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Wednesday, January 27, 1999 © Alaska Juneau Communications - KINY Radio News
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Clinton, Gore announce salmon rehab program
Plan will aid in restoration along West Coast
The White House is asking Congress for 100 million dollars to help restore coastal salmon in Alaskaand the Pacific Northwest. President Clinton and Vice President Al Gore announced details of the new Pacific Coastal Salmon Recovery Fund in a conference call this morning to Governor Knowles, the governors of Washington and Oregon, California's secretary of resources, and the Chair of Northwest Tribes. Complete text of conference call here.
While waiting for the President to come on line, Governor Knowles told Washington Governor Gary Locke about the Nanuq (right) passing through Juneau this week on its way to the pipeline terminal at Valdez. The new class of tractor tug is one of five being purchased by Alyeska Pipeline from Crowley Marine in Anacortes, Washington for 20 million dollars each. The Nanuq is scheduled to be christened in Valdez on February 3.
Negotiators for the state and its largest public employee union are at odds over contracting out jobs. The state submitted a proposal to the Alaska State Employees Association during bargaining last week that would allow that practice. The union's right to strike if the Legislature refuses to fund a negotiated contract was also discussed. State negotiators told the union's representative that ASEA may already possess that right. The next round of talks is scheduled in Anchorage February 9th through the 11th. The union's contract expires at the end of the fiscal year June 30th. The state is also negotiating new contracts with most of its other employee unions.
Juneau's Centennial Hall will be the site of an economic summit February 9 sponsored jointly by the Governor and the Legislature. The commitment for the summit was extracted from the Governor bylegislative leaders during an impromptu meeting yesterday afternoon that left the press cooling its heels for over two hours. Majority leaders had called a press conference for 1:30, but the Governor summoned Senate President Drue Pearce and House Speaker Brian Porter to his office moments before the appointed time after receiving a letter that was to be released at the press conference. The letter reiterated the majority's calls for cuts in current year spending and legislation on the Governor's ideas for an income tax and use of permanent fund earnings to bridge a billion dollar fiscal gap. The Governor promised to deliver on the those requests by next week.
Juneau roads proved treacherous for some motorists again this morning. One vehicle traveling on Egan Drive outbound near Mapco when it lost control and tipped on to its side in the median. Police reported no injuries in that incident or when two other vehicles lost control and ended up in the median near Salmon Creek inbound on Egan. Police are asking motorist to use their headlights and remind them that the use of just parking lights is illegal.
Organizers of Alaska Comtech '99 (right) were guests on KINY's Capital Chat today to talk about final arrangements for this year's event scheduled from February 3rd through the 5th. The trade show part of the fourth annual Comtech will include new exhibitors. Representatives from Netscape and Apple Computer are among the larger tech companies planning to make presentations. The three-day conference provides an opportunity for anyone interested in technology and communications -- at any level of experience -- to learn more from experts in the various fields.
Planning was the main order of business at last night's Tourism Advisory Committee meeting. Committee Chair Susan Favro says the panel reviewed plans for its upcoming report to the Assembly which is scheduled for late February or early March. Development of the committee's annual action plan was also on last night's agenda. The committee meets next on February 9 at 5:15 at the downtown fire station.
The Home Opportunity Program that provides loans for low income individuals is the subject of a class this evening in Juneau sponsored by Housing First. The program provides no interest, forgivable loans of up to 20 thousand dollars to qualified applicants. Housing First has received $250,000 from the Alaska Housing Finance Corporations for the program. Applicants are required to attend a class to apply for a loan under the program. This evening's class is scheduled from 7 to 8 at the Gruening Park Activity Room at 1800 Northwood Street. For more information or to register for the class, call Housing First at 364-3573.
There was a small power outage late yesterday afternoon that affected about 50 customers along Thane Road yesterday afternoon. It extended from Sheep Creek to the end of the road for about 15 minutes beginning at approximately 4 p.m. Utility official Peter Bibb suspects it was caused by a problem along the 12 mile Annex Creek Line which goes up Sheep Creek Valley over to Annex Creek near the Taku River. Bibb says it could have been an avalanche or winds slapping lines together.
Juneau's Perseverance Theatre has won a grant from the new Fred Meyer Foundation. The foundation is giving away 75-thousand dollars to organizations supporting healthy children and families in communities served by Fred Meyer stores. The donation is one of the foundation's first, with other grants going to Portland, Oregon - area organizations. The foundation is giving financial support to established programs with a demonstrated track record of service to children and families.(Captions for our photographs can be viewed by hovering over them with your mouse pointer)
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