THE SKAGWAY NEWS
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March 13, 2020
THE SKAGWAY NEWS. $1.50
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March 13, 2020
Experiencing Buckwheat Reporter shares her first Buckwheat ski race and learned to howl. PAGE 8
Basketball
Librarian closes a chapter
Recapping Panthers basketball at regional tournament. PAGE 9
Julene Brown makes plans for life after retirement. PAGE 5
A standing room only crowd fills the assembly chambers at the March 11 special meeting. The Assembly shared strategies being developed to prepare for the potential impact of the COVID-19 pandemic including a new impact mitigation task force designed to access the needs of Skagway residents and businesses.Photo by Melinda Munson
COVID-19 pandemic impacts Alaska, Skagway By Melinda Munson The U.S. Department of State’s March 8 recommendation that all U.S. citizens avoid cruise ships in response to the COVID-19 pandemic was unwelcome news for Skagway, a port destination which relies on summer tourism. According to Mayor Andrew Cremata, 95% of Skagway’s economy is tied to the cruise industry. “We could very well lose ships for a period of time,” Cremata said. Cremata stressed that while the situation is fluid, there is no need for alarm. “Whatever comes across the desk, we are going to deal with it and be calm about it,” he said.
On March 10, the Anchorage Daily News (ADN) reported that no cancellation of cruises to Alaska have been announced, information attributed to Mike Tribbles from Cruise Lines International Association. In fact, Alaska is scheduled for additional sailings as ships leave Asia earlier than normal because of COVID-19. However, the next day, Southwest Airlines chief executive Gary Kelly described the drop in air travel as “breathtaking” in an ADN article. Greg Clem, tour operator of Klondike Tours Inc. in Skagway, is optimistic. “I’m hoping for a good season this year,” Clem said.
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“We’re just going to be a little more careful...We’re going to do extra sanitizing of buses every morning and between tours.” The tour company will also stock hand sanitizer at all buses and sales locations. Mike Healy, owner of Skagway Brewing Co. which
expanded last year, is more worried. “We are very concerned. We’re going through various contingency plans based on various levels of cancellations.” With an uncertain summer season ahead, Healy recently postponed a kitchen
In December 2018, while in Washington, D.C., Skagway Mayor Monica Carlson and her mother, Cora Lousie Adams, were fatally struck by a tour bus making a turn. The driver of the bus, Gerard James, 46, was sentenced March 9 to four years in prison. Superior Court Judge Danya Dayson suspended all but 6 months citing James’ remorse.
The Washington Post reports authorities viewed bus video of James reaching for a cell phone during the accident. His attorney argued that James was silencing the phone rather than answering it. The Skagway News made attmepts, but was unable to reach Carlson’s family members before press time.
addition on his restaurant’s first floor. “Immediately, we are tightening our belt,” he said. Besides struggling with the possible economic repercussions of COVID-19, Skagway must also plan for potential See COVID-19 page 5
Bus driver sentenced for mayor’s death
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Former Skagway Mayor Monica Carlson and her husband, Bob Carlson. (Skagway News file photo)
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March 13, 2020
Letters to the editor
The Skagway News.
Skagway’s First Newspaper
Christened in 1897, buried alive in 1904, and resurrected in 1978, The Skagway News is currently celebrating 43 years of reporting in Skagway and Dyea, Alaska, recording our Centennial years and beyond.
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AD DEADLINE: Sun. Mar. 22 Please email sales@Skagwaynews.com All Ads and Classifieds By Sun. Mar. 22, 2020 COPY. LETTERS, CALENDAR DEADLINE: Mon. Mar. 23 Please email editor@skagwaynews.com All News Copy, Letters and Calendar Events By Mon. Mar. 23, 2020 Vol. XLIII, No. 3 (874) March 13, 2020 Published biweekly Phone: (907) 983-2354 www.skagwaynews.com editor@skagwaynews.com sales@skagwaynews.com Publishers Larry Persily Melinda Munson Gretchen Wehmhoff Accounts, Ads & Layout Katie Kollasch
Skagway’s State Court system office ready to help local citizens
I want to remind Skagway that the state court system maintains a part-time office in town. Until 2017, a full-time magistrate was stationed in Skagway, but the office closed when the magistrate left that year and the work was transferred to the court in Haines. The Skagway office reopened in 2018 with a part-time clerk of court. Since taking the position as court clerk, I have repeatedly heard from folks that they didn’t know the office had reopened. I’d like to explain what we do and the services we can provide. Skagway District Court is housed on Seventh Avenue and Spring Street in the McCabe Building across from the borough assembly chambers. The court is typically open 10 hours per week: noon to 5 p.m. on Tuesdays and 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Thursdays. Outside of these hours, if you have court business that cannot wait, call the Haines office that is open 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 8 a.m. to noon Fridays. Much of the court’s work is done telephonically with a regional magistrate. Otherwise, a judge travels into town if a trial is scheduled. We do not currently have a resident magistrate in Skagway. The Skagway court office can handle a lot of matters, including issue marriage licenses, accept small claims court filings, process civil protective orders
Contributing Writers Jeff Brady Andrew Cremata Aly DeAngelus Larry Persily Circulation Assistants Chris Kuhn, Danielle Authier
Editor Emeritus William J. “Jeff” Brady
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THE SKAGWAY NEWS
Mike Haffner dies at 54
Michael Andrew Haffner, born Jan. 11, 1966, was called home, suddenly and unexpectedly, on Feb. 18, 2020, at his home in Dyea. Michael was the third child born to Ben and Betsy Haffner of Juneau. Michael, known to many as Mike or Mikey, lived most of his life in Juneau, but moved to Skagway in September
(commonly referred to as a restraining order), and process eviction requests. The Superior Court in Juneau handles cases such as felonies, probate and name changes. If you have questions, the Skagway court can help with answers. In addition, you can go to the state court system’s website www.courts.alaska.gov. There you can search through the forms section for directions and required paperwork. The self-help tab offers insight about estates, traffic cases, domestic violence and how to represent yourself, among other helpful starters.
And always remember that if you are in danger, our police department and 911 are available. There are also other agencies in our state that can help, such as Battering Intervention Programs and AWARE. If you would like more information, please stop by the court during office hours to talk with the clerk or look through the handouts available on the table in the lobby outside the assembly chambers. Jan Marie Tronrud Clerk of Court, Skagway District
Mike Haffner — “Big Mike” in Dyea to distinguish him from all the other Mikes — was as good a neighbor as anyone could want, and his passing leaves a void in our small, tight-knit community that everyone feels. Honest, forthright, easygoing and good-humored, he was unfailingly generous with his time, his experience and his equipment — not to mention fresh produce from his garden — and was always ready to help his neighbors whenever they needed it and in whatever way. He didn’t do routine mechanical work for us, but often did emergency repairs when needed and never charged more than $20 an hour — same rate as a private mechanic — as compared to his
Alaska Department of Transportation salary. DOT has the trouble now of finding an equal replacement there. A good family man with his parents and siblings, known for good deeds to many people beyond Dyea. A local wag put it, if there was a heaven, Big Mike is surely there. He came to my 80th birthday party — the only non-Eagle who did — and I was able to enjoy a last conversation that still showed his good humor. Although he couldn’t see the world clearly, he was still able to laugh. And that’s what I’ll remember. A good man. We were all privileged to have had his acquaintance.
‘Big Mike’ Haffner was a good neighbor
Obituary
2008 when he took a job with the Alaska Department of Transportation. He fell in love with Dyea and worked hard toward buying a house and property. Mike enjoyed being a mechanic and was a bit of a “jack of all trades.” There wasn’t anything he could not do or fix. During his first year in Skagway, he helped many people with their vehicles and house projects. He could do it all: electrical, plumbing, carpentry, anything. He was an avid collector of cars and trucks, and a variety of other things. If someone needed a part to an old vehicle, Mike was the one to ask. He loved riding his snowmachine and took more than a few of his guests on an unexpected four-wheeler ride along the back roads and river in Dyea. He recently discovered he enjoyed garden-
ing and he, along with several others, put in a large garden at his place in Dyea. Michael is survived by his children, Christopher Spillman, Samantha Jo (Jo) Haffner (Will Fischer), Michael Andrew (Andy) Haffner, and their mother Tari Haffner. He is also survived by his sisters, Lisa Haffner-Ritter (Ray), Heather Olson (Kevin), and his brother Matthew Haffner (Bonny). Others he leaves behind include his unofficial foster kids Shonda, Jason, Gene and De; best friend Michele Kirk; close friends Skip Stoddard and Jeannie Etue; and many more people, including extended family, too numerous to list. He was preceded in death by his mother and father, Ben and Betsy Haffner, and his brother Mark Haffner. Michael was a kindhearted soul with a great deal of com-
Scott Home, Skagway passion for others. He was generous with his time and never failed to help someone if he could. He lived by the motto of treating others right and believed in doing what he thought was the right thing, no matter what. Mike had big dreams and those dreams were starting to become reality for him. A memorial service is tentatively planned for mid-April. Details will be posted to the Skagway Swap facebook page as the family figures them out. His ashes will be spread in a few of his favorite places by his children in July. In lieu of donations or flowers, his children would love to hear your favorite memories of Michael. You can email stories to m.haffner.family@ gmail.com or through snail mail to Haffner Family 2809 Peters Lane, Juneau, AK 99801.
THE SKAGWAY NEWS
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March 13, 2020
Ferry service resumes; Legislature looks at more funding
By Larry Persily
The Alaska Marine Highway System isn’t nearly back to where it was a year ago, but at least service has resumed to some Southeast communities and the Legislature looks likely to restore a slice of last year’s severe funding cut instigated by Gov. Mike Dunleavy. It’s unknown, however, how much the additional funding for vessel repairs and operations might add sailings to coastal communities. The Alaska Department of Transportation has not released any specific plans for how the extra money could improve service. Skagway and Haines went without any ferry service for seven weeks from mid-January when the Matanuska broke down until the Tazlina came out of winter maintenance and called on the Lynn Canal communities March 6. The state was unable to substitute another ferry for the Matanuska because all of the fleet was either in winter layup, out for repairs or held out of service to save money. The lack of any ferry runs in Southeast created hardships for school travel, timber and fisheries and retail
CORRECTIONS
The Feb. 7 edition of The Skagway News incorrectly reported that state highway crews cleared Broadway Street of snow on Jan. 27. Borough crews did the work. The Feb. 7 edition of The Skagway News inadvertently left out the last two lines of the Skagway School men’s basketball team January game results: Jan. 20-21: at Hydaburg 46, Skagway 37; Hydaburg defeated Skagway. Jan. 22-23: Skagway 41, at Klawock 35; Klawock 50, Skagway 47. The Feb. 7 Skagway News misidentified William Lockette as William Lockhead in a story on the community’s 2030 comprehensive plan.
