Issuu

Garden City plans

Eric Moseley

Crush the resolutions

Subscribe at www.skagwaynews.com/subscribe

THE SKAGWAY NEWS.

Funds dedicated to fixes PAGE 3

Helen B. Clark Award PAGE 8

December 10, 2021

Sk a g w ay, A l a s k a

Extended ferry repairs take a bite out of sailing schedule

By Melinda Munson It was a week of panic for any Skagwegian with winter travel plans. The Matanuska, scheduled to return to service in early December, now has an “anticipated date of return” of Jan. 23 due to corroded steel. The updated ferry schedule has reduced sailings with a gap in service from Jan. 9-23. “The ferry is detrimental to my health,” said business owner Billi Clem. Clem, a breast cancer survivor, needs to get to Juneau for a mammogram, OBGYN checkups and dental work associated with chemotherapy side effects. Everytime a ferry is canceled, Clem has to reschedule her appointments. “I have had numerous delays with my check-ups. It has become urgent,” she said. Clem has spent much of her time reaching out to legislators, asking for improved ferry service. “There’s only so many calls I can make to Murkowski’s office. I don’t feel like I’m getting anywhere,” she said. “We don’t have access to our highway system.” Some residents are considering leaving Skagway because of that lack of access. According to Mayor Andrew Cremata, four families with children are contemplating moving due to unreliable ferry service. Kendra Guilliams and her husband, Jesse, don’t have any plans to relocate, but years of restricted ferry service have them questioning the future. “It makes it easier for us to talk about the possibility of see page 8 - Ferry repairs

Tips for the New Year PAGE 5

$1.50

Photo by Melinda Munson

Acting Fire Chief, Emily Rauscher, energizes Justin Munson with her chief’s helmet at the Public Safety Building open house on Dec. 3. See more pictures on page 8.

Listing ferry spooks passengers, raises concerns By Melinda Munson A crowded ferry bound for Skagway turned back 2.5 hours into the journey on Nov. 19. The LeConte returned to Juneau with its 190 passengers, offloaded several pieces of heavy machinery and a few cars, then headed north again. The reason given for the delay was “freezing spray conditions,” according to a Department of Transportation and Public Facilities (DOT) press release. Not everyone who was part of the first leg of the journey was present for the re-do. Passengers Karla and Duff Ray opted to disembark in Juneau and fly home to Skagway. Karla said from the moment the ferry left the dock in Juneau, they noticed “this thing’s loaded heavy on the left.” When the crew announced the ferry was overloaded and needed to return to port, the

For the latest news and updates, follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

Rays didn’t feel safe continuing on the Alaska Marine Highway vessel. The DOT posted a press release on its Facebook page explaining why the LeConte turned around. “Lynn Canal had high winds and low temperatures today, perfect conditions for icing on a ship. We’re particularly cautious about weight gain from freezing spray, especially higher up on the vessel and on the hull. As ice builds up on surfaces, the ship becomes sluggish to respond, and the captain notices changes to its handling. The weight of the ice raises the center of gravity, and at that point, the ship can be prone to rolling over very easily. The sea state has very little to do with a ship rolling over in that type of situation.” The uncaptioned photo that accompanied the press release showed the LeCon-

BLOTTER PAGE 7 CLASSIFIED PAGE 7

te with thick ice covering its bow. Sam Dapcevich, spokesperson for DOT, confirmed the image shown was not taken Nov. 19. According to the National Weather Service, the high temperature that day was 31 degrees with a low of 20. The ferry left the Juneau dock for the first time at 7 a.m. Passengers who spoke to The Skagway News reported seeing minimal or no ice throughout the trip, although they did see small amounts of snow. Skagway Mayor Andrew Cremata was traveling on the ferry with his wife, Brittney. They were making their fourth attempt to return home, the first three on unsuccessful flights due to poor weather. Cremata noticed the ferry was “listing hard to port” upon departure. Cremata didn’t feel the weather on Nov. 19 was par-

ticularly challenging. “The weather wasn’t that bad. It wasn’t that rough, It wasn’t that cold,” he said. Skagway resident Juliene Price was on the LeConte with her infant daughter. She was surprised during the loading procedure. “As the car deck was loading in Auke Bay, I saw a few large machinery loaded on … The moment they were loaded the whole boat listed starboard big time, then portside, and stayed that way. I was sitting in the middle of the room up front, and when you looked out the window the horizon on the left had a lot more water under it than the horizon on the right. The boat was off balance big time. I found myself leaning to the right in my chair, as if that would help off-set the balance,” she said. Price then described what happened when the LeConte see page 8 - listing ferry

FREE personal classifieds up to 25 words. CALL (907)983-2354 for more information.

