Fish Factor: Online meetings connect far flung fishing regions By LAINE WELCH - Can’t make it to important fish meetings that affect your future?  If you have access to the Internet, you don’t have to miss a thing.

 “We provide you with the ability to listen in, see who’s listening on line, and you can record sections of the meeting to your own computer,” said Maria Shawback, staff  point person for the North Pacific Fishery Management Council’s on-line presence.  

The NPFMC has been using the technology and expanding its functions for a year.  Shawback said a new feature provides the ability to download handouts that usually are available only at the meetings.

 “So if there’s a motion on the table, you can actually follow along at home,” she said.

 Reaction has been very favorable to the online meetings, Shawback said,  not only from far flung fishing regions, but also for those waiting to testify at the weeklong meetings.

 “If we have lengthy testimony and they are waiting for their time to come up, they don’t have to wait around in the meeting room. They can figure out where they are in the sign up, and listen to who is up ahead of them at the same time.  People really like it,” she said.

Shawbank posts upcoming breaks and where the Council is on the agenda.  There also is a live question and answer section on the link where you can also advise of any technical problems.  

Adding Power Point presentations is next in the lineup for listeners, but Shawback said there are no plans to provide live video.

 “No one wants to be on camera,” she added with a laugh.   

Go to the North Pacific Fishery Management Council home page at  www.fakr.noaa.gov/npfmc and find the link in the Agenda section.

 “It’s less than a minute installation on your computer,” Shawback said, “and you can plug right in.”  

The NPFMC is meeting through Oct. 12 in Anchorage. Hot items on the agenda include revamping the observer program, bycatch of crab around Kodiak, and next year’s catch quotas.  

The state Board of Fisheries meetings also are on line. The Fish Board takes up Cook Inlet, Kodiak and Chignik finfish and statewide king and Tanner crab issues starting on October 13 at a two day work session in Kenai.  The first meeting, which will focus on Lower Cook Inlet, is set for Nov, 15-18 in Homer. Questions? Call (907) 465-4110.

 Panhandle pushes for shellfish farms

A two-year Mariculture Initiative kicks off this week with two clear goals: to increase the number of farms in Southeast by five each year, starting in 2012; and to increase the value of the region’s farming sector from the current $183,000 in 2009 by 10% annually.

The initiative is being led by Alaska Sea Grant in partnership with state agencies, tribal and other organizations including the Audubon Society.  

“They not only see it as an economic opportunity, but as an environmentally sustainable, healthy use of a marine system. That’s a   win-win for everyone,” said Ray RaLonde, a Sea Grant mariculture specialist. - More...
Tuesday - October 12, 2010

Columns - Commentary

DAVE KIFFER: Just Having A Senior Moment - When folks get to be my age, they start to use the O word.

No, not Ohmygawd thatprescription isreallyexpensive or even “OhnoIcantj holditanylonger wheresthe bathroom”!

The word on their lips is simply "old."

It's more of a surprise thing. One minute they are in high school or enjoying their early thirties and the next minute their knees aren't working and they have to put the newspaper half way across the room to read the classifieds. (The fact they are even reading classifieds means they are old. Only old people read the classifieds, the legals, the obituaries and Garfield).

Sure, it's a gradual process from dewy to decrepit, but all of them somehow seem surprised by it all.

Over and over again, I hear them say "when the heck did we get old?" Notice, they say “we” because no one actually would admit that they personally have gotten old. It’s just funny that as a “group” we are no longer spring chickens. Whatever one of those is.

It reminds me of that Hemingway quote where Mike Campbell in the Sun Also Rises says he became bankrupt “gradually and then suddenly”.

Same thing with becoming old. “We” are all gradually and then suddenly old.

Yet more than most people, I can tell you exactly when I became old. It was September 15, 2010. In Petersburg. How do I know? I'll get to that in a minute.

I have to admit that unlike some of my peers I did see it coming. There was a point in my early 40s when I noticed that some body parts weren't working as smoothly as before.

I'd get out of bed in the morning and things would snap, crackle and pop for several minutes as I went about my morning constitutional.