Colette Hisman makes a strong and loud pitch for support for the state ferry system in a community rally Feb. 15 at Skagway City Hall. Save Our State (SOS), a statewide group working on transportation issues, coordinated rallies in several cities across Alaska. (Photo by Aly De Angelus)
businesses, medical-related travel, even sewage pumping in Gustavus and Pelican as the service truck from Juneau couldn’t make the trip to empty out septic tanks. Responding to complaints from small communities cut off from any service, the state Department of Transportation contracted with Allen Marine to run a passenger boat — no freight — between Juneau, Angoon, Tenakee and Kake on Feb. 29 and March 3. Bringing the Tazlina back to work restored service to Angoon and also Hoonah, and the ferry will pull into Skagway twice a week in March and four times a week in April. The Columbia’s first stop in Skagway is scheduled for April 25, as the system BILL JOINER, P.E., DEE
Water & Wastewater Systems Computer Modeling . Arctic Engineering Inspection . Municipal Works
JOINER ENGINEERING Civil and Environmental Engineering PO Box 295, Skagway, AK 99840 Phone: (907)314-3242 Email: bjoiner@gci.net
builds up to the start of its summer schedule, followed by the LeConte in town on May 17 and the Matanuska on June 10 — assuming it is repaired by then. After spending six weeks tied to the dock in Juneau, the Matanuska departed on March 6 for Ketchikan and the Vigor Shipyard, where the ferry had undergone a two-year, $47 million overhaul, including new engines. Not even three months after returning to service in November, the reduction gear system in one of the engines broke down in January. Looking past the winter-spring scheduling problems, the Alaska Marine Highway System released its summer schedule on March
2, covering May 1 through Sept. 30. Skagway is scheduled for three or four ferries a week under the new timetable, with fewer connections to Haines than in past years. And while coastal residents and businesses welcomed the resumption of service, even if it’s only one ship in March, lawmakers in the state capital are working to put together a budget for the fiscal year that starts July 1. The Legislature is also trying to fill the major gaps in the current year’s appropriations, created in large part by the governor’s aggressive budget-cutting vetoes last year. The House on Feb. 26 approved $299 million in state money to fill gaps in this year’s spending plan that ends June 30. It would be the largest supplemental budget in state history, with much of the money going to cover Medicaid services shortchanged by the vetoes. The state expects it will run out of money before the end of the month to pay health care providers unless it gets supplemental funding. The supplemental budget, which is awaiting action in
the Senate, also includes $5 million for ferry overhaul work and $7 million for ferry system operations and other expenses, including $250,000 for the Alaska Marine Highway Reshaping Group, which Dunleavy created in January and filled the seats in February. He has directed the group to report back by Sept. 30 with recommendations to restructure the ferry system, focusing “on the future finances and service levels.” No one from Skagway was named to the working group. Retired Coast Guard Admiral Tom Barrett, of Anchorage, will chair the group of seven public members and two legislators: Sen. Bert Stedman, of Sitka, and Rep. Louise Stutes, of Kodiak. If approved by the LegisSee FERRIES page 3
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March 13, 2020
THE SKAGWAY NEWS
State House restores funding for Ocean Rangers
By Larry Persily
Though Gov. Mike Dunleavy succeeded last year in stopping the Ocean Rangers program that put nearly two dozen marine engineers aboard cruise ships to monitor for pollution, legislators this year are working toward restoring the onboard observers. The House on March 3 passed an operating budget for the fiscal year that starts July 1 which includes about $3.4 million for Ocean Rangers. The money comes from the state tax on cruise ship passengers — the tax did not stop even though the governor last year vetoed spending the money. The pollution-monitor program was part of a citizens initiative approved by voters in 2006. This year’s budget with the appropriation restored is awaiting action in the Senate and could face a gubernatorial veto again this year.
In addition to fighting to restore the funding, supporters of the Ocean Rangers are battling against the Dunleavy administration’s effort to change the program in state law, turning it from mandatory onboard observers to annual inspections at the start of the summer cruise season, with random and targeted inspections during the season. Though the administration’s original legislative proposal last year was to repeal the program in its entirety in state statute, the Department of Environmental Conservation in February rolled out a revised bill, saying it “enhances the department’s existing cruise ship program rather than simply repealing the Ocean Ranger statutes.” In addition to ending mandatory onboard pollution monitors and relying on start-of-season and targeted inspections, the “enhancements” include directing about half of the tax receipts to a grant or loan program
to help fund onshore wastewater treatment facilities in cruise ship ports of call. The state would develop the program next year and could request legislative approval to start making loans or grants in 2022, according to a Department of Environmental Conservation analysis of the bill. The Skagway borough assembly, Ketchikan city council and others have gone on record in support of fully restoring the Ocean Rangers. The new version of the governor’s legislation, House Bill 74, was heard last month in the House State Affairs Committee, with no further committee action since then and two more committees after State Affairs. No Senate committee has yet held a hearing on the legislation (Senate Bill 70). Juneau Rep. Sara Hannan,
who also represents Skagway, does not support the administration’s attempt to change the program from season-long onboard monitors to spot checks. “I don’t think we are inclined to take the view of the department for how to best monitor” cruise ships, Hannan said Monday. Hannan sits on the House Resources Committee, where the governor’s bill would go next if it makes it out of House State Affairs. Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Jason Brune last summer said the Ocean Rangers program was unnecessary and burdensome to the cruise ship industry. The state-administered program put Coast Guard-certified marine engineers or other trained personnel aboard the ships in Alaska waters to monitor for com-
pliance with state and federal marine discharge and pollution rules. The onboard monitors were observers, not inspectors, the department told the House Resources Committee on Feb. 4. The observers did not find that many violations, the department said, an indication that the money could be used more effectively elsewhere, such as to improve community wastewater plants. The administration’s legislation also would change the tax structure for the 2021 cruise season, with large ships paying roughly the same as they do now in a combination of the Ocean Rangers and environmental compliance fees — $5 per berth — but with a $1 discount for any ship that maintains a state-approved electronic wastewater monitoring system.
said whether he would accept the $18 million House increase or veto the additional money if it gets through the Senate. The Legislature faces a
constitutional adjournment deadline of May 20, though lawmakers or the governor could call a special session if they are unable to reach a budget deal by the deadline.
FERRIES: legislators propose AMHS funding
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lature, the $250,000 working group budget would be the governor’s second quarter-million-dollar “reshaping” quest to cut state funding for the ferry system. The new work group would follow on last year’s $250,000 state contract with Anchorage-based Northern Economics, which was asked to look at “options available for reshaping” the ferry system, including whether a private operator could take it over and save the state the expense. The report determined that privatizing the system is not economically feasible — service to all the coastal communities isn’t self-sufficient, regardless who owns it. For the state fiscal year that starts July 1, the House on March 3 approved a state operating budget that adds about $18 million to the governor’s request for the ferries, bringing the Alaska Marine Highway System operating budget to $119 million — still far back from the fiscal 2019 spending plan of $140 million. The budget bill is in the Senate, awaiting its consideration. The governor has not
Fable Wallace sports a hula hoop and a sign during the Skagway S.O.S rally on Feb. 15. (Photo by Aly De Angelus)
THE SKAGWAY NEWS
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March 13, 2020
Assembly votes to form Impact Mitigation Task Force By Melinda Munson When Tim Cochran took his turn at the microphone at Wednesday’s special assembly meeting to address COVID-19, he pointed out that Skagwegians weren’t following protocol. “They’re saying we’re not supposed to be doing this,” he joked to the large crowd sitting and standing close to one another. Residents had a chance to comment on the potential threat of COVID-19. Ginny Cochran, otherwise known as Grandma Ginny, told the assembly she didn’t think the senior center should be closed. John Tronrud reminded the room that Skagway was a community, not just a cruise port. “It’s been a busy couple of weeks,” Cremata commented. Earlier in the day, the assembly participated in virtual conferences with The White House then Governor Dunleavy. Cremata admitted that while he wasn’t a medical professional, having only dressed up like a doctor once for Halloween, his main goal was for community members
to avoid COVID-19 by following Centers for Disease Control Guidelines. His second goal was for any infections to be quickly contained so medical facilities didn’t become overwhelmed and lose the ability to serve patients. The assembly voted unanimously to form an Impact Mitigation Task Force responsible for understanding the community’s needs and concerns. Those named to the task force: Jan Wrentmore (food and beverage), Johanna Evans (tourism), Chelsey Stone (accomodations), Josh Coughran (school) and Carol Bourcy (retail). From information presented in the day’s virtual meetings, Cremata understood officials expected cases to decrease within four to six weeks. “If those statistics are true, we can salvage at least some part of our tourist season,” Cremata said. Business owners are encouraged to keep records of any lost income due to COVID-19 as future state and federal relief is expected. “We’re all dealing with a lot of uncertainty,” said Assembly member Dustin Stone. In
the process of buying a local business, Stone is already feeling the economic effects of the pandemic. “I know this town is going to come together and we’ll figure out how to
make this work for us.” Cremata noted that Skagway’s rainy day fund is secure. “We’re financially solvent. We’ll be able to gather up the
trash before the bears get it,” he said. Cremata had a message for cruise ships. “We support you. We have expectations of you... We do want to welcome you.”
from FRONT page
before the first cruise ships arrive, to help coordinate prevention and response. According to Estelita Fielding, executive director of the Dahl Memorial Clinic, the health center is screening everyone who calls or visits. Patients will be asked if they or anyone they’ve spent time with has been to a high-risk (Level 3) country, had contact with a person known to have COVID-19, or if they have respiratory illness or fever. Fielding reiterated that anyone exhibiting symptoms should not visit the clinic. Instead, they should call and speak with a Dahl health provider. “Follow CDC recommendations in terms of washing your hands thoroughly,” Fielding said. “Take precautions. Don’t
panic...It is a virus. We’ve had viruses go through town.” Fielding suggests Skagwegians visit https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/about/index.html for more information on COVID-19 and a handwashing tutorial. “I’m extremely satisfied with our level of preparedness,” Cremata said. However, he is not happy with the response he has received from the cruise industry. Other than contact from a few companies, he described their reaction as “non-communicative.” “I want to know what the cruise ships protocols are,” Cremata said. Cremata summed up the situation in a sentence. “Let’s hope for the best and prepare for the worst,” he said.