Page 2

The Skagway News. Skagway’s First Newspaper

Christened in 1897, buried alive in 1904 and resurrected in 1978, The Skagway News is currently celebrating 44 years of reporting in Skagway and Dyea, Alaska, recording our Centennial years and beyond.

ADVERTISING & NEWS COPY DEADLINES

Next issue will be published

DEC. 24, 2021 Please email sales@skagwaynews.com All ads and classifieds by Wednesday, Dec. 15 COPY, LETTERS, CALENDAR DEADLINE: Please email editor@skagwaynews.com All news copy, letters and calendar events by Thursday, Dec. 16 Vol. XLIV, No.22 (914) Dec. 10, 2021

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

Submissions

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.

Subscriptions

Dec. 10, 2021

Skagway Shuttle service to continue through the winter By Melinda Munson Klondike Tours Inc., owned and operated by Billi and Greg Clem, was awarded a $24,000 municipal contract Nov. 19 to extend their on-demand shuttle service through March 31, 2022. The service, called Skagway Shuttle, operates 8 a.m to 1:30 a.m. Fares are now $3 in town and $7 past Dyea Intersection. It’s a temporary fix that first started in July to provide transportation as Smart Bus only operated on big ship days, its schedule severly curtailed because of COVID-19. “...I think that we can all agree that you’ve been doing a wonderful job,” Assemblymember Reba Hylton told the Clems. “I know I have many guests

that used it for Sergeant Preston’s this year … and you guys went above and beyond to provide some wonderful service. Thank you for (being) willing to continue through the winter.” Someone not so impressed with the original on-demand contract was Ann Moore, owner/operator of Dyea Chilkoot Trail Transport. She said she didn’t bid on the summer contract because she was promised by City Manager Brad Ryan that Dyea Road would be removed from the service area. Moore said she was surprised to see Dyea included in the $6,000 per month summer contract. “There has never been much call for service beyond what I have been providing all along,” Moore said. She

wishes the Clems well and made it through the summer in part by renting out two of her vans. As for the Clems, the extended contract is not exactly bridging home the bacon. “I’m making approximately $5/ per hour,” Greg said. Greg, who must always be within arms reach or his phone, can’t drink alcohol and can’t travel, said he’s running the shuttle as a service to the community. On Nov. 5, a snowy day with temperatures below 20 degrees, the company provided 12 rides by 7 p.m. “It’s really something that needs to be done,” Greg said. ‘It’s not right to make them walk.” Skagway Shuttle can be reached at 907-612-0902.

Skagway,Yukon Energy explore partnership for port power By Melinda Munson The Skagway Borough Assembly unanimously agreed to a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Yukon Energy “in its shared goal of developing shore power at the Port of Skagway” on Nov. 18. A feasibility study, at a cost of $100,000 was also approved. Yukon Energy, which has excess power in the summer, hopes to extend its infrastructure to the U.S. border, where Skagway would then take over, developing infrastructure on its side of the boundary, leading to an electrified port. When addressing Resolution 21-27R, Mayor Andrew Cremata said Skagway would fall behind if it didn’t find a way to bring power to the cruise ships. “ (I) also want to point out that every cruise line that we spoke with at Sea Trade in Miami said that in the very near future, communities that have shore power

are going to have priority over those that don’t. And as Alaska becomes more competitive in the cruise ship market, with more ports creating berths, we need to be sure that we have shore power, sometime preferably within the next five years. This is probably going to be a little bit late for that, but this is an essential thing that we are going to need moving forward if we want to have priority,” he said. Manager Brad Ryan wanted to be clear that the initial feasibility study would be broad. “So this would be a very high level feasibility study. I don’t want anybody to think that for $100,000 we’re going to get down into the details and look at transformers and nuances. This will be big picture…” he said. Assemblymember Reba Hylton was part of the Skagway delegation that visited the Yukon in October. The trip included a meeting with

Land Lottery results

or call us at 907-983-2354 Mail checks to: The Skagway News PO Box 244, Skagway, AK 99840 All print subscriptions include online access. Skagway (local) $30 Out-of-town $45 (periodical rate) Online Only $25 USPS 697130 ISSN 0745-872X

Periodicals postage paid at Skagway, Alaska 99840 and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER send address changes to: The Skagway News PO Box 244, Skagway, AK 99840

THE SKAGWAY NEWS

Jaime Bricker and Nicholle Chandler talk with Borough Clerk, Steve Burnham after winning the land lottery on Dec. 6. Bricker chose to buy the 3.44 acre lot. Chandler can purchase the 2.43 acre lot.