That has continued to progress in such a manner that I can do a wonderful Walter Brennan walking impression every morning for at least an hour until things warm up. Without even trying. - More...
Tuesday - October 12, 2010

Thank you for Listening and Acting - Drug Dog and more! By Roberta “Bobbie” McCreary - At the last City Council meeting I was extremely pleased to hear Councilman Sivertsen’s presentation supporting the installation of a community drug dog.  And thank you councilman Jason Harris  “there is large community support”  and councilman Coose “don’t sit around for six months” and Councilman KJ Harris “need to move on this” …to take these steps.  And thank you Chief Talik, “you tell me you want this and I’ll get it done,” and for bringing the excellent police workshop leader, Joe Keil, to our town.   This is the ‘can do” attitude we need in our community to take on our own war on drugs (and underage use of alcohol).  Thank you to our leaders who are stepping forward. - More...
Tuesday PM - October 12, 2010

Write-In Lisa Murkowski By Chris J. Herby - I am writing to ask everyone to join me in writing in Lisa Murkowski for US Senate on November 2^nd.  Lisa truly cares about Alaska and I believe she has done a fine job for us during her 8 years in the senate. - More...
Tuesday PM - October 12, 2010 

Thank you KPU By Robert Renninger - I live 14 miles north, and when the power went out last Saturday night, I just figured KPU would have it up in an hour or so.  When I got up, and the power was still off, I though there must be a big problem this time. - More...
Tuesday PM - October 12, 2010

KPU Guys and Gals By Mindy Lloyd - Great job on 10/10/10. I live in Forest Park and we knew how busy you all were that day. I'd like to give a great big THANK YOU to all of you who had to work a great deal of hours and be away from your families. - More...
Tuesday PM - October 12, 2010

The American Dream By Marla House- I lied to my children. I taught them responsibility, integrity, respect, to live within their means, and to have a strong work ethic so they could strive for The American Dream. Yet, for the past twenty months, my children kept asking me why most politicians don't have the same qualities. - More...
Tuesday PM - October 12, 2010

RE: What's Another $17.5 million By LeAnn Pickard - I read Sitnews quite a bit and though I do not always agree with Mr Edwardson, this time I am right next to him. I cannot believe that it was approved to spend MORE money we do not have. Unless you do not care about your credit, who in their right mind spends money, especially THAT kind of money they do not have? - More...
Tuesday PM - October 12, 2010

I'll have to agree... By Terry Miles - I'm gonna have to agree with Mr. Edwardson on the sad voter turn out by the people of Ketchikan. 1500 people? Seriously?!! We are fortunate enough to live in a country where we have the privilage and the right to vote, yet, we choose to just not show up? Does anybody care anymore? - More...
Tuesday PM - October 12, 2010

You go David Hanger By Patti Fay Hickox - Thanks for telling it like it is. You have a way with words. I heard Diane Benson speak last night. She said, "If you want war, send your kids first." Her only son lost 2 legs, and part of one hand to this war. - More...
Tuesday PM - October 12, 2010

Obama’s Economy A Shambles By Donald A. Moskowitz - In February 2009 President Obama implemented an economic stimulus package of $787 billion, which was supposed to CREATE five million NEW jobs by the end of 2010.  This estimate was subsequently lowered to three million NEW jobs.  The administration then said they would CREATE and SAVE jobs.  They said unemployment would peak at 8.0% by the end of 2010, and then recede. - More...
Tuesday PM - October 12, 2010

Threat to A Valuable Beach By Eric Muench - We all need to be aware of a threat to a valued and historically used area known as Coast Guard Beach. It is the longest stretch of sandy beach close to the Ketchikan road system. The land is owned by The State of Alaska, Department of Natural Resources, so it belongs to us all. - More...
Thursday - October 07, 2010

What's another $17.5 million By Charles Edwardson - Your vote does count even here. In Ketchikan less than 1,500 people decided to put the rest of us in debt for 17.5 million dollars. I can't express my disappointment enough. - More...
Thursday - October 07, 2010

Vague statements and catchy sound bites By Tony Hann - Before selecting which City and Borough candidates to vote for, please take a few moments to find out what their overall political philosophy is. - More...
Monday - October 04, 2010

RE: NO MORE BONDS UNTIL WE PAY THE OLD ONES OFF By Cindi Davis - Chas, when are you going to run for office? You will have my vote! Your common sense approach is just what we need...here in Ketchikan as well as in the state and federal government. It is a basic principle that anyone coming out of the Great Depression or the WWII era would agree with: YOU DON'T SPEND MONEY YOU DON'T HAVE. - More...
Monday - October 04, 2010

