The Skagway News - 11-25-22

THE SKAGWAY NEWS.

Skagway, Alaska

November 25, 2022 $1.50

Railroad Dock mitigation on schedule

Alternative mooring plan abandoned

By Melinda Munson

Amid fears of permit and work delays and the refusal of Royal Caribbean to berth at Ore Terminal in 2023, the alternative mooring plan is dead in the water. The assem bly voted down the measure Nov. 17. If successful, the plan would have revamped Ore Dock, adding the capac ity for one Very Large Cruise Ship (VLCS).

This leaves room for one VLCS at Railroad Dock, instead of the usual two, should landslide mitigation be successful. According to Rex Whistler, geological en gineer for Shannon and Wil son, that possibility is look ing more likely.

“It’s a monster of a rock slide,” he said. “There’s no denying that. But it’s going really, really well.”

Conversely, the alternative mooring plan which went to bid and received four re sponses was no longer sup ported by Borough Man ager Brad Ryan and Port Director Cody Jennings. The lowest bidder, Hamil ton Construction, was listed at $10,775,311. Ryan esti mated that $3 million of the project would not carry over to the permanent Ore Dock replacement.

Ryan cited the “aggres sive” timeline, incomplete project design, lack of per mits and materials, increased cost, fear that delayed con struction could render Ore Dock unusable for the sea son and lack of commitment from any cruise line as caus es for concern.

Assembly members Sam Bass, Jay Burnham and Deb Potter voted against the mea sure. Assembly members

Fuel leak at Petro Marine

By Melinda Munson

At approximately 9 p.m. on Nov. 17, Skagway Police Chief Jerry Reddick left his post during the assembly meeting and indicated Bor ough Manager Brad Ryan should follow. When Ryan returned and proceeded to step out of the meeting mul

tiple times, it became appar ent something was awry.

That something was a fuel leak at Petro Marine Ser vices. According to Timothy Cochran, plant manager for Petro Maine, “the contain ment did its job. Nothing escaped into the water – we recovered virtually every

thing.”

While Cochran stated there was “a little bit of spray” in the heavy winds, he said there is “no worry about con tamination.”

The exact amount of fuel leaked has not been speci fied. Petro Marine is work ing with the Department of

Environmental Conservation as dictated by protocol.

Cochran did not want to comment further on the inci dent until more information was available. He said addi tional details will be “forth coming.”

Neither Reddick nor Ryan were available for comment.

Sales tax increase headed to second reading

By Melinda Munson

Assemblymember Dan Henry presented Ordinance 22-10, aimed at raising sales tax, at the Nov. 17 assembly meeting.

The ordinance proposed increasing sales tax from 5% to 7% during the second and third quarters of the fiscal year, when Skagway is at the height of tourist season.

“My real hope is at the end of the day, or the end of this discussion, or after second reading, that we’ll probably zero in at 6.5%,” Henry said. “That would be identical to

Ketchikan, Hoonah – sever al other communities in the region, all of which have a minimum of 10 times the population.”

Assemblymember Reba Hylton motioned to amend the rate to 6%, adding that the national average is 6.35%. The amendment passed with five ayes and a no from Henry, who contin ued to advocate for 6.5%.

Sam Bass, assembly mem ber, noted that Ketchikan’s sales tax rate is 6.5%, with Juneau and Sitka at 5%.

“I don’t want us to be the

highest on the [cruise] route. I don’t mind us being equiv alent or less, but I would like to stay competitive. So, I’ll support the 6%,” Bass said.

Henry said the sales tax increase “is not targeting anyone. It is appropriate ly allocating a percentile so that we can host these peo ple, 10,000 of them a day, in an appropriate, professional, safe manner. I would be sur prised, quite frankly – be cause this will have to pass a second reading and then go to a ballot. I would be surprised if it didn’t receive

100% of the vote.”

“You’re gonna be sur prised,” Mayor Andrew Cre mata promised Henry.

The ordinance, which passed its first reading unan imously, will get a second reading Dec. 1.

If forwarded by the assem bly, voters would need to ratify the measure via prop osition on a special election ballot.

For the latest news and updates, follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. BLOTTER PAGE 7 CLASSIFIED PAGE 7 FREE personal classifieds up to 25 words. CALL (907)983-2354 for more information.

Photo by Gretchen Wehmhoff

contained, “virtually everything” recovered

Skagway matriarch Bea Hillery Lingle, 95, died Nov. 20. Lingle loved a good parade, and Skagway always came through. She is pictured here with her family in the 2021 Independence Day parade. An obituary will appear in the Dec. 9 issue.

The Skagway News.