Skagway prepares for COVID-19
health impacts. With no confirmed cases of the virus in Alaska, the municipality has already implemented protocols to deal with any potential infections. The Dahl Memorial Clinic contains a negative pressure room, used to isolate a patient suspected to have a serious contagious disease. The clinic is stocked with COVID-19 test kits which must be sent to Juneau or Anchorage to be processed. Processing times vary and tests can only be sent out in good weather. The former fire station has two rooms to accommodate affected individuals whose living conditions do not allow them to self-isolate. The Coast Guard has scheduled a visit mid-April,
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March 13, 2020
THE SKAGWAY NEWS
Skagway’s Readers Theatre performs “History Project” during a preliminary round at the state drama, debate and forensics tournament Feb. 14 in Juneau. The team made the finals and finished fifth in this event. From left are Callia Fielding, Tessa Murphy, Sadie Murphy, Loren Garduque and Maisha Rahman. (Photo by Jeff Brady)
Alaska Department of Transportation & Public Facilities Southcoast Region PUBLIC NOTICE: SEASONAL VEHICLE WEIGHT RESTRICTIONS Issue Date: March 13, 2020
This notice is to remind the public and the trucking industry that seasonal weight/load restrictions will be imposed soon by the Department on its highway system for all vehicles over 10,000# GVW. These annual weight restrictions are intended to reduce roadway damage caused by heavy vehicles traveling on highways weakened during spring thawing conditions. The weight restrictions are stated as a percentage of legal allowable weight and shall be applied to the maximum axle loading in accordance with 17 AAC 25.013(e). These annual restrictions are very dependent upon weather, local soil conditions, and frost depth, but usually occur between late February and May each year for Southeast Alaska, Kodiak Island, and the Alaska Peninsula. Since these limitations may reduce the allowable gross vehicle weight by as much as 50%, it would be advisable to transport as much freight as possible prior to the above dates. All State routes may be subject to seasonal weight restrictions. When imposed, or modified, these restrictions will be posted on the DOT&PF Division of Measurement Standards and Commercial Vehicle Enforcement webpage. This can be found at: http://www.dot.state.ak.us/mscve/main.cfm
• Under Commercial Vehicle tab at the top of the page, click Weight Restrictions. • Choose the latest Southcoast Region listing to view the current version of our posted seasonal weight restriction notices. The Department of Public Safety and MSCVE officers will be enforcing these restrictions. Issued by: Marcus Zimmerman, Maintenance & Operations Specialist Email: marcus.zimmerman@alaska.gov Phone: (907) 465-4655 Fax: (907) 465-2021 If you or someone you represent requires special accommodations in order to respond to this public notice, please call or email the project coordinator listed above, or call Alaska Relay at 711, or call (800) 770-8973 for TTY
(800) 770-8255 for voice
(800) 770-3919 for ASCII
(866) 355-6198 for STS
Ask the communications assistant to call the project coordinator listed above so arrangements can be made to assist you. Print SKGN March 13, 2020
Skagway drama, debate team goes with relevance over funny By Aly De Angelus
Juneau’s Thunder Mountain High School hosted 23 teams for the state drama, debate and forensics (DDF) championship Feb. 13-15, with Skagway taking home second place in duo interpretation of literature, third place in forensics, fifth place in readers’ theatre, and eighth place in informative speaking. Sadie Murphy and Loren Garduque performed a piece on rape, the most controversial performance in the duo interpretation of literature category. Skagway’s performance beat the winning team with one of the three judges and lost closely with the other two judges to finish in second. “In the duo finals all of them were funny except for Skagway’s,” said DDF Coach Kent Fielding. “Most students like to do light pieces
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because there is less emotional investment to the characters, but Skagway tends to do things that have relevance in the world.” Murphy and Garduque cut and compiled poems from Rupi Kaur’s “Milk and Honey” to create a 10-minute script on the various types of rape, particularly the idea of consent. “It makes you feel uncomfortable when you watch it and it’s supposed to be uncomfortable,” Fielding said. Skagway’s submission for readers’ theatre on nuclear proliferation was yet another thought-provoking and sensitive piece on the political and social ramifications of nuclear weapons. “We were a bit confused with how our readers’ theatre placed, but we learned later the social commentary and controversy of the piece wasn’t appreciated by most of the judges in the final round; but that’s just how Skagway DDF does it,” said first-year member Maisha Rahman. All five members this year are female for the first time in school history and Rahman said the team is extremely close. Between trips for DDF meets, laughing too hard at practice and serious feedback for each other’s pieces, Rahman said going to state with the team has been a highlight
of her foreign exchange year. “If I got the opportunity, I would definitely try to do something similar when I leave the U.S.,” she said. Fielding said he is proud of the growth in this young team — comprised of one returning student, three underclassmen and an exchange student. He believes that DDF prepares students for success at the college level. “There was an article published in the New York Times, I think it was 2012, that stated one of the things that colleges look at, before even athletic activities, is participation in the membership of national speech and debate association because schools know that students who have been in that type of activity have the ability to critically think and analyze materials,” Fielding said. And Fielding’s passion and attention to the students has not gone unnoticed. “Mr. Fielding is probably the coolest person I’ve met in Skagway, and he’s also a very cool coach — in the truest sense of the world,” Rahman said. “He lets us explore on our own with how we’re doing our pieces, adding suggestions here and there. He also loves pieces that push the envelope a bit, so DDF has been very interesting for me.”
THE SKAGWAY NEWS
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March 13, 2020
Julene Brown, the library’s leading lady, takes a bow
Skagway librarian Julene Brown will retire April 30, after 25 years. This is also the 100th anniversary of a public place for books in the community. (Photo by Aly DeAngelus)
By Aly De Angelus For 25 years, Julene Brown perfected the art of juggling administrative chores at her computer and performing the daily intricacies of a bookkeeping, advice-giving hostess to the town’s literary oasis — Skagway Library. Brown is the only full-time librarian in Skagway, a chapter that will close April 30. On the morning of Dr. Suess’ birthday, Brown sat at the computer table sharing colorful moments and personal achievements during her quarter-decade career while proctoring a city exam for a resident. She looked comfortable and at peace in the sanctuary she had created, remi-
niscing about the days when the library still operated on computers without graphics. The collection of books was in its humble beginnings back then and fiction books have since towered over the reference books, now outdated tools for tech-savvy millennials. Brown always loved reading, though she felt her literacy was lacking in high school. Once she received a degree in English, Brown planned to teach students better reading skills. However, when a librarian assistant position opened in 1992, Brown eagerly jumped at the opportunity. “I guess I found that this quiet space is better for me
than a classroom of crazy kids,” Brown said. “People come to the library because they want to be at the library, so I thought I would be more effective here.” Three years later, Brown became the library’s full-time operator and watched her two young daughters play and grow together in their second home. Her efforts to extend service hours and stay open daily, particularly for residents with hectic work schedules and poor housing situations, was an important mission during her career. “I think that libraries are great equalizers,” Brown said. “Everything’s there that anyone could want and everybody has access to it. In
that way it’s so demonstrative of what a democracy needs to be, should be.” When Brown first began working at the library, reading programs were focused on early elementary school students and only took place during the summer. Now the library holds weekly activities for all age levels and has a designated kids corner and teen room. Brown’s numerous improvements for the library include separating quiet areas from the computer tables, expanding the library’s space by applying for a capital renovation project with the state, bringing in musical performances and other local events, providing passport-acceptance services to fill a town need and more. But her favorite task of all was to help someone find the perfect book. Brown said the token trait of a librarian is service. “They need to have something when they leave,” Brown said. “They need to have something more than they came in.” Brown is leaving at age 58, a year and a half earlier than anticipated, to look after her parents and spend more time with her eight grandchildren. Though Brown is not looking for any full-time jobs, she will remain owner of You Say Tomato, a natural goods store on 21st Street and State Street.
As a third-generation Skagway resident, Brown said she is lucky to have her family close by. Her father’s volunteer work with the school board and her mother’s leadership with the church is ultimately what led her to become a community-minded individual. Post-retirement, Brown is hoping to convince her husband to get a dog and she would like to learn how to play the guitar. She also plans on paying homage to the library every once and awhile with the sole agenda to read for fun in her ideal place. Throughout the morning, Brown scanned the walls, pointing out a memory as if it were still there, visible for the human eye to see. On the rug, she saw herself squished in between a sea of children, reading the youngsters a book for storytime. She then let out a laugh thinking about a book she once had in her collection on dog obedience with the cover nearly evaporated by the bite marks of a rebel dog. It was evident that Brown existed in partnership with Skagway Library. What will she miss most? Brown’s big blue eyes turned teary-eyed, overflowing with love. “There’s a lot to miss,” she said. “I couldn’t pick just one.”
Jeremy Burnham captures spelling bee with ‘palladium’ In the seventh round, Jeremy Burnham (right) won Skagway’s annual spelling bee Feb. 21 secured the win with the word “palladium” by correctly spelling “Giza.” Runner-up Charlie Deach was asked to spell “gallium,” to which he humorously responded, “L-O-S-E-R.” JT Reddick and Lexi Silcocks (left) are focused and seeking any help they can get. The event began with a preliminary round where contestants were asked to spell their first name to practice the formality of the competition. Students ran to the podium, threw their arms up in the air after completing their word, and ran back throwing high fives on the way to their seats.
