Reading wars
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THE SKAGWAY NEWS.
Battle of the Books PAGE 6
Headed to State PAGE 7
March 11, 2022
Museum board reorganizes Page 5
Sk a g w ay, A l a s k a
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Rauscher named fire chief, with a caveat By Melinda Munson Skagway has a new fire chief, as long as she completes a seven-week Firefighter I course at Illinois Fire Service Institute. The assembly voted 4-2 to approve Interim Fire Chief Emily Rauscher as permanent chief, with assembly members Jay Burnham and Reba Hylton voting no. Rauscher was EMS director prior to becoming interim chief, and has worked at the fire department for approximately 10 years. She received praise from her employees who submitted letters of support and testified on her behalf. Shane Rupprecht, volunteer firefighter, wrote the following: “Chief Rauscher has shown tremendous leadership qualities and the ability to persevere under difficult circumstances. A leader inspires those around them and has the drive to improve not only themselves but everyone who follows their lead. These are the qualities Skagway needs in a chief and these are the qualities Chief Rauscher has demonstrated in every one of my experiences with her.” Rauscher took over in late 2021 after Fire Chief Joe Rau retired. She transitioned the department from a mostly volunteer organization that lacked volunteers to one with healthy recruitment and a higher number of paid positions. She described the current department as “responding at the highest levels of certification and experience we’ve had available to us in Skagway.” (see page 12- Fire Chief)
Skagway players hug and fans cheer after the Lady Panthers defeat Kake in the regional tournament in Juneau. The girls are headed to State March 16. See the story and photos on page 7.
Photo by Jaime Bricker
Assembly discusses gifting part of Garden City By Melinda Munson The Skagway Borough Assembly Committee of the Whole met Feb. 28 to discuss long-term planning for Garden City RV Park, purchased in 2013 from the Juneau Archdiocese for $1.7 million. Formerly, the land housed the St. Pius X Mission, a boarding school for mostly Alaska Natives. In September 2020, Skagway Traditional Council (STC) recommended the municipality conduct an archeological survey of the grounds before selling the lots, in response to hundreds of dead bodies being discovered at former mission school sites across Canada and the U.S. Mayor Andrew Cremata started the meeting with comments regarding the upcoming archeological assessment of the property. “So can we all agree that the reason we’re using ground penetrating radar is
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because we have some concern that it’s possible, however unlikely, that children that were murdered are buried under the ground there?” he asked. “...Where we’ve set the bar on how we’re going to proceed, is whether or not we’re going to find dead children’s bones buried under the ground there. That’s where we set the bar. So what I’m going to ask you … is it pos-
sible that we can set the bar a little bit higher than dead children’s bones?” Cremata suggested setting the bar at the loss of language, telling the story of a Skagway elder who was beaten at Pius X for speaking his native tongue. “I would argue that the goal was to eradicate their language,” Cremata said. “... Language is what makes us who we are. It is what makes
our families, it is what constructs our culture. It is what made it possible to have a community and it’s what makes it possible to have a country – the language is everything...” The mayor also mentioned documentation of sexual abuse at the school as well as the possability that STC might have had a legal right to the land.
By Melinda Munson The Skagway Borough Assembly came out of executive session at 11:30 p.m on Feb. 3 with two action items related to Dahl Memorial Clinic (DMC). The first item, proposed by Assemblymember Orion Hanson, was to “direct staff to prepare a draft of an ordinance to allow consideration of a public ballot vote for the
sale of the clinic, the clinic assets, the clinic building, the clinic land to SEARHC.” The measure passed in a 4-2 vote with assembly members Jay Burnham and Sam Bass voting no. Hanson then moved to “recommend the mayor place two assembly members on the voting nine-person clinic board.” All assembly members voted yes.
In closing remarks, Hanson said that one reason people are moving away is “inadequate health care.” “…the failings of our health care fall on the shoulders of the people on the assembly, including myself. The path we’ve stayed on is not working, the overturn at the clinic is completely not sustainable. And we live in a
(see page 12- Garden City)
Assembly to replace two clinic board members, staff prepares for SEARHC vote
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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, recording our Centennial years and beyond.