Signs By Mary and Tom Schulz - Even though a "Vote for Joe Miller" sign has been attached on a tree in front of our property at the intersection of Pine and Forest Ave, we do not support him. A member of the Joe Miller campaign committee stated that it is their right to put the sign in that place on the tree because it is on the right of way. - More...
Monday - October 04, 2010

Questions for Mr. Miller and his supporters By Vicki Harsha - To the supporters of Joe Miller's campaign, can you respond to these questions? I have asked the campaign directly, but was told: "Thank you for contacting the Joe Miller for US Senate Campaign. Joe's goal is to respond to your message promptly but due to his busy travel schedule, your patience and understanding is appreciated." - More...
Monday - October 04, 2010

New Sidewalk in NewTown By Alan R.(Rudy) McGillvray -Isn't this interesting, Newtown is getting new sidewalks, wider, better marked, etc. But folks, have you looked at the power poles along Water St? The city obviously has enough money for new sidewalks but nothing for moving the power poles a little distance in or out of the traffic pattern. Has anyone but me noticed? - More...
Sunday PM - October 03, 2010

NO MORE BONDS UNTIL WE PAY THE OLD ONES OFF By Charles Edwardson - I am not in any way shape or form against libraries, fire stations. or fixing our sewer systems, any more than I am against a new ipod, a new car, new boat, some new tools, all of which would improve my life and enable me to keep up with the times, so let's just save the shocked indignation, I simply cannot afford those items. - More...
Sunday PM - October 03, 2010

Term Limits/Age Limits By Virginia E. Atkinson - For too long there has been politicians dying while still serving in office, whether i'ts Local, State or Federal, it's getting ridiculous that our Senators, Reps, etc dying in office when they ought to have stepped down twenty years ago and let the younger generation take over and pick up where they left off. Why stay in office for 30 or 40 years when they could be staying home and enjoy being home with family and friends, spending time with grandkids and let the younger generation take over what needs to be done in Washington. - More...
Sunday PM - October 03, 2010

KIC ALWAYS BEEN HERE BUT COMING ON STRONGER By Charles Edwardson - HOW about something other than the library.

One of the hats I wear with great pride is a past Ketchikan Indian Community (here after KIC) Tribal councilman. - More...
Sunday PM - October 03, 2010

JOE MILLER & THOSE SUPPORTING HIM By David G. Hanger - He’s a nice enough looking fellow, this Joe Miller, and speaks with a rigid enthusiasm about the power he wants you to give him, but what he spews is a vicious ugliness that is completely divergent with the reality in this country today. This is not a recession, folks, this is a depression, and while you don’t see it in Ketchikan, or generally that much in Alaska, this is the hardest, most desperate economic time I have seen. There are old people in their 70s on street corners singing for their supper. Every rest stop is filled with beggars, children two to six, and adults of all ages. “Just Hungry,” the sign reads, and it is not a joke. And just so the racists amongst you get it, most of them are white people. More...
Sunday PM - October 03, 2010

AFFIRMATIVE LIBRARY VOTE By Pete Ellis - Be sure to vote YES on the bond proposition. A new library will present new horizons and a modern and up-to-date facility. The present library in the Centenial needs also to move in order to afford more space for the museum and its tourist attraction features. - More...
Thursday AM - September 30, 2010

RE: Unanswered Questions By Art Bailly - I agree with Ken Holmes 100%. Let's do some quick math. 40 hrs a week for 50 weeks = 2000 hours a year divided by $170,000 year salary = $85 an hour not including all the other benefits = Outrageous. You have got to be kidding me with all of the city's and borough's budget problems and increasing taxes we give someone a raise of this magnitude when other city employee's wages are frozen. Things that make you go Hmmm. Just one of many examples of items that should be brought to a vote by city residents before approved. - More...
Thursday AM - September 30, 2010

