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CLARION P E N I N S U L A
Sunday, October 21, 2018 Kenai Peninsula, Alaska
Vol. 49, Issue 18
In the news Debris slide closes road into Denali National Park ANCHORAGE — A debris slide has closed the road into Denali National Park. The National Park Service says debris fell onto the road at Mile 38, the same location as a 2013 slide. The park service closed the road to vehicles, pedestrians and bicycles at Igloo Campground at Mile 34. The agency says visitors may drive personal vehicles as far as the Teklanika rest area at Mile 30 and bike or walk to Igloo Campground.
Grand jury indicts ivory dealer on smuggling charges ANCHORAGE (AP) — A federal grand jury has indicted a 67-year-old Alaska man on charges of smuggling ivory. James Terrence Williams, who does business in Skagway as Inside Passage Arts, faces 10 counts of smuggling goods into and out of the country, violating the Lacey Act and falsely labeling goods. Williams could not be reached Friday at the number listed for his business. Online court documents do not list his attorney. Federal prosecutors say Williams in October 2014 and March 2016 exported raw, unworked, walrus ivory tusks from Alaska to Indonesia for carving. Prosecutors say he smuggled carved ivory back to the United States, disguised the transactions by falsifying records and sold illegally imported carved ivory pieces. The maximum sentence on the charges is 10 years in prison and fines of $250,000.
Food bank receives 120,000-pound donation ANCHORAGE — The Food Bank of Alaska is replenishing its pantry with a 120,000-pound donation. KTVA reports ConocoPhillips employees made the donation as part of United Way’s yearly Day of Caring food drive. Food bank CEO Jim Baldwin says his organization is “a bit leaner” as it comes off summer months. He says the donation means the food bank is better prepared for colder weather and the holiday season. The food bank says food insecurity is a problem in the state.
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Walker withdraws from race By JAMES BROOKS Juneau Empire
Gov. Bill Walker abandoned his bid for re-election on Friday. In an announcement at the Alaska Federation of Natives conference in Anchorage, the incumbent independent said he is suspending his election campaign and is throwing his support behind Democratic candidate Mark Begich. Walker is not resigning; he will complete his term in office. “As of today I am suspending my campaign,” he said after taking the stage. The proclamation drew gasps and cries from the audience. It comes days after the resignation of Lt. Gov. Byron Mallott under uncertain circumstances. Mallott withdrew from the election on Tuesday, the same day he resigned, leaving the Walker-Mallott campaign in limbo. “In the time remaining, it has become clear we cannot win a three-way race,” Walker said. The deadline for withdrawing from the general election ballot has already passed; the Alaska Gov. Bill Walker announces he will drop his re-election bid while addressing the Alaska Federation of Natives conference names of Walker and Mallott Friday in Anchorage. Walker’s re-election plans were dealt a blow earlier in the week after his running mate, Lt. Gov. Byron MalSee WALKER, page A2 lott, resigned after making an inappropriate overture toward a woman. (AP Photo/Mark Thiessen)
City of Kenai takes stand Kenai asks state for against Ballot Measure 1 fishery economic disaster declaration
By VICTORIA PETERSEN Peninsula Clarion
The Kenai City Council voted to oppose Alaska Ballot Measure 1 at Wednesday’s meeting. All members of the council besides council member Bob Molloy voted in favor of a resolution that would formally oppose the Stand for Salmon initiative. The resolution was presented to the council because of uncertainty regarding city projects if it were to pass. “While Ballot Measure 1, an act providing for the protection of wild salmon and fish and wildlife habitat is intended to strengthen protection for salmon and other fish and wildlife habitat, it’s potential impact on projects affecting the city are unclear and disputed by proponents and opponents of the initiative,” the resolution said. The resolution comes just three weeks after the city of Soldotna failed a resolution to oppose Alaska Ballot Measure
By VICTORIA PETERSEN Peninsula Clarion
A sign opposing the Stand for Salmon ballot initiative is photographed on Sept. 25 in Kenai. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/ Peninsula Clarion)
1.
The Kenai Bluff Stabilization Project is the city’s number one capital priority. The council believes Alaska Ballot Measure 1 could negatively impact or delay the stabilization project, city road improvements, a Liquefied Natural Gas pipeline with a terminus in Nikiski and continued work at the Kenai
Municipal Airport. There was nearly an hour of public comment from community members both supporting and opposing the resolution. Clark Whitney Jr., an English teacher at Skyview Middle School, has lived in on the central peninsula for 44 years. He told the council he was speakSee STAND, page A2
Wednesday night, the Kenai City Council unanimously voted to request that Gov. Bill Walker declare an economic disaster for the upper Cook Inlet fisheries region and support a recovery plan. Clam Gulch resident David Martin spoke in support of the resolution. He’s the president of the United Cook Inlet Drift Association. “I appreciate the city council bringing this resolution forward and I hope it’s unanimously supported,” Martin said. “I’ve fished here 47 years and this is probably the worst season I’ve seen. We need a little economic help from the state to carry the people through.” Council member Bob Molloy, who co-sponsored the resolution, said a potential recovery plan could take many forms. “The state could commit resources to assist permit holders who participate in the Commercial Fishing Revolving Loan Pro-
gram to avoid default, and who may be unable to meet payment terms who may not be able to pay because of the poor season,” Molloy said. Vice Mayor Tim Navarre noted that offering relief to the fishing families here will encourage them to stay here and continue their work. “If they are given some leeway they will stay in the fishery and work,” Navarre said. “That’s really what it’s all about. This isn’t a welfare program. There’s some real relief here and opportunity for people to benefit from it and continue with their livelihood.” Mayor Brian Gabriel excused himself from the vote, at the advice of city attorney Scott Bloom, who said it could be a potential conflict of interest since Gabriel is a commercial set-netter and could potentially benefit from the passing of the resolution. A copy of the adopted resolution will be sent to Gov. Walker, Sen. Peter Micciche, Rep. Gary Knopp and Kenai Peninsula Borough Mayor Charlie Pierce.
—Associated Press
Today’s Clarion Showers 52/40 More weather on page A-8
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Inside .‘ ..If Russia’s doing it and if China’s doing it, and we’re adhering to the agreement, that’s unacceptable...’
Henu’ court honors 1st graduates By VICTORIA PETERSEN Peninsula Clarion
The Kenaitze Indian Tribe Henu’ Community Wellness Court celebrated the program’s first graduates Friday afternoon at the Tyotkas Elder Center. The Henu’ Community ... See World A5 Wellness Court is a joint-jurisdiction therapeutic court, operated by the Kenaitze Indian Check us out online at www.peninsulaclarion.com Tribe and the State of Alaska Court System. The court serves To subscribe, call 283-3584. offenders who face legal trouble stemming from substance use. Kenaitze Tribal Court Chief Judge Susan Wells says the program is about transforming
lives. “When we talk about transforming lives, that’s really what it is,” Wells said. “Most people that come into the program really want to sober up and be clean.” The program’s first graduates, Dale Vaughn and Eli Darien, were awarded many celebratory tokens, including a piece of Dentalia, which Wells said was historically used as money in the area and shows the participants they have value. Graduates also received Chaga tea, a spruce hen feather and an Dale Vaughn, one of the first graduates of the Kenaitze Indian agate rock, which all hold im- Tribe’s Henu’ Community Wellness Court program, attends his graduation on Friday in Kenai. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/ portant cultural significance. See HENU’, page A2 Peninsula Clarion)