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SitNews - Stories In The News - Ketchikan, Alaska

October 09-10, 2022

SitNews Front Page Photo By DAVID M. GUZMAN

A Ducky Day for a Walk at Bar Harbor
SitNews Front Page Photo By DAVID M. GUZMAN
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Alaska Weekly Active Area Case Counts
September 25 – October 1, 2022: SE Alaska Positive Cases:
Ketchikan 7; Juneau 64; Petersburg 3; Sitka 15; Wrangell 1; POW-Hyder 3; Haines 1
STATE'S FINAL SUMMARY
COVID-19 DATA SUMMARY – September 28, 2022
Reporting data for September 21-27, 2022
OVERVIEW – 800 new cases - 0 newly reported deaths - 34 hospitalizations
SE ALASKA POSITIVE CASES:
Ketchikan 8; Juneau 55; Metlakatla 1; Petersburg 3; Sitka 10; POW 1; Skagway 4; Wrangell 2, Haines 3
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Ketchikan Historical: Reconciliations took decades to come; Native churches in Ketchikan, Juneau closed in 1962 By DAVE KIFFER - Last summer, the national branch of the Presbyterian Church issued a formal apology to the Native community of Juneau over the closure of a primarily Native church in the 1960s.

Reconciliations took decades to come; Native churches in Ketchikan, Juneau closed in 1962

St. Elizabeth's Episcopal Church was built by Ketchikan Native Episcopal Community around 1927, when churches in Ketchikan were segregated. It remained a church until 1962 and now serves as the Ketchikan Mortuary.
Photo Courtesy Google Maps

The Memorial Presbyterian Church was formed in early Juneau when it became apparent that the white parishioners at what eventually became the Northern Lights Church felt that segregated houses of worship were necessary. For decades, Memorial Church was the center of the Native community in Juneau.

Then, in 1962, the white Presbyterian church in Juneau decided it needed a new facility and convinced the national church organization to provide $200,000 for the new church. It also convinced the national organization to eliminate the separate Native church, a decision the national church now concedes was racially motivated. The reason for the closure given at the time was that Juneau could not financially support two separate Episcopal churches and needed to merge the congregations. But when Memorial closed, a significant number of its members chose not to attend the new, combined church.

If this story sounds familiar to some Ketchikan residents, it should.

Back in the early 1960s, something very similar happened to St. Elizabeth's Episcopal Church, the Deermont church that was also the center of the Ketchikan Native community. Fundraisers, dances, parties and other events made St. Elizabeth's the hub of activity in the Deermont, Nickeyville, Mahoney Heights area of Ketchikan for a quarter of a century.

The story of St. Elizabeth's Church is in a short five-page history written by former parishioners a decade after the closure. There is a copy of the 1977 document in the files at the Tongass Historical Society Museum. The document was signed by 13 former members of the congregation including such Native leaders as Conrad Mather, George Mather, Frieda Driscoll, Doris Volzke and Eleanor and Pauline Williams.

The history traces the beginning of St. Elizabeth's to the arrival of Father William Duncan in Fort Simpson, British Columbia in 1856.

"Because of the harassments and cruel injustices inflicted upon the Indians by the Canadian government and later by the Missionary Society of the Church of England, in 1887, Father Duncan was granted Annette Island as a reserve for the use of the Tsimpshians and other Indians who may wish to reside there."

The history then noted that in early 1900, a group of married couples from Annette Island chose to relocate to Ketchikan for better employment options. In that group were members of the Guthrie, Ridley, Fawcett, Dalton, Williams, Leask, Booth and Mather families.

They became members of the St. Agnes Episcopal Mission which had been established when Tlingits from the Fort Tongass area had moved to Ketchikan in the late 1890s. Eventually, the mission expanded to include both Natives and whites and led to the building of the St. John's Church in 1904.

As the church grew, the Native women formed their own guild and called it the St. Elizabeth's Ladies Guild.

"The inability of the white members to accept Indians as competent human beings led to segregation in all church activities," the former church members wrote in 1977. "There was an Indian church school, an Indian evening prayer service, an Indian junior choir and an Indian Ladies Guild. When both races gathered for the Bishop's (Peter Rowe) visitations, the Indians sat on the left side while the whites occupied the right."

According to the former church members, Bishop Rowe became concerned that such treatment would eventually cause the Natives to leave the congregation, and he supported the idea of building St. Elizabeth's Church, although it wouldn't be completed until 1927. St. Elizabeth's would be built in the upland area of what was then called Indiantown to the south of Ketchikan Creek. - More...
Sunday - October 09, 2022

October 04, 2022
Download the Ketchikan Borough Unofficial
Election Results

October 10, 2022
Download the Ketchikan Borough Canvas Board Results

Following the tabulation of the absentee, questioned, and special needs ballots at the October 10, 2022, Canvass Board Meeting, the Final Results Wiil Be Announced.
Check back on October 10th.

Proposition 1:
Assembly Representation

Yes 10/10/22	2,528 3,100
No 10/10/22	397 450

Proposition 2:
Nonareawide Library Powers

Yes 10/10/22	692 818
No 10/10/22	851 1,066

Ketchikan Borough Mayor - 3 Year Term (One Seat Open)

Rodney Dial
10/04/22
1,632
10/10/22
1,906

Katie Jo
Parrott10/04/22
1,359
10/10/22
1,722

Ketchikan Borough Assembly - 3 Year Term (2 Seats Open)

Austin Otos
10/04/22 1,739
10/10/22
2,171

JoshuaTitus
10/04/22
862
10/10/22
1,009

Michael Iann Martin
10/04/22 1,075
10/10/22
1,297

Glen Thompson
10/04/22
1,288
10/10/22
1,524

KBG Registered Voters: 11,914
Turnout at Polls: 3,041
10/10/22 Total Voter Turnout: 3,689
Percentage Turnout: 31%

Ketchikan School Board - 3 Year Term (2 Seats Open)