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March 13, 2020
Buckwheat ski classic – all about the Howl By Aly De Angelus I had heard about Buckwheat Donahue and briefly met him during my summer 2018 internship at The Skagway News, but nothing could have prepared me for the complete experience at the 34th annual Buckwheat International Ski Classic — not even his favorite Kaitaia hot sauce, which was a race-day delicacy imported all the way from Carl Johansen’s New Zealand friends. This year’s event March 7 was the first since Donahue died Oct. 14 at age 68. On March 4, my first day as a ski classic volunteer, I hitched a ride on the back of a snowmobile in a toboggan with our youngest volunteer Julius Thole and we floated through the evergreens in the middle of a snowstorm. It was 10 degrees below and there, in the epicenter of the aid station, I saw a tall block of snow and a man with a tape measure directing shovelers at the base of what was soon-to-be Buckwheat’s face. Buckwheat was howling, just like he used to do every year as the racers would come through the aid station for orange slices, chunks of dark chocolate and cups of water and Gatorade. Pete Lucchetti, the man holding the tape measure, was the lead snow carver. He instructed volunteers how to shape the snow sculpture’s rock wall, though I later took to shoveling when I went to chisel a rock and created a crater the size of a breakfast bowl into the back wall. Lucchetti politely pointed
out that carving wasn’t for everyone and I was the first to agree. I meandered over to the trenches to drop snow into the sled so it could be blown into the wooden frame for the front wall of the rock castle. Throughout the day I watched some of Skagway’s trailblazers transform a vacant lot of snow into a winter wonderland for 262 skiers on race day. One by one skiers would come up to talk to the snow-carved Buckwheat. Decades of Miss and Mr. Buckwheats with their jeweled crowns and sashes would rub his head and pose with larger-than life-smiles. Others would walk up pushing back tears, like it was a statue of remembrance. But nothing more truly captivated the presence of Buckwheat at the ski classic than Skagway’s “Whiskey Man” Jeremy Simmons, who was dressed in Scottish attire complete with a kilt and country hose, sprinting from one aid station to the next with a backpack of booze from various Scottish regions. Ever since he first volunteered and wore this outfit, racers have expected him to make an appearance. Many years ago, Don Corwin was one of first people roped into volunteering for the Buckwheat ski classic. He used to ski out to Lindeman and man the station there in the early days of the race when few people showed up on the course. He said Buckwheat would be proud to see his legacy live on in the trails. “My first literal description of Buckwheat would be to say that he was Skagway’s ambassador,” Corwin said. “He was a very flamboyant
Results: Knute Johnsgaard landed first place in the men’s 50K with 2:45:37, just nine seconds faster than runner-up Colin Abbott (2:45.46). For the women’s 50K, Emilie Stewart-Jones (3:31:21) beat Jane Hollenberg. All the top finishers for the 50k were from Whitehorse. 25K male racer Finn Morley (1:30:36) was the only top scorer from Juneau and had a six-minute edge against Whitehorse skier Christian Schmidt (1:36:36), who also won the Log Cabin Ski Society Member Award Drawing at the post-race banquet. The award was a pair of Atomic skis from The Mountain Shop. Sonjaa Schmidt of Whitehorse (1:36:36) skied to a 23-minute lead over second-place finisher Lois Johnston (2:00:02).
THE SKAGWAY NEWS
Whitehorse skiers Heather Johnson (No. 360) and Mike Martin (No. 414) raced in costume for the 10K (Photo by Aly De Angelus)
character. He was very gregarious and outgoing and always making friends with people wherever he went and inviting them to come here and take part in this. He was always trying to get people involved.” Like any good Buckwheat memory, Corwin’s favorite involved alcohol and questionable decision making. “Buckwheat was going to paint his house and he somehow had the brand new paint in the back of his fairly new pickup truck,” Corwin said. “He got sidetracked down there at the Red Onion and had his truck with the new paint in it. He had a whole group of people and they were all lying on the sidewalk with their mouths hanging over the edge of the curb and he was
“Whiskey Man” Jeremy Simmons offers a drink to racers at the (Photo by Aly De Angelus) aid station.
walking down the street pouring shots in their mouth from a bottle of Schnapps and it wasn’t too long after that they decided to paint his truck.” Buckwheat was “all about the howl,” as was the theme of this year’s ski classic — and the wolf pack was there at every meaty moment of the race. When you felt
There was stiff competition for the 10K male category, as Sasha Masson (31:26.0) won by a three-tenths of a second margin against Derek Deuling (31:26.3). Constance Lapointe won the female 10K at 40:48.2. Eleven and 12-year-old male 5K racers Nicolas Giangrande, Fin Bradford and Heron Land-Gillis took first, second and third with only 90 seconds between each finisher. Micah McConnell (31:51.2) took the 10-and-under male 5K win. Eleven and 12-year-old female 5K racer Minty Bradford (25:42.8) smoked the competition with an almost 15-minute lead. 5K racer Niamh Hupé (35:29.5) won the 10-and-under category. Other award winners included Carl Johansen of Terrace,
the essence of Buckwheat come over you, you howled. When you swore by a 10K and turned it into a “Tequila 10K,” you howled. When you felt happiness that couldn’t be put directly into words, you howled, and I imagine this is how Buckwheat felt every day of his life.
B.C., recipient of the John Briner Award for most inspirational skier. He brought two friends from New Zealand with five bottles of the late Buckwheat Donahue’s favorite Kaitaia hot sauce. The Des Duncan Volunteer Appreciation Award went to Andy Beierly and Si Dennis Jr., the Skagway breakfast cooks known for their big pancake platter before heading up to the Log Cabin. Eva Mandeville of Skagway was crowned Miss Buckwheat 2020. Best costume went to Amanda Mouchet of Whitehorse, who sewed together several Buckwheat International Ski Classic shirts into a full body suit. Stuart Brown was the highest bidder at the fundraising auction, taking home a handmade quilt.
THE SKAGWAY NEWS
March 13, 2020
Panther teams fall short at region tourney, nail skills contests
By Jeff Brady
The Skagway High School basketball teams ended their season in Ketchikan short of their goal of a top-two region finish and a trip to state tournament. The third seed girls had the best shot and opened strong with a big win over Thorne Bay on March 4 (see scores below), but they were knocked off in the semifinal round March 5 by a surging Kake team that eventually won the region title. The Lady Panthers then fell in a heartbreaking one-point loss to Hoonah in the consolation round on March 6. Coach Nate Jennings said the loss will sting for a while. “The tournament was not the ending we had in mind,” he said. “The last game against Hoonah was intense and came down to the wire.
We picked the wrong time for our shots to go cold. Eight points at the half was mind blowing to me, because this team is so good offensively. Ended up losing by one after a hectic and controversial final three minutes of the game.” The fifth seed Skagway men’s team dropped its opening game against Kake, but rallied with two easy wins in the consolation round over Hoonah and Gustavus on March 5. They appeared to be in good shape going up next against Klawock, a team they had beaten on the road this season, but the Chieftains were able to dominate Skagway at the tourney. Men’s coach Ross Barrett praised his young team and will have everyone back next season. “Overall, I’m happy with how much the team has improved over the course of the
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season,” Barrett said. “The outcome of the tournament didn’t happen the way we wanted it to but I am very proud of everything we accomplished this year and I’m already looking forward to next year.” Both teams had to sit on the sidelines and watch the finals Friday night and consolation final for second place on Saturday, but they were not done. Skagway racked up three of the four individual awards in the skills contests Saturday. Gavin Goebel won the 3-point shooting contest and Silas Myers won the free throw contest for the men, while Jessica Whitehead won the women’s free throw contest. Making the all-conference teams for Skagway were seniors Eliza Myers and Jessica Whitehead and junior Silas Myers. Jennings had special praise for his two seniors. “The hardest part was realizing I had just coached my last game with Eliza and Jessica being seniors,” Jennings said. “The two of them taught me so much as a coach and were great role models for the younger ones on the team. Next year is already on my mind. The six players we have returning are going to be tough to beat. I know all six of them are dedicating next year to Jessica and Eliza.” (LEFT TOP) Gavin Goebel goes up for a successful layup against three Gustavus players at the Southeast tournament in Ketchikan on March 5. (FAR LEFT) Tatum Sager pushes the ball into the lane against Hoonah in action March 6. (RIGHT TOP) Nathan Ozuzun dribbles past his Klawock defender. (LEFT) Peyton Rodig is pressured by Hoonah defenders in a Southeast tournament game March 6.
All Basketball photos by Mikah Lahrman
FINAL NET RESULTS SHS WOMEN (7-5 league, 1-2 tourney, 13-11 overall) Feb. 22-23 – Kake 47, at Skagway 41: KAK-W. Jackson 19, C. James 16, Copsey 4, D. Jackson 4, Travica 4; SGY- Sager 13, J. Whitehead 12, E. Myers 5, A. Myers 6, Z. Whitehead 5. Kake 52, Skagway 36: KAK- W. Jackson 17, C. James 14, Beer 10, Copsey 4, D. Jackson 3, Crookes 2, Travica 2; SGY- Sager 17, E. Myers 7, Hisman 5, Rodig 4, A. Myers 3. March 4-6 Region V 1A Tourney at Ketchikan - Skagway 47, Thorne Bay 26: SGY- E. Myers 13, A. Myers 11, T. Sager 9, J. Whitehead 6, Hisman 4, Rodig 4; TB- Schwab 11, Hills 6, Huestis 5, Scamahorn 2, Gunkel 2. Semifinal- Kake
56, Skagway 27 (scoring unavailable). Hoonah 26, Skagway 25: HNH- Michel 9, Morrison 9, Wilson 3, Howland 3, Moss 2; SGY- T. Sager 9, Hisman 8, E. Myers 6, A. Myers 2. SHS MEN (9-7 league, 2-2 tourney, 11-16 overall) Feb. 22-23- Kake 70, Skagway 24: KAK- Knudsen 42, Kadake 11, Ross 8, Crookes 7, del Fierro 2; SGY- S. Myers 8, Bricker 6, J. Sager 5, Goebel 3, Ozuzun 3, Lawrence 1. Kake 58, Skagway 38: KAK- Knudsen 21, Kadake 10, Ward 8, Ross 7, Crookes 7, del Fierro 5; SGY- Goebel 15, S. Myers 11, Bricker 6, Ozuzun 3, J. Sager 1.
March 4-6 Region V 1A Tourney at Ketchikan - Kake 41, Skagway 34 (Skagway led 11-10 after Q1, scoring unavailable); Skagway 59, Hoonah 25: SGY- Goebel 34, S. Myers 8, Ozuzun 7, Bricker 6, J. Sager 4; HNH- Austin 6, Ruerup 6, Cromner 5, Ross 4, Jack 4. Skagway 52, Gustavus 40: SGY- S. Myers 20, Goebel 17, Bricker 7, Ozuzun 3, J. Sager 3, Burnham 2; GUS- Wagner 15, Patrick 12, Shatswell 10, Glenn 3. Klawock 68, Skagway 30: KLA- K. Isaacs 21, Yockey 19, Yates 6, Sanchez 4, J. Isaacs 4, Sanderson 3, Dilts 3, Fairbanks 3, Guthrie 3, Hoppe 2; SGY- Goebel 15, S. Myers 12, Bricker 3.