Yukon Energy. “...This is just the very beginning of what it’s going to take to pull this off. I mean, AP&T would have to be involved. But talking to Yukon Energy, it seems like a really positive thing because they already had this in the works going to the Moon Lake area. So for them to continue to run it to this area isn’t out of the picture. It was a very doable thing on their end, and this is the wave of the future,” she said. Tom Cochran, Alaska Power and Telephone employee and shareholder had

some advice for the assembly at the Dec. 2 meeting. “I think all that is great. And I’m not naysaying a bit. But I don’t see anywhere where AP&T has been brought to the table in any way, shape or form. And they are the utility here, they provide the power here and they own all the outside plant infrastructure. So unless you’re going to go on a loan or hire a contractor, you might want to bring them into the fold. I highly recommend it. And I think sooner is always better than later,” he said.

The Skagway News is accepting applications for 2022 summer intern The Opportunity The Skagway News, established 1978, is looking for a summer intern. Work for a small-town, Alaskan paper while living nestled in the mountains of an historic gold rush community. Located in the upper Lynn Canal in Southeast Alaska, Skagway has a population of 800 in the winter which balloons to 2,000 in the summer, not counting the million cruise ship passengers that disembark to the 18th most visited port in the world. Skagway celebrates and peddles its gold rush history to visitors. Interns won’t earn much gold ($800/month with free housing) but they will leave with a better understanding of how a newspaper functions, honed writing skills and an appreciation for the area’s unique history and community, including its original settlers, Tlingits and Haidas. The Responsibilities The Skagway News is published twice a month. Interns are expected to provide a minimum of three stories per issue, assist with morgue organization and digitalization, photograph the community, attend assembly meetings twice per month and help newsies distribute the tourist paper. The Details Alaska residents and students enrolled in Alaska institutions are preferred. Internship dates are May 15 to Aug. 15, 2022. Travel costs will be covered, up to $500. Students may arrange for university credit through their institution. A decision will be made by Feb. 15, 2022. The Skagway News requires full COVID-19 vaccination for all team members. How to apply Email the following information to melinda@skagwaynews.com by Jan. 31, 2022. • An introduction letter indicating how familiar the applicant is with Alaska, AP style and print journalism • Resume including any journalism classes • Three writing samples (including one feature and one news story) • Three references Any questions should be directed to Melinda Munson, co-editor, at the above email address.

THE SKAGWAY NEWS

Dec. 10, 2021

By Melinda Munson The assembly debated for nearly an hour on Nov. 18, then voted 4-2 to approve a $300,000-$450,000 plan to refurbish Garden City RV Park (GCRV), a temporary measure to entice independent travellers, beginning 2022. In a Nov. 17 memo, Manager Brad Ryan wrote, “...I understand there has been considerable discussion about the future of the GCRV, including proposals to sell all the lots, build a senior center and maintain it as a RV park. In my opinion, those plans need more work and until that is complete, the MOS should use the park to attract independent travellers.” The updates include installing power to the inside stalls of the park, adding a dump station and a water fill station, and grading and landscaping the interior. Most of the work would be done by Public Works employees, with the exception of the electrical which would be contracted out. An entrance to the park from Main Street would be funded by the Department of Transportation and Public Facilities to deter traffic from State Street during construction. “We of course will have to work with the Skagway Traditional Council (STC) before we can do any of that there, to make sure we’re not disrupting any cultural resources,” Ryan said. Pius X Mission School, once located at the current GCRV, operated from 19331959 as a Catholic boarding school for primarily Native Alaskans. In October, the municipality agreed to work with STC to conduct an archeological and radar assessment of the grounds. Skagway resident Jen Thuss testified she was concerned the GCRV plan didn’t guarantee housing for seasonal workers. “Skagway has nascent tour operators in businesses struggling to hang on, who desperately need that space for the only housing they can hope to provide for their employees,” she said. “Businesses need employees and employees need housing.”