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MARCH 25, 2021 Please email sales@skagwaynews.com All ads and classifieds by March 18 COPY, LETTERS, CALENDAR DEADLINE: Please email editor@skagwaynews.com All news copy, letters and calendar events by March 20 Vol. XLV, No. 4 (920) Mar. 11, 2022
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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 Contributors Jeff Brady Jaime Bricker Editor Emeritus
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Letters and Opinion
March 11, 2022
THE SKAGWAY NEWS
Alaska cannot afford to sit out this war
By Larry Persily Wrangell Sentinel The State of Alaska, Congress and the president, individual companies and people do not all have the same capabilities and authority to show their disgust and dismay at Russia’s unprovoked, murderous attack on Ukraine, a sovereign nation at war with no one until Russian President Vladimir Putin decided he had to prove that he is the toughest, meanest kid on the planet. But everyone needs to do something. The world has suffered far too many deaths, ruined countries, poverty and famine due to wars over the centuries to sit by and watch more of the same. By 2022, we should be better than that. But, sadly, with the likes of Putin and other dangerous, corrupt egos in power, the killings continue, the shelling and missile strikes continue, the disregard for human rights and free elections continue. A bigger war is not the answer. The U.S. and European nations are correct in not sending in troops and airplanes. That would only result in more deaths, emboldening Putin to escalate his killings, forcing more countries to choose sides and further dividing the world. There is no easy way to force Putin to
reconsider his deadly personal war on Ukraine. The hope is that a series of aid packages to the endangered nation and sanctions against Russia can, in time, make a difference in two ways: Helping Ukrainians survive and, cumulatively, convincing Putin that he can’t win and to accept a negotiated deal. Or maybe the sanctions will convince Russians that Putin needs to retire. Either way, pressure and aid are the best weapons to help Ukraine. It is everyone’s responsibility to help bring that pressure to end the destruction, no matter how far from the border we live. The world is threatened when one nation decides war is an acceptable trade to gain power. And every person is threatened when innocent people are killed and no one tries to stop it. Stopping it means stopping all purchases of Russian products, particularly oil and natural gas that provides the bulk of income to Putin’s government. It means blocking financial transactions that allow Russia, its companies and its government, to trade goods and investments around the world. It means prohibiting Russian airlines from flying overhead and kicking Russia out of international sports competitions and anything else that the country cares
about. As for whether the Alaska Permanent Fund should sell off its investments in Russian companies, that may be a financial moot point – there are few buyers these days for those stocks and bonds. The same applies to other savings accounts and pension funds worldwide. No one can sell if there are no buyers. And even when there are buyers, the investments are worth a fraction of what they were two weeks ago. But whether government entities can find buyers for the investments is not the point. Even if it takes days or weeks or months to unload the stocks and bonds at a loss, it’s a moral issue, not financial. Starting a war is immoral, and holding investments in a country that starts a war is wrong. It’s our responsibility to be part of a cumulative world message to Putin. No one sanction or decision will affect the outcome. The hope is that an overwhelming reaction might make a difference, maybe. There are no abstentions. Taking an investment loss is a price that everyone in the free world should pay as its contribution toward restoring peace and freedom. It’s a lot easier for us than giving up your life, as people are doing in Ukraine.
Library wins state photo contest
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By Jennifer Sasselli Library Director The Skagway Public Library won first place in the 2022 Alaska Library Association Conference Photo Contest and will be featured in an Alaskan libraryof-the-month calendar. Nearly 110 photos were submitted and then voted on by conference attendees from across Alaska and several other states. This photo of the children’s room window won the most votes; a second photo celebrating Skagway Library’s centennial will also be included in the calendar. The children’s window display features seasonal birch trees and birds created by library assistant, Anna Nelson. The type of bird changes based on the seasons, as does the foliage on the birch tree.
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Photo by Anna Nelson.
The Skagway News welcomes opinions pieces and letters to the editor. Opinion pieces should be no longer than 600 words and will be published based on space availability and relevance to current and local events. Letters to the editor should not exceed 250 words. Submit letters and opinions to editor@skagwaynews. com. Letters may be edited for grammar and length.
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THE SKAGWAY NEWS
March 11, 2022
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Trade war, COVID and now Ukraine invasion eat into Alaska seafood sales By Larry Persily Wrangell Sentinal First a trade war, then a battle against an infectious virus and now a real war are all affecting Alaska seafood exports. Shipments to China fell from as high as 30% of Alaska’s total seafood export value in the 2010s to 20% in 2020. “The U.S.-China trade war has displaced $500 million of Alaska seafood,” Jeremy Woodrow, executive director of the Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute, told legislators last week. And though people bought more seafood to prepare at home during the COVID-19 pandemic, sales to restaurants and food services fell by 70%, Woodrow said. The food service market “still hasn’t fully recovered.” The Alaska product at risk in Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is pink salmon roe. Eastern Europe is a major buyer of the product, he said.
“It’s a regional preference.” Alaska in 2021 shipped to Ukraine about $20 million of pink salmon roe — mostly frozen, salted and packed in tubs — Woodrow said in an interview after his presentation to the House Fisheries Committee on March 3. Last year’s pink salmon harvest was excellent, producing a lot of roe for sale. This year’s export sales will depend on the commercial catch and the war in Ukraine. The big pink salmon returns come in July, and it’s hard to know what the market in Eastern Europe and particularly Ukraine will look like later this summer, Woodrow said. “A little bit stays here in the U.S.,” he said, but most pink roe goes overseas, including to Ukraine’s neighbors Poland, Moldova and Lithuania and a smaller quantity to Japan and China. Japanese consumers prefer chum salmon roe. Russia is a competitor to
Alaska in seafood sales, and Woodrow told lawmakers that Russia is investing $7 billion in its processing and cold storage operations, new vessels and promotions. Though, in the context of the invasion of Ukraine and global sanctions against Russia, he said, “I’m not sure how that is going to work for them moving forward.” A bigger challenge for Alaska seafood sales — worth $4.7 billion wholesale in 2019, before COVID — is finding other buyers for lost exports to China, Woodrow said. “That China dot (on the global sales map) is getting smaller every year since 2018.” The loss of exports to China has to be absorbed elsewhere, he said. “Southeast Asia is a growing market as an alternative to China,” he told lawmakers. After a 20-year effort by ASMI and the Alaska seafood industry, China grew into the state’s No. 1 sea-
food export market before the trade war cut deeply into sales starting in 2018, Woodrow said. China’s tariffs on U.S. seafood imports are four times higher than on deliveries from Canada, Norway or Russia, he said. “Alaska seafood needs global market diversification now more than ever,” the House members heard in ASMI’s presentation. The marketing agency receives no state general fund dollars. This year’s ASMI budget is funded with $16 million from a voluntary self-assessment on the industry and $10 million in federal money. The agency also benefited from $7 million in one-time money under the American Rescue Plan Act, intended to help rebuild sales hurt by the pandemic-induced slowdown. “We are optimistic for 2022,” Woodrow said. High-
er value and strong market demand as the world pulls out of pandemic closures should help Alaska fisherman and processors. Export sales picked up about 7% from 2020 to 2021, but still were down 10% from preCOVID numbers. And ASMI is always looking for new marketing opportunities, particularly as people return to dining out and socializing with groups. “We know that Alaska will not take over the turkey at Thanksgiving,” he said, but the marketing agency is working to promote seafood as people socialize more. “We want to make sure Alaska seafood is part of the celebration.”