Skagway’s First Newspaper Christened in 1897, buried alive in 1904 and resurrected in 1978, The Skagway News is currently celebrating 45 years of reporting in Skagway and Dyea, Alaska, re cording our Centennial years and beyond.

ADVERTISING & NEWS COPY DEADLINES

Next issue will be published DEC. 9, 2022

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Vol. XLV, No 21 (937) Nov. 25, 2022

Published on the second and fourth Friday of the month

Phone: (907) 983-2354 www.skagwaynews.com editor@skagwaynews.com sales@skagwaynews.com

Publishers

Melinda Munson

Gretchen Wehmhoff

Managing Editor

Melinda Munson

Production Editor/Sales

Gretchen Wehmhoff

Editor Emeritus

William J. “Jeff” Brady

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Letters to the editor should not exceed 250 words.

Submit letters and opin ions to editor@skagwaynews. com. Letters may be edited for grammar and length.

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Letters and Opinion

Dear Valued Readers and Advertisers

Hang onto your newsie hats – The Skagway News is implementing changes to embrace the future and ensure the survival of the paper.

We are pivoting to an online-only model. Our last printed edition will be Dec. 23. You can continue to find our online edition at Skagwaynews.com. Click on indi vidual stories or select the PDF for a more traditional newspaper experience.

We want to assist our readers during this transition in any way possible. We will maintain the printable PDF version of The Skagway News and email it to subscrib ers. Laptops can be checked out from Skagway Library or readers can visit the library to view the paper via desk top computer. Melinda is available to visit any Skagway resident who needs help learning to access the paper.

We will contact our advertisers with new rate sheets and advertising opportunities with our online format.

This was an arduous decision that took months of re search and contemplation. While losing the print edition is difficult, it allows us to keep The Skagway News in business. COVID-19 and the landslides on Railroad

Dock sped up this transition – a move many local papers will make in the next few years.

An exclusively on-line paper is better for the environ ment and will allow us to focus on pushing out more news. It also increases the likelihood that we get paid a salary. We will maintain our twice per month publication sched ule with updates when breaking news occurs between deadlines.

We are working on an expanded website which will in clude increased content, a more complete archive and the ability to listen to articles.

The Skaguay Alaskan, our local visitors guide, will con tinue as a printed paper handed to thousands of tourists by our famous, adorable local newsies.

Thank you for your support and embracing this commu nity paper. We look forward to engaging with you online and in Skagway.

Melinda Munson and Gretchen Wehmhoff Co-owners/editors The Skagway News

What Alaskans need to know about RSV

By Dr. Mishelle Nace and Dr. Matthew Hirschfeld

Many viruses are making Alaskans sick this winter, but the virus primarily responsible for filling up our clinics, emer gency departments and pediatric hospital beds this season is respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). Each year in the Unit ed States, RSV leads to an average 58,000 hospitalizations with 100-500 deaths among children younger than 5 years old and 177,000 hospitalizations with 14,000 deaths among adults aged 65 years and older.

Some winters are worse than others for seasonal viruses and this year, some very young children are being exposed to RSV and other respiratory infections for the first time after avoiding them during the pandemic.

RSV can be similar to a bad cold for most individuals and can lead to breathing difficulties requiring hospitalization for younger children and older adults. Currently, the high number of children hospitalized for respiratory illnesses in Alaska has led to overflowing pediatric wards and pediatric intensive care units exceeding capacity.

In addition, Alaska is seeing flu cases in adults and chil dren at higher numbers than in the past five flu seasons when totaled at this time of year. Add the surge of RSV and flu to other circulating viruses such as COVID-19 and we see why Alaska, like the rest of the United States, is experiencing a particularly bad respiratory disease season this year. This challenging winter has particularly affected children and their ability to quickly access care with long waiting times for patients at medical clinics, urgent cares and emergency departments.

By learning more about respiratory illnesses and taking helpful actions, we can all take steps to improve the situation and protect both individuals and communities.

RSV in a child might seem like a cold in the first couple of days, but symptoms can become more severe as the illness progresses. It might start as a runny nose, an irritating cough or sneeze, and a decrease in appetite. Fever may or may not be present. In susceptible children, the cough can then prog ress into wheezing or difficulty breathing.

Those children who get worse may develop bronchiolitis (inflammation of the small airways) or pneumonia (infection in the lungs). In these children you might see fast breathing, flaring of the nostrils and head bobbing with breathing. Some may have belly breathing, grunting or tugging between the ribs or lower neck with each breath. Those having difficul ty breathing, not drinking enough fluids to keep hydrated or experiencing other worsening symptoms should be seen promptly by their health care professional. If it is after-hours and the severity has increased, your local emergency depart

ment is there to help as well.

