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The Petersburg Borough Assembly meets tomorrow (Feb. 14) at 12 p.m. in the assembly chambers. The assembly will hold a public hearing on the borough’s election ordinance. The ordinance maintains the current in-person election process. It will also hold a public hearing on updated criminal code that gives officers more discretion, allowing police to issue fines for certain low level crimes instead of making an arrest. The assembly will conduct its third and final reading of an updated hospital ordinance that outlines the hospital board’s aut...
Matt Lichtenstein, recent KFSK news director and now full-time troller fisherman, just earned $5000 in crowd funding after the Petersburg Economic Development Council (PEDC) implemented a new program earlier this month. PEDC partnered with the international non-profit Kiva Zip to offer a micro-financing option for local entrepreneurs and small businesses. “In our case, PEDC acts as a trustee for Kiva Zip so we’re kind of their on the ground person and we endorse a borrower,” said Liz Cabrera, PEDC director. Lichtenstein announced his inten...
Petersburg district school enrollment numbers have decreased by 44 percent since 1997—almost double that of Wrangell and Sitka. It’s a number that Petersburg Superintendent Rob Thomason has been concerned about for some time. “It’s been a concern in the back of my mind ever since I’ve been here,” Thomason said. “The whole staff knows we’re always looking at the idea that this year does not preclude what it will look like next year. We always have to rethink that.” The district has seen about a two percent decrease in student enrollment each y...
The Sales Tax Ordinance Review Committee will be reviewing exemptions outlined in the tax code during the next several months. The group also outlined its mission statement during the meeting. It states, “…to simplify the code and collection procedures, and to generate an equal or greater amount of revenue so the Borough does not have to decrease services or increase property taxes.” Anne Hurt, Finance Clerk for the Petersburg Borough, went through 26 exemptions and made suggestions as to which ones could stay and those that could be remov... Full story
News that mining giant Anglo-American plans to withdraw from the Pebble Mine project was greeted with joy by opponents who hailed it as a victory for the people of Bristol Bay and for the region’s resources. Pebble would be the largest gold and copper mine in North America, and its location looms over the world’s biggest sockeye salmon fishery at Bristol Bay. But even though London-based Anglo has pulled out of the Pebble Partnership, Northern Dynasty Minerals of Canada still remains. And they insist the project is still very much alive. “Th...
The Borough Assembly voted to award the gymnasium floor refinishing contract to Alaskan Industries based on a recommendation from the Parks and Recreation Dept. Alaskan Industries is the company that has worked on the floor for the last 15 years, said Parks and Recreation Director Donn Hayes. The cost for the floor refinishing will be $32,400, or $35,900 with the Petersburg branded logo installed in the middle of the gymnasium floor. Part of the funding, $13,000, has been provided by a grant...
Yachting magazine has named Petersburg one of the best yachting towns in the nation. Each year, Yachting magazine asks its readers to nominate waterfront towns and from that lengthy list the magazine editors select the top 10. “Petersburg offers the unique Alaskan experience that visitors are looking for,” Petersburg Harbormaster Glorianne Wollen said. “We are very proud of our history of being able to successfully mingle the yachting world with an Alaskan commercial fleet, encouraging a greater respect for both cultures.” This nominat...
Four Petersburg Borough residents submitted letters of interest to fill the two vacant positions on the Borough Assembly and they each had a chance to state, to the Assembly, why they are willing to take the seats during the regular Assembly meeting Tuesday evening. Candidate choices for the Assembly were Cindi Lagoudakis, Bob Lynn, Jeigh Stanton Gregor and Kurt Wohlhueter. “I have demonstrated my love and dedication to Petersburg over the last seven years,” Lagoudakis stated. “I helped to fo... Full story
The Petersburg Borough Assembly appointed interested parties to the vacancies on the Planning and Zoning Commission, Hospital Board and Land Selection Committee during its regular meeting Tuesday evening. The seven positions that were vacant for planning and zoning were filled by David Kensinger, Susan Thomason, Dona Malhoit Laubhan, Ronn Buschmann, Otis Marsh and James Demko with Thomason being named chairperson for that committee. Only one letter of interest was received for the three vacancies on the hospital board and one of those positions...
The Petersburg Borough continues to seek letters of interest from qualified residents to fill vacancies in elected offices until the first regular borough election, set for October 2014. All letters of interest should be submitted to the Mayor or Clerk no later than 10 a.m., Thursday, Feb. 14 for consideration at the Feb. 19 Assembly meeting. Anyone appointed to an elected seat will be required to file a Public Officials Financial Disclosure Statement, POFDS, within 30 days of taking office. Seats to be filled are two vacancies on the...