Writing-in Murkowski By Bill and Linda Auger - We attended the Meet and Greet for Joe Miller on Monday evening at the TFCC.  While Joe Miller's goal of getting federal lands into state hands sounds great, how does he plan on making that happen?  At the height of their power in Washington, D.C. with a Republican President in office, Senator Ted Stevens as Chairman of the Appropriations Committee and attaining the rank of president pro tempore (third in rank in succession to the president), Senator Frank Murkowski and Representative Don Young both serving as Chairman of important Senate and House committees, could not make that happen. - More...
Thursday AM - September 30m 2010

Joe Miller By Sheila Gwizda - I realize that politics can be a nasty business and running for office, unfortunately, can get ugly. Sometimes when one candidate attacks another, it s not only necessary to defend a position or character, but sometimes to counter it with his or her own assault. But, I d like to share one interesting observation with you. - More...
Thursday AM - September 30, 2010

When making your voting choice By Lauran Woolery Patterson - It has been called to my attention that candidate Joe Miller has designated Alan Stein as his Southeast campaign advisor. - More...
Thursday AM - September 30, 2010

Thank You By James Schenk - Thank you to everyone who posts positive information here, especially you Chaz, I am very proud to count you as a friend and asset to this community. I wish to encourage you to run for any office that may appeal to you so you can bring common sense and economic expertise to our local political offices that seem to lack these essential qualities, with a few exceptions such as our Fantastic Borough Mayor who was also raised here and understands this community and adds to its character every day. - More...
Thursday AM - September 30, 2010

Language of common sense By Ken Lewis - Dr. Sarah Elaine Eaton & Donald A Moskowitz debate the need for multi languages and I can't help but laugh. Here is a quick true story, and funny as heck. My mom retired the President of a business, I will leave nameless. Decades prior to that she owned a medical admin service in California before it was bankrupt, taking dictation and all that silly stuff. She was the go-to administrator of a man who owned the first floor of South Bay Hospital in Southern Cal. That meant emergency room, Radiology and multi other sections. - More...
Thursday AM - September 30, 2010

IS KETCHIKAN A GHOST CITY? By Joey Garcia - Year end and year out, the Salmon Capital of the World, the Gateway City, resembles a city where the residents are deprived of the summer fun, except for the repair of the drainage systems and the refurbishing of paint along crosswalks and parking areas. - More...
Thursday AM - September 30, 2010

Enough already By Sue Ellen Smith - When will there be enough comments made about Ketchikan General Hospital? Everyone has a right to their own opinion, and usually those that do have one make it known to all that will listen. I think way too much is being said. But after some thought and looking at the comments made I figured I should put my two cents in. - More...
Thursday AM - September 30, 2010

Please vote 'Yes' on City of Ketchikan Proposition 2 on October 5th. By Chief Jim Hill - Your 'Yes' vote - on October 5th - on "Prop 2" authorizes construction of a new downtown fire station. Prop 2 is on the ballot for very simple, yet critically important reasons. Essentially, the 'old' fire station ---built in 1943--- is too small, worn out, used up, and simply cannot meet the mission which the Ketchikan Fire Department (KFD) is required to perform. - More...
Tuesday AM - September 28, 2010

Vote No on KGB Prop 3: EMS and Fire By Ed Fry - Having had the privilege to serve as a Firefighter and Paramedic for over 20 years and the honor to teach administrators how to plan resource allocation and needs assessment, I do not support Proposition 3 and will vote no. - More...
Tuesday AM - September 28, 2010

Unanswered Questions By Ken Holmes - People of Ketchikan I have a few unanswered questions. Is our City/KPU manager really worth more than 65% of the governors of the country who run their whole state? His wage is now over $170,000 a year. Check out the pay scale for the governors online. In my opinion, I don't think so. - More...
Tuesday AM - September 28, 2010

Library Bond Proposition By Heather Muench - Ketchikan's current library is cramped and doesn't meet ADA compliance. Despite this, it is heavily used by young and old, by rich and poor, including those without other literary resources. Monthly circulation is over 16,000. Many Ketchikan children developed a love of reading and learning from visits to the library. The community supports our library and its wonderful staff. - More...
Tuesday AM - September 28, 2010

Support for Library Funding Vote By Heidi Ekstrand - Ketchikan voters voiced overwhelming support for a new library in the August special election by voting nearly 2-1 to allow the building to be built anywhere within the city limits. That vote cleared the way to purchase the recommended property on Copper Ridge at the top of the Third Avenue bypass. - More...
Tuesday AM - September 28, 2010