RSV spreads just like the common-cold virus by direct person-to-person contact, unclean hands or objects. If you or someone in your home is sick, you can help decrease the spread by the following:

• Wash your hands or use hand sanitizer regularly.

• Avoid touching your face.

• Cover your coughs/sneezes and avoid contact with younger children or older adults.

• Avoid large gatherings.

• Consider wearing a mask if you must go out.

• If your child is sick, it is a good idea to keep them home from school until their symptoms improve.

• Children at highest risk for RSV are those born prema turely, those younger than 2-years-old and those with medi cal conditions affecting the lungs, heart or immune system.

Viruses are tricky and unfortunately antibiotics are not effective against them. Your health care provider may pre scribe antibiotics for bacterial infections, but those prescrip

(Continued on page 3 - Viruses)

correspondence should remain on website

It’s my understanding that it has already been decided that citizen correspondence to the mayor and assembly is now uniformly no longer included in the assembly packet for the public to read.

I strongly disagree with this action.

I can understand there may have been confusion with submitters in the past about what would be published and what would not, and I can also understand how this could cause a great deal of consternation for all involved.

HOWEVER, rather than taking the easy road of just not publishing anything, let’s make the experience and ex pectations of submitted correspondence more clear for everyone.

Reading about other people’s knowledge and opinions of the important matters before you helps me as a citizen understand my neighbor’s perspective – and gives me a more in-depth and nuanced understanding of your deci sions and process. Please don’t take away this thought ful and considered information sharing space and leave me with just Facebook.

Jennifer Thuss, Skagway resident

Citizen

“... the risks don’t outweigh the potential benefits,” Potter said

Orion Hanson, Dan Henry and Reba Hylton endorsed the project. Mayor Andrew Cremata cast the deciding negative vote.

“I just think the risks don’t outweigh the potential bene fits,” Potter said. “And once again, there’s no guarantee that we spend this money and it makes a difference.”

Bass concurred.

“I think it’s most prudent to put this on pause just as the port director is recom mending, just as the city manager is recommending, and we focus on 2024 and go from there,” he said, ref erencing the permanent Ore Dock rebuild, scheduled to be completed Spring 2025.

Hanson worried that if any landslide activity occurs at Railroad Dock in 2023, “our whole season is ruined.”

He noted that tendering from Railroad Dock will have financial consequences.

“It’s a much worse experi ence for the tourists, and they don’t spend as much money – and a lot of people don’t get off the boat,” he said.

Cremata wasn’t optimistic about the alternative moor ing project given the com plexity and timeline, espe cially considering that work

would have to cease when a marine mammal was within vicinity of the dock.

“Here are the odds of this thing being done by July – 0%,” he said. “…It’s un realistic to me to say we’re going to have an aggressive timeline in a scenario where if whales are two miles from the construction zone, at the time when we’re going to have whales in our inlet ev ery day, that we’re going to be remotely on time for this project.”

“I have the chair of fi nance,” Cremata added. “I have multiple people from the public. I have Norwegian saying they won’t dock on it. I’ve got Royal Caribbean saying they won’t dock on it … I vote no.”

In the same meeting, the assembly approved the pur chase of rockslide monitor ing equipment and software at the cost of $70,577. The total station will use prisms and lasers to monitor move ment, within a few centime ters.

“The intent and purpose of that is to give a quantifiable, not qualitative assessment, for all of us engineers on whether or not the slide is moving and how much, and

Viruses are tricky, medicine is advancing (Continued from page 2 - Viruses)

tions do not work on viruses. The good news is that there are vaccines for viruses such as flu and COVID-19. These vac cines are widely available across Alaska for those 6 months and older. By getting vaccinated, you protect yourself, and you protect those around you. There is not yet a vaccine for RSV, but medicine is advancing, and we are getting closer to having one in the future.

We are concerned about the toll this virus season is having on children, their families and the medical teams caring for them. Public health officials and health care professionals across Alaska are working together to make sure there are hospital beds, nurses and providers to take care of children sick with RSV or flu, no matter where those children are located.

We thank you for your help to keep our families and com munities safe. The children are counting on all of us.

Dr. Mishelle Nace, M.D., is a pediatrician with Foundation Health Partners in Fairbanks and a staff physician with the Alaska Depart ment of Health. Dr. Matt Hirschfeld, M.D./Ph.D., is a pediatric hospi talist at the Alaska Native Medical Center and a board member of the All Alaska Pediatric Partnership.

when it is deemed unsafe to be underneath it,” Whistler said.

