Juneau Daily News Online

Tuesday, January 18, 2000  ©  Alaska Juneau Communications - KINY Radio News

Mackie proposes $25,000 dividend
  One-time PFD would be the last
A state lawmaker wants to pay Alaskans a massive one-time dividend of $25,000 from the Alaska Permanent Fund next year and then end the dividend program forever. Senate Majority Leader Jerry Mackie (right) says its the only politically realistic way to solve the state's budget problems. Under Mackie's plan, about half of the Permanent Fund's current value would be paid out in dividends next year. The income from the remaining money would be used exclusively for inflation proofing and balancing the budget. The plan requires a constitutional amendment that would go before the people in the November election. Governor Knowles and leaders in the Republican-led Legislature say the idea is an intriguing one that's worth discussing. But some lawmakers don't like it. Republican Senator Rick Halford of Chugiak says it amounts to buying off the people to destroy the permanent fund.

Another aerial phenomenon this morning
Blue streaks in the sky were reported to the studios of KINY Radio just before 8:00 this morning. Jim McEdward was driving his wife to work and was on Glacier Highway when they saw a quick flash of blue light to the east. He thought it was an electrical insulator or transformer that exploded at first. He changed his mind after hearing the description of a man calling the radio station from Skagway who said he saw it come in under the clouds. That listener and another caller from Skagway said they heard a rumble and figure it slammed into the mountains. McEdward now believes it was a meteor or space junk. Juneau Police officers on duty this morning also reported seeing it, according to Lieutenant Walt Bowman. He said several officers reported seeing 3 bright, blue flashes at about 7:45am. They were unable to identify the source and have received no reports on what it was. Today's event follows a sighting reported by numerous callers a week ago today. That was described as a flash followed by a fireball and then a red flash with what the callers figured was impact into the mountains.

Perkins: CBJ budget not on "train wreck" course
The sky's not falling as the Juneau Assembly tries to make up a budget shortfall next fiscal year estimated at $3.8-million. That from Finance Committee Chair Dwight Perkins (right) on KINY's Capital Chat this morning. Perkins downplayed City Manager Dave Palmer's description that Juneau is headed for a "train wreck." He said that description is a bit harsh and that the community will make adjustments. Each city department and the school district has been asked to work up scenarios showing a five and eight percent reduction. He rejects straight, across-the-board cuts for all agencies. Other answers could include tapping the Rainy Day Account which amounts to about $5-million or asking voters to further extend temporary sales tax levies. The shortfall will depend on a number of factors including what the Legislature ultimately decides to do on the level of funding for local governments. The budget for next fiscal year must be finalized by June 15.

SE Native summit meeting starts tomorrow
What is billed as an "Economic Summit" is planned by the Southeast Alaska Native Coalition in Juneau tomorrow and Thursday. Community, tribal, native corporation, and federal and state government representatives will look at 4 major region-wide issues including energy, transportation, solid waste disposal and local hire. Corrine Garza, the Chief of Business Operations for Tlingit-Haida Central Council says one purpose is to help each community realize its priorities and also develop regional priorities. The summit comes in advance of Friday's meeting in Juneau of the Denali Commission. The commission is scheduled to consider funding for bulk fuel and power generation and transmission projects including the Ketchikan inter-tie at the meeting. The commission, which was suggested by Alaska Senator Ted Stevens, was created to come up with solutions to problems facing rural Alaska. The economic summit is scheduled from 8:00am to 5:00pm tomorrow and Thursday at the ANB Hall.

Charter school decision expected this evening
The Juneau School Board is scheduled to make a decision on which of 2 charter schools applications will be approved when it meets tonight. One application proposes a program based on the philosophy, method and curriculum developed by Doctor Maria Montessori. A Montessori School (left) has been operating in Juneau since 1995. The other proposes an elementary education program focusing on Alaska Native studies while incorporating Tlingit as a second language in an emotionally supportive environment. Under current state law Juneau can have only 2 charter schools. The first charter school established in Juneau is the Community Charter School. The Board granted that charter in 1997. The other item up for final reading, is the formal recognition of the name and spelling of the Alternative High School Program. The School Board meets tonight beginning at 6:00 in the District Office Board Room.

Guides, outfitters to pay flat fee
The US Forest Service will institute an interim flat fee policy in national forests for outfitters and guides beginning February 14. The agency's Don Fisher says the fee will be the same for all outfitters and guides providing similar services for the public. Fisher says the interim policy will be studied for the next 3 years to determine its' fairness to the outfitting and guiding industry and the government, which must receive fair market value for the use of its' resources. Most current permit holders will have the choice of using the interim flat fee schedule or one of the current fee calculation methods through the end of 2000, according to Fisher. But beginning in 2001 the permit cost will be determined using the flat fees. The flat fee applies to the Tongass in Southeast and Chugach National Forest in Southcentral.

UAS appoints new official
University of Alaska Southeast Chancellor John Pugh (right) has appointed Lynne Johnson as Development Officer and Alumni Association Coordinator. Johnson moved to Juneau from Kenai in 1998 where she worked as the director of the Kenai Peninsula United Way. She's also worked in educational development at the University of Alaska Fairbanks and the University of Alaska Foundation.

Downing leaving local paper
The managing editor of the Juneau Empire, Suzanne Downing, has been named editorial page editor of the Augusta, Georgia, Chronicle. The Empire and The Chronicle are owned by Morris Communications Corporation, which is based in Augusta. Downing will begin work at the Chronicle on March 6th.

Barrow residents to see first sunshine of 2000
The sun will return to Barrow this weekend after an absence of 66 days. The National Weather Service says the sun will rise Sunday at 1:13pm and set less than an hour later, or at 2:06pm. Barrow residents will have total daylight again in just three and a half months, or beginning May 10th.

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