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Salmon roe, Naknek, Alaska
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Child Find: April 27th-28th, 2022 Skagway School District is scheduling appointments for our birth to five year old annual early development screening from April 27-28, 2022. This screening will be conducted by a collection of specialists at the school. We will be screening for vision, hearing, developmental delays, speech/language impairments, and more. The purpose is to locate children with potential disabilities so that a free and appropriate public education can be made available. The types of disabilities that, if found, cause a child to need services are: • Cognitive Disability • Speech or Language Impairment • Emotional Disturbance • Autism Spectrum Disorder • Other Health Impairment • Deaf-Blindness
• Hearing Impairment, Including Deafness • Visual Impairment, Including Blindness • Orthopedic Impairment • Traumatic Brain Injury • Specific Learning Disability • Multiple Disabilities
What is Child Find? Child Find refers to activities undertaken by a public education agency (Skagway School District), to identify, locate, and evaluate children between the ages of birth to twenty-one residing within the school’s geographic boundaries who are suspected of having disabilities, regardless of the severity of their disability, and determine the child’s need for special education and related services. If you suspect your child has a disability, you know of a child who you suspect may have a disability, or you have questions about special education for children with disabilities, please contact Cody Burnham at Skagway School by calling (907)983-2960 or email cburnham@skagwayschool.org to schedule an appointment.
March 11, 2022
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Editor’s column
By Gretchen Wehmhoff I was hanging with my maternal grandmother in her kitchen. Two of my cousins and I had taken a ski trip in Oregon, then headed to the coast to visit our grandparents. My cousins were off doing something with Grandpa, and I, in my 20s, was visiting with Grandma. It was small talk until she stopped, put down her bowl and looked straight into my soul. “You know,” she said with unbreakable seriousness, “No one can take care of you better than you.” I looked back at her, nodding, frozen, because I didn’t know what else to say. She was telling me what I needed to know at a time I never really wanted to think about
THE SKAGWAY NEWS
“No one can take care of you better than you” it. She was right. With my severe asthma and multiple allergies, I had to be aware of my surroundings, everywhere I went and everything I ate – all of the time. I was the one person who would always be with me. The only person who would always be with me. She also told me, “If you want to get something done, put on your shoes.” I still live by that one. Both of my grandmothers, born at the turn of the century, had college degrees. Both were among the first generation of women to vote. Both grandmothers raised their children through the Great Depression and both survived to see grandchildren and great grandchildren. Both became teachers. Both insisted their children go to college. Both married smart, hardworking men. My paternal grandparents wrote love notes to each other while Grandpa served in World War I. They then saw their oldest son head off to
fight in Europe, thousands of miles away during World War II and their youngest son serve in the Korean war. Their daughter, a replica of her parents, became a nurse. My great grandmothers were extra tough. One gave birth to a dozen children, to have four survive. My grandfather had to quit school in the eighth grade to help support the family when my great-grandfather was terminally ill for years. His mom, my great-grandma, raised her kids, took care of her sick husband and didn’t take nonsense from anyone. There was no time for foolishness. One great-grandmother crossed the country in the 1800s as a single mother with her boys. She certainly didn’t have a mini-van for that trip – never mind electronics to keep them busy. My paternal grandmother was the optimist of the family. She saw no darkness in her children or grandchildren. She raised her kids with a strong voice, and perhaps a willow branch or two,
but she raised them to be productive members of society. She believed in them. She believed in me. When cousins or aunts and uncles would worry about me doing something alone, like traveling to Europe, or across town in a rental car by myself – grandma would tell them to never mind. “She’ll be fine, just let her be.” I’m sure grandma stood her ground with her children, doled out the punishment then went in the back yard and had a great belly laugh. That’s who she was. She saw the sunshine in every cloud. Actually, my mother had a lot in common with both of my grandmothers.
I’m pretty much a wimp compared to the matrons of our family. I can drive a car around town and without even getting out of the vehicle, groceries are loaded, online shopping is dropped in my trunk and someone hands my high quality – or expensive – coffee through a window. The women in my family, generations back, are the reason I’m here. They survived, raised their families to have a better life and never looked back. And if they did, they never complained. I want to be like them when I grow up.
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Police & Fire Blotter Submitted by Skagway Police Department
Feb. 15 Police department assisted with a breath test. Feb. 16 Klondike Highway closed. Feb. 17 Police department assisted with fingerprints. Klondike opened.
Highway
re-
Police department assisted a citizen with a vehicle jumpstart. Feb. 28 Police department assisted with vehicle lockout. March 2 Fire department responded to an alarm at a downtown business.
Feb. 20 Police department assisted with a vehicle lockout.
Police department responded to a complaint about an off-leash dog.
Police department assisted NOAA with a call regarding a deceased sea creature at Smugglers Cove.
Fire department responded with an ambulance to a medical emergency.
Feb. 21 Fire department responded to a fire alarm. Dispatch assisted with contacting the Dahl Memorial Clinic on duty provider. Feb. 22 Police department responded to a call about a possible break-in that turned out to be a false alarm.
Fire department assisted with a medevac. March 3 Police department responded to a call about a dog on the airport runway. Police department assisted the National Park Service with multiple building alarms downtown. March 4 Police department performed a welfare check.
