committee recently had a meeting of downtown businesses and interested people about the current condition of concession stands in doorways of businesses with employees hawking or barking to lure visitors and locals into their business by offering a special or handout. - More...
Wednesday PM - September 03, 2014
Where's the Leadership? By Bill Walker - In the face of budget reductions impacting programs and staffing throughout the University of Alaska system, President Gamble is awarded a $320k retention bonus. University morale was already low before news of this extravagant bonus was announced. How can the staff and faculty not feel betrayed? - More...
Wednesday PM - September 03, 2014
Net Neutrality: Competition is the best way to keep an open playing field on the Internet By Forrest Dunbar - In 2010, Sen. Mark Begich made the case for why the federal government should invest in broadband Internet access for Alaskans. “It helps a student in Fairbanks learn about their government in Juneau, and it can save a patient in Kotzebue a flight to Seattle,” he argued. The Recovery Act that followed included a $100 million investment in broadband for our state, offering high-speed access to thousands of Alaskans for the first time. - More...
Wednesday PM - September 03, 2014
Be a voice for individual freedom By Jim McDermott - As an Alaskan Libertarian & Independent thinker I believe that it takes courage for us to be a voice for individual freedom. Yes beautiful people, our Libertarian & Independent walk for personal liberty represents the majority of our AK citizens desire for peace through ending of perpetual wars, and enhancing economic prosperity via entrepreneurships and intrapreneurs. - More...
Wednesday PM - September 03, 2014
Spraying herbicides on Prince of Wales By Jan Storbakken - I have been on Prince of Wales for 8 years. I came here for the beauty and natural land. I certainly can understand budget cuts and would guess they are just selling this idea to save some money. A fellow resident mentioned that about 6 years ago they attempted to do aerial spraying to remove Alders!!!! Anyone that knows the cycle of trees understands, alders start the growth of the evergreens. My point is; before we buy 50 gallon drums of chemicals with taxpayer money by government officials that are paid by taxpayer dollars we HAVE NO SAY IN THE MATTER. They say; that last year they, DOT, choose to discontinue public comment. Have we become a dictatorship? - More...
Wednesday PM - September 03, 2014
Proposed Herbicide Chemical Spraying By Eugene Natkong - I am submitting a letter to address the issue of the Herbicide Chemical Spraying proposed on the Prince of Wales Island by State of Alaska Department of Transportation. - More...
Wednesday PM - September 03, 2014
Intent to spray herbicides By Bob Claus - The State of Alaska DOT recently published a notice of intent to spray herbicides along the Thorne Bay Road. There is no public hearing and no opportunity for the public or communities of Prince of Wales Island to weigh in on the issue. This spraying could happen as soon as September. - More...
Wednesday PM - September 03, 2014
Marijuana debate needs facts not propaganda By Kalie Klaysmat - In past weeks marijuana legalization proponents have blithely told the public that while Alaska already has the highest use of marijuana in the country there “is no problem” on the roads because of it. We call that whistling in the graveyard. First, the law enforcement community believes that the 50 lives lost and the hundreds of people injured in motor vehicle crashes during 2013 in Alaska are too many, and we think the friends and families of those killed and maimed would agree. Secondly, while the proponents’ statements are presented as if they are fact, the truth is they are generally unsupported opinion not challenged by the press. Toxicology (testing of blood) is necessary to determine if marijuana impairment is a factor in a crash. Since toxicology is not universally reported on crash victims in Alaska, it is impossible to know what percentage of current Alaskan crashes are marijuana related, but a study (cited below) of severely injured drivers admitted to a major trauma center in Maryland showed more than 1 in 4 to be under the influence of marijuana. It is wishful thinking to say that marijuana is not currently causing problems on Alaska highways. - More...
Wednesday PM - September 03, 2014
Small Businesses By Dan Ortiz - Small businesses across the community of Ketchikan, the Southeast Region, the State of Alaska and the United States as a whole are the lifeblood of our free enterprise based economic system. Government’s role in the economy should be to facilitate business activity by supporting infrastructure, particularly in the areas of energy and transportation. I read with interest two articles in the Ketchikan Daily News, August 27th edition that are excellent illustrations of my point. - More...
Wednesday PM - September 03, 2014
Flat Tax By Thomas Greninger I strongly support the idea of a national flat tax (national sales tax) this way every one, without exception, would pay their fair share of tax. - More...
Wednesday PM - September 03, 2014
The FairTax’s Propaganda Hides its True Implications By Stephen C. Eldridge - Recently, SitNews published a long letter from AFFT Vice President, Phillip L. Hinson. While he may be well meaning and acting in good faith, that does not at all assure that in his analyses and conclusions are wise – they are very UNwise. - More...
Wednesday PM - September 03, 2014
Restoring our Constitution to our Founders' intents By Art Bedford - Our federal government wants us to believe that their purpose is to provide for our needs. They do this because it serves their purpose - the aggregation of federal power. Over the years, the federal government has amassed overwhelming power that is clearly outside of the boundaries that the Framers intended when they wrote the Constitution. - More...
Wednesday PM - September 03, 2014
Exposing the IRS By Wiley Brooks - For near 15 of years I have devoted thousands of hours promoting the FairTax® as a fair and equitable way for ALL Americans to share in financing the needs of our government. During those 15 years I have observed the Income Tax System and its collective arm, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) increasingly become more burdensome, unjust, authoritarian, intrusive, and abusive toward good patriotic Americans. I believe our persistence may soon gain results. A new movie production will bring a swell of public demand that the Congress end a 100 year old experiment gone badly. - More...
Wednesday PM - September 03, 2014
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