Tom Heutte 10/04/22 1,219
10/10/22
1,495

Melissa O'Brien 10/04/22 1,755
10/10/22
2,108

Robb Arnold 10/04/22 1,036
10/10/22
1,209

Ginger
McCormick
10/04/22
542
10/10/22
694

October 04, 2022
Download the City of Ketchikan Unofficial Election Results
Voter Turnout 25%

October 10, 2022
Download the City of Ketchikan Canvas Board Election Results
Registered Voters: 6,720
Total Voter Turnout:1,683
(Polls, absentee, questioned, special:
Percentage Turnout: 24%

Proposition 1:
Term Limits

Yes	1,040 10/04/22 1,239 10/10/22
No	307 10/04/22 373 10/10/22

Ketchikan City Council - 3 Year Term (2 Seats Open)

Lallette Kistler
10/04/22
501
10/10/22
610

Mark Flora
10/04/22
627
10/10/22
769

Dion Booth
10/04/22
267
10/10/22
325

Kevin Kristovich
10/04/22
468
10/10/22
548

Jamie King
10/04/22
302
10/10/22
362

Amy Williams
Withdrew
10/04/22: 160
10/10/22: 183

Ketchikan City Council - One Year Term (1 Seat Available)

Jack Finnegan
10/04/22
666
10/10/22
819

Christopher Cumings
10/04/22
297
10/10/22
345

Dave Timmerman
Withdrew
10/04/22: 226
10/10/22: 260

KGB Election Information Website Click Here
City of Ketchikan Election Information Website Click Here

Alaska: Summer 2022 Alaska Fuel Price Report & Delivery Update - The Alaska Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development (DCCED) released the results from its recent survey of fuel retailers across 100 Alaskan communities. These results are summarized in the Alaska Fuel Price Report, a semi-annual report on heating fuel and unleaded gasoline prices in both rural and urban communities across the state.

The Summer 2022 report surveyed unleaded gasoline prices across 100 communities. The findings show that the average price for unleaded gasoline was $6.73 per gallon, a 27 percent increase from the Winter 2022 report findings. The latest findings are also eight percent higher than the previously highest reported average of $6.24 per gallon in the Summer of 2014.

Notably, coastal communities in western Alaska and communities along Alaska’s major river systems have a limited window in which to receive fuel due to rough waters, ice buildup, and shallow river depths. Communities in these areas generally have one or two fuel deliveries in the summer, then fuel prices remain fixed until the following year’s fuel delivery. This means that prices are likely to remain high in these communities, even when prices fall elsewhere in the state.

“The increase in fuel prices is a national concern,” said DCCED Commissioner Julie Sande. “But, those increases will have a far greater impact on the daily needs of Alaskans living in the most rural areas of our state. We encourage communities to utilize our Bulk Fuel Loan program to alleviate some of that burden.” - More...
Sunday - October 09, 2022

Alaska: Alaska Attorney General Urged to Investigate Recent Huge Spike in Fuel Prices - Senator Bill Wielechowski (D-Anchorage) and Senator Scott Kawasaki (D-Fairbanks) wrote to Alaska Attorney General Treg Taylor urging the Department of Law to investigate Alaska’s excessively high fuel prices and determine if Alaskans are experiencing price gouging. According to AAA, Alaska consumer prices for motor fuel have risen 42.4 cents on average in the last week. The current average price per gallon of gasoline is $5.429 in Alaska. North of Ketchikan, gas prices recently rose from just under $5.00 to $5.50 per gallon.

In 2008 and 2009, the Attorney General, House Judiciary Committee, and the nonpartisan Legislative Research Services Agency investigated excessively high fuel prices Alaska was then experiencing. They all subsequently determined Alaska’s high fuel prices were caused by high margins charged by Alaska refineries. The senators’ current request seeks similar approaches to determine why Alaska prices are rising while Lower-48 U.S. prices have stabilized.

“Alaskans are getting gouged, and we need to find out why. Gasoline prices have gone up by over $1 in just the last week in Anchorage for no perceivable reason. It makes absolutely no sense - the oil comes from Alaska and is refined in Alaska,” said Sen. Wielechowski. “It’s our duty and the Administration’s duty to Alaskans to determine why this is the case, find solutions, and collaborate to reduce costs. Too much of Alaskans’ money is going to fuel instead of food on the table.”

Alaska already has one of the highest costs of living in the country, especially with skyrocketing inflation. The letter spoke to the necessity of gaining information to better understand the process of fuel pricing to determine whether there are any inappropriate refinery margins or if a monopoly exists within the state of Alaska that is controlling prices and harming consumers.- More...
Sunday - October 09, 2022

Alaska: Annual Crime in Alaska Report Shows Decrease in Crime; 2021 Data Shows Lowest Total Number of Reported Crimes Since 1975 - The Department of Public Safety has released the 433 pages 2021 Crime in Alaska Report, its annual publication detailing crimes reported in Alaska, which reveals a 15.2% decrease in Alaska’s overall crime rate. This also reflects the lowest number of reported offenses since 1975 and continues the downward trend in Alaska crime that started in 2018. Alaska's reported violent crime rate decreased by 9.7% last year; this included fewer instances of murder, robbery, rape, and aggravated assault. Alaska's property crime rate decreased by 17.3% in 2021, and the total number of reported property offenses was at its lowest level since 1974.

“Public safety has been job number one for my administration since I took office, and we have made historic investments in law enforcement across the state,” said Governor Mike Dunleavy. “With the repeal of the catch and release SB 91 legislation, and the other major steps my team has made over the last four years to make Alaska a safer place I know that we will continue making positive movement towards reducing the high rates of domestic violence and sexual assault that plague our state.”

The Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) Program is a nationwide effort by federal, state, city, county, and tribal law enforcement agencies to report data on crimes reported in their jurisdiction. The report is a resource for measuring the trend and distribution of crime in Alaska. Under Alaska law, law enforcement agencies in Alaska are required to submit UCR data to the State of Alaska. In 2021, 31 agencies reported crime data to DPS. These agencies represent 99.5% of the state's population. 2021 is also the first year that a significant number of agencies have participated in the federal National Incident Based Reporting System, or NIBRS, reporting model. This new reporting model captures additional details about the suspects and victims of crime to allow for additional data set tracking. Approximately 66% of Alaska's law enforcement agencies reported using the NIBRS model. - More...
Sunday - October 09, 2022

Alaska: New Research Demonstrates Potential for North Slope Heavy Oil Production; Joint public-private partnership is yielding promising results - New research conducted by the Institute for Northern Engineering’s Petroleum Development Lab at the University of Alaska Fairbanks, demonstrates the potential for commercial production of the estimated billions of barrels of heavy oil under existing oil fields on Alaska’s North Slope. UAF engineers and Hilcorp Alaska have successfully deployed an enhanced oil recovery method using a process known as polymer flooding to pull the thick, viscous oil to the surface at Milne Point. The latest results of the research were presented at a press conference at UAF this afternoon.

The process injects a mixture of polymer and seawater into the reservoir, substantially increasing the production of heavy oil compared to traditional water injection. The research demonstrates the technology works on the North Slope, and the results are promising. UAF researchers are encouraged by the progress they are making and believe higher production can be achieved over the next decade.

The Dunleavy Administration directed $5 million for the next phase of the research project in its FY23 state budget after the U.S. Department of Energy eliminated funding for all heavy oil research earlier this year.

“The next state funded phase of the heavy oil project underway at UAF could unlock the tens of billions of barrels of heavy oil lying underneath Alaska’s North Slope. That is a resource too large to ignore,” said Governor Mike Dunleavy.

Dunleavy said, “If we have a breakthrough, heavy oil will extend the lifespan of the oil pipeline and provide substantial revenue for the state, and the Alaska Permanent Fund. University of Alaska research, whether it is heavy oil, renewable energy or drone technology, can propel Alaska’s economy into the future.” - More...
Sunday - October 09, 2022

Alaska: Alaska Law Enforcement Seize Nearly 5,000 Grams of Fentanyl; Enhanced Enforcement Operation Nets Largest Narcotics Seizures in Alaska - The Alaska Department of Public Safety and our local, state, and federal law enforcement partners have seized over 212 pounds of illegal narcotics as part of a focused enforcement initiative that occurred across the state this Summer. Law enforcement seized approximately 2.45 million potentially fatal doses of illicit fentanyl as part of the operation. Additionally, 22,441 grams of heroin, 22,865 grams of methamphetamine, 13,306 grams of cocaine, and many other illicit narcotics have been seized since May.

“My administration is focused on the doing all that we can to respond to the large amounts of illicit fentanyl and other drugs pouring into our state from Mexico via the lower 48,” said Governor Mike Dunleavy.

Dunleavy said, “Leading the charge on this effort are the great teams at the Department of Public Safety and the Department of Health which have made significant progress this year. Together they are making a difference across our state by both removing illegal drugs from circulation, providing treatment to those suffering from addiction, providing life-saving medication such as naloxone, and educating Alaskans about the dangers of illegal drug use.”

The May 1, 2022 – September 30, 2022, period shows that Alaska’s law enforcement doubled seizures from 2021 and represents one of Alaska’s highest periods for drug seizures. Seizures were made across the state by drug investigators working in both urban and rural Alaska working for local, state, or federal law enforcement agencies. As part of the focused enforcement effort the Alaska Department of Public Safety temporarily reassigned multiple Alaska Wildlife Troopers to assist with drug interdiction efforts over the Summer, and authorized additional overtime for our existing drug investigators. - More...
Sunday - October 09, 2022

Study: Glass microspheres won't save Arctic sea ice
By ROD BOYCE
Scientists on the MOSAiC expedition work among Arctic melt ponds in 2020.
Photo by Melinda Webster

Alaska: Study: Glass microspheres won't save Arctic sea ice By ROD BOYCE - A proposal to cover Arctic sea ice with layers of tiny hollow glass spheres about the thickness of one human hair would actually accelerate sea-ice loss and warm the climate rather than creating thick ice and lowering the temperature as proponents claim.

Sea ice, by reflecting the majority of the sun’s energy back to space, helps regulate ocean and air temperatures and influences ocean circulation. Its area and thickness is of critical importance to Earth’s climate.

The new finding is the result of work led by researcher Melinda Webster of the University of Alaska Fairbanks Geophysical Institute. The research was published October 05, 2022 in the journal Earth’s Future.

The research challenges a claim in a 2018 research paper that repeated spreading of hollow glass microspheres, or HGMs, on young Arctic sea ice will increase reflectivity, protect it from the sun and therefore allow it to mature over time into highly reflective multi-year ice.

Webster’s work rejects that claim, finding that placing layers of white hollow glass microspheres onto Arctic sea ice would actually darken its surface, accelerate the loss of sea ice and further warm the climate.

According to the 2018 study, the application of five layers of HGMs reflects 43% of the incoming sunlight and allows 47% to pass through the HGM layers to the surface below. The remaining 10% is absorbed by the HGMs.

That 10% of sunlight retained by the microspheres is enough to hasten the melting of ice and further warm the Arctic atmosphere, Webster’s research shows.

“Our results show that the proposed effort to halt Arctic sea-ice loss has the opposite effect of what is intended,” Webster said. “And that is detrimental to Earth’s climate and human society as a whole.”

Webster and colleague Stephen G. Warren of the University of Washington came to their conclusion by calculating changes in solar energy across eight common surface conditions found on Arctic sea ice, each of which have different reflectivities. They also considered seasonal sunlight, the intensity of solar radiation at the surface and at the top of the atmosphere, cloud cover and how the microspheres reacted with sunlight.

They based their research on the type of microspheres used in the 2018 study and on the same number of layers.

The 2018 study did not fully account for the varying surface type reflectivities or variations that would occur depending on the time of year of HGM application.