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Skagway’s robotics team wins Motivate Award at state By Larry Persily
Skagway’s Prickles FIRST Tech Challenge robotics team was so motivated to compete in their first state tournament that they drove almost 1,600 miles round trip to Palmer, persevering over the lack of any state ferry service and the weather uncertainty of flying. And then they won the tourney’s Motivate Award, but not for enduring the long drive for the Feb. 7-8 competition. “This judged award celebrates the team that represents the essence of the FIRST Tech Challenge competition through team building, team spirit and displayed enthusiasm,” says the program’s website. “We were really good at telling the community what FIRST Tech Challenge (FTC) is and expanding the program,” said team member Adalia Deach, back home in Skagway. It was the team’s rookie year. It had been about a decade since Skagway had an FTC team. But then several students who had aged out of the FIRST LEGO League (FLL) decided they wanted to get back into the learning competition. “Little did we know that we would make it to state,” team member Chloe Miller
Celebrating with their Motivate Award at the state meet in Palmer are team members (front row, from left) Callia Fielding and Adalia Deach, and (back row, from left) Coach Andy Miller, Charles Deach, Conner Lawrence, Calvin Miller, Chloe Miller and Coach Mindy Miller. (Photo courtesy Kenzie Worrell)
said after the Prickles placed second in the Southeast qualifiers in December. The team includes half a dozen students in seventh grade through high school. The team had trouble at the Southeast competition with the gripper arm on its robot. It could push but not lift and stack the half-foot-long plastic pieces that looked like LEGO blocks. Though they kept working on the mechanical system before heading to Palmer, and eventually made some progress, “it was pretty hard” to get the arm working well, said team member Calvin Miller. The problem was
Skagway’s Prickles FIRST Tech Challenge robotics team replaces the brain in their robot with help from Juneau coach/judge Kerry Lear (right). Prickles members at the work table were (left) Conner Lawrence and (backs to the camera, from left) Chloe Miller and coach Andy Miller. The state competition was Feb. 7-8 in Palmer. (Photo courtesy Andy and Mindy Miller)
in the pulley system, Chloe explained. The team was tested again when the robot’s “brain” stopped working in Palmer, Chloe said. “We don’t know why.” The Colony High School team from Palmer loaned a spare brain to the Prickles. A robot for the FTC competition cannot be larger than 18 inches by 18 inches by 18 inches, constructed of wood, metal, plastic — “any material you want to use,” said Andy Miller, who coaches the Prickles with his wife, Mindy. In addition to Adalia, Calvin and Chloe, the team includes Conner Lawrence, Charles Deach and Callia Fielding. The Prickles is run independently from the Skagway School and raised money for its travel to state. FTC is a worldwide program, almost 20 years old. Taking the Motivate Award seriously, team members plan to work on their robot skills over the summer, Adalia said. They also plan to start fundraising for next year’s travel expenses “and more parts for the robot,” coach Andy Miller said.
March 13, 2020
THE SKAGWAY NEWS
Athletic Events Sign-up open for Duff’s marathon, half marathon
Registration is open for the 2020 Duff’s Skagway Marathon and Half Marathon, scheduled for June 13 — with some changes in the annual event. The start/finish line is moving to Seven Pastures, just past the Skagway River bridge. “Due to these changes, we will not be a Boston Marathon qualifier for the 2020 race. We expect to be a qualifier again in the future after we have received feedback about the new route from racers,” Duff’s organizers said. “The race has seen substantial growth every year and we expect to see over 200 registrants for this year’s event,” the organizers said. “With our new start/finish location, we expect a more festive atmosphere as Seven Pastures has facilities to handle larger crowds.” Registration is available at http://www.skagwaymarathon.org/registration The Duff’s Skagway Marathon and Half-Marathon started in 2011 as a partnership between Skagway Convention & Visitor Bureau and Duff’s Backcountry Outfitters. The 2020 race will continue with three categories: a full marathon, a running half marathon and a walking half marathon. Registration is $45 online only and open through June 9. Late registration is $55 and is in person only from 4 to 7 p.m. June 12 at the AB Hall. Online registrants will have an option to donate $5 toward a new timing system for the event. “A modern timing system will enable instant and accurate timing results and require less volunteers to track timing,” organizers said. Bib packet pickup will be 4 to 7 p.m. June 12 at the AB Hall. “There is no race day bib pickup and we do not mail bibs. Racers who have not picked up their bib at bib pickup June 12 will be considered a no-show.” Volunteers are needed for the event and will receive a race shirt and free lunch. To volunteer, email Skagway. marathon@gmail.com. To ask about helping to sponsor the event, send an email or call Cody Jennings at 983-2854.
Sign-up opens March 16 for Kluane bike relay
Registration for the 27th annual Kluane Chilkat International Bike Relay opens at 12:01 a.m. Monday, March 16, and organizers said they expect the 1,200 rider slots “will fill quickly again this year.” The event is set for June 20, over the 148.1-mile (238-kilometer) course from Haines Junction in the Yukon Territory to Haines. There are solo-rider and team categories for men, women and mixed teams, with two, four or eight riders per team. “This international event has filled up in just a few days over the past few years,” the organizers said. “Along with the 1,200-rider cap, there is a limit of 95 teams in the eight-person category.” Solo riders have until April 10 to register. Rules, start times and other logistical information for the event are posted at www.kcibr.org. The deadline for participants who want to purchase a souvenir T-shirt is April 10.
THE SKAGWAY NEWS
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March 13, 2020
Assembly wants another survey on 2030 comp plan
dential election and an election following for those who didn’t have time to go to the first election,” Skagway’s 2030 Comprehensive Plan is on hold Deach said at the Feb. 13 meeting. “I appreciate until another survey is conducted to get more en- the sentiment, but that’s not a very effective use of gagement from the community. anybody’s time.” Assembly member Steve Burnham Jr. proposed The community survey will be held before the the survey as an amendment to the comp plan or- comp plan ordinance comes back to the assembly dinance at the Feb. 6 borough assembly meeting, for consideration. and the assembly March 5 approved spending an additional $10,000 for the work. Burnham said the town typically has an end sur- Assembly approves yurt ordinance vey for its comprehensive plan that allows com- The borough assembly on Feb. 20 adopted a munity members to prioritize issues, separate from change in municipal code to make it easier for the polls conducted by the plan’s contractor, Ju- people to use yurts as permanent housing but neau-based Sheinberg Associates. The survey usu- amended the ordinance to prohibit yurts east of the ally calls participants by phone at random to ensure Skagway River and South of 23rd Avenue. The ordinance redefines “yurt” to satisfy permathe results include a wide sampling, including innent building requirements in municipal code to altroverted citizens. “It’s not necessarily fully inclusive from a major low another housing option. The motion to prohibit cross section of the community,” Burnham said of yurts in some areas passed unanimously. Assembly the polls already included with the plan. “There is member Steve Burnham Jr. proposed the restriction no level of support included in the comp plan to in- in an effort to prevent confusion from the boundary dicate where the assembly should prioritize public line in the original ordinance — east of the Moore Bridge. Burnham suggested the more prominent funds.” Assembly member David Brena agreed with and clear boundary line of the streets to help preBurnham at the Feb. 6 meeting and said the addi- vent any disputes. “I don’t think it (yurts) will be very prevalent tional survey is a necessary decision-making tool. Assemblyman Orion Hanson opposed the motion, with the land cost in Skagway,” Assembly member along with Assembly member Dustin Stone. Stone Orion Hanson said, noting that he was indifferent later voiced support for the survey at the March 5 to the boundary definition. meeting. “Since that (Feb. 6) meeting I have heard more Assembly adopts crosswalk plan public input that people would like to see this sur- Skagway School’s robotics team, the Krosswalk vey,” Stone said. “The cost doesn’t seem to be too Kangaroos, developed and presented a crosswalk extreme and I think we have the time to do it, but analysis study to the Public Safety Committee and this is the last time I would vote to do more public borough assembly, which has been incorporated in polling on something we have polled pretty heavily the establishment and approval process for crossso far.” walk locations in town. Hanson, who is also assembly liaison for the The assembly adopted the resolution by unaniPlanning and Zoning Commission, expressed his mous vote Feb. 20. School Board Vice President frustration with the additional survey at the Feb. 13 Jaime Bricker spoke on behalf of the students. commission meeting. “I have followed this project from the start,” “This was some of the best attendance (in the Bricker said. “The robotics team actually interoriginal polls) that I’ve ever seen,” Hanson said. “I viewed me for this project when they first got starttried to relay that to them (the assembly).” ed. I am a huge proponent for our youth and educaHe said the assembly decision is not “a huge set- tion and what you’ve done in this is show them that back.” they do have a voice, they do have power in their Planning Commission Vice Chair Matt Deach own community and that’s huge. I am glad to see likened the situation to a one-time presidential this moving forward.” election. “There is a reason you don’t have a presiBy Aly De Angelus
Philip Clark to chair planning and zoning
The Planning and Zoning Commission elected Philip Clark as chairman and outgoing chair Matt Deach as vice chairman at its Feb. 13 meeting. Deach began the formal discussion with humor. “Well, it’s a comfy chair,” he said. Commissioner Richard “Rocky” Outcalt followed with his light-hearted comment. “I would like to entertain a motion to elect Gary Hisman, whether he likes it or not, to serve as chairman,” Outcalt said. Hisman declined the nomination. He also said 2021 will likely be his last year as a commission member. “Matt has done an incredible job at showing how experience and knowledge is important,” Clark said. “The current chairman’s shoes are too big for me to fill, but I would do my best.” The motion to elect Clark as chairman was unanimous. Deach submitted his name as vice chairman to assist Clark’s transition.
Assembly member Jay Burnham to call in to meetings during cancer treatment
Assembly member Jay Burnham announced March 5 he was recently diagnosed with throat cancer. Burnham requested the assembly allow him to call in for a few more meetings, with members unanimously approving a motion to accommodate call-ins until Burnham completes his treatment. “On the day of the last assembly meeting (Feb. 20) I was in Anchorage having my tonsils removed and I was diagnosed with Stage 2 throat cancer,” Burnham said. “As bad as that sounds, my doctor assured me the prognosis was pretty good, however, the treatment was described as very hard.” Burnham said treatment consists of three rounds of chemotherapy and six weeks of daily radiation treatments. He will be in Anchorage for at least two months. “I am not sure how the treatment will affect me or my health or my ability to call in, but I am hoping not to miss a meeting, including committee meetings,” he said. “I am certainly all in favor of it to make those accommodations,” Assembly member Dan Henry said. “Jay has been for us here at the table and certainly is an asset within the community.”
Fiscal restraint drives school board discussion By Aly De Angelus
Skagway School Superintendent Josh Coughran began the Feb. 25 school board meeting by drawing attention to tight budgets and limiting the amount requested from municipal funds — all focused on sustaining the school long term. Fiscal policy carried into the evening’s topics of student travel and education outreach programs.
“We are going to reduce the overall amount requested for special revenue funds,” Coughran said. “I think we need to be thoughtful about what we ask for and when we ask for it. We also need to realize that municipal funding is not limitless.” Skagway School Board Vice President Jaime Bricker referenced multiple fundraising initiatives led by student organizations such as bake
sales, Elk’s Burger Feed, Papa Murphy’s pizza delivery, candy grams and more as efficient ways to help offset the need for more municipal money. The school board Feb. 25 also set the 2020-21 school year calendar: School will start Aug. 20 and end May 20, with a two-week winter break and another week added to summer break.
