The Skagway News - May 27, 2022

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THE SKAGWAY NEWS.

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May 27, 2022

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Voters to decide if SEARHC will purchase clinic

By Melinda Munson A special election July 12 will determine if Dahl Memorial Clinic (DMC) continues to be owned by the municipality and governed by a board of directors or turned over to Southeast Alaska Regional Health Consortium (SEARHC). DMC has struggled to maintain staff, with many who quit citing a “toxic” work environment. The clinic has been without a permanent executive director since December. Many of the medical providers are locums, hired short term for higher than normal wages. The board has been inundated with complaints from the community and has held several executive sessions regarding staff actions which could not be shared with the public. The assembly voted in March to replace two clinic board members with two assembly members, reasoning that the clinic was the community’s biggest complaint but the legislative body had little involvement. Skagway currently receives approximately $1.3 million per year in HERSA funding. If SEARHC were to acquire the clinic, the HERSA funding would no longer be designated just for Skagway. Borough Manager Brad Ryan said it’s his understanding that SEARHC’s “intent is to have the HERSA to operate” and it would become a “single pot of money throughout Southeast Alaska.” Initially, the municipality fielded the idea of leasing the clinic to SEARHC. In the (see page 3- special)

Skagway Streetcars head down Broadway at the beginning of the tourism season.

Photo by Kari Rain

Man jumps off Broadway Dock, drowns By Melinda Munson A cruise ship passenger called 911 to report a possible drowning at approximately 2:10 p.m. on Friday, May 20. “We got a call about a person in the water,” said Skagway Police Department Chief Jerry (JJ) Reddick. The police and fire department both responded to the report. According to Alaska State Troopers, the man, later identified as William Anthony Rodriguez, 32, of Miami, Florida, “jumped into the water and then swam to a near shore where they spent a few minutes before swimming in front of the bow of a docked cruise vessel. The individual began to struggle in the area along the bow and then sank in the water.” “It’s very cold. Hypothermia will set in quickly,” Reddick said, describing local water conditions. The U.S. Coast Guard and

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Alaska State Troopers assisted with Friday’s search to no avail. On Saturday, divers from Juneau and a team with Southeast Alaska Dogs Organized for Ground Search were able to locate and recover the body. Neighbors of the Assembly of God Church reported a man matching Rodriguez’s description on the roof of the church Friday morning, with both the police and fire department responding. Rodriguez was a seasonal

worker, employed by a jewelry company in Skagway. In an unrelated event, about two hours after the drowning, police received a call regarding a resident in the downtown area in mental distress. “Alaska is a beautiful but unforgiving location,” Reddick said. “Sometimes seasonal workers show up unprepared for the remote location we’re in. If you find yourself struggling, please reach out and let us assist you.”

For non-life threatening emergencies, individuals can call Dahl Memorial Clinic at 907-983-2255 for mental health services. In an emergency, dial 911. “We’re all willing to talk,” Reddick said. “We’re all willing to help. That’s what we’re here for.” The investigation into Rodriguez’s death has been turned over to the Alaska State Troopers.

Photo by Melinda Munson

Skagway Police are stationed near the Norwegian Jewel after a man drowned off Broadway Dock.

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