According to Whistler, monitors will be placed in areas “known to be poten tially unstable,” such as Ship Rock, locally called “The Death Rock of Doom.”

Whistler noted that the monitoring equipment “will not be precursors or indi cators of individual blocks of rock that would fall. So, like the scaling objects that we’ve seen that have fallen, or the sudden detachment of the small slide that happened south of the main chute, halfway down on the dock – instabilities of those na tures would not be covered or monitored by this toll sta tion,” he said.

Whistler testified that he felt the landslide area was much safer after scaling by Rock Supremacy.

“It’s almost at the point now that I would feel com fortable getting on up and go ing down the slope,” Whis tler said. “So that I think,

hopefully carries weight, that they are nearing the end of their heavy scaling when the rock mechanic expert is the one that’s willing to risk his own life to … to go down the slope. If I’m not will ing to hop on the slide, that should be the very first indi cation that you shouldn’t go near it. So, I’d say it’s com ing along quite nicely.”

If the Railroad Dock land

slide area passes testing and is supported by the cruise lines, Ryan said the plan is to tender passengers from the forward vessel and im plement a combination of bussing and tendering from the aft berth. As Norwegian Cruise Line’s large ships are not equipped with tenders, the municipality continues to search for a solution to ac commodate them.

CALL FOR NOMINATIONS

for Skagway’s 36th annual HELEN B. CLARK COMMUNITY VOLUNTEER AWARD ••• Nominations accepted till Dec. 3 ••• Please drop off your nomination letter at Skaguay News Depot & Books, mail it to PO Box 498, or e-mail it to skagbooksak@icloud.com Please keep nomination letter to 500 words; no petitions or mutlple form letter nominations please. Anyone who has been nominated in the past five years will be considered for the award, along with new nominees. For more information, email Jeff or text 907-973-2354

PAST WINNERS

Helen Clark, Darlene Hoover, Connie Conard, Elma McMillen, Bea Lingle, Anna True, Boyd Worley, Jaime Gagnier, Buckwheat Donahue, Jean Worley, Alan See, Mike O’Daniel, Bob Dill, Su Rappleye, John L. O’Daniel, Tina Cyr, Lynn Herbig, Barbara Brodersen, Don & Betty Hather,Lorene & Alvin Gordon, Blaine Mero, Jackie Schaefer, Katherine Moseley, Duff & Karla Ray, Cindy O’Daniel, Linda Calver, Ginny Cochran, Kathleen O’Daniel, Linda Bigham, Wayne Greenstreet, Tim Salter, JoAnn Arnold, Wendy Anderson, Jan & John Tronrud, and Eric Moseley. Award anounced in the Dec. 9 issue & presented that Friday at the bookstore from 1-1:30 pm and on the SN Facebook Live page. – SPONSORED BY SKAGWAY BOOK CO. & THE SKAGWAY NEWS –

What to know about your small-town editor

By Melinda Munson

When I first came to Skagway, I had the naive idea that I would be the co-owner of the paper during pro fessional hours and just myself the rest of the day. I quickly realized I couldn’t separate my identities in this small town life – whether it was buying the po lice chief’s house after he was asked to resign, or maintaining a friendship with someone when they win an assembly seat. The following is what I want readers to know about interacting with me, and how journalism works in a town of 800.

1. I will never quote from a private Facebook page. However, public groups such as Bulletin Board are fair game.

2. Everything you say in a social setting is off record.

3. When you’re on the record, you’ll know. I start all my conversations for work with, “Hi, this is Melinda with The Skagway News. (I say this even to my husband and close friends to establish boundaries.)

4. Anything stated in a public meeting is quotable. I do not need to ask for permission. The same goes for any letter submitted to the assem bly.

5. During an interview, you can ask to restate or clarify a quote. I’m not looking for “gotcha” material.

6. If there is an error in an article, please no tify us immediately. I build future stories on what has already been written. I hate to make mistakes – and even more – I hate to make the same mis take twice.

7. I don’t pick the pictures that appear in the paper. I submit a variety of shots and co-editor Gretchen makes most photo choices. I think this is a good system as it takes my personal bias as a full-time resident out of the equation.

8. When running errands, I schedule extra time to accommodate community member ques tions or conversations. (My husband should pick up our takeout because by the time I get home, the food is cold.)

9. The police blotter is provided by the po lice department – I edit it for grammar, not con tent. I cannot withhold names. If my mother got a DUI, I would publish the incident.

10. There is a difference between a public per son and a private citizen. A public person is some one like the mayor or an assembly member, who is open to scrutiny. A private citizen maintains more privacy and is not open to criticism.