School board considers travel rule so that high school basketball teams could drive sports team travel “We have been extremely challenged this year trying to get student groups out of town,” Coughran said, referencing the lack of state ferry service. Two travel requests were on the agenda: The boys’ junior high basketball team to attend the Hooptime Tournament in Juneau on March 25-28, and a waiver of the 10-below road
to Whitehorse to catch a charter flight to the Southeast regional tournament in Ketchikan on March 4-7. The motion to approve travel for the Hooptime Tournament failed, 3-1. The travel waiver for the drive to Whitehorse was approved unanimously. Junior High Basketball See SCHOOL page 12
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March 13, 2020
THE SKAGWAY NEWS
School Board weighs teen travel, arts council program
from page 11
Coach Murat Ozuzun said he already has received $1,500 from the Eagles Auxiliary in anticipation of attending Hooptime. The rest of the costs would have been covered by the boys’ portion of student fundraising in the joint boys and girls account. Ozuzun had also arranged for students to stay at the school to eliminate lodging costs. Activities Director Lee Thompson spoke in support of Ozuzun’s efforts. Coughran, however, said the cost analysis and travel plan was too ambiguous. The request did not specify exact travel costs or the money from the Eagles Auxiliary. It also did not explain where the money would come from if costs are higher than estimated. “Part of the reason this form exists is because we were in this situation before, where we were $10,000 in the hole and nobody knew where that money was going to come from,” Coughran said. “I think we are challenged because there is only one coach so only the boys can go,” said School Board Clerk
Denise Sager. “They were the ones that came up with the idea … coming to us with passion, taking the initiative to go to the coach and say, ‘Can we go?’” School Board Member Chezare Leopold offered to travel with the girls. “If we fundraise we can pay for my flight or it will come out of my pocket,” she said. “All of our kids have done a great job and I think they should be out there.” School Board Treasurer Heather Rodig and President John Hischer were against the travel request because it fell outside of the previously defined 2020 basketball season. Rodig suggested the team could travel as a club instead. “Murat, I appreciate what you spoke earlier having the form with just the boys’ team on it, but it’s coming out of the group funding and I can’t get on board with it,” Rodig said. “I think it sets a bad precedent,” Hischer said. “We are really disciplined that we fund what we say we are going to fund in the beginning of that discussion.”
The road-travel waiver was supported by Coughran and Thompson, who proposed a waiver to the 10-below travel rule as a solution to compensate for no ferry service. The plan is to charter an aircraft from Whitehorse to Ketchikan, provided that the Klondike Highway is open and drivable. Coughran said the waiver likely would not hold relevance with a forecast of 20 degree weather, but he “did not want to put all of his eggs in this particular basket and then not be able to go.”
Skagway Arts Council requests funding for outreach program
Skagway Arts Council Board Member Donna Griffard read a letter requesting a formal budget for the Arts Council in anticipation of bringing artists and musicians to the school for day events, week-long workshops, performances and more. Griffard would like to see 10% of the ticket price put aside for the fund, which she said would amount to roughly $1 to $2 per ticket at each event.
“Ideally, the more people that benefit from the outreach the better it looks on grant applications and, of course, the additional joy that is spread throughout the community is a big win,” she said. Bricker said she would like to understand more about the council’s grant funding opportunities. Rodig said the finance committee will pick up the conversation at its next meeting and determine if their request should go through Skagway School or the municipality. The cost for an artist or group is generally $1,000 to $10,000, not including airfare, food and lodging assistance.
New hires, new retires
Skagway School hired James Valentine as the new track coach, Mark Walker as the new technology director and Catera Gilmore as a self-contained classroom teacher to help serve kids with special needs. This is the first time Skagway School has hired a self-contained classroom
teacher. “We are going to have to rely on them (the teacher) to help us find our way and she (Gilmore) seems like the type of person who will help us get there,” Coughran said. Gilmore has already committed to Skagway School training and has volunteered to take extra special education courses in her spare time. Coughran also endorsed Walker as technology director. Walker will be replacing Rick Hess, who recently submitted his retirement. Hess was recently awarded the Alaska Association of Technology and Education’s technology leadership award. “I don’t think we could have had a better IT person,” Hischer said. “He is super patient, especially when I am fumbling around with something and he knows exactly what I am doing wrong.” Hischer added, “I am going to miss him, I am hoping this new person will be as patient.”
Consultant recommends borough operate port, build new pier By Aly De Angelus Slightly more than 1 million cruise ship passengers a year arrive in Skagway, and the borough’s Miami-based port development consultant has recommended the community plan to accommodate 2 million annual visitors by 2037. A new pier for cruise ships, expansions and other port improvements could cost $96 million 2021-2026, the report said. Skagway will need a new pier to provide an additional two large berths to accommodate the expected increase in cruise ship traffic, the Bermello Ajamil & Associates report said. “Rather than focusing on a number like 2 million, which I am sure everyone in this community feels is absolutely irresponsible in every way, we (need to) look at the fact
that we better control our port in 2023 and we better make sure it’s not in the hands of one cruise ship company or we are going to be in a situation where we don’t have a say for how many people are here in 15 years,” Skagway Mayor Andrew Cremata said. “It’s critical that we have that kind of control.” The White Pass & Yukon Route Railroad has leased the port since 1968, with the lease due to expire in March 2023. The borough has expressed interest in not renewing the lease and either operating the port itself or contracting with a different operator. Carnival Corp., which owns Holland America Line, Princess Cruises and Carnival Cruise Line, is part of the consortium that bought WP&YR in 2018. WP&YR, however, maintains that its 55-year lease
with the borough requires the municipality to bargain in good faith with the company for a new lease before going out for other operators. Lawyers for the borough and WP&YR have been arguing their respective sides in letters the past several months. The borough’s consultant presented its report at a Feb. 4 meeting in Skagway on future port expansion and management options. Bermello outlined four options with varying degrees of risk and control. Two would have the municipality own and operate the port, with a new pier under one option — posing the biggest financial risk to Skagway but the most control. Two other options would have the municipality hire an operator for the port. The consultants advised against those options because of less
control and less upside revenue potential for the municipality. The strategic plan from Bermello Ajamil & Partners is expected to come before the borough assembly at its meeting March 19. The borough had asked the consultants to propose a longterm vision for the waterfront to serve the needs of Skagway and the Yukon, provide recreational access to the water’s edge for cruise and state ferry travelers, and inspire growth in waterfront businesses including cargo, fuel, the small boat harbor, Yukon mining operations and ore shipments, and other commercial activities. “It would be in the best interest of the community to control the waterfront asset moving forward to a greater degree and reap the financial rewards and risk to the major
waterfront asset,” the consultant’s report said. “Skagway should own and operate its waterfront into the long term.” Future development could include a new pier for cruise ships and a new cargo berth for roll-on, roll-off ships with upland facilities, the report said. The consultants suggested implementing adding $3 to $4 per person to the existing $5-per-passenger cruise ship tax to help fund port development. If Skagway decides to go with that option, Cremata said the assembly will need to decide if it if wants to add the tax in 2022 or wait until the municipality takes control of the port in 2023. In addition to the WP&YR lease and issue of port control, the borough and the railroad also are engaged in See PORT page 16
THE SKAGWAY NEWS
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March 13, 2020
Skagway, Yukon work together to improve emergency services By Aly De Angelus It’s going to take at least until next year, and ultimately could require Canadian and U.S. authorities to make a radio frequency available, but the Skagway Fire Department wants to move toward a mutual aid agreement with its northern colleagues. “I think it (the mutual aid agreement) is mainly for the unknown,” Skagway Fire Chief Joe Rau said. “It can apply to EMS, it can apply to a wildland fire situation and a fire whether it’s a vehicle on the road somewhere between
here and Carcross or a structure fire in Fraser.” Lack of dependable radio or cellphone coverage along the highway between Skagway and Whitehorse has long been a problem. A mutual aid pact to help out with emergency calls along the remote stretch will require a structured agreement and improved communications. In an effort to reduce the large areas of poor radio signal, Rau said he would be willing to buy another repeater to expand the coverage if the Canadian government would allow the frequency
Yukon sticks with one time zone year-round The Whitehorse Star /Skagway News The Yukon will no longer go with twice-annual seasonal time changes, the territorial government announced March 4. After Yukoners moved their clocks ahead an hour on Sunday morning, March 8, the territory will remain on Pacific Daylight Saving Time. A time-change survey conducted over six weeks in January and February drew more than 4,800 responses from Yukon residents and organizations, with 93% favoring an end to changing between daylight saving and standard time. “Yukoners clearly want to see an end to seasonal time change, and we are listening,” said Premier Sandy Silver. “The response to this engagement speaks to the importance of this issue for people.” Up until this past weekend, the Yukon observed Pacific Standard Time in the winter months and Pacific Daylight Saving Time in the summer, the same as Alaska switches its time twice a year — though the Alaska time zone is an hour behind Pacific Time. Many jurisdictions in western North America are reviewing how they set and observe time for a number of reasons, including public
health, energy and the economy. The British Columbia government surveyed its residents last year and learned that more than 93% support a permanent move to daylight saving time. “Today’s a very good day for those who are tired of changing their clocks,” B.C. Premier John Horgan said Oct. 31 after introducing legislation that would allow the government to shift the province to a single year-round time, which it would rename “Pacific Time.” The premier said he is open to debate about whether the province should stick permanently with standard time — meaning extra light in the winter mornings — or stay on daylight saving time. That would be studied in the months ahead, he said. But when British Columbia will stop its twice-a-year clock switch depends on what its neighbors do, the premier said last fall. There is no timeline for the province, Hogan said, adding that he is looking to the Yukon and Pacific Northwest states to join the movement. Any time zone change in a U.S. state, however, would require federal action.
to cover Canada. Perhaps the borough or the fire department could help fund the repeater station, he said. Approval by Canadian and U.S. communications regulators would be required to share a frequency. Rau hopes the issue could be addressed in a mutual aid agreement. The idea of such an agreement gained ground last summer when Rau attended a firefighter conference in Dawson City, Yukon, talking with fire officials from the territory. He hopes to implement an aid agreement by 2021. Better communications and sharing services would allow faster response times. “We have to identify how we can get radio service in that area because we can beat Carcross into their own … service area, anywhere from the Canadian border to Carcross … for a vehicle accident with patients,” Rau said. The lack of cellphone cov-
erage between Skagway’s incinerator to the U.S. Customs station requires drivers to get to the U.S. or Canadian border stations to call for help. If the request comes from the Canadian station, it goes to the Royal Canadian Mountain Police. Rau gave the example of a fall 2018 response, when a truck left Skagway with a boat that caught fire and the accident was reported to the Canadian Customs station. “Our guys are up there fighting fire and next thing you know they get a fire engine coming in from Canada,” Rau said. “We didn’t ask for them, we couldn’t ask for them. I guess we could have asked for them if we had good radio signal up there.” Meanwhile, the fire department bought five GPS locator units to help with hikers traveling around Skagway and the Yukon, with two for rescue teams and three to loan
to the public for short-term trips. They will be loaned on a first-come, first-serve basis and will help fill the area’s communications gaps. “It doesn’t solve everything,” Rau said, “but when we get the people that come in to hike AB Mountain and when they see their trail is not clearly marked, I will know exactly how far off the trail they are.” Along with communication issues, Rau has explored the possibility of utilizing Yukon emergency equipment and resources. The Yukon Territory has a minimum of six ambulances, along with medevac helicopters that could be sent to Skagway, but only with federal approval. Skagway only has two ambulances. In the past, Skagway ambulances would meet Yukon responders at the border station to shuttle patients from Skagway to Whitehorse.