Assemblymember Sam Bass didn’t think the investment was worth the return, pointing out that with current RV nightly rates, it would take about three years for the city’s investment in the park to pan out. “I do not think that Skagway has an RV crisis,” Bass said. “I think Skagway has a housing crisis. And that crisis is going to continue to plague this town if we don’t take action. Our housing crisis is what stops people from moving here. It’s the housing crisis that results in people living in substandard and unsafe places. It’s the housing crisis that results in higher cost of labor and services. It’s the housing crisis that causes people to leave town who would otherwise stay here year round. We need to start now and develop Garden City into lots that can become homes for first time homebuyers, seasonal workers and year-round citizens.” Bass reminded the assembly that the 2030 Comprehensive Plan showed that housing was the preferred use of GCRV. He recommended putting RV campgrounds past the Skagway River Bridge. Assemblymember Reba Hylton disagreed with relocating RV traffic out of the heart of Skagway. “...If you’re putting them across the bridge, we all know that that’s far when you’re talking about going out to the Red Onion at night ... We want those kinds of people in town. So the further we put them out, the less money they’re going to spend…” she said. Assembly members in favor of keeping RV tourists in town suggested locating seasonal housing across the bridge. Assemblymember Orion Hanson stressed he’d like to see trailer housing versus RV housing for seasonal workers. Mayor Andrew Cremata, who doesn’t vote unless there is a tie, was in support of the GCRV fixes. “So this is definitely a bandaid, but we don’t know what we’re going to get as far as cruise ships next year nor within the next five years. So independent travelers could be our saving grace. And I

Assembly votes to spend up to $450,000 in temporary Garden City RV upgrades

think one of the mistakes we often make is we look at the numbers that the municipality is bringing in. This is not a business venture. Ultimately, the goal of operating this RV park in the short term is to bring in independent travelers who spend 100 times the amount of money that cruise ship passengers spend during their stay. And so that is a number that cannot be expressed at the assembly table just based off the profit and loss statements of the RV park,” he said. Hanson, a contractor, didn’t like the idea of making changes to the park with no clear path forward. “I don’t believe we should be making a vote here with the dissension I’m hearing at the table tonight, because I think we have to have a better long-term vision of where we’re going. It needs to be a little more comprehensive than doing something piecemeal,” he said. Assemblymember Dustin Stone didn’t want to go another year with an unused resource. “If that park just sits empty for another season, that is lost revenue for businesses downtown that have already had two years of no revenue, essentially. So I think we owe it to the citizens of the municipality to do something about this rather than just continuing to debate and debate and debate and do nothing and let the problem get worse,” he said. Assemblymember Jay Burnham broke down what he sees as the role of government and finance. “As far as the waste of money, or the not making our money back, that’s what government does. We don’t make our money back. I haven’t heard of the returns from the school, or the rec-center … we’re not business. We’re supposed to waste all of our money on things that are good for the community,” he said. The assembly agreed to schedule a work session to discuss the details of revamping GCRV. Bass and Orion were the two nay votes.

Page 3

We are looking for your Skagway holiday story! Send your favorite memory (500 words or less) to editor@skagwaynews.com by Dec. 17. We will publish as many as we can in our Dec. 24 issue.

Dec. 10, 2021

Page 4

Editor’s column

THE SKAGWAY NEWS

I thought I’d write a column

to the computer is met by “first I’ll move that box, fix that lamp, then I’ll write until the second star on the right.” We work at it, but most of the time we stare at it. I feel guilty that there are boxes of things to go through, my husband feels guilty that I feel guilty. Hand me the remote. Is there more coffee? By Gretchen Wehmhoff The practical thing is to ignore it and just Helen Reddy sings in my head: write. I love to write. I love to edit what I write, working the craft, finding the tone. Smoggy day in L.A. When I finish something I find solace and a Think I’ll write a song sense of accomplishment. Know exactly what to say Making writing my priority will probably Shouldn’t take too long take some expensive therapy. First I’d better clear my head Today I planned to write about the stoFeed the baby, make the bed ries waiting for me to share and the stories Should eat breakfast but instead that got away. I have, as I mentioned, noteThink I’ll write a song books, napkins and concert program covers filled with inspiring phrases and hastily The melody follows me around the scribbled ideas. Three major works ready house, to sleep, in the car and stays with to go, if I stop to write them down. And then there is my constant curiosity. me in front of my computer screen. I humm Why did that happen? I wonder what led to my own version: that statement? How does that work? Does anyone know a person who? I wonder if I Snowy day in AK can ... write about it. Why do I prolong Helen Reddy’s voice comes back: Know exactly what to say Shouldn’t take too long Did I hear the doorbell? First I’ll check the fridge out Just as I sat down Then I’ll watch TV Should be writing, but instead Procrastination’s strong Nope. No doorbell. That was a hunger pang. Go check out the fridge. I think: I have an entire file cabinet of starts, ideas and memories waiting for me to turn into award winning, cathartic memoirs, but Windy day in AK I can’t see the forest for the junk in the way. And I still have it wrong My sister calls it the death purge -- cleanNeed to sound uplifting ing out the worldly belongings that slow But “stuff” just gets me down us down so your offspring won’t have to. It sounds so easy. But it’s real and it’s not. Helen sings: Anyone who has taken care of a loved one’s belongings after their death has been here. Now I hear the telephone Joe and I still have boxes of treasures and Guess another morning’s blown art from my parents’ deaths in a small storSeems my time is not my own age unit. Art that should be hanging on our Tried to write a song walls. Add my mother-in-law’s possessions Thought I’d write a song and our daughter’s belongings and it becomes an overwhelming task. Much of it is Just one more cup of coffee. Alexa, play piled in plain sight. Every idea nudging me some Helen Reddy.