11. We cannot possibly cover all the stories happening in Skagway. We appreciate pictures from the community and love to publish fellow Skagwegians’ work.

12. My mom and sister tell me the profile pic ture for my column is unflattering. I keep it so when you meet me, you’re pleasantly surprised.

13. I generally never have more than one alco holic beverage. People tell me a plethora of things off record and I don’t want to slip up.

14. I’m a registered Non-partisan. I won’t tell you how I voted or how I feel about local issues. I don’t take part in protests or sign petitions. I rare ly testify at citizens present, because once I do, I cannot write an article about that topic.

15. I know I’ve done a good job on an article if both sides are slightly dissatisfied.

16. We haven’t been paid this year. The mon ey from our generous advertisers covers printing, software, office space and newsies. We’re hoping next year we’ll be blessed with a normal season.

17. Sometimes when I go to an event, I’m there to cover a story. Other times, I’m present for my spouse and children and want to be available to them.

18. I work non-traditional hours to accommo date my kids’ illnesses, appointments and other shenanigans. Don’t be surprised if you get a call from me after my children are in bed.

19. Libel is written and slander is spoken. I don’t plan to do either.

20. I love Skagway more than I could have imagined. Thank you for being unique, dedicated, kind – and a little off balance.

Assembly nixes mill increase, offers school less than what it asked

By Melinda Munson

In the second of three read ings of the 2023 budget on Nov. 17, the assembly abol ished the proposed 1.00 mill increase and slated an addi tional $500,000 for Skagway School. The $500,000 is on top of funding the school to the cap at $2.3 million, but is over half a million less than Skagway School wanted to cover current programs, such as student activities, food service, Spanish, preschool, vocational technology and music.

Prior to the budget’s first reading, Borough Manager Brad Ryan was directed by the assembly to find a way to fund the additional $1.1 million the school request ed. Ryan found the funds, in part, by eliminating one of the provider positions at the clinic and increasing property taxes by $300 on a $400,000 home.

Those measures didn’t ap pear palatale to many assem bly members.

Mayor Andrew Crema ta questioned Skagway School Superintendent Josh Coughran at the Nov. 17 meeting.

“And I did notice that there was a lot of talk about the potential for jobs to be

cut,” Cremata said, refer encing the Oct. 26 budget meeting. “Never once was it mentioned that the activities budget would be cut.”

“My intent was to let you know, and just to make it public, that the programs that are represented by those special revenue funds do have considerable staffing,” Coughran responded. “...at the end of the day, like you said, the municipality is go ing to write a check. And the school board is going to react to that, and we’re go ing to do what’s best for our kids, we’re going to try and maintain our programs … And so to be clear, and to be on the record, nothing is on the chopping block right now.”

Coughran explained why the school didn’t ask for more money in 2021. “Last year, we took from our inter nal special revenue funds, re alizing that the municipality was probably in a rough spot financially, with COVID and no ships...” he said.

Coughran stated this year, he was instructed by the school board to “represent what these programs cost.”

“You mentioned an ex ploding school budget,” Coughran said. “I don’t nec

essarily think I would charac terize it that way. I would say that it’s certainly increased. But what else has increased is our student population. We have now gone through our count period. And the number of students we have in school from kindergar ten through twelfth grade is 147.7. We haven’t had that number since 1992, 1993. And I’ve heard a number of times at this table … every body’s leaving, everybody’s leaving. The inverse is true at the school. And I think it’s in large part because of these programs. And because of what we’re able to offer kids and like it or not, that costs money.”

Assemblymember Reba Hylton noted the $1.1 mil lion the school has in re serves.

“We’re going to discuss taking out a loan later,” she said. “So, I don’t feel com fortable allocating this much funding towards any depart ment that has got funds to fund themselves…”

“I saw that Sitka funds above the cap, over a million dollars, just over a million dollars, pretty much what the Skagway School is asking. But they also have almost exactly 1,000 more students

than we do,” Hylton said.

Assemblymember Dan Henry took exception to the body’s questions.

“...one of the last things I ever wanted to do from this table is micromanage the school, or the clinic. And ei ther I have faith in who my superintendent is, and who my school board and staff is, or I don’t … that would be the only challenge I would find with the budget … Do we have the money or don’t we?”

Cremata referenced the municipality’s financial dec laration of emergency.

“…just to remind every body at the table, we are in an economic emergency,” he said.

Assemblymember Deb

Potter suggested giving the school $500,000, which combined with the rough ly $290,000 the school had pledged from its reserves, would equal what the activ ities programs cost the dis trict last year.

Assemblymember Henry was the sole no vote for the $500,000 amendment.