Vote Alan Bailey for Ketchikan Assembly By Tom LeCompte - I am urging friends and citizens to vote for Alan Bailey on election day. Alan is a long time Ketchikanian with strong ideas about how things work around here, and some ideas on how to improve and streamline local processes. - More...
Tuesday AM - September 28, 2010

Go get em Sam! By James Schenk - Good Luck to Sam Bergeron on his run for the Ketchikan City Council. We need more people like Sam running for office in this town. - More...
Tuesday AM - September 28, 2010

Library By Charles Edwardson - I encourage people to save their news articles and pay a little attention to some recently published stories and advertisements. .Look back and compare related stories. - More...
Tuesday AM - September 28, 2010

RE: Language Diversity= Divisiveness By Donald A. Moskowitz - In response to a recent response to my letter by Dr. Sarah Elaine Eaton I wish to clarify for her the thrust of my letter. When I refer to a potential problem of immigrants having diverse language skills I am referring to those immigrants who do not learn English and who persist in only communicating in their native languages, whether it be Spanish, French, Chinese, Russian, Hebrew, German or any other non-English language. These people not only impair their ability to assimilate but they could also hinder our overall communication system in this country. I stand by my argument that if a large segment of our population cannot communicate in English, our country will be weaker for it. - More...
Tuesday AM - September 28, 2010

PFD "sale" By Melissa O Bryan - I sent this letter to Alaska Airlines in regard to their PFD sale, how many others out there are tired of these so called "sales?" - More...
Tuesday AM - September 28, 2010

Tuesday's Vote - October 5th, 2010 by Ken Bylund - Proposition 3: On the $800,000 being considered for the North Tongass Fire & EMS; it seems likely that more will be required to rehabilitate this industrial property after the initial purchase price that should be brought to the attention of the voters. This was an industrial facility supplying metals and associated chemicals; will there be additional funding required to rehabilitate the soil and modify the structures to accommodate the... what? What is this property to be used for? Water storage and... what? So the costs that are being estimated are ______ and what is the goal/benefits of this TBD total cost? - More...
Friday AM - September 24, 2010

Emergency Services By Jonathan Agnew - During my time in Ketchikan, I've had ample time to watch the machinery of this city in action, and I am excited for Ketchikan's future based on what I've seen. - More...
Friday AM - September 24, 2010

Vote M-U-R-K-O-W-S-K-I By Stacey Stone - I am calling on you to fill in the bubble and write in Lisa Murkowski to continue serving us as senator in Washington. - More...
Friday AM - September 24, 2010

Joe Miller By Paul Jarvi - How does a vote for Joe Miller help the citizens of Ketchikan Alaska? All I know about Mr. Miller is that he is a "Constitutional Conservative" whatever that is and that Sarah Palin endorsed him. Sarah is not a friend to Southeast Alaska. - More...
Friday AM - September 24, 2010

Writing-in Lisa Murkowski By Frances C. Natkong - I'm sorry for those of you who will vote for Joe Miller, you and I will have to live with your vote. He's trying to get rid of social security, unemployment, and federal funding for Alaska. He DOES NOT have my vote. - More...
Friday AM - September 24, 2010

Voters Should Be Closely Scrutinizing Senator Murkowski's Motives By Myla Poelstra - The recent shakeup in Alaska's political arena from the surprising results of our primary election are bringing some interesting pictures into focus and disturbing questions to mind. Senator Murkowski's obviously unexpected loss, and subsequent decision to pursue a write in campaign after promising to respect the will of the people of Alaska by showing her support for the Republican nominee, has caused many to question her judgment and integrity. - More...
Friday AM - September 24, 2010

HONEST AND COMPASSIONATE By C.G. WRIGHT - KARL SERVED WATERTOWN NY DURING HIS TENURE AS CITY MANAGER. HE WAS THE MOST HONEST AND COMPASSIONATE MANAGER EVER IN THE HISTORY OF THE CITY. I CANNOT IMAGING HE WILL DO ANYTHING LESS FOR KETCHIKAN. - More...
Friday AM - September 24, 2010