THE SKAGWAY NEWS

Dec. 10, 2021

Page 5

Healthy Living

Three Steps to Crushing Your New Year’s Resolutions By Nicholle Chandler

It’s that time of year when we reflect on what we did or didn’t accomplish in 2021, start focusing on what’s to come in 2022 and possibly set some resolutions. We all love a reset button and Jan. 1 feels a little like that -- hopeful, ready for a change, an opportunity to put our best foot forward in our health, relationships, profession, etc. However, I have noticed a similar pattern amongst clients, friends and sometimes myself: we set a resolution on Jan. 1, fall off the wagon by February, and forget it by March. This same pattern goes for any time of the year, too. On Monday, you tell yourself, “I’m going to save more money.” By Thursday, your Amazon cart has food-themed utensils, a floating hippo bookmark and an alarm clock that rolls away from you. No judgment. I get it. Making change isn’t an easy flip of the switch. But why is sticking to goals easy for some and more challenging for others? Stronger willpower? Maybe. More motivated? Sure. But here’s the thing: achievers and those who give up too soon have the same goals. The difference is that the goal crushers practice three things: • Setting up a system they love • Connecting to their “why” daily • Ditching “I’ll be happy when” syndrome Set Up a System you LOVE! I recently read an article by James Clear, author of “Atomic Habits,” called “Forget About Setting Goals. Focus on This Instead.” This being the systems you set up. He wrote: “Goals are good for setting a direction, but systems are best for making progress. The purpose of setting goals is to win the game. The purpose of building systems is to continue playing the game.” For example, you might have a goal of losing some weight. Your system might be attending your favorite group fitness classes (coaching plug here: join me at the Skagway Rec-Center), reducing your sugar intake and connecting with a friend for accountability. You tweak your systems as you go, learning what isn’t working, what challenges come up and finding what brings

you joy along the ride. When clients slip up or do not follow through, I often witness them beat themselves up, ready to throw in the towel. WHOA! Slow down. Systems are not all or nothing. How is getting angry at yourself helpful? Hint: it’s not. Learning from challenges will help you move forward the next time they come up. Think of it as wins and lessons, not wins and losses. Understanding that change isn’t always linear and having compassion for yourself is essential. When you start to create systems that you love, they become a part of who you are, and the ultimate form of intrinsic motivation is when a habit becomes a part of your identity. The more you do it, the more it feels like second nature, like brushing your teeth. I learned a helpful tip from Clear. Every action you take is a vote toward your new identity. Each day you write a page, that’s one vote for being a writer. Each day you go without a cigarette, is one vote for being a non-smoker. Each day you reach your exercise goal, that’s a vote for selfcare. Once you have more votes toward your new identity than votes toward your old one, watch your motivation soar. Think of it as an election -- majority rules. Another problem of focusing only on the outcome is sometimes they only change your life for a moment. Clear wrote: “We think we need to change our results, but the results are not the problem. What we really need to change are the systems that cause those results. When you solve problems at the results level, you only solve them temporarily. In order to improve for good, you need to solve problems at the systems level. Fix the inputs, and the outputs will fix themselves.” Take dieters as an example; 80-95% of people who go on diets gain their weight back, plus some. That’s because diets aren’t generally sustainable. If dieters focus on the goal (usually the # on the scale) and not the systems (lifestyle changes), old habits creep back in after they’ve gotten to their goal weight. Be process-oriented rather than results-oriented, and soon your actions become like a spider web -- a weaving of magical, priceless tapestry. The reward will naturally follow. Connect to Your Why Taking action and progressing toward your goals isn’t always easy. Sometimes it gets boring and mundane, but connecting to your “Why?” gives a powerful reason to keep moving forward