A layer of microspheres can increase the reflectivity of thin new ice, which is naturally dark, but the effect would be minimal because thin ice mostly occurs in autumn and winter when there is little sunlight. Thin ice soon gets covered by falling and drifting snow, which increases its surface reflectivity. - More...
Sunday - October 09, 2022

Columns - Commentary

JASE GRAVES: THE PEN IS SILLIER THAN THE SWORD - For those of you who don’t know, my more respectable gig for the past quarter century, or so, has been teaching college English. (Scary, I know.)

Teaching English is sometimes like teaching a teenager to drive a car – including the sensations of intense frustration, looking away in terror, and dreading a catastrophic pileup of letters, words, and sentences.

Take, for example, these 100% real writing samples I’ve collected from my students over the years. I truly love them all – the students, I mean.

These first specimens come from the “unintentionally violent/gruesome” category: - More...
Sunday - October 09, 2022

CHRISTINE FLOWERS: WOMEN IN MANY OTHER NATIONS FEAR FOR THEIR LIVES - As I write this, the clock is ticking.

I have exactly six more hours in the Facebook gulag, the last stretch of a weeklong sentence imposed by the invisible community police after I reposted a picture of Iranian women being beaten in the streets of Tehran, and added my own caption: “Ladies, burn those pink pussy hats and stand back: these are the real heroes.”

Apparently the algorithms, which are the algebraic equivalent of a sulking adolescent female, thought that using the word “burn” in proximity to “Ladies” was a form of violence. For the Facebook prison guards, I was no different from a mullah bashing in the head of an Iranian woman who wore her hijab incorrectly.

It is this sort of thing that has angered me since I first began to practice immigration law. Last week, I helped a woman from El Salvador win asylum after years of being abused by the men in her family, something that anyone who has a passing familiarity with the countries of the Northern Triangle would completely understand. - More...
Sunday - October 09, 2022

FINANCIAL FOCUS: Failure to plan: Is it planning to fail? Provided By BEN EDWARDS, AAMS®- Benjamin Franklin once said, “If you fail to plan, you are planning to fail.” But as you chart your financial course, what steps should you take to help you keep moving forward to where you want to go?

Consider these suggestions:

• Establish and quantify your goals. Throughout your life, you’ll have short-term goals, such as an overseas vacation or a home renovation, and long-term goals, the most important of which may be a comfortable retirement. You’ll want to identify all your goals and put a “price tag” on them. Of course, it’s not always possible to know exactly how much it will cost to achieve each goal, but you can develop reasonably good estimates, revising them as needed. - More...
Sunday - October 09, 2022

TAYLOR KOVAR: Ask Taylor: Could the Economy & Climate Collide? By Taylor J Kovar, CFP® - Hey Taylor - I read a few articles about the recent climate report that makes things sound pretty dire. If we try to meet those new emissions goals, how do you think that will affect our economy and industries?

Hey Grace - That’s the big question, which sadly doesn’t have a clear answer. If it was as simple as changing one bit of behavior and suddenly the greenhouse gases were no more, we’d be in business. As it stands, we have to change a lot of the ways we do business in order to get those carbon emissions as low as the researchers say they need to be. - More...
Sunday - October 09, 2022

POLITICAL CARTOONS

jpg Political Cartoon: Putin's Nuke Threat

Political Cartoon: Putin's Nuke Threat
by Gary McCoy©2022, Shiloh, IL
Distributed to subscribers for publication by CagleCartoons.com

jpg Political Cartoons: Gimme Shelter

Political Cartoons: Gimme Shelter
by Rivers©2022, CagleCartoons.com
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jpg Political Cartoon: Midterm Elections Poll

Political Cartoon: Midterm Elections Poll
by R.J. Matson, CQ Roll Call
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jpg Political Cartoon: Turkey shortage 2022

Political Cartoon: Turkey shortage 2022
by Dave Granlund©2022, PoliticalCartoons.com
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jpg Political Cartoon: Unwoke FBI Arests

Political Cartoon: Unwoke FBI Arests
by Dick Wright©2022, PoliticalCartoons.com
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jpg Political Cartoon: POTUS Pardons Pot

Political Cartoon: POTUS Pardons Pot
by Dave Whamond, Canada©2022, PoliticalCartoons.com Distributed to subscribers for publication by CagleCartoons.com

jpg Political Cartoon: Judge Sets Home Run Record

Political Cartoon: Judge Sets Home Run Record
by Dick Wright©2022, PoliticalCartoons.com
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Defunding Means Defunding By Ghert Abbott - The vocal supporters of Proposition 2 would very much like us to believe that the ballot proposition which legally defunds the library, which was explicitly written by its authors to defund the library, and which is supposedly necessitated by a moral imperative to defund the library…will not actually defund the library.

Mr. Harrington for example writes in his KDN letter of September 22nd:

The City and Borough will probably find an avenue to fund the library should this measure pass. - More...
Sunday - October 02, 2022

Dial for Ketchikan Borough Mayor By Sharyl E. Yeisley - I wanted to take the opportunity to express my continued support for Rodney Dial in our upcoming local election, October 4th. Over the years, I personally watched Mr. Dial in our community raising his children, providing support to locals, and protecting our community in law enforcement. He treats others with dignity and respect. Mr. Dial has the experience we need for Borough Mayor, with six years of local elected experience and many more working for the State legislature.

Mr. Dial continues to advocate for the protection of our constitutional rights. He is concerned about private businesses and other issues important to our community when the government wants to overreach, impose mandates, or create hardships. He is willing to listen, meet you where you are at, and address issues locals have.

He has been assigned to three boards by the Governor, two E911 boards and currently the 911 Advisory board. These assignments improve public safety statewide and in Ketchikan. - More...
Saturday - September 30, 2022

Stabilizing the Future of the Ketchikan Public Library By Trevor A. Shaw & Glen Thompson - On October 4, 2022, voters in the Ketchikan Gateway Borough who live outside of the City of Ketchikan and the City of Saxman will vote on Proposition 2. The question placed before the voters is simple:

“Shall the Ketchikan Gateway Borough’s adoption of nonareawide library powers be repealed, as proposed in Resolution 2956-CI?”