KGH and Peacehealth are awesome By Linda Kreider - I, too, am very happy and very proud to have KGH and Peacehealth as my healthcare providers. My family members, myself included, have had several surgeries at KGH. Each visit there has been great, the care and the treatment has been outstanding. I would not consider going "outside" if I can have the service performed here in my hometown. - More...
Friday AM - September 24, 2010

Fire Stations By Stephanie Sherva - It's been a long time coming, but the city is finally getting a new Downtown Fire Station. Too bad it doesn't fit the locale. Downtown has spent tons of tax dollars making itself look "old" and now they want a red and gray, modern, all angled building in the center of Downtown. Didn't any one consider the surrounding area and all the time and money spent to impress the Tourist with the "old fishing and logging town" feel? Where was the Historical Commission when all this was in the planning stages? They have no problem getting the rest of Downtown into the historical mode. As long as the inside of the building meets all the requirements of the Fire Department, why can't the outside have an "old Ketchikan" look and feel? - More...
Tuesday - September 21, 2010

Open Letter to Ketchikan Police: School Zones By Amber Anderson - I wanted to express my appreciation for your presence in the Schoenbar school zone this morning (09/20/21). It was nice to see a lot of cars tapping their breaks and stopping for kids in the crosswalks. I've lived on this bend for 3 years and have been frustrated with the lack of concern for children walking to school and bus stops. My children and I have often been nearly hit by people in a rush and/or on their cell phones. This is not something I thought I had to worry about when we bought our home here. I was naive in thinking it would be a safe walk since we live in a school zone. - More...
Tuesday - September 21, 2010

Vote on October 5th By Rodney Dial - As you vote on October 5th, I would ask that you look back to the spending over the last few years and consider our current fiscal condition: - More...
Tuesday - September 21, 2010

Asking for your vote October 5th By Sam Bergeron - I'm in the race for council because we need people in there that know the value of a dollar and where those dollars come from. - More...
Tuesday - September 21, 2010

Support Joe Miller By Liz Williams - I am unable to understand why it is wrong for Joe Miller to take out of state funds but okay for Sen. Lisa Murkowski to do so.  There is nothing illegal about the funding in either case.  While some of the funding for both Murkowski and Mr. Miller came from out of state, 100% of the votes came from Alaskans.  The majority of the voters in the Republican primary picked Joe Miller to represent them in the General election.  Republicans have a closed primary so that their members, not the members of the opposition, elect the representative who they believe will most closely represent their views in Congress.  - More...
Tuesday - September 21, 2010

Write-in Lisa Murkowski By Frances C. Natkong - Have you heard Joe Miller speak? Wake up, people, he's a male Sarah Palin! If he gets elected we, in Alaska, will be in deep you know what. - More...
Tuesday - September 21, 2010

Moonbattery By Richard Easbey - Mr. Hanger's latest rant, which is nothing more than a ham-handed attempt at character assassination directed at Joe Miller, is proof that being a liberal is the next best thing to having actual IDEAS. - More...
Tuesday - September 21, 2010

Alaskans - A Message to DC on Nov 2nd, 2010 by Ken Bylund - A quote by Anthony McAuliffe, on December 22, 1944 -- his official reply to General Von Luttwitz's demand that he surrender the 101st Airborne at Bastogne, aka, The Battle of the Bulge... "To the German Commander... Nuts! The American Commander." - More...
Tuesday - September 21, 2010

Small town politics again By Marcia Hilley - As a city taxpayer I am now going to help pay $100,000 plus because some City of Ketchikan administrators still have their panties in a wad because of an old lawsuit. - More...
Tuesday - September 21, 2010

Learning languages empowers us By Dr. Sarah Elaine Eaton, PhD - In response to the letter submitted by Donald A. Moskowitz on September 15, I agree with you wholeheartedly that the U.S. is an English speaking country. - More....
Tuesday - September 21, 2010

Proud of KGH By Donna Teal - Just a few lines about the excellent care given by all the staff at KGH. I have been a patient there several times and am still alive because of their wonderful talented care -- the first time in 1962 and several times since then. I also have had several family members healed there. - More...
Tuesday - September 21, 2010

KGH Praises By Charlene (Spurgeon) Burns - I'm not entirely sure how to approach this subject. A service provider does not deserve to be slammed because she simply expressed her praises for Ketchikan General Hospital. - More...
Tuesday - September 21, 2010

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