The school announced this month that Skagway students ranked higher than any dis trict in the state (in terms of percentage of students either proficient or advanced) in all three AK Star assessment areas: English language arts, math and science.

The third and final budget reading will occur Dec. 1.

Photo by Melinda Munson

The 2020-2021 junior high robotics team awaits competition results.

UAS Professor X’unei Lance Twitchell Nominated for Emmy for Molly of Denali

The University of Alaska Southeast (UAS) announced Nov. 18 that Professor X’unei Lance Twitchell has been nominated for an Emmy award for his work on Molly of Denali. Twitchell is a writer and advisor for the animated PBS Kids program, nominated by the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences for the first annual Children’s & Family Emmy® Awards, to be presented December 10. Molly of Denali is the first nationally-distributed children’s show in the United States to feature a lead character who is Alaska Native.

Twitchell remarked, “It is such an honor to be part of an incredible team that works on Molly of Denali. At its incep tion, the show has involved Indigenous peoples at the cre ative levels, at first under the guidance of Creative Producer Princess Johnson, and then Yatibaey Evans. There are many gifted Indigenous writers in the team, and they continue to inspire my creativity.”

Carin Silkaitis noted, “The School of Arts and Sciences is thrilled for Professor Twitchell. Here in A&S, we believe creativity is a catalyst for social and economic change and know it to be one of the most essential skills for success in today’s society. Our faculty live this ethos in and out of the classroom environment. This show is a tremendous exam ple of using creativity to help enact social change, creating much needed visibility for Alaska Native children on nation al television in this beloved character.” Silkaitis is the Dean of Arts & Sciences at UAS.

X’unei Lance Twitchell, PhD, is a Professor of Alaska Na tive Languages, one pathway offered through UAS Alaska Native Studies.

Muni seeks loan to avoid cash flow issues

By Melinda Munson

The assembly directed staff on Nov. 17 to apply for a $4.3 million short-term loan.

“The unexpected expens es to protect the life, health and safety of citizens and visitors from the rockslide … have created a cash flow issue for the Municipality of Skagway (MOS),” Borough Manager Brad Ryan wrote in a memo dated Nov. 15. “The MOS will see addition al ARPA revenue in January, CPV revenue in March, and expects the revenue bond monies in March; however, the high upfront cost of the rockslide and mooring proj ects require cash prior to re ceipt of those revenues. Until those revenues are available, it will be necessary to issue smaller loans to cover shortterm project costs.”

Finance Chair Jay Burn ham described the situation as follows.

“...we have money, and we will be covered,” Burnham said. “It’s just the amount of comfort that Heather [bor ough treasurer] would like to have is not there, which is a couple of million dollars for things that aren’t foreseen … We have the money in stocks, but now is not a good time to be wanting to take that money out of stocks. So, this is the most fiscally re sponsible thing.”

Assemblymember Reba Hylton stated the interest rate would be 4.25%.

“I feel comfortable moving forward with this, just to put us in a better place, because there are always variables that happen and money to be spent. So, I do feel like we need this cushion,” she said.

Orion Hanson, assembly member, questioned if tak ing out a loan could have been avoided.

“I understood last night that we haven’t applied for the bonding until this week,” he said. “That was six weeks ago, the voters approved it. That’s not the seven of us up here. That’s all the voters in Skagway that voted for it. And we haven’t applied for it. So yes, we’re sure short on money because we didn’t enact the timetable.”

Ryan countered Orion’s assertion.

“We reached out as soon

as the vote passed and start ed that application process,” Ryan said. “It was submitted on Nov. 1. We had another meeting with them today and they’re calling a board meet ing. They’ve been clear with us that this could be issued early next year, early spring. So we haven’t been dropping the ball and we followed through as we should.”

According to SMC 4.06.010, “The assembly may, without submitting the question to the voters, bor row money to meet appro priations for the fiscal year in anticipation of the collection of revenues for that year. The total of such indebt

edness shall never exceed twenty-five percent (25%) of the anticipated revenues in the budget. All debts so contracted shall be paid be fore the end of the next fiscal year.”

The motion to pursue a short-term loan passed unan imously.

NEWS DEPOT & BOOKS

Photo by Lisa Phu, Alaska Beacon

X’unei Lance Twitchell

Photo by Melinda Munson

Professor X’unei Lance Twitchell addresses the 2022 North Words Writers Symposium in Skagway.

To play codeword, refer to the grid above with 26 spaces. Three boxes have letters. For instance, box 17 has an R. Find all of the boxes in the puz zle numbered 17 and place an R in them. Do the same for the other two clues. All number 12 box es should be filled with a C. All number 26 boxes should be filled with an I. Once you fill the spaces, you should start to put together words. As you find new number codes, enter them in the grid above and fill them in on the puzzle. Good luck.