despite the challenges. Maybe you’ve always wanted to write a book, but why? Is it for fame? Sharing your story to help others? What is significant about it for you? Having a solid reason for reaching your goals will help you find ways to keep going when things aren’t straightforward. It keeps you motivated and driven. The more you want it, the better. Once you establish your “why,” I recommend making something you can see every day as a reminder, such as a sticky note on your bathroom mirror, an image or word on your phone’s lock screen or a vision board. (Another plug: join us at the Skagway Library to create a vision board Dec. 18 from 3 - 5 p.m.) “I’ll be Happy When...” Syndrome Have you ever heard yourself say, “I’ll be happy when....”? I’m sure you have thought about it at least once in your lifetime. Whether the end of that statement includes getting a better job, or a bigger house, or finding true love or getting fit, we’re all guilty of delaying our joy and gratification based on a future outcome. Here’s the deal, though, it is impossible to be happy today if you wait on a goal to make you happy later. And life is too short not to enjoy the present moment. Instead of saying I’ll be happy when, change your wording to, “I’ll be happy while...” If you mentally rehearse and practice gratitude and fulfillment today, you’ll reach the external rewards much faster. And bonus, you’ll enjoy life while you move toward what you want. So as you enter into the New Year, ask yourself the following questions: • Who do I want to become in 2022? • What systems or enjoyable actions will get me there? • Why is this new goal important to me? • How can I practice daily gratitude to remind myself that life is good now? My hope for you in 2022 is that your senses overflow with gratitude. That your heart feels excited about new challenges, your cheeks hurt from smiling as you laugh at life’s lessons and you enjoy the feeling of knowing you are worth every step along the way. Your Self-Care Coach, -Cole Nicholle Chandler, A-CFHC, is a certified functional health coach, meditation teacher, fitness instructor and local business owner. Go to colebeecoaching.com for more information.

Clinic board extends NP contract, COVID-19 boosters available soon By Melinda Munson Nurse Practitioner Johanna Huff was offered a six-month contract to remain at Dahl Memorial Clinic (DMC) after a Nov. 26 executive session of the DMC Board of Directors. According to Cory Thole, board president, the contract begins Dec. 1. A majority of citizen testimony at the Nov. 26 meeting was in support of Huff, who has worked for the clinic since 2018. Katie Auer, who did not want Huff’s contract renewed, testified she has received backlash from the community since speaking out against the provider. Auer was appointed to the clinic board as an alternative seat, with a term ending October 2022. She replaces Lisa Mandeville who now sits on the

board with a term ending October 2023. Nicole Goodman resigned from the DMC board on Oct. 28. “The past few months have been taxing on me emotionally and personally,” Goodman wrote in her resignation letter. “We chose to live in Skagway because it was our disconnect from the rat race and politics of the Lower 48. Serving on this board has been the antithesis of our goals of moving here,” Goodman said. The clinic offered COVID-19 shots to children ages 5-12 starting in November. Those 18 and over can contact the clinic to be put on a list for COVID-19 booster shots when they become available. Este Fielding, executive director, will complete

her last day at DMC on Dec. 17. According to Thole, an offer has been made to a possible interim executive director. The permanent executive director position remains open for applications.

Photo by Paul Munson

Page 6

Family Fun Page - print and share Across

1 Form 6 Most of the US Army holds this rank 9“Stick close to your desks and never go ---, ...” (Gilbert and Sullivan, HMS Pinafore)

10 His ‘n --12 Murder 15 That’s ridiculous! 16 Reward for waiting 17 Reproduced without correction 18 Sushi wrap 19 What breadwinners bring home 22 Little ones are allegedly made of sugar and spice 23 Smoother 24 It sucks, in short 25 Recyclables container 26 Connecting 30 Classic jazz song - Amy Winehouse’s last recording, with Tony Bennett 32 Contemptible individual

color me

Dec. 10, 2021

33 Julia Roberts has been one since 2010 34 Welkin 35 Extra map section

Down

1 Male only 2 Render useless 3 Admin. aide 4 She played Snoop in “The Wire” 5 Start gently 6 Bilko’s --- Silvers 7 Marshland 8 Meteorite pockmark 11 Hooch producer 13 Sort of fly

