JUNEAU DAILY NEWS MINUTE

By Chris Burns - kiny@ptialaska.net

Thursday, January 25, 1996 (c) Alaska Juneau Communications
*School Superintendent Mary Rubadeau remains optimistic that a settlement can be reached with teachers. She says some progress has been made during the first 3 days of talks. The teachers and district remain, however, 8-percent apart on salaries. The Juneau Education Association is asking for a 2-percent raise, while the School District is asking for a 6-percent rollback. Rubadeau says that figure was chosen so that class sizes could get back to their 1994 level which was 2 students lower than this year.
*Don Abel of Juneau will be inducted into the Alaska Business Hall of Fame tonight. Abel is being honored for running a quality business, for his contributions to the community, and because he's a role model for young people. The award ceremony is being held in Anchorage.
* Senator Robin Taylor of Wrangell is trying keep people from Outside out of state land sales. Taylor has introduced a bill which would require that bidders during state land auctions be at least 1-year residents of Alaska. The bill cleared the Senate Resources Committee this morning.
*Juneau's legislative delegation has called a town meeting for tonight to get input from residents on issues before lawmakers this session. Senator Jim Duncan believes the number one subject will be the affects of budget plans on the Capital City.
*The Juneau Parks and Recreation Department had a much better turnout last night for its public meeting on a new comprehensive plan. About 25 people showed up to offer comments on the direction the department should take in the years ahead. Better trail maintenance, additional sports and youth facilities, and leaving wildness areas wild were among the suggestions.
*Several areas of national land in the borough have been opened to snowmobiling and A.T.V. use. The areas include parts of Spaulding Meadows, the Dan Moller Trail and Ski Bowl, Crystal and Dredge Lakes, and the Mendenhall Glacier Recreation Area. Parts of all areas are off-limits and are posted. Though Mendenhall Lake is open, the Juneau Ranger District is not sanctioning its use due to the danger of calving from the glacier and thin ice in spots.
*Vendor booths for Comtech 96 will spill out into the lobby of Centennial Hall. That's how good response has been for the high-technology conference slated to open in Juneau a week from today. Organizers say there are only 150 tickets left for those who would like to attend the event, so if you want to go, you should sign up right away.