Color Me

codeword

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PERSONALS-MISC. SERVICES

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 907-612-0313

JOBS

Southeast Alaska State Fair, inc in Haines is seeking an Executive Director to head our energetic, creative team. A complete job description and application submission requirements are available at www.seakfair.org. deadline to apply is 5 pm Thursday, December 8.

“Skagway Childcare Council is Hiring for Little Dippers Learning Center for several positions, in hopes to open January 2023.

Little Dippers is a non profit learning center dedicated to serving children and families. The open positions include Administrator, Director and Lead teacher. For more information on how to apply please visit www. skagwaylittledippers.com “

PETS

FREE Golden Retriever Puppies to Forever Homes! 1 Male,1 Female. Excellent temperament! House trained with very good trainable natures & perfect for families with children and other pets! I will not re home to just any-one. Please email me first at: staceymcclelland8@gmail.com and Text (917) 619-1667

Nov. 6

Police & Fire Blotter

Submitted by Skagway Police Department

-Dispatch contacted the clinic on duty provider. Nov. 7

-Dispatch helped someone locate their friends who were hiking in Skagway. Nov. 8

-Dispatch contacted the clinic on duty provider three times. Nov. 10

-Dispatch received a report of reckless ATV driving – officers were unable to locate. Nov. 11

-Police personnel responded to a report of identity theft.

-Dispatch helped contact the clinic on duty provider four times.

-Fire personnel responded to a trauma emergency.

COMMUNITY CALENDAR

Library Hours: NEW Mon. - Thurs. 11 a.m. - 7 p.m. Fri. 11 a.m. - 6 p.m. Weekends 1 p.m. - 5 p.m. Call 983-2665 or email library@skagway.org

Dahl Clinic Winter Hours: Mon. - Fri. 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Closed Sat. and Sun. 907-983-2255

For after-hours emergencies, dial 911.

-Fire personnel responded to an automated fire alarm.

-Police responded to a noise complaint at a residence. Nov. 12

-Samuel Best, 35, Skagway, was arrested for Assault in the 4th Degree, Interfering or Re sisting Arrest and Disorderly Conduct.

-Max Jewell, 36, Skagway, was issued a summons for Disorderly Conduct and Inter fering or Resisting Arrest. Nov. 13

-Dispatch helped a citizen contact the clinic on duty pro vider twice. Nov. 15

-Dispatch contacted the clinic on duty provider.

Solid Waste Facility Hours

T, Th, Sa, Su. 1 - 3 p.m.

Skagway Museum 907-983-2420

Border stations: 7 a.m. - 11 p.m. Call each station for specifics.

Ferry Terminal Hours M-F 7:30 a.m. - 4 p.m.

SKAGWAY WORSHIP DIRECTORY

Assembly of God Church 8th & State • 907-983-2350

Sun. Worship....................11 a.m. Wed. Bible Devotions & Prayer 7 p.m. Email skagwayag@outlook.com

First Presbyterian Church 5th & Main • 983-2260 Sunday Worship 11 a.m. Sunday School 9:45 a.m. Women’s Prayer 10 a.m Tues. Bible Study time varies. Please inquire. Online access available to all events.

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)

11/1 38 31 .02

11/2 35 23

11/3 39 25 .03

11/4 41 32 .06

11/5 59 38

11/6 55 49 .10

11/7 55 40 .01

11/8 53 40 trace

11/9 58 52 .40

11/10 61 47 .11

11/11 49 46 .04

11/12 53 46 .02

11/13 54 49 1.85

11/14 59 42 .50

11/15 60 40 .60

11/16 62 41 .01

11/17 66 50 .45

11/18 56 43 .02

11/19 56 43 1.12

Monday,

Wednesday,

Sunday December 11th or Monday, December 12th

December 14th

Saturday, December 17th

General. 301 353 5th Avenue

Enjoy a sweet treat at all 3 stores on 5th Avenue!

4 6 PM Community Holiday Rollerblade Party & Light Show Fundraiser Skagway Recreation Center. 13th & Main With Opening appearances by Flying Toad Circus and more. Rollerblade Light Show by Reuben Cash. Small Concession Stand, including Soft Serve Ice Cream by Jay Burnham. Funds raised from concessions go towards Kids Programming at the Rec Center. $5 per person. $10 per family.

Sunday, December 18th

3 4:30 PM Holiday Book Club Skagway Public Library. 769 State Street Stop by the library in December to borrow a copy of the Library Book Club's December selection, "The Ultimate Gift." Then, on Sunday, December 18th, join us for our discussion of this heartwarming story just in time for the holidays!