THE SKAGWAY NEWS
March 11, 2022
By Melinda Munson The Museum Board met for the first time since March 1, 2018, due to inability to form a quorum and COVID-19, according to board chair, Bob Deitrick. Municipality code requires the board, an advisory council, to meet at least once per year. Deitrick was re-elected chair. Bruce Schindler was named vice-chair and Janilyn Heger, who replaced Carl Mulvihilll, will act as secretary. Cori Giacomazzi and Donna Griffard are also board members. During Citizens Present, Wendy Anderson addressed the board and Judith Munns, museum director since 1995. “I just wanted to thank Judy and the museum for being here throughout COVID-19. It was so nice to have a place in Skagway where we could send people … I also had the privilege of working on the Rapuzzi Committee, back then I guess it was 2014 at this point. And I know that there’s been a lot of community frustration about not a lot of visible activity happening with the museum. But as part of being on that committee, I really learned how when the city took on the Rapuzzi Collection, how much work they were doing
behind the scenes … how much Judy as a one person department has done to process that collection and bring it into the public sphere.” Once located in the upper floor of City Hall in the form of artifacts laid out on long tables, the museum now occupies the bottom floor of the building, with many of those same artifacts encased in glass to protect them from deterioration. Started with a focus on the gold rush, the museum now houses contemporary Skagway artists and cultural objects Native people actually used, not just the curio objects being sold to tourists. Munn is the only museum employee, except for in the summer season when four part-time employees make up a 1.2 position. She described the challenges of the current museum space to the board. “Much of what we do here is not doing creative exhibitions. We’re cleaning, we’re constantly monitoring and cleaning,” she said. With open doorways to allow for airflow for COVID mitigation, dust and wind are a constant concern. The museum is not environmentally controlled, which disqualifies it from many traveling exhibits. According to
Museum board meets after nearly four years
Photos by Melinda Munson
Munn, the biggest concern is space. The museum only has room for a small portion of its collection. The municipality rents out nine storage containers to house the rest of the museum’s inventory. “Everything that’s in those containers and storage units is day by day depreciating in quality, it cannot be sustained in those spaces,” Munn said, speaking of the long-term consequences. Assemblymember Sam Bass, Museum Board liaison, asked the board to name a place that could work for museum expansion. “Is there a building that you guys have your eyes on?” he said. The board suggested the old fire hall and old city hall, the commissary and several other buildings not currently in use, many of which need renovations. Janilyn Heger proposed utilizing several buildings for a museum passport system. “You wouldn’t necessarily find everything in one building, you could find focus parts of the collection,” she said. “...And then you’ve got people going through more of Skagway to get to those different facilities.” Munns was excited by the thought of displaying industrial equipment at the old fire hall with the added component of hands-on technical classes, or using another building for a historical reading room. She suggested the community decide what they want the museum to grow into and craft a five or 10-year plan. According to Munns, in 2020, the Skagway Museum hosted approximately 23,000 visitors. In comparison, Ketchikan’s museum had about 15,000 visitors and the Alaska State Museum in Juneau saw 20,000 individuals. The next Museum Board meeting is April 25 at 1 p.m. The museum is open Tuesday to Friday, 1 to 4 p.m. during the winter. Free admission for locals.
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WATCH THE ICE The Skagway Chamber of Commerce office hours have changed: Monday- Friday 10am-2pm Please don’t hesitate to call, email or stop by if you are in need of anything. We are here to serve you.
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Mon. - Fri. 10am - 2pm 907-983-1898 F: 983-2031 chamber@aptalaska.net www. skagwaychamber.org
7th & State
P.O.B. 194
SKAGUAY NEWS DEPOT & BOOKS Have You Heard? DAVID SEDARIS is performing in Skagway May 17! We have his latest books and more are on the way! Open 12:30-4:30 Sun-Fri, closed Saturdays 907-983-3354 • www.skagwaybooks.com
March 11, 2022
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THE SKAGWAY NEWS
Skagway students compete in their first Battle of the Books Staff Writer The Skagway News Coach Cody Burnham led Skagway students into their first Battle of the Books competition. “I have coached teams across Alaska and I have found that it is a great opportunity for students who excel in reading and comprehension to challenge themselves and receive recognition,” he said. The team got a late start this year, but typically books titles are finalized for ordering at book stores on Sept. 15 each year. Practices start around the beginning of October. Each grade level is given 10-12 books to read as a team and then they compete in a game show type competition where they answer questions with the name and author of the correct book. A round consists of two battles of 16 questions each. The competition consists of three rounds, the top 12 scoring teams move on to the second round of competition and the top four scoring teams qualify for the last round. The state competition was Feb. 14 -17 with each day dedicated to a grade-level team competition: 3rd/4th grade, 5th/6th grade, 7th/8th
grade and 9th-12th grade. Due to Skagway School’s small size, some 6th graders competed on the 7th/8th grade team and two 7th graders competed on the high school team. “Assistant Coach Kortney Rupprecht and I are so very
proud of the teams. They were competing in an activity that was new to them against big districts who have district competitions to determine their very best teams to send to the state level,” Burnham said. The 3rd/4th and 5th/6th
grade teams both came in 24th place in their respective brackets. The 7th/8th grade team came in 15th place, and the high school team, which qualified for the second round of competition, came in 11th place overall. Team members include:
3rd/4th Grade - Fable Wallace, Lincoln Watson-Rivest, Oscar Nelson; 5th/6th Grade - Luna Hischer, Chloe Harris, Zuma Flores; 7th/8th Grade - Arthur Aribam, Logan Rupprecht, Sam Munson; 9th12th Grade: Mina Yee, Ryder Calver, Mali Harris
Arthur Aribam, Logan Rupprecht, Coach Cody Burnham, Sam Munson
Lincoln Watson-Rivest, Fable Wallace
Photos provided by Cody Burnham
Oscar Nelson, Assistant Coach Kortney Rupprecht, Lincoln Watson-Rivest, Fable Wallace
COVID positive? Now what? If you test positive for COVID-19, here’s what to do to protect yourself and others: • Contact your health care provider and ask about treatment options. Treatments work best when started right away, so don’t delay! • Stay home and isolate for at least five days. • Get plenty of rest and stay hydrated. • Take over-the-counter medications such as acetaminophen to reduce symptoms. • If your symptoms worsen, contact your health care provider.
