JUNEAU DAILY NEWSMINUTE

By Chris Burns - kiny@ptialaska.net

Thursday, January 11, 1996 (c) Alaska Juneau Communications
*Yet another attempt is underway to move the Legislature to Anchorage. The latest bill is being pushed by Republican Representative Joe Green in the State Affairs Committee. Juneau Representative Caren Robinson says there appears to be enough votes to get it out of the committee, but she doesn't know how much support the bill will have beyond that. Robinson, along with Juneau's other representative, Kim Elton, plan to meet with House Speaker Gail Phillips to see if there's any general support for the legislation.
*Bargaining sessions between the Juneau Board of Education and the Juneau Education Association will be open to the public. That was one the ground rules coming out of yesterday's preliminary meeting between the two sides. The first real talks are scheduled for January 19th, with both sides hoping to have an agreement by February 24th on a new teacher contract.
*Chuck Achberger will be leaving his job as Director of the Juneau Chamber of Commerce earlier than expected. Achberger has resigned effective in two weeks. He'll take a position with state Senator Robin Taylor of Wrangell. Achberger said last month that he would stay on at the Chamber well into 1996 to help a new director make the transition.
*Several accidents reported on borough roads last night and this morning as the Capital City got its first substantial snowfall in weeks. Most of the accidents were just fender-benders with minor injuries suffered by the occupants. Juneau airport officials say air traffic has been moving well despite the snow. Crews are keeping the runway plowed even during periods of below minimum visibility so it's ready when a hole opens up.
*About $20,000 in fees collected from commercial operators using Juneau city parks and trails last summer will be used for repair and maintenance of the trails. That decision was reached last night by the Assembly's Finance Committee. The committee also agreed to grant tax exempt status to acupuncturists and other alternative medical professionals. Committee Chair Rod Swope says they are required to meet the same standards of licensing as traditional doctors, and should be treated equally.
*The C.B.J. Parks and Recreation Department believes it's time to update its comprehensive plan. It has been almost 20 years since the last rewrite. A spokeswoman says so much has changed in the borough since 1977, the public needs to provide considerable input on what it expects from the Department.
*Juneau Racquet Club has announced that it will be opening a new location downtown on March 1st. The 9,000 square foot club will be located in the Foodland Annex. J.R.C. says the downtown facility will have most of the same accoutrements as the valley location, except for courts, a full-service cafe and child care.