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Access study delayed again
Knowles plans to release it by month's end
It will the end of the month now for a decision on the Juneau Access Study. That according to Governor Tony Knowles, who was a guest on KINY's Capital Chat this morning (left). The draft study includes four marine highway options and a road up the east side of Lynn Canal to Skagway. Theadministration is finalizing figures now. Knowles says its going to be a difficult decision, but it will amount to another major addition to Southeast transportation. When asked it if will be funded, Knowles said he hopes so, but that will depend in part on the Legislature and the federal government.
Knowles would veto any session move bill
Governor Knowles says he would veto any bill that proposes moving legislative sessions from the Capital. He was critical of the legislative Task Force on Privatization during KINY's Capital Chat today for making such a recommendation. He was asked about the movement of state positions from Juneau and allowing top level appointments to base out of Anchorage rather than the Capital -- a phenomena referred to as Capital Creep -- and if that feeds the hopes of those interested in moving the Capitol or legislative sessions. He said its necessary to look statewide to achieve quality appointments. He also said his decisions in that regard recognizes that services are administered all over the state and that people need to be present in every region. Knowles said it has nothing to do with moving the Capital.
Knowles prepares for State of the State
Governor Knowles is preparing for the start of the Second Session of the 21st Alaska Legislature which convenes Monday. He'll deliver his State of the State Address on Wednesday evening at 7:00, according to Press Secretary Bob King (right) who says the address will be combined with the budget message again this year, as it was last year. King says that's because most of the major issues facing the state certainly have budgetary impact and to a very large extent the State of the State is the State of the Budget.
Knowles to Lindauer: play by the rules...
The John Lindauer case drew a response from Governor Knowles on KINY Capital Chat this morning. The Republican escaped jail time this week when he pleaded no contest to numerous charges, including perjury, related to the 1998 gubernatorial campaign in which he faced Knowles. The Governor commented, and we quote, " Play by the rules. That's what people should do, and if you don't, you pay a price and should."
The owner of the Cordova Heights Apartment building in West Juneau is still sorting things out following Wednesday night's fire there. Hugh Grant estimates damage at between $40,000 to $50,000, although he hasn't checked with his insurance company yet. The cause remains under investigation, but he says it appears it was electrical in nature. Most of the 40 residents were back home after Grant booked rooms at the Baranof Wednesday night. A few also stayed there last night. He plans to find other apartments for those who lived in the four units that suffered extensive damage Wednesday night.
Anchorage Representative Jerry Sanders (left), one of four Republican lawmakers who split with majority on the subsistence issue last year, says he's been told he can't retain one of his aides. Sanders says House Rules Committee Co-Chair John Cowdery refused to approve the hiring of Eddie Burke. Sanders says Cowdery gave no reason for the rejection, but believes the matter is connected to Burke managing a campaign against the proposed long term fiscal plan that failed in last September's advisory vote by a margin of 83-percent against the measure. Cowdery's aides say he's traveling out of state and couldn't be reached.
The Ketchikan City Council rejected a cruise ship passenger fee on a 6 to 1 vote during deliberations last night. Kirby Day, who is the local manager for Princess Cruises, called it a positive step for the industry and the Gateway City. He added that Ketchikan officials realize that more cruise ship business is coming its way because of the last fall's vote in Juneau to impose a $5 fee.
Scaled back service by Ketchikan's Taquan Air means Promech Air has been booked solid for the past week. Kootznoowoo Incorporated, the village Native corporation that owns Taquan, reduced operations January 1st and Promech has been trying to fill in. Promech's director of operations, Mark Easterly, says that hasn't been easy. Easterly says the carrier has been trying to accommodate everyone. Easterly says any long-term changes will require more planning. Promech has five planes operating from Ketchikan and offers daily flights to Prince of Wales Island and Metlakatla.
The state has postponed the start of the lucrative Bering Sea snow crab harvest. The season opener will be pushed back to April 1st, with a March 15th review date. The fishery usually starts January15th. But sea ice is pushing farther south than usual this year. It may have covered the prime crab harvest grounds by the time of the scheduled opening. The state was concerned that the ice could squeeze the fleet into too small an area. And that could deplete localized crab stocks. Safety concerns also were raised by some of the fishermen. The sea ice is not considered a particular threat. But the northerly winds that push the ice are a definite hazard. Those winds can blow freezing sea spray onto boats and gear. And that can ice the boats, making them top-heavy and prone to capsizing.
The Coast Guard says a tug and a barge carrying 177,000 gallons of fuel lost steerage near Bligh Reef early this week but was helped out of the area by an Alyeska Pipeline Service Company tanker escort vessel. The Coast Guard says the 11 crew members aboard the tug Malano were not injured and the 210-foot barge did not come close to grounding. The tug and barge were towed into Valdez by one of Alyeska's new tractor tug boats. The vessel happened to be nearby when Monday's incident occurred. Bligh Reef is where the tanker Exxon Valdez grounded in 1989, spilling some 11-million gallons of North Slope crude oil.
The annual Christmas Tree chipping event is scheduled for tomorrow. Trees will becollected at the DOT parking lot at 7-mile of the Glacier Highway. The trees must be free of all decorations, including tinsel. Tree stands and nails must be removed. The chips donated to the community garden for use as mulch. The service is free and takes place tomorrow from 9:00am to 2:00pm.
The Alaska Court of Appeals has overturned a 1997 vehicle theft conviction of a man who failed to return a truck that he took for a test drive. Michael Forshee was caught with the pickup a week later in Wasilla when police responded to a disturbance at a motel. He was convicted by a Fairbanks jury.
The Soroptimist Club of Juneau has completed a project funded by a grant from the Soroptimist Foundation to assist victims of domestic violence and sexual assault or abuse served by the AWARE Shelter. The organization's s $1,000 grant was used to purchase a publication called "Getting Free," a primer about freeing oneself from an abusive situation, some sweat suits for the use of victims of sexual assault, and basic toiletry items for use by AWARE residents. Founded in 1946, Soroptimist International of Juneau is a service organization for business and professional women.
The Juneau Douglas High School Men's basketball squad dropped their first game at theHoops Challenge at Colony High in the Mat-Su Valley last night. The East High T-Birds of Anchorage soared over the Bears 70 to 40. Juneau plays Bears play Colony tonight. Tip off is at 8:00pm. West High of Anchorage is the opponent at 5:00pm tomorrow. Both games can be heard on KINY Radio. Meanwhile the women host Palmer tonight and Saturday at 8:00pm.
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