If you don’t have a health care provider, call the COVID-19 helpline at 907-646-3322 or your local public health center for guidance. Visit dhss.alaska.gov for more information and COVID-19 resources.
THE SKAGWAY NEWS
March 11, 2022
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Coach Nate Jennings, Ava Meyers, Lennon Jennings, Athena Smith, Tatum Sager, Zoe Whitehead, Tessa Murphy, Kenadie Cox and Kaitlyn Tronrud at regionals.
Skagway girls snag second at regionals, advance to State By Jeff Brady For the News For the first time since winning two state titles in 2010-2011, the SHS girls are heading back to the ASAA State Basketball Tourney in Anchorage, March 16-19. The Lady Panthers did it in dramatic fashion at last week’s region tourney in Juneau. After falling in their opener to Kake 37-32, Skagway had to win every game in the consolation bracket, and then a rematch with the Thunderbirds. Each game was close, but the team rallied in the fourth quarter to take down Hoonah 45-36, Angoon 39-34, and finally Kake 42-36. Kake had fallen to Klawock in the championship game Friday, and sometimes it’s hard for the loser of that game to rally for one more win to ensure a state berth. Skagway has found itself in that position a few times over the years and not succeeded in winning the runner-up game, but this Panther team had a lot of drive going into it. And even though they were playing their second game of the day, they still had fresh legs and a focus to finish strong in the Saturday night finale. Coach Nate Jennings said the team held it together after the loss of the first game to Kake, which they felt they should have won. “They showed a lot of ma-
turity, insofar as years past and difficult situations,” Jennings said. “Each one of those that we won was a tight game and they showed their maturity by pulling it off, especially the last game with everything on the line, how we hadn’t been to the state tournament in 11 years. That’s what I was most proud of, their maturity level.” The final game was a classic, with fans loud on both sides. Skagway opened up a 5-0 lead, but Kake quickly tied it, and then it was backand-forth all the way until the end of the third quarter. That’s when Kake’s shooting went cold, due in part to solid Skagway defense. Panthers Zoe Whitehead (5 points), Ava Myers (6), Lennon Jennings (6), and Kanadie Cox (7) made key shots to get the lead back by a point going into the final period. Then it was a matter of challenging Kake shots and getting after rebounds. Skagway did that and stretched the lead to eight points, with senior all-conference leader Tatum Sager (18 points) driving for huge buckets and getting to the free throw line. She made four straight in the final minute to seal the win and start the celebration. The Lady Panthers were back in the home gym Monday for a week of practice. They will be working on shooting with an aim to score more points against good teams from around the
state that like to run. “We know that everybody that’s going to be up there will be a tough match-up, so we have to be ready to go,” Jennings said. Meanwhile the Skagway boys were also itching to get back to State, but fell short. In their opener, the Panther boys knocked off Gustavus easily, 51-24, but then lost to eventual champion Kake 7849 in the semifinals. In the consolation round against Hoonah, the Panthers fought back from a 10-point halftime deficit to nearly catch the Braves at the end, falling in a 40-39 heartbreaker for the young team. “We had a good season but unfortunately didn’t play our best in the end,” said coach Ross Barrett. “Overall I did see a lot of improvement and I’m really proud of what we did accomplish. This off-season we’re looking to build on that and come back ever stronger next year.” The team’s lone senior,
Benjamin Burnham, had a good tournament, and juniors Austin Bricker and Joshua Cochran made the all-conference team. They will be the nucleus of next year’s squad. The girls move on and will be one of 16 teams vying for a state title starting March
Ava Meyers
Tessa Murphy (23) and Kenadie Cox (24)
16. ASAA 1A tourney schedule and information can be found at http://asaa.org/activities/basketball/ and the school website will have the links for listening to and live streaming games. Photos by Jaime Bricker
Obituary
Page 8
Thelston “Thel” Mason
Thelston Mason passed away Jan. 23, 2022, with his love, Jeanine (Jean), and his mother, Sheila, by his side. He will be deeply missed by his family and by all the people he inspired and got to know over the years. His life was well lived, full of fam-
March 11, 2022
Feb. 3, 1964 - Jan. 23, 2022
ily, adventure, great friendships and rich experiences. Born Feb. 3, 1964, in Skagway, Alaska, Thel was brought up like a true Southeastern Alaska boy. He enjoyed fishing, hiking, snowmachining and camping in the Skagway and Dyea valleys and at his family’s cabin in British Columbia. Thel excelled in athletics, particularly basketball and cross-country, and enjoyed the competition and camaraderie that brings so many Southeast Alaskan communities together. Thel met the love of his life, Jean Fairbanks, while growing up in Skagway. They were high school sweethearts and married in
Tucson, Arizona, where Thel attended the University of Arizona. They created a family together, welcoming their daughter, Courtney, and son, Cirai. The family moved to Juneau in 1998. Thel was a hard-working provider for his family. After attending the Universities of Hawaii and Arizona, he went on to carve out a successful career in the construction industry in Alaska. While working for Knik Construction, he had the opportunity to travel and work in many rural communities throughout the Northwest Arctic, Western and Interior regions of the state. In a 21-year career in management with Secon, Inc., he worked from
Skagway to Prince of Wales Island. In the 80s, Thel also spent two seasons based in King Cove fishing and crabbing in the Bering Sea. Thel was small in stature but big in character. Nothing shone brighter than his work ethic, intelligence and humor. As one close friend said, “The thing I loved most about him was how he could make everyone around him better at whatever they were doing.” In both his work and personal life, he made sure things were done the right way and on time. He was quick with a witty comment and had an endearing nickname for everyone around him. Whether it was a prank phone call to his grand-
Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority Trust Land Office Notice under 11 AAC 99.050 of Decision for the Negotiated Land Sale of Trust Land - Skagway MHT 9101066 Notice is hereby given that, pursuant to the provisions of AS 38.05.801 and 11 AAC 99, the Executive Director of the Alaska Mental Health Trust Land Office (TLO) has determined that it is in the best interest of the Alaska Mental Health Trust and its beneficiaries to complete a negotiated sale of certain Trust land to Jay Burnham. The basis for this determination is explained in a written best interest decision prepared by the Executive Director pursuant to 11 AAC 99.040. The Trust land affected by the decision is adjacent to Skagway, and is more particularly described as: Lot 5, of US Survey No. 5110, located within Section 12, Township 28 South, Range 59 East, Copper River Meridian, containing approximately 60-acres (MH Parcel C20462.002) Persons who wish to submit a qualified competing offer as described in Section XIII of the best interest decision, believe that the written decision should be altered because it is not in the best interest of the Trust or its beneficiaries, or because the decision is inconsistent with Trust management principles set out in 11 AAC 99.020, or any other provision of 11 AAC 99, must provide written comments on or before 4:30 PM, April 11, 2022. Qualified competing offers and/or Comments should be submitted to the TLO at 2600 Cordova Street, Suite 201, Anchorage, AK 99503, or by fax (907) 269-8905 or email mhtlo@alaska.gov. Following the comment deadline, the Executive Director will consider timely comments that question the decision on the basis of the best interest of the Alaska Mental Health Trust and its beneficiaries or inconsistency with 11 AAC 99, and the best interest decision may be changed in response to such written comments or other information. Commenting parties will be provided a copy of the final best interest decision after the end of the notice period. To be eligible to file for reconsideration of the best interest decision, or to file a subsequent appeal to the Superior Court, a person must have submitted written comments during the notice period. Eligible persons will have twenty (20) calendar days after published notice of or receipt of the final written decision to request that the Executive Director reconsider the decision under 11 AAC 99.060(b). Copies of the written decision are available at the Trust Land Office, or at https://alaskamentalhealthtrust.org/trust-land-office/. If you have any questions concerning this action, please contact the Trust Land Office at (907) 269-8658. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Alaska Mental Health Trust is prepared to accommodate individuals with disabilities. Please contact the Trust Land Office at (907) 269-8658 for assistance. Requests for assistance must be received at least 96 hours prior to the comment deadline in order to ensure that any necessary accommodations can be provided. The Executive Director of the TLO reserves the right to waive technical defects in this notice or to amend, postpone, or vacate the best interest decision. __________________________________ Jusdi Warner Executive Director
3/4/2022
__________________________ Date Published Skagway News: March 11,2022
THE SKAGWAY NEWS
mother or an eclectic fashion choice, he could always rouse laughter from his family and friends. Thel’s love of travel spurred many adventures with Jean. They traveled throughout the United States and internationally, seeking new cultures to learn, foods to try, activities to experience and beaches to relax on. His favorite destinations included Costa Rica’s beaches and New Orleans’ vibrant culture. No matter where he went he sought out local spots where he would drum up a conversation, connect with people and learn how to best experience the location. In true “Project Manager Mason” style, there was always a well-researched itinerary for each day. The loss is immeasurable; but so is the love left behind. Thel is survived by his wife, Jeanine Mason, his children, Courtney Mason (Sheilah O’Loughlin) and Thomas Cirai Mason, his mother, Sheila Mason and his grandson, Kieran O’Loughlin, as well as many close friends and extended family. He was predeceased by his beloved grandmother, Delia “Dee” Mulkey, father, Thomas C. Mason, uncles Terry and Charlie Mason and brother, Troy Mason, as well as maternal grandparents Sam and Ruth Nelson and aunts Darlene, Sandee and Bonnnie. A gathering in Thel’s memory will be planned for Summer 2022 in Skagway, Alaska, date and time to be shared.
Obituary guidelines The Skagway News publishes obituaries at no charge for those who have a connection to Skagway. Please try to keep the obituary to 650 words. Photos may be color or black and white, should be in jpeg form and at least one mb in size for good quality.
THE SKAGWAY NEWS
March 11, 2022
Now Hiring NEWSIES and Newsie supervisors.
We are excited to be hiring newsies again! If your child, age 8 and up, would like to join us this season handing out the Skaguay Alaskan on the docks, please email melinda@skagwaynews.com. Include your name, contact number and your child’s name, age. We meet at 7:15 a.m. and generally work about an hour. Pay is minimum wage plus donuts. *All newsies must be vaccinated and wear a mask while working. Newsies should provide their own costumes so start hitting the thrift store.
Contact Melinda at melinda@skagwaynews.com
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Family Fun Page - print and share Across 1 “Let’s get goin’!” 5 Barflies 10 Recently deceased 11 As a matter ---, ... 13 Pine 14 Graven image 15 Drops 17 Joshes 18 Omen 21 Devour 22 Ottawa chief 24 Malt beverage 26 Capricorn 29 Ocho ---, Jamaican resort 31 Mecca man, for example
March 11, 2022
32 To an extent 35 Walked 36 California racetrack 37 Bring on board 38 Thin 39 Top guns
Down 1 Embrace 2 Rambo-like 3 Hell is ---, (Jean-Paul Sartre) 4 Must 5 “Mayday!” 6 Many times 7 At a distance 8 Has hosted TV shows on all the Big Three
Last issue’s answers
codeword
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 puzzle numbered 17 and place an R in them. Do the same for the other two clues. All number 12 boxes 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.