THE SKAGWAY NEWS 14 He played Dr. Foreman in “House” 18 Starts being effective 19 Crisp lettuce 20 Very funny 21 Buyable apartments 22 Female Indian Prime Minister 24Rouge, rosé or blanc, on some menus 26 “The --- is a Tramp” 27 They are always charged 28 Au naturel 29 Surfeit 31 Jabber

Last issue’s answers

CLASSIFIEDS

THE SKAGWAY NEWS

Dec. 10, 2021

News Classified Ads cost 40 cents per word, $4 minimum. Ads must be pre-paid unless advertiser has a business account with the newspaper. Payment can be made by cash, check or credit card. Out-oftown ads must be pre-paid with a credit card and should be phoned in to 907-9832354. All ads appear in our online edition for a minimum of two weeks.

www.skagway.org for job announcements or to download an application or contact m.gihl@skagway.org for further information.

JOBS-OPPORTUNITIES The Municipality of Skagway is accepting application for a variety of positions. Please visit the borough’s employment opportunities section at

HOUSING AND PROPERTY COMMERCIAL-PROPERTY

sent to the Food Bank, PO Box 200, Skagway, AK 99840. The local Food Bank helps those in need with groceries. If you need assistance, or know anyone who needs assistance, at any time of year, call any pastor or 907-6120313.

Essential Oil Safety & Blending Class hosted by

Annemarie Hasskamp at the Skagway Traditional Council Dec. 16th at 6 p.m.

BUSINESS FOR SALE: Gold Digger Mine and Dine For more information see https://www. skagway.forsale/

MARKETPLACE

Contact 612-0267

FOR SALE

glacialnaturals@hotmail.com.

PERSONALS-MISC. SERVICES FOOD BANK DONATIONS WELCOME. Donations may be

Weather Watch

BROADWAY BULLETIN BOARD COMMUNITY CALENDAR 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 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.

See www.skagway.org for borough meeting updates.

Email Updates & New Events: editor@skagwaynews.com

Page 7

SKAGWAY WORSHIP DIRECTORY

NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE OBSERVATIONS FOR PREVIOUS 24-HOUR PERIOD BEFORE 7 A.M.

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

DATE MAX MIN PREC

First Presbyterian Church 5th & Main • 983-2260 Sunday Worship 10 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

Police & Fire Blotter Submitted by Skagway Police Department

Nov. 18 Police assisted a motorist with regaining entry to their vehicle.

Nov. 26 The Klondike Highway was closed for several hours due to an avalanche.

St. Therese Catholic Church

Nov. 19 The fire department responded to a fire alarm on Broadway.

Fire Department personnel responded to a fire alarm on Broadway.

RECREATION CTR SCHED

Police responded to a report of a construction crane striking a power pole.

11th & State • 983-2518 Sun. Sacrament Meeting...10 a.m. Sun. School/Primary ...11:10 a.m. Relief Society/Priesthood..12 p.m. 9th & State • 983-2271 Sun. Mass.......................5 p.m. Mass Mon. & Tues.....12:10 p.m. (when a priest is available)

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

Nov. 24 EMS personnel responded to a medical emergency on 12th Avenue. Nov. 25 Police responded to a motion alarm on Broadway.

Nov. 29 The Klondike Highway was closed for several hours due to an avalanche. Fire department personnel responded to a fire alarm on the Klondike Highway. Dec. 2 Police assisted a motorist with regaining entry to their vehicle.

Weather Watch 11/11 -12/3 11/11 32 26 trace 11/12 38 27 11/13 40 34 .16 11/14 41 27 11/15 37 29 11/16 31 20 .04 11/17 40 25 .55 11/18 40 30 .07 11/19 32 18 .09 11/20 18 12 11/21 20 12 .15 11/22 27 13 .12 11/23 27 24 11/24 28 25 .05 11/25 32 27 .15 11/26 37 28 .22 11/27 35 30 .01 11/28 32 23 .01 11/29 33 25 11/30 34 27 .07 12/1 39 27 .06 12/2 38 28 trace 12/3 30 21 .21

Dec. 10, 2021

Page 8

Public Safety Building Open House

THE SKAGWAY NEWS

Ferry repairs from front page

moving. Before, that wasn’t something that was on the table,” she said. The Guilliams haven’t left town for 3 ½ years. They gave birth to twins, then COVID-19 came. Now they’re desperate for a vacation. Because of the change in the January ferry schedule, they’ll arrive in Juneau five days before their flight leaves. They’re hoping the Matanuska really will be back in service upon their return to Juneau or they’ll have to wait for good flying weather and pay five fares to get home to Skagway. On their trip, the Guilliams plan to have fun, but they’ll also take care of business such as vital doctor appointments. Cremata has been in discussion with Borough Manager Brad Ryan and the city of Haines to see if a charter in January is feasible. The last time the municipality paid for a private charter to bail out residents stuck without ferry service, the state never reimbursed the bill as promised. “It just stinks. It doesn’t need to be this way,” Guilliams said.