If a majority of those eligible vote “Yes”, the Borough’s nonareawide library powers would be repealed effective January 1, 2024, and the Borough’s financial support of the Ketchikan Public Library would cease after that date. The financial impact to the Ketchikan Public Library? A cut in funding of approximately $500,000, or nearly 40% of the library’s operating budget.

The background of Proposition 2 stems from constituents who are concerned that they pay taxes to support the library without any say in how the library is managed. Recently, there was a specific library program that really caused this issue to reach terminal velocity, but that issue doesn’t even merit being discussed as part of the overall problem at hand. The property owners outside of the City of Ketchikan and the City of Saxman pay 0.7 mils of property tax to pay for the Borough’s financial support of the Ketchikan Public Library, run solely by the City of Ketchikan, without any ability to participate in the management or governance of the Ketchikan Public Library. This is, without question, a problem. The concept of “taxation without representation” goes against the very foundation and fundamentals of our nation and design of our government at all levels. - More...
Friday - September 30, 2022

Re-elect Dial, keep the budgets clean and honest By Hannah Ramiskey - The School Board designs an educational program and the Borough Assembly decides if the community can afford it. That’s the American Check and Balance that is designed to prevent the most egregious excesses since our country’s inception.

The Borough’s largest expense is the Ketchikan School District, but it also has community responsibilities such as the Ketchikan International Airport, the Parks and Rec programs, the Rec Center, Animal Control, Planning and Zoning, and tax collection. All of these things help make Ketchikan a desirable place to live. Demand is always high for better ball fields, more basket-ball courts, track repair, as well as bus service, and library support. Less fun, but necessary is fire protection, emergency services, and solid waste issues. - More...
Friday - September 30, 2022

Judge me based on my service to you By Rodney Dial - Friends, I have served you for six years. If you have followed my efforts you know I looked for every efficiency, found creative ways to fund essential services and always remembered my oath of office.

I worked every day during the pandemic to support public health and never forgot our neighbors behind each business who were risking everything to provide services, jobs and tax revenue to our community.

To help our budget needs, I applied for every board/commission I could. It took me years of work to get on my first Governor appointed commission (now on my third) and 4 years to get appointed to two national boards. This gives us an ability to participate in requests for national legislation that have huge financial impacts to the borough. - More...
Friday - September 30, 2022

Re-elect Mayor Dial By Riley Gass - I considered writing a letter in of support of Mayor Rodney Dial's re-election effort in the upcoming election, but after some thought decided it would be best not to weigh in due to my sitting on the Ketchikan City Council. However, after seeing multiple other elected officials submit their opinions on various candidates and issues on the ballot, including a fellow City Councilman writing a letter directly smearing and making personal attacks on Mayor Dial, I changed my mind.

About six years ago I began paying close attention to and having a strong interest in our local politics. I was born and raised in Ketchikan, love it here, donâ€™t ever plan on leaving, and plan to raise a family here. I realized the importance of getting involved with things that matter and having a clear understanding of the issues our communitty faces. This is about the time Rodney Dial was elected to the Borough Assembly, after retiring from a career of service to our communitty and state as an Alaska State Trooper. - More...
Saturday - September 30, 2022

Parrott for Ketchikan Borough Mayor By Kathy Flora - I am endorsing Katie Jo Parrott for Borough Mayor. I believe Katie will help the Borough continue its strong positive growth and economic development by forming local and statewide partnerships.

Katie recognizes the need for literacy for our children, affordable housing, and community involvement to promote relationships to get things done. - More...
Friday PM - September 30, 2022

WHY I AM SUPPORTING RODNEY DIAL FOR BOROUGH MAYOR By Byron Whitesides - I view Mayor Dial as has done an excellent job in his position as borough mayor, in being a leader who was active in protecting the constitutional rights of the citizens of this borough, opposing the mandates and lockdowns that are a clear violation of our constitutional rights. He also attended over 200 policy meetings with local, state, and federal officials, providing input on the critical issues affecting our community.

He worked tirelessly for this community in protecting health, our economy, and our individual rights and freedoms. Worked to keep our businesses open and did this without mandates and division they bring. I really appreciated how we were able in Ketchikan, to not have lockdowns and job losses to the detriment of the workers and our economy. In my opinion there are NO “non-essential” jobs or business, and we in Ketchikan weathered this pandemic much better than some other communities.

In his own words, he never could have been involved in but a fraction of what he worked on, if he had another full time job. And because we in this community were able to keep our businesses open, many of our friends and neighbors were able to survive these very trying times, and keep food on the table and their businesses out of bankruptcy. - More...
Friday - September 30, 2022

KGB Assembly report on Southeast Conference By Austin Otos, Grant Echohawk and Jeremy Bynum - We recently had the opportunity to attend the 2022 Southeast Conference which was held in Ketchikan from September 13th through September 15th. Many organizations from the community attended the event including: KGB and City government staff, Forage and Found, Tongass Federal Credit Union, Tessa Axelson (AFA), Patti Mackie (KVB), The Landing Hotel and Restaurant, GROW Ketchikan, Ketchikan Evergreens, Representative Dan Ortiz, AML, Seagrove Kelp, Vigor, and Ward Cove Group. The conference started with highlighting the theme of “Charting the Course Ahead”. This was selected due to COVID disheveling all private and public operations starting in 2020 and the need to reset the course back to normalcy. Both Mayor Kiffer and Dial followed by KIC President , Trixie Bennet, and Tlingit and Haida President, Richard Peterson, who all conducted the opening ceremony of the event. The conference showcased various topics that are important around the Southeast region including updates on: AMHS operations, state and local projects from the new “infrastructure bill”, a snapshot of the seasonal visitor industry, expanding broadband capabilities, new economic industries (mariculture), and addressing ongoing electrification, workforce development, and housing issues. - More...
Friday - September 30, 2022

PLEASE VOTE NO ON PROPOSITION #1 AND YES ON PROPOSITION #2 By Byron Whitesides - I would like to thank Dan Brockhorst for your letter of Sept. 26th on Sitnews, pointing out the arrogant disregard by the borough assembly, of the voters they claim to “represent”. This is among the many reasons to vote NO on proposition #1, on whether we want to maintain our present form of government.