2020 phone book last for AP&T Pay phones, phone booths and now phone books are becoming historical pieces. The Skagway phone directories that arrived in mailboxes this month are the last ones Alaska Power & Telephone will publish. “This is our final edition,” says the cover of the 2020 book. State law used to require local phone companies to distribute directories, but the law changed effective in 2016 and AP&T decided it was time to end the printing and mailing.
“Due to the ever-rising cost of producing phone books, in addition to all the electronic options for looking up phone numbers, many telecom companies, which includes AP&T, have opted out of producing phone books,” said Mary Jo Quandt, vice president and chief of customer operations at AP&T’s corporate office in Port Townsend, Washington. “Phone directories … seem to have disappeared, along with phone booths,” she said of the nationwide direction toward saving paper and dropping the books. “We’re in the electronic age. People use their cellphones and the internet” to find phone numbers and places, Quandt told public radio KHNS. AP&T, which also maintains its own online phone directory at http://www.aptphonebook.com/, serves almost 20 communities in Southeast Alaska, including Skagway, Haines, Klukwan, Gustavus, Wrangell, Petersburg, Metlakatla and nine communities on Prince of Wales Island. If you lose your last book, or want an extra, “our local offices will be keeping a reserve of the 2020 books in their offices,” Quandt said. “We should be covered for a couple years if a customer drops by the office and needs a phone book.”
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March 13, 2020
THE SKAGWAY NEWS
New owners take over Skagway News March 2020 Melinda Munson, whose family goes back two generations in Alaska, and Gretchen Wehmhoff, a 55-year resident of the state, have taken over as co-owners and co-editors of The Skagway News. They arrived in Skagway on March 1 and took over ownership on March 3. Munson, who has a bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of Washington, has written for local newspapers in the Chugiak-Eagle River area. Wehmhoff also has written for the same local papers and the two women ran their own web magazine, Alaska Family Fun. Wehmhoff taught journalism at Chugiak High School for 21 years and advised the student newspaper until she retired. She is a freelance writer and a past president of the Alaska Writers Guild. Larry Persily, who bought The Skagway News almost a year ago from publisher Chris Sorg, of Whitehorse, had been looking to turn over the business to a permanent owner/editor who would live in town and become part of the community. “I wanted to get away from rotating editors who move to town, stay a while, then leave and the community has to start all over training a new
Melinda Munson, left, and Gretchen Wehmhoff near the Signpost Forest along the Alaska Highway on a 2019 road trip.
editor,” Persily said. Persily attracted national news media attention when he announced in late November that he would give away the newspaper operation to the best candidate. “Skagway deserves a quality newspaper, and the best way I could see to stake a new owner/editor would be to give them the business and let them settle in for the long term without starting out in debt.” Persily, who was owner/editor of weekly newspapers in Juneau and Wrangell “many, many years ago,” teaches journalism at the University of Alaska Anchorage. When Munson read the news story that Persily was looking to give The Skagway News to the right person, she said she told her friend and colleague, Wehmhoff, that
they were the perfect “couple” for the job. “I couldn’t have dreamed up a better opportunity,” Munson said. “Skagway is where I want my family to live.” And a large family it is. Munson and her husband, Paul, have two biological children and five adopted children with special needs. Their children range in age from 3 to 17. Born and raised in New England, Munson spent her summers in Angoon with her maternal grandparents who moved to Alaska after serving in World War II. In Angoon, Munson waitressed at a fishing lodge, caught halibut that weighed more than her, and
dreamed of living in Alaska full time. After a stint in Las Vegas, the family moved to Alaska in 2016. Munson taught high school at the Anchorage School District’s PAIDEIA Cooperative School. “I’m committed to providing accurate and timely news,” Munson said. “Local journalism is not dead.” Wehmhoff earned a lifetime achievement award from the Journalism Education Association for her work at the Chugiak High School newspaper, the Pegasus, and is a part-time English teacher for the Anchorage School District. She also teaches communications as a parttime adjunct faculty member at the University of Alaska Anchorage. Her interest in newspapers goes back to when she was 12 years old and started a newsletter for her community school in Anchorage, delivering the news to the doorsteps in her neighborhood. Wehmhoff briefly served as a fill-in member of the Anchorage municipal assembly in 2018. Munson and her family plan to live in Skagway year-
round. Wehmhoff will be in town most of March and then back after her teaching work ends for the summer. “Small community newspapers cover stories of importance. People depend on them,” Wehmhoff said. Persily said he received about 200 inquiries from people who read or heard about the opportunity to own The Skagway News. “I got emails from Alaskans, Canadians, journalists and adventurers from half the states, even several from overseas,” he said. “They were sincere and heartfelt, and many were journalists with years of experience, either laid off as the industry cuts back or just looking for a new role as a small-town editor.” It wasn’t easy to choose, he said. “What was most important was finding someone who would be excited to live in Skagway and become part of the community — and make the effort to understand the town’s needs and its residents.” Munson and Wehmhoff will be the first female owners of The Skagway News.
Police & Fire Blotter Feb. 8 EMS assisted the Coast Guard with medevac from Dahl Clinic. Feb. 9 Dispatch assisted a citizen in returning their lost dog. Feb. 10 Fire personnel responded to a sprinkler alarm on 3rd Ave. Feb. 11 Dispatch assisted the Alaska Department of Transportation (DOT) in notifying residents the Klondike Hwy. was closed due to an avalanche. Feb. 12 Dispatch assisted the DOT in notifying residents the Klondike Hwy. was re-opening. Feb. 13 Police responded to a possible break-in at a Broadway Street business. Upon making contact, officers discovered it was an ATM repair technician. Feb. 14 Police responded to a report of an aggressive coyote near the Pioneer Cemetery. Feb. 15 Dispatch assisted the DOT in notifying residents the Klondike
Hwy. was closed for the morning and re-opening at noon. Feb. 16 Fire personnel responded to a fire alarm on the Klondike Hwy. Dispatch assisted DOT in notifying residents the Klondike Hwy. was closed due to several avalanches. EMS assisted the Coast Guard with medevac from Dahl Clinic. Feb. 17 EMS responded to a medical emergency. Dispatch assisted DOT in notifying residents the Klondike Hwy. was re-opening. Feb. 18 Dispatch assisted DOT in notifying residents the Klondike Hwy. was closing for the rest of the day due to a storm. Feb. 20 Dispatch assisted DOT in notifying residents the Klondike Hwy. was closing due to a storm. Police spotted a coyote a few blocks north of City Hall. Feb. 21 Dispatch advised several motorists of travel conditions on the Klondike Hwy. and that it was re-opening at noon. Feb. 25
A coyote was spotted near 17th Ave and Alaska Street. EMS responded to two medical emergencies. Feb.26 Dispatch assisted the DOT in notifying residents the Klondike Hwy. was closed due to avalanche mitigation. The highway remained closed for the day. Feb. 27 Police, Fire, and Public Works personnel responded to an oil spill on State Street. Dispatch assisted the DOT in notifying residents the Klondike Hwy. was re-opening at noon. Feb. 28 A coyote was spotted near 18th Ave and Main Street. March 3 Fire personnel responded to a fire alarm on Broadway Street. March 5 Dispatch assisted the DOT in notifying residents the Klondike Hwy. was closed due to blizzard conditions. March 9 Fire personnel responded to a fire alarm on Main Street. Two fuel tanks filled with heating oil were drained in a sus-
THE SKAGWAY NEWS COMMUNITY CALENDAR ONGOING Library Hours: Mon.-Thurs. 1-8 p.m., Fri. 1-7 p.m., Sat. and Sun. 1-5 p.m., Story Time: Thurs. at 10:30 a.m. Teen Night: Fri. at 7 p.m. Clinic Winter Hours: Mon.-Fri. 7 a.m. -7 p.m., closed Sat. and Sun For after-hours emergencies, please dial 911. Senior Lunch: 11:30 a.m. Mon.-Wed.- Fri. at Presbyterian Rec. Hall. Border stations: 7 a.m.-11 p.m. Elk’s Burger feed: Fri. 5:30 p.m. (no feed March 13) WEEKS AHEAD Parent/Teacher Conferences March 13 Inservice Day - No School March 13 School Board Finance Committee March 16, noon Parks and Recreation: March 18, 6:00 p.m. Finance Committee: March 19, 4 p.m. Borough Assembly: March 19, 7 p.m. House District Commission March 23 5:30 p.m. Assembly of the Whole Committee March 25, 7 p.m. Port Commission March 26, 5 p.m. School Board Policy Committee March 27, noon Seward’s Day - Borough offices closed March 30 Email Updates & New Events: editor@skagwaynews.com
THE SKAGWAY NEWS. GOT NEWS? Call (907) 983-2354 or email editor@skagwaynews.com
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March 13, 2020
News Classified Ads cost 40 cents per word, $4 minimum. Ads must be pre-paid unless advertiser has a business account with the newspaper. Skagway residents may drop off ad and payment at the News Depot. Payment can be made by cash, check or credit card. Out-of-town ads must be pre-paid with a credit card and should be phoned in to 907983-2354. All ads appear in our on-line edition for a minimum of two weeks. Next deadline: Sunday, March 22, 2020 FREE PERSONAL CLASSIFIEDS up to 25 words! CALL (907)983-2354 (restrictions apply)
JOBS-OPPORTUNITIES Little Dippers Learning Center is now hiring teachers for the 2020 Season. Visit www. skagwaylit tledippers.com/ employment to learn more!(1-2b) THE MUNICIPALITY OF SKAGWAY is currently hiring the following positions: Nurse Practitioner/Physician Assistant Visitor Information Specialist II Groundskeeper Emergency Responder Receptionist/Medical Assistant A Municipality of Skagway announcement and application