Photos by Melinda Munson

Hudson Guilliams watches Officer James Michels demonstrate a safety restraint chair with Tim Arnold.

Skagway kids perform a “rescue” in an ambulance during the open house.

From left to right, Mason Jennings, Zander Coughran and Summer Munson line up for mug shots.

Listing ferry from front page

returned to Juneau to shed weight. “...the moment those machinery were offloaded the boat lifted out of the water and evened out. The horizon out the front of the boat was one nice even line, and off we went north again.” The ship left Juneau again at 1:30 p.m. after the “LeConte’s stability numbers were recalculated,” according to the press release. Price and her baby remained on the ferry for what would eventually become a 14-hour journey. When asked to explain why passengers observed the ferry leaning to port prior to the original departure, Dapcevich responded with the following. “It may have been listing when it left, but it was within proper load calculation,” he said.

Eric Moseley named winner of 2021 Helen B. Clark Award Eric Moseley is the recipient of the 35th annual Helen B. Clark Award for Skagway Community Service. Moseley was nominated over the past two years for his care and compassion in helping local residents when the time comes to euthanize their pets. “As many of you in the community are aware, (Moseley) took it upon himself to become trained and qualified to help us provide the end of life comfort that we owe our cherished companions,” wrote Scott Logan in a nominating statement. “He has helped me get through some of my difficult times with pets over the years, and for that I am immensely grateful. I don’t know how he does it, but he does.” Added Danielle Arnold, “He has assisted with several of my animals over the years and one in particular will stand out to me, my heart dog, Doobie. He was gentle with my pup. Doobie, who was very protective of me, knew Eric was there for the

good and didn’t react to him; he fed off his kind demeanor.” Denise Caposey also praised Moseley for his skill, insight and gentleness, adding that he works quietly behind the scenes and can be “called upon any time of day or night to respond to a need, and does so willingly and without complaint.” Added Jan Wrentmore, “His kindness and competence add so much peace of mind to life in our small rural town.” Courtnay and Brad Thoe also wrote about Moseley’s quiet, unassuming professionalism during a heartbreaking moment for many. “How lucky is Skagway to have this asset rather than having to send our furry friends on a plane sometimes alone, in pain to face the next dimension?” Lori Healy noted that in addition to helping family pets cross over the “rainbow bridge,” Moseley also will help remove porcupine quills from frightened pets,

has served on the Recycling Committee, and volunteered for the Good Neighbor Program. “Eric is our town’s unsung hero and that is exactly what we need to honor and celebrate this year,” Healy wrote. “Skagway truly is a better place because of Eric Moseley.” The award was announced at 1 p.m. Dec. 10 by Jeff Brady at Skaguay News Depot & Books and was aired on Facebook live by The Skagway News. Moseley was given an antique wood ‘E’ typeface letter from bookstore owner Brady’s collection with an inscription plate on the back honoring the 2021 winner. Also recognized this year were new nominees Ron and Debbie Ackerman, Jeff Hamilton and Scott Logan. They will receive certificates and have been added to the pool of nominees to be considered in the future. The late Helen B. Clark was the first recipient of Skagway’s Community

Service Award in 1987 and agreed to have future awards named for her so generations would remember her volunteer spirit. The award recognizes outstanding volunteer deeds or service to the community. The award is jointly sponsored by the Skagway Book Co. and The Skagway News.

Every fall nomination letters are accepted from the public, and then a committee of past winners reviews nominations from the past five years and selects a winner. Eric joins his wife Katherine Selmer Moseley, who won the award 12 years ago for her work establishing the Paws & Claws Animal Shelter.

Photo provided by K. Selmer

Eric Moseley changes the splint on Nicole Roscamp’s dog, Lentil. Lentil broke her foot jumping out a car window. Moseley helped changed the splint each week during her recovery.