I do not like the present way we pick our assembly members, by area wide elections, and would like to go to a designated districts form of electing assembly members. I feel this would be a superior form of assembly, more representative and democratic, and where the residents of these districts would have their issues and concerns able to be represented by assembly members voted on only by their district. Some of you might say “why do you want this new form of government”. Well, it isn’t a new form! What I suggest is we return to the original form of government we had here when our borough government was instituted.

After we became a state, there were officials sent here to get the boroughs organized. I was 11 years old, and attended meetings with my parents, and was with my parents when they had many discussions with other outside the city residents, from north and south Tongass, about the issue of forming a borough government. - More...
Wednesday - September 28, 2022

Reelect Rodney Dial for Mayor By Hans and Laura Antonsen - Mayor Rodney Dial spent the last 6 years building a reputation for integrity and trust during some of the most difficult times our community, state and nation have faced. That’s 6 years just in Ketchikan! Before that Rodney served in the US Army, Alaska State Troopers and 10 years as a Legislative Liaison at the State level.

While the “job” of Borough Mayor on paper might just be to lead meetings, the reality is that our Mayor is the face of the community, as well as it’s heart and soul. Especially during the COVID crisis and now with inflation and rising costs of basics like food and energy.

Rodney has taken these challenges as an opportunity to lead the way by: - More...
Wednesday PM - September 28, 2022

List of candidates I believe will help Ketchikan grow and thrive By Susan Dotson - I was born here in Ketchikan over 66 years ago, I have lived my life here, and now as a senior, I have watched my hometown being torn apart by division across many social issues. I have watched my hometown go from being prosperous in timber, mining, and fishing industries to relying more on government jobs and handouts.

It is time for people to unite and debate honestly on how to fix our town and help us grow into a thriving city. My Mom Irene Dotson worked as an OB nurse in the old hospital and helped deliver many babies who still live in Ketchikan. My Dad, Red Dotson, helped to build the tunnel we all drive through daily; he worked on the Alaska Marine Highway for 28 years before he retired. They both discovered Dotson Ridge in Kendrick Bay on POW, which with pro-development people in the office, will be the biggest Rare Earth mine in the world. If they were alive today, they would both be very upset about what Ketchikan has become.

I have researched all local candidates and come up with an endorsement list for the candidates I believe will help Ketchikan grow and thrive. I think they will protect not only our town but our children. - More...
Wednesday - September 27, 2022

Register to Vote by 10/9/22 for the General Election on 11/8/22 By Carol DelValle - Teens that will turn 18 prior to Nov 8 can register to vote now. The voter registration deadline is 10/9/22, so don't delay. Many people, young and not-so-young, are frustrated with the state of the world. Here is an opportunity to make your voice heard… vote.

Voter registration is available online, in person, or by mail, find information at this link. Voters can also find information about current candidates on this website.

In this upcoming General Election, Alaskans will be voting for:

One of our U.S. senators, our U.S. representative, our Alaska state governor/lieutenant governor, our Alaska state senators and representatives, as well as retention of our court judges. - More...
Wednesday - September 28, 2022

Prop 2 - A Civics Lesson By Dan Bockhorst - Apparently, it doesn’t matter how we vote on the library proposition. If we vote "no" the assembly can continue to fund the library; if we vote "yes" the assembly can continue to fund the library.

It says so right there on page 5 of the borough’s voter information pamphlet: ‘If the library power is repealed, the borough could still support the library by utilizing a different power.’ The assembly made that declaration by a unanimous vote earlier this month – it wasn’t even debated.

What contempt for voters. What arrogance. What abuse of power. More...
Monday - September 26, 2022

Misrepresentation by Some Of My Corporal Punishment Statement in Forum By Robb Arnold - I would like to take the time to respond and clarify my public candidate statement in the recent KRBD forum as well as a recent op-ed posted in Sit-News. We were asked, due to a recent change in a school districts policy in Missouri that reenacted corporal punishment, if we agreed or disagreed with that.

My response was somewhat misrepresented by some, and I would like to explain.

As I stated, I grew up in a public school system that had corporal punishment. From first grade on I was slapped, hair and ear pulled, scratched, by teachers, paddled and swatted by the principle. As I got older, I received rulers across the back of my hands and head, the teachers up to seventh and eighth grade would use paddles in class, after school, I would go home and receive a belting from my dad or mom. I do not think this helped me, it gave me a strong indication of boundaries in society but made me rebel more and disrespect authority.

I would not wish this on any students, in our schools and I am totally against teachers using paddling in anyway shape or fashion. The recent situation at our high school is something we all disagree with and if a teacher mishandles our students, we should call for accountability and investigation of the matter. - More...
Monday - September 26, 2022

Candidates Asked If They Would Ever Consider Corporal Punishment in the Ketchikan School District By Keenan Sanderson - My opinions are mine and mine alone, this statement does not reflect any body that I may be affiliated with.

Last night [09/20/22], KRBD radio hosted a school board candidate forum. Upon the conclusion of the forum, a number of Ketchikan residents reached out to me about a topic that came up during the forum. I would like to address that topic and address the concerns that people have.

The question that I will be referring to is the following: “A Missouri School District recently reinstated policy that would allow school district faculty to spank students as a form of punishment, including the use of a paddle. Is this a policy, or any form of this policy, that you would ever consider for the Ketchikan School District? Specifically state yes or no. Why or why not?” In other words, corporal punishment.