Gray
Yellow
Green
Red
Light blue
Lavender
THE SKAGWAY NEWS
networks 9 Diving gear 12 Dry run 16 Mailed 19 Ultimate degree 20 Even scores 23 An aunt of Bertie Wooster 24 Desiccated 25 Challenge for a shortstop 27 Worship 28 Beach cleaners? 30 Identical 33 Wicked 34 Endeavor
CLASSIFIEDS
THE SKAGWAY NEWS
March 11, 2022
News Classified Ads cost 40 cents per word, $4 minimum.
immediately to April 1. Subsidized housing available. Discounts on food and retail. Year-round position includes paid holidays and vacation. Closes March 25, send resume and references to mike@skagwaybrewing.com
JOBS-OPPORTUNITIES Skagway Brewing is hiring Experienced Maintenance Workers. Full-time Seasonal and Year-Round, $22-30/hour DOE. Start date flexible, varying from
The Municipality of Skagway is
accepting application for a variety of positions. Please visit the borough’s employment opportunities section at www.skagway.org for job announcements or to download an application or contact m.gihl@ skagway.org for further information.
HOUSING AND PROPERTY
Longtime summer worker desperately searching for housing for upcoming season. Text or call 907-312-6413.
PERSONALS-MISC. SERVICES FOOD BANK DONATIONS WELCOME. Donations may be sent to the Food Bank, PO Box
Library Hours: M-F 11 a.m. - 6 p.m. Sat 1 p.m. - 5 p.m. Closed Sunday (COVID-19 mitigation practices are in place) Call 983-2665 or email library@skagway.org Dahl Clinic Winter Hours: Mon. - Fri. 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Closed Sat. and Sun. For after-hours emergencies, please dial 911. Incinerator Hours T, Th, Sa. 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.
See www.skagway.org for borough meeting updates.
Email Updates & New Events: editor@skagwaynews.com
SKAGWAY WORSHIP DIRECTORY Assembly of God Church
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE OBSERVATIONS FOR PREVIOUS 24-HOUR PERIOD BEFORE 7 A.M.
8th & State • 907-983-2350 Sun. Worship....................11 a.m. Wed. Bible Devotions & Prayer 7 p.m. Email skagwayag@outlook.com
DATE
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)
RECREATION CTR SCHED Skagway Recreation Center • 12th & Main • 983-2679 Cardio • Weight Room • Locker Rooms • Showers • Rock Wall OPEN regular hours Please sign up for classes, wt. room use and cardio floor use at https://signupschedule.com/src
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.
Weather Watch
BROADWAY BULLETIN BOARD COMMUNITY CALENDAR
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Customer Service Representative – Skagway $1000.00 Sign-On Bonus*
Alaska Power & Telephone has a full time opening for a Customer Service Representative (CSR) in Skagway. This position will sell and promote services of the company while dealing with new and existing customers. Responsibilities also include taking power and telecom service orders and payments, answering phones, assisting customers, balancing daily cash, handling customer billing (charges, credits, etc.), assisting with inventory and various other administrative support duties as assigned. We are looking for a dependable, unflappable person who excels at juggling multiple tasks and providing exceptional customer service. Our ideal candidate is a person who is driven to serve our customers with a positive “can-do” attitude, who is great with people, eager to learn and can communicate effectively in a fast-paced work environment.
Candidates must be available to work 7:00am-4:00pm Monday through Friday. Candidate Qualifications Required
• • • • • • •
High School Diploma or GED
1-2 years of experience in an office or face-to-face customer service Proficient with MS Office Suite/10-key skills
Valid driver’s license and ability to be insured by AP&T
Ability to pass a pre-employment background and drug test
Ability to periodically travel to other properties and meetings as required Proven ability to cope with Alaska’s harsh weather & challenging environment This position will be open until filled. NO PHONE CALLS PLEASE.
