JUNEAU DAILY NEWS MINUTE

By Chris Burns - kiny@ptialaska.net

Wednesday, January 17, 1996 (c) Alaska Juneau Communications
*Governor Tony Knowles announced a tentative agreement with the last of the big state labor unions this morning. The Public Safety Employees Association agreed to the same basic 1.5-percent cost of living raise as other state unions. P.S.E.A. covers the State Troopers, Fish and Wildlife Protection officers, and airport security personnel.
*Alaska Senator Frank Murkowski is in Juneau today. He addressed a joint session of the Legislature this morning, telling lawmakers that 1996 could be a watershed year in American history much like 1776. He talked about the budget debate, and how federal government regulations are keeping Alaska from realizing its economic future. Murkowski's speech started an hour late because his plane was delayed due to a frozen water system.
*The Coast Guard has implemented a series of new rules governing many of the smaller commercial vessels plying Southeast Alaska waters. The rules require better liferafts and fire fighting equipment on charter boats, dinner cruise vessels, ferries, dive boats, and sightseeing and tour boats.
*New guidelines covering the use of volunteers in the Juneau School District were tabled during a meeting of the Board of Education last night. Board President Phil Smith says parents at the meeting requested more time to review the regulations. The Board also agreed last night to follow the ground rules discussed during a meeting last week with the Juneau Education Association. Contract talks between the district and its teachers begin on Friday afternoon.
*Design options for the Archie Van Winkle Veterans Memorial to be built on the downtown waterfront were expected to start being delivered today to the committee overseeing the project. A meeting is planned for tomorrow with the Community Development Department to discuss more specifics about the size and location of the memorial.
*A team in the early stages of preparing a West Douglas Island Master Plan says recreational activities will be taken into account in any development concepts. Residents want to make sure the area along the shore of the island from the end of North Douglas Highway to Point Hilda is not blocked from recreational use.
*The University of Alaska Southeast had a big turnout for Spring Semester which began yesterday. Officials say enrollment is up 14-percent over last Spring, and is even with the numbers for Fall Semester.