Let me be abundantly clear with you all, in no way, shape, or form will I ever support corporal punishment in any part of our school district. This is non-negotiable for me. Here are my reasons why: - More...
Saturday - September 24, 2022

Proposition 2 is a Meritless Proposal By Ghert Abbott - Severe measures require solid reasons and good intentions. A moment’s consideration shows that the advocates of Proposition 2 are deficient in both.

Mr. Harrington and company do not think the Drag Queen Story Hour hosted by the Ketchikan Public Library was appropriate for young children, fair enough. But the public library’s Drag Queen Story Hour was a purely voluntary event. Given this fact, I am 100% confident that no person who was morally opposed to the event took their children there. The event was also very forthright about its contents, right down to the name, so no one would have attended ignorantly nor accidently.

So the only children present were those that were brought to the library, willingly and knowingly, by their parents or with their parents’ permission. And presumably every parent whose children attended felt this event to be morally beneficial (or at the very least harmless) to their children’s education and development. Maybe they were right, maybe they were wrong, but every parent has the right to decide such questions themselves and teach their children what values they see fit.- More...
Saturday - September 24, 2022

Vote NO on Proposition 2 By Lori Ortiz - In the midst of these few weeks leading up to a vote on Proposition 2, I have been reading, Clams on the Beach, Deer in the Woods, edited by Louise Brinck Harrington and Mary C. Smith. It is a compilation of oral histories from 19 Ketchikan pioneers. The first dedication pages describe the passion for this project by the book’s editors, the thanks extended to the Friends of the Library (and no doubt some librarians) and a shout out to John Harrington for his efforts in editing, etc.

I find great irony in this.

On the one hand I think, I am just so Darn grateful that the stories… indeed the voices of these amazing pioneers have been preserved. The stories are like magic, and they are instructive. For example, within Marie Henn’s story, I read this paragraph with interest,

“,...I liked to read. I used to go to the library and just pick out books at random. If I didn’t know words, I looked them up in the dictionary.”Wasn’t it great that Marie, a child with less than two pennies to rub together, had the Public Library as a refuge and a resource where, in her own words she Learned to Read! - More...
Saturday - September 24, 2022

Dial Versus Inclusivity By Janalee Gage - Ketchikan likes to say we are a community that comes together and supports each other in times of need, and I have seen this repeatedly. Still, I have also seen it used to put shackles upon those of us who identify in marginalized groups if we do not get in line with a select group.

In the past year, we have heard mayor Dial point fingers at marginalized community members and blame them for division and unrest within the community. We have listened to people speak about how they have nothing against LGBTQAI+ community members, and they treat them equally every day, and in the same breath, call them monsters, lump them in with pedophiles and say they are indoctrinating members into a cult.

Let's talk about who divides and creates unrest in the community, Mr. Dial. His current ad states voting for him will keep Ketchikan Affordable, prosperous, friendly, and safe. Really, for who? Those in the community who have the greatest wealth and go to specific religious establishments, and get in line with his agenda requirements? - More...
Saturday - September 24, 2022

Thank You Dial By Jasen Hansen - I graduated from Ketchikan high school in 1993 and then proceeded to take classes at the Ketchikan campus of the University of Alaska SE until my father's passing in early 1996 that took me off island. I finally found my way back home in early 2014 when my son was 6 months old and my wife and I were looking for a wonderful community to raise our son in. It was shortly after moving back that I met Rodney Dial and was immediately impressed with his love for the community and more specifically the people of the community.

We did not spend a lot of time together though, so I would be lying if I told you that I knew his true character at that time. I wouldn't have hesitated to say that he was a friend, but that was more to do with his cordial demeanor every time we spoke than being able to point to shared experiences. Every time we spoke though, his passion for the community of Ketchikan and the people was evident. I had no idea how hard he worked behind the scenes putting that love and passion into action and quite honestly am still unaware of his countless hours of service. - More...
Saturday - September 24, 2022

Forcing Views By A.M. Johnson - This afternoon, Tucker presented during his show, the article regarding the deviant actions of one soul forcing his views on children while employed as a teacher. The "Woke" authorities failed to address the situation and continue doing so. - More...
Tuesday - September 20, 2022

Pro-Abortion advocates By Rob Holston - Hi Caity Pearson and other pro-Abortion advocates. If your abortion did not KILL an innocent HUMAN life then I would agree with the sign you are holding and the arguments you have. - More...
Tuesday - September 20, 2022

Ketchikan Deserves to Know the Truth By Dan Bockhorst - The Pew Research Center reports that 64% of adults in America say it’s “hard to tell the difference between what is true and not true when they hear elected officials.” - More...
Thursday - September 15, 2022

Upcoming Ketchikan School Board Election, Choose Carefully Our Children's Future Depends On It By Charles and Debi White - It is with great hope and a clear vision, an awareness of the problems adolescents face today, that we endorse Robb Arnold for the Ketchikan Gateway Borough School District School Board. Robb has this vision and awareness, he has an honest pragmatic, and hopeful insight into our community's educational problems, acquired by his willingness to examine issues and listen closely to the public's questions and concerns....... - More...
Thursday - September 15, 2022

APFC Keeps Steady Keel During Turbulent Year By Chair Craig Richards, APFC Board of Trustees - As the Alaska Permanent Fund Corporation’s Board gathers in Anchorage this week for the annual meeting, the Trustees would like to update Alaskans on the status of the Alaska Permanent Fund, the outstanding job our staff has done in these turbulent times, and our search for a new executive director. - More...
Thursday - September 15, 2022

The Ketchikan Elections By David G Hanger - Well, the soap opera that is the Dallas Cowboys came to a conclusion Sunday night, morphing in to the ‘Mike McCarthy Retirement Tour.’ Oh yawn. (Look yonder in San Diego’s way the pundits say.) That soap opera concluded let us at least to the prelims of our local annual soap opera add a touch of ginger and spice. - More...
Thursday - September 15, 2022

Ketchikan library funding By A. M. Johnson - Regarding the upcoming election regarding funding the Ketchikan library with borough taxes, in following the submitted letters to the other news outlet, one would assume the issue is the reluctances of borough residents to fund the library with library levies which is a misnomer. And a misleading message to unsuspected taxpayers, particularly those of recent residence, say 10-15 years in time.. - More...
Thursday PM - September 15, 2022

Vote NO on Proposition 2 By Barbara L Bigelow - As a long-standing member of the Ketchikan Borough this letter is in support of our Library.