The Petersburg Indian Association will hold an election for board members and chairperson Monday, Jan. 7. The tribe members will have choices on this ballot to fill the needed seats. Mike Sheldon and Tina Sakamoto are vying for the chair position on the board and Skip Hallingstad, Darnell Wilton, Melanie Frentz-Hallingstad, Jeanette Ness and Carol Martinez are going for the three board seats that are up for grabs. Mike Sheldon is a lifelong resident of Petersburg and his family goes back in the area for generations. “My idea as future chairman... Full story
January An elderly man was hit by a vehicle while crossing the street at Gjoa and Nordic Drive. The gentleman was crossing inside the crosswalk and was grazed by the vehicle’s mirror as it passed. The victim was thrown approximately 20 feet. He was on crutches at the time. Rock-N-Road Construction was granted a contract to demolish the Romiad Building to make room for the new library. The building was demolished for $22,499. The Petersburg City Council discussed condemning LeConte RV Park for s... Full story
Don’t stomp on the process Letter to the Editor: Ahhh, Mr. Will Ware…ever the silver tongued speaker. My comments are in regards to last week’s letter to the Pilot. You’re certainly a born preacher…. but, someone I feel is qualified to give me lectures on dignity, integrity, honor and respect? …not so much. Your self-appointed role as moral compass for the tribe, is really the true “foolishness”, here. My grandmother, Amy Hallingstad, was instrumental in forming the Petersburg Indian Association as well as in writing the original by-law...
Borough will benefit surrounding area To the Editor: I believe formation of the borough is a good thing for the people of Petersburg and the surrounding area. The people living in this region want a say in what goes on around us. We’ve seen many instances throughout Alaska of activities by State and Federal government and private industry that have definitely not been to the benefit of the people. Having the area’s important resources within the Petersburg Borough gives us a stronger voice over how those resources are managed. Borough for...
Let’s Talk continues To the Editor: Imagine a community where your viewpoint is heard and where a variety of different opinions are valued and respected. Last Wednesday nearly 60 people took part in “Let’s Talk Petersburg: A Community Conversation”. The event, hosted by the Petersburg Public Library and the Petersburg Community Foundation, focused on having respectful, open conversations and sparking discussion about the issues that are important to our community. We tackled some difficult issues. Small towns can be cliquish and gossip oriente...
The $2 million dollar deficit for the North Harbor Project causes issues with Petersburg's city council members. Petersburg City Manager Steve Giesbrecht, made a funding proposal for the council to consider that provides funding for the shortfall in the cost of reconstruction for that project. “We tried to do the same thing with this that was potentially done for the Reid Marine Property,” Giesbrecht said. The plan is to take $600,000 from the harbor fund, coming from the raw fish tax that the harbor will receive this year; $350,000 from pro...
The funding for the completion of the North Harbor project is a main area of concern for the Petersburg Harbor Advisory Board. The Petersburg City Council Members and Harbor Board members met Friday afternoon to try to find ways in which to complete the project with funds available. “We have $7 million and that is the amount for the base bid with two alternatives that will bring the total to $9 million,” Petersburg Harbormaster Glorianne Wollen said. “We are hoping that next year the costs...
It’s no wonder borough formation efforts have taken more than 10 years to culminate in a determining vote in December. Initial council discussions over borough formation began about 2002 as the body debated whether to annex land into the city’s corporate limits or to establish borough boundaries. This week a letter writer charges that this newspaper and the city failed to correct information that was printed, challenged and corrected over two years ago. There is certainly enough information in the city’s borough petition that provides fodde...
Rates for services and storage at Petersburg Community Cold Storage will increase as of Nov. 1. The Petersburg Economic Development Council owns PCCS, which is a non-profit organization. “Our anchor tenant has been Ocean Beauty Seafoods,” PEDC Coordinator Liz Cabrera said. “With the facility closing for the season, due to the ferry accident, we faced a financial loss with the PCCS.” Cabrera explained that the board tossed around many options and they talked to users of the facility to find solutions to this problem. At this time there are no...
Petersburg Child Care Center board vice president, Kim Kilkenny asked the Petersburg City Council to place the organization on the Capital Improvement Projects list during the regular council meeting Tuesday, Sept. 4. “The PCC is running very short on space and have a waiting list for infants and toddlers one to two years of age,” Kilkenny said. “We are starting the process of getting funds together to expand our building.” Kilkenny explained to the Council that the wish of the PCC Board is to expand enough to accommodate 20 more kids. At this...
The local ballot is now set for the Petersburg elections. There is no contest for the City Council, for the second year in a row with one council seat with no candidates. Petersburg Mayor Al Dwyer states he will not seek office again and may resign after this October's city election. Dwyer is half-way through his third two-year term as mayor. He says he has no plans to run for mayor of the Petersburg Borough if the borough is voted in this fall or winter. “This is going to be a contentious coming year,” Dwyer said. “I just don't have the energ... Full story
Petersburg City Council has come to a consensus regarding the purchase of the Reid Marine Property. Based on that consensus, a funding proposal has been prepared that will be submitted to the voters at the Oct. 2 municipal election. The funding proposal provides for $250,000 from the Property Development Fund; $200,000 from the General Fund; $400,000 from the Economic Fund and financing the balance of the purchase, not to exceed $550,000, over a 15 