can be downloaded from the website at www.skagway.org.(1b) LINEMAN APPRENTICE: SKAGWAY AP&T IS NOW HIRING for a full-time Lineman Apprentice at our Skagway location. Our successful candidate will be a self-starter, highly motivated, flexible, detail-oriented, willing to follow directions, and willing to travel. They will possess excellent team and interpersonal skills, and the ability to work with minimum supervision. Must have a High School Diploma or GED; must be willing to live within 5 miles of Skagway; must have the capability to attend and successfully complete the 4-year AP&T Apprenticeship Program. For additional information about the Lineman Apprentice position, please pick up a detailed job posting at AP&T’s Skagway office, or email Human Resources at (christina.h@aptalaska.com). This posting will close on February 28, 2020. EEO Employer/Vets/ Disabled ~ AP&T is a Drug and Alcohol-free workplace(1&2b) JOB OPPORTUNITIES: Dahl Memorial Clinic is now interviewing for Nurse Practitioner/Physician Assistant. For applications and job description, go to www. skagway.org/administration/page/ employment-opportunities (13cb)
ALASKA EXCURSIONS IS NOW HIRING FOR SUMMER 2020! Our season will run from about April 25th to September 28th. We have open positions including Maintenance, CDL Driver, Unimog Operator, Office/ Dock Rep and Retail Sales Staff. For more information visit our website, http://www.alaskax.com/ employment or give our office a call at 907-983-4444. http://www. alaskax.com/employement (3cb)
Building. Contact jimpjewell@ gmail.com or text Jim at 907-6120114.(1cb)
HOUSING-PROPERTY
CHILKAT VALLEY NEWS & WHITEHORSE STAR available at Skaguay News Depot & Books. (1cp)
FOR SALE: 401 5th Avenue, 2, one-bedroom houses on one lot. $374,000. Contact: David Brena, ARA, 983-2700.(1cb)
Skagway Recreation Center • 12th & Main • 983-2679 Cardio • Weight Room • Locker Rooms • Showers • Rock Wall Mon. - Thur. 5:30 am - 9 pm, Fri. 5:30 am - 7 pm, Sat.10 am - 5 pm, Sun. 1 pm - 7 SUNDAY, P.M. 3:00-4:15 4:30-5:15 5:30 -6:30
Back/HIp Yoga Myofascial Intro Kundalini Yoga
MONDAY, A.M. (6am-1pm Jan. 20) 6:30-7:30 Spin Flex 7:00-9:00 Aeril Fabric 10:00-11:15 Yin Yoga MONDAY, P.M. 4:45-6:15 Spin Yoga 6:30-8:00 Acro Jan 7:00-9:00 Adult Soccer TUESDAY, A.M. 8:30-9:15 Spinning 8:30-9:45 Vinyasa Yoga 10:30-11:15 Sr. Weight Training TUESDAY, P.M. 5:45-7:00 Hatha Flow/Roll 7:00-9:00 Adult Basketball
WEDNESDAY, A.M. 6:30-7:30 Spin TRX 7:00-9:00 Aerial Fabric WEDNESDAY, P.M. 4:45-6:15 Spin Yoga 7:00-9:00 Adult Pickleball THURSDAY, A.M. 8:30-9:15 8:30-9:45 10:30-11:15 THURSDAY, P.M. 5:45-7:00 7:00-9:00 FRIDAY, P.M. 4:45-5:45 5:30-7:00
Spin Vinyasa Yoga Sr. Weight Training Restorative Yoga Adult Basketball Spin Yoga Areal Fabric
RETAIL SPACE ON BROADWAY for lease. See info at: www. skagwayrealestate.net. (1cb)
MARKETPLACE
PERSONALS-MISC. SERVICES
FOR SALE: Three parcels of land. First time on the market. One 40 ac. parcel on AB Mountain (the Skyline Trail goes through the NW corner), One 83.4 ac. parcel in Dyea along the Chilkoot Trail in the vicinity of the old Hosford sawmill, and one 2.18 ac. parcel below the incinerator near the Skagway River. Call for further details, ARA, David Brena, 907-983-2700. (11cb)
FOOD BANK DONATIONS WELCOME. Donations may be sent to the Food Bank, PO Box 200, Skagway, AK 99840. The local Food Bank helps those in need with groceries. If you need assistance, or know anyone who needs assistance, at any time of year, call any pastor or 907-6120313. (1cp)
COMMERCIAL-PROPERTY
The Municipality of Skagway is accepting bids for Skagway Public Restrooms Janitorial Services. A full copy of the request for bids can be obtained by e-mailing m.gihl@ skagway.org. Bids are due no later than 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, March 24. 2020 at City Hall in Skagway,
DOWNTOWN SKAGWAY SPACE available for lease: 1200SF retail space next to Eagles Hall. Great location in the heart of Skagway’s Historic District between 5th and 6th Ave. on Broadway. This is for the south retail in the Kelly Block
BROADWAY BULLETIN BOARD RECREATION CENTER SCHEDULE
RETAIL SPACE FOR LEASE. Skagway Olde Town Building, 7th & Broadway. Contact Mike Healy 907-973-2337(16cb)
SKAGWAY WORSHIP DIRECTORY Assembly of God Church
8th & State • 907-983-2350 Sun. Worship....................11 a.m. Thu. Intercessory Prayer.6:30 p.m.
First Presbyterian Church
5th & Main • 983-2260 Sun. Morning Worship .....10 a.m. Sun. Sunday School...............4 p.m. Wed. Women’s Prayer ..........7 a.m. Thur. Celebrate Recovery.....6 p.m.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints 11th & State • 983-2518 Sun. Sacrament Meeting...10 a.m. Sun. School/Primary ...11:10 a.m. Relief Society/Priesthood...12 p.m.
St. Therese Catholic Church
9th & State • 983-2271 Sun. Mass..............................5 p.m. Mass Mon. & Tues...........12:10 p.m. (when a priest is available)
Life Link Fellowship Bible Church
11th and Main • 907-612-0121 Sat. Night Worship ............7 p.m. Sunday Service.................11 a.m.
LEGAL AD
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March 13, 2020
THE SKAGWAY NEWS
Borough pursues free public Wi-Fi hotspots for cruise ship season By Aly De Angelus
The borough how install two free Wi-Fi hotspots this summer in the hopes of expanding internet availability for locals and tourists during the heavy-demand months. On Feb. 26 the assembly committee of the whole approved an $8,300 appropriation for the project, sending the mid-year budget amendment to the full assembly for consideration. Borough Manager Brad Ryan has been working with library, tourism and IT staff to develop a plan to improve Wi-Fi access during the summer only — not to cover the entire town year-round. Tourism Director Cody Jennings said the project will involve mapping hotspots around Skagway to more evenly distribute the use of Wi-Fi in town. Jennings has been coordinating with Library Director Julene Brown to reduce the overwhelming demand on internet at the Skagway Library.
The plan is to have two locations in place this summer, one near Centennial Park and another by the old police station. “We are still in the factory stage,”’ Jennings said. “AP&T has 15-20 Wi-Fi hotspots around town and we are just exploring how we can make visitors more aware of them or increase their access to them.” Although AP&T charges a daily fee for their Wi-Fi hotspots, Skagway Librarian Julene Brown said visitors are willing to pay for the service. “Ours (Wi-Fi) gets really bogged down and slow,” Brown said. “There is a need, the visitors have a need and you need to give them that access.” The $8,300 project is proposed for funding through the borough’s share of cruise ship passenger taxes (the commercial vessel passenger excise tax). Assemblyman Steve Burnham Jr. questioned the legality of using the tax for
the Wi-Fi project, pointing to litigation between Juneau and the cruise industry over what the state-administered tax could be spent on. Juneau and the industry settled the lawsuit last year, after three years of litigation. The agreement provides that the funds can be spent on services for cruise ship passengers. Ryan said Skagway’s free Wi-Fi service would only be turned on for the cruise ship season and would comply with the intent of the settlement. Jennings and Ryan are considering options for future partnership on this project with both AP&T, Alaska Technical Solutions and other municipal services for computer and phone tech support. In addition to the Wi-Fi project, Skagway’s mid-year tourism budget includes funding for remodel of the AB Hall restrooms, at a cost of $18,000 from sales tax revenues. The work will include bringing the restrooms into
compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Tourism Director Cody Jennings said the original project was smaller, but complications with meeting ADA regulations has put the work on hold until January or February 2021 at the earliest. The borough is also working to develop tourism best management practices for Skagway. It will be a new volunteer program run by the Convention and Visitors Bureau starting mid-March
fic more evenly between the community’s four berths. The report also suggested extending the small boat harbor with a 700-foot-long dock and adding tourism-related activities on the waterfront. Port Commission Chair Paul Reichert said Skagway is coming to a pivotal point where the town must decide if it wants to continue growing the economy, specifically
considering social and environmental impacts. Growth has been “the mantra for several decades,” Reichert said. “If we send the ships up, we are going to accommodate them. It’s something to keep in mind as we balance those glamorous revenue numbers.” The port commission is designing a job description for a new port development position. Reichert said they
could call it a port planner, “someone who spends a minimum of 40 hours a week thinking about and planning for the port.” Cremata said at the Feb. 20 port commission meeting that he hopes to make a hire by the end of this year. The Bermello report also suggests moving TEMSCO’s helicopter operations away from the waterfront when the company’s lease expires in
with a goal of gaining more input from the community with a hotline for callers and a website. The mid-year budget includes $15,000 for the program. “All the projects are important since they help us create a positive visitor experience and are a resource for our visitors, community members and business operators,” Jennings said.
Passengers disembark the MV Tazlina on its March 5 return to Skagway after budget cuts to Alaska Marine Highway System and a disabled MV Matanuska left Skagway without ferry service. (Photo by Gretchen Wehmhoff)
Port plan to address needs of increasing cruise ship traffic from page 12
the company’s plans to clean up contamination under the ore dock, left over from past loading operations. WP&YR has proposed a dredging plan to the state to clean up the basin, though the borough has asked for a more extensive cleanup and sampling. The consultants also proposed defined trails for visitors and overlook access by the ore dock in the hope of splitting pedestrian traf-
2023 and moving the business to the airport. TEMSCO’s Skagway base manager Kelly Healy spoke at the March 5 borough assembly meeting and wrote a letter to the municipality, explaining such a move would put the helicopters “in direct conflict with runway traffic, and would not be a feasible or safe way to approach the volume of landings performed.”