My reading career started and was enhanced by a kind librarian who suggested books for me as an 8-year-old child. It is hard to imagine a reputable community without a library for all its citizens. Libraries enrich us, compel us to read and supports our communities. The Ketchikan Public Library has so many programs and offerings for its citizens. There are many positive attributes of community, including housing, arts, open spaces, recreation, good schools, jobs, and yes libraries. - More...
Tuesday - September 13, 2022

Never again. By Susie Dotson - Former Governor Bill Walker started confiscating our statuary PFD AS 43.23.025 in 2015 with his bill SB26. The Permanent Fund Dividend formula has not been used since 2015 but remains a law under AS 43.23.025. In 2016 he vetoed half of the $2,083.00 statuary PFD to only pay $1,022.00 to each Alaskan. Bill Walker became the first governor in the history of the state to veto a portion of the annual dividend owed to Alaskans. - More...
Tuesday - September 13, 2022

Is this what you really want? By Heidi Ekstrand - On October 4, borough voters in only three precincts outside of the Ketchikan and Saxman city limits (two precincts north and one south) will be given the chance to slash 45% of the Ketchikan library’s budget. - More...
Tuesday - September 13, 2022

Vote NO on Proposition 2 By Janalee Gage - The city operates Ketchikan's public library, but since half of the population and all the school districts fall under the borough instead of the city, the borough covers about 40% of the public library's budget via a small non-areawide tax that is .7 mil from our property tax. - More...
Tuesday - September 13, 2022

The Jewel in the Rock By Bridgit Stearns - Embedded in our island community there is a jewel, our Public Library. It holds a rich and valuable trove of materials that are available to everyone who lives in the Borough, whether town or “out the road”, north or south. Library staff are another part of its treasure. They are a dedicated group who have the knowledge and expertise to maintain and refresh the collection, to help library users find needed materials, to troubleshoot computer problems, develop a busy schedule of programming for all ages, to provide library service to the homebound, and to help instill a love of reading in the youngest users. They make the library a place that is welcoming to all. - More...
Tuesday - September 13, 2022

Support Our Library Vote NO on Proposition 2 By Kathy Flora - Leaving the library the other day, I realized trips to the library for fifty years were never simply about picking up reading material. They were about talking with the staff knowing their names, and them knowing mine. It was about running into neighbors, hearing the laughter of children’s voices during story time. Browsing the new book shelf, taking a moment to look out at the breathtaking views from our library.

The people in our community depend on our library not only for books, but also for computers, internet access, and a safe, warm, accepting, accessible space. - More...
Tuesday - September 13, 2022

The Tank (A Labor Day Story) By Rodney Dial - On a Saturday morning in August 2010, I was working at our family business Alaska Ink when I received a call that two Hoonah Police Officers had been shot. My day job was the Deputy Commander of the Troopers in SE Alaska and my responsibilities were to manage Trooper Patrol functions in SE Alaska. - More...
Sunday - September 04, 2022

Ketchikan Library Issue & Academic Goals By A. M. Johnson "Grade School is for learning reading, writing, math, not cross-dressing, breast augmentation and castrations.".... Auth unknown.

In light of the current library issue, the above statement is anticipated reflection of liberal bent education professionals (not all) for fads, trends and "Current Research" anticipated, if not already manifesting locally, or soon, to be, left unchecked. - More...
Sunday - September 04, 2022

Open Letter to Ketchikan City Council By John Harrington - O see that the Library Initiative is on your agenda. I also assume that the request for funding will pass in some form. Given that it is on the agenda it is open for some related amendments. - More...
Saturday - September 03, 2022

Open Letter to Ketchikan City Council By John Harrington - It is good to see the Borough Initiative has been addressed by the Acting City Manager, it gives me the opportunity to address the issues. - More...
Saturday - September 03, 2022

It's Time For A Change; Time For Mike Sheldon By Susie Dotson - Bert Stedman is out of sync with the times. He got into the office when we still thought oil could save us, and for a time it did. He found his place as finance committee chair, doling out the money back when we had money. Now that we're broke, he has no interest in finding a new way forward but only in finding a new source of money to continue his power. He's taking our PFDs to do it.. - More....
Sunday - August 28, 2022

Tom Heutte for Ketchikan School Board By Bridget Mattson - first met Tom Heutte the night I was appointed to fill a one year term seat on the school board in the fall of 2018. I had run and come in fourth in the October election for three open seats. The board had an immediate open seat for appointment following the election. Mr. Heutte also applied for the appointment and he was chosen to interview prior to my turn. Mr. Heutte told the board that the hundreds of voters who had chosen me should be respected and he withdrew from consideration to allow for my immediate appointment. - More...
Sunday - August 28, 2022

In defiance against the Binding Caucus; My vote is for Jeremy Bynum By Susie Dotson For many years both the Alaska Senate and House of Representatives have employed the rule of a Binding Caucus on the majority caucus in both houses. Only in this last election cycle did we witness the Senate breaking away from a Binding Caucus and organizing under what they called a "Caucus of Equals" where individual senate members were allowed to "vote their conscience" regarding the final budget. - More...
Sunday - August 28, 2022

Idea for Local Use Lumber Program By Rep. Dan Ortiz - Our timber industry has been an integral part of Southeast for generations. Like many people, the timber industry directly impacted my life: I worked for the Ketchikan Pulp Mill during summers and a short stint in the late 1970s, which helped pay for my college education. - More....
Sunday - August 28, 2022

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