JUNEAU DAILY NEWS MINUTE
Friday, February 2, 1996 (c) Alaska Juneau Communications
*An Eagle River Republican is once again taking aim at the
Capital City as he introduces a resolution asking Juneau to pay
for plane tickets for constituents who want to visit their
legislators.
Senator Randy Phillips continues to complain about
what he perceives as inaccessibility. Juneau Senator Jim Duncan
says he's not too worried about the resolution passing because
most of his colleagues know very well that Juneau has made
investments in teleconferencing, airport equipment for more
landings, housing assistance, and other improvements.
*The sound of helicopter blades filled downtown today as the
often-postponed cement-left got underway to the 1,800-foot level
of Mount Roberts. Tons of ready-mix cement were taken by
helicopter to the site of the new tramway's upper terminus where
construction continues. The cement job had been rescheduled
several times due to cold weather.
*If snow does not fall by midnight tonight, Juneau will tie its
record for the longest dry spell since records have been kept. We
are in the 21st day of no measurable precipitation, which would
tie the 21-day stretch in April and May of 1979. The National
Weather Service Office says, though, that to break the record, we
will have to make it until midnight tomorrow night to complete
the 22nd dry day.
*The Borough Assembly Finance Committee has approved
establishment of a Youth Activities Board to help divide up the
money raised through 1-percent of the C.B.J.'s 3-percent
temporary sales tax. The board will be made up of representatives
of the public, including youth. They will review funding
applications and recommend grant awards. Artistic, cultural and
academic projects will be given equal weight with athletics.
*Channel 8 television of Juneau believes Alaska Marine Highway
System passengers ought to have tv aboard the ferries. Channel 8
General Manager Joe Holbert says he's discussed the idea with
ferry officials, but believes there are still some technological
problems to solve before it becomes a reality.
*Photojournalist Mark Farmer -- who's a former Juneau mayoral
candidate -- will appear in tonight's episode of the tv show
'Sightings.' Farmer has completed an investigative report on
military experiments near Glenallen using high voltage on the
Aurora Borealis. Farmer contends that the Defense Department's
High Frequency Active Auroral Research Program -- or
HAARP --
is working toward ways of manipulating the Northern Lights as a
weapon capable of satellite destruction and weather modification.
The show airs on ARCS at 8:00 tonight.