$1000.00 SIGN-ON BONUS
(sign-on bonus to be paid after successful 6-months of employment) Interested? Apply today at:
https://aptalaska.workbrightats.com/jobs/740052-176045.html
AP&T is a EEO Employer /Vets /Disabled ~ AP&T is a Drug and Alcohol-free workplace
MAX
MIN
PREC
Weather Watch 2/1 - 3/2 2/1 15 7 2/2 4 7 .06 2/3 16 12 trace 2/4 15/ 13 .07 2/8 41 32 .13 2/9 45 40 .23 2/10 46 35 .02 2/11 45 31 trace 2/12 39 32 .10 2/13 43 30 2/14 39 23 2/15 39 23 .05 2/16 38 32 .10 2/17 41 33 2/18 42 38 2/19 43 36 .02 2/20 43 28 2/21 28 14 2/22 24 14 2/23 31 21 .04 2/24 34 19 2/25 33 24 2/26 37 26 .07 2/27 39 32 .01 2/28 42 31 .26 3/1 43 30 3/2 42 28 trace
March 11, 2022
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Assembly discusses plans for Garden City RV Park “I would hope we could all agree that there’s definitely a scar that still exists there, even though the building is firmly buried underground, along with whatever else may or may not be there,” he said. Cremata recommended the community consider gifting half of Garden City, including the portion that held Pius X before it burned down, to STC, a sovereign tribal government. During the meeting, two assembly members expressed support for the idea, Reba Hylton and Dustin Stone. “...I think we should ask the Catholic Church to give us half of that money back. They should be paying for that. We wrote them a $25,000 check in the last check run. Give that back, please. We want to do what’s right, they should do what’s right as well,” she said. Assemblymember Orion Hanson was not in complete agreement with Cremata’s suggestion. “I don’t feel comfortable in a municipal asset, where 95% of people are not of indigenous heritage, of giving half of that away. But I could see some lots going towards that,” he said. As the meeting continued, assembly members discussed if Garden City should be sold for housing lots, or upgraded into a “world class” RV park. Assemblymember Sam Bass was adamant that housing took priority over the financial benefits from RV visitors. “...Why wait, why keep running an RV park at all? I would fast track this and I would try to have these lots up for sale by fall,” he said. And later, “I don’t see us as being an RV community, I see us being a tourist community that has a big housing issue that needs to get resolved.” He suggested a possible mixture of single family lots for first time/low income buyers and high density housing. The assembly discussed what kinds of restric-
tions could be placed on the land to ensure that first time buyers were prioritized and if young families could even afford to buy following a pandemic and how to avoid saturating the market. Hylton and Stone were in favor of an RV park. “We’ve seen that our cruise ship based economy is not bulletproof. And we’ve discussed over and over that we need to diversify our economy … And so if we want to diversify our economy, we have to diversify our tourism. I always thought putting an RV park out across the bridge was a great idea, but that sort of defeats the purpose of bringing tourists into town,” Stone said. Assemblymember Deb Potter was concerned about losing seasonal housing. “Let’s say if we do have a world class RV park, which I’m not opposed to. What is the point if there are no employees to provide the services? As a former business owner, we were not always able to provide housing and that put us in a situation where … we had to hire some very questionable, questionable people, because somewhere, somehow they had a place to live in. It didn’t always make for the best customer service providers,” Potter said. Hanson, one of the longest serving assembly members at nearly six years, reminded the group of the general community vision for the land. “Prior to the pandemic, I think the plan had always been to develop water and sewer across the bridge, and move the RV park and sell the lots off residentially; that was a pretty consistent vision,” he said. “...I could be very easily convinced that Garden City should be an RV park going forward, if we keep in mind that we still need to run water and sewer across the bridge, because that’s where the greatest availability of flat land is in Skagway,” Orion added. Stone said he felt “the real housing crisis in this
THE SKAGWAY NEWS continued from front page
town is we don’t have anywhere to house people that come here to work and support our economy all summer. So I think it’s a little shortsighted to think that just selling lots for people to build brand new homes on is going to solve the housing crisis here.” When the issue of high-density housing was brought up, Hanson suggested residents “go up to 20th and Main and check it out. It’s big. And that’s about the maximum you can build. So, when you think about high density housing, if you think that’s the answer, take a look at it.” Hylton said, “Civic Affairs is going to be addressing some housing issues when it comes to density and some other areas that we can improve so we can have more housing in this community. Because there’s plenty of it available. It’s just we’re not utilizing it properly.” All assembly members were in agreement that running sewer and water across the bridge was a priority, regardless of the decisions made about Garden City. Borough Manager Brad Ryan estimated the infrastructure will cost around $10 million. There is currently a grant application out for the project. No public comment was scheduled into the meeting for time purposes. Cremata asked that citizens with ideas and concerns talk to himself and assembly members and submit letters to the assembly. This season, Garden City will function as an RV park with no sewer or water hook-ups, due to aging infrastructure. It cannot serve as employee housing as municipal code requires sewer/water for long term RV habitation. However, Resolution 29-21R allows homeowners to rent out permitted RV spots on their private land from April through October. The resolution sunsets May 1, 2024.
Fire chief attends training continued from front page With Rauscher’s background predominantly in EMS and not fire fighting, there was pushback to naming her fire chief. “People approached me with concerns about Emily Rauscher’s training to fight fires,” Assemblymember Orion Hanson said. Burnham noted that other communities fire chief job descriptions required seven to 10 years as a firefighter and three years as a chief or assistant chief. Paul Meyers, a former employee of the fire department, resigned as a volunteer firefighter in December 2021. “I cannot or will not work under someone who is under qualified, risking personal life and safety,” he said. Meyers appears to be the only citizen to have gone on record in opposition to Rauscher’s appointment.
Clinic update
Photo provided by the Skagway Fire Department
Emily Rauscher, third from the left, is Skagway’s new fire chief.
Those on record spoke of Rauscher’s leadership, dedication, positive attitude and knowledge of the community. “I think Emily is going to be good. I think we made the right call for stability in Skagway,” Hanson said. Rauscher is currently in Illinois working on her Fire-
fighter I certification. Deputy Chief Wayne Greenstreet is in charge during her absence. Mayor Andrew Cremata, Borough Manager Brad Ryan, Assemblymember Sam Bass and Greenstreet comprised the hiring committee.
tiny place. And if you can’t get health care, what do you do?” Handon said. DMC recently lost their permanent RN. Additionally, a seasonal RN did not complete her contract. The interim executive director, hired for a three month contract, was in Skagway only briefly, and will fulfill her work remotely as the clinic searches for a replacement executive director. The clinic is currently hiring a nurse practitioner/ physician’s assistant, medical assistant, receptionist, administrative assistant and
Photo by Paul Munson
continued from front page
other positions. Newly appointed Clinic Board of Directors President Jeremy Simmons was not ready to comment on the assembly’s decision to replace two board members with assembly members. He did understand the assembly’s intent to move forward with a vote on the future of the clinic. “That’s a necessary thing. The community needs to make a decision. It’s hard to do what we need to do while that decision is hanging over our head,” he said.