4:15 5:45 PM Christmas Movie Matinee First Presbyterian Church Fellowship Hall. 475 Main Street Come watch the Christmas Story told from the viewpoint of the animals on the big screen, especially Beau the Donkey and Ruth the Sheep. Popcorn and refreshments are provided.

Tuesday, December 20th

9:30 10:15 AM Spinning Holiday Theme Ride with Johanna Skagway Recreation Center. 13th & Main Spin out that holiday stress with a blast of cardio & have some fun rocking out to holiday themed tunes!

5:15 7:15 PM Picklebell Holiday Pickleball! Skagway Recreation Center. 13th & Main Fun music and themes will be in the gym. Holiday colors and costumes encouraged!

Wednesday, December 21st

6:30 8 PM Christmas Caroling First Presbyterian Church 5th & Main Join us as we take the top hits of the Christmas Season around town for all to hear. Enjoy treats, making memories, and surprises along the way. Dress for the weather and meet at the Church. Let us know if your household would like a visit!

Thursday, December 22th

9:30 10:15 AM Spinning Holiday Theme Ride with Johanna Skagway Recreation Center. 13th & Main Spin out that holiday stress with a blast of cardio & have some fun rocking out to holiday themed tunes!

5:15 7:15 PM Picklebell Holiday Pickleball! Skagway Recreation Center. 13th & Main Fun music and themes will be in the gym. Holiday colors and costumes encouraged!

5:45 6:30 PM Spinning Holiday Theme Ride with Kendra Skagway Recreation Center. 13th & Main Come enjoy the holiday festivities AND get your workout in!

Friday, December 23rd

8:15 9 AM Spinning Holiday Theme Ride with Kendra Skagway Recreation Center. 13th & Main Come enjoy the holiday festivities AND get your workout in!

Saturday, December 24th

5:30 6:30 PM Candlelight Christmas Eve Service First Presbyterian Church 5th & Main Bring your family and friends and experience the story of Peace, Hope, Joy, and Love that occurred when Jesus was born in Bethlehem. We conclude the night singing "Silent Night" by candlelight, before going out into the night.

7 PM Eagles Christmas Eve Show Eagles Hall. 6th & Broadway Santa and his elves come to Skagway to share presents and Christmas cheer! Children ages birth 4th grade will get a present from Santa. *Must be present to receive a gift*

Sunday, December 25th

Tree Lighting 5th & Broadway Kick off Yuletide celebrations with Santa as he arrives on the firetruck and switches on the Yuletide Tree lights 6 PM Photos with Santa Happy Endings Saloon 401 State Street Warm up by the fire after the tree lighting and get your photo taken with Santa

11 AM Christmas Service First Presbyterian Church 5th & Main Every 7 or so years, Christmas falls on a Sunday. So come join us on Christmas Morning after opening gifts and open the present that God the Father gave the world on this day in Jesus his Son.

Monday, December 26th

11 4 PM Holiday Ski in Dyea Alderworks Alaska Writers & Artists Retreat, Dyea Work off those holiday calories with a X country ski. Gather by the bonfire or fireplace in our studio building. Bring some food or cheer to share. Please park in the lot before the West Creek bridge and walk or ski over to our property (driveway just left after the bridge).

Saturday, December 3rd 9 AM 12 PM Local Swap Shop Gold Rush Gifts. 200 2nd Avenue Explore tables filled with gently used clothing, home décor, kitchen and more 9 AM 1 PM Annual Quilt & Fiber Arts Show White Pass & Yukon Route Train Depot. 201 2nd Avenue Enjoy a holiday display of quilts and fiber arts made by local artists. Presented by the Skagway Quilters 11 AM 2 PM Yuletide Makers Market hosted by Glacial Naturals Skagway Recreation Center. 13th & Main Kick off Yuletide with time to ship gifts out for the holidays. Come down to support your fabulously creative local artisans. Fine art and jewelry, botanical home and body goods, stunning photography, Made in Skagway members, and lots more. 5:30 8 PM Yuletide Paint Night & Game Night Potluck hosted by Alaskan Fairytales Elks Lodge. 6th & State Start this great family fun night with a Potluck, then get paint night going with a choice of items to paint! The rest of the family will be entertained with board games set up at the other tables. $20 $60 depending upon art chosen.

6:30 PM Blue Christmas Service: a service of remembrance and hope First Presbyterian Church 5th & Main While there is much to be joyful for, there are also many things that are not the same this year due to loss or change. This service creates a space for the loss and pain to be mourned and set free in the presence of hope. Brought to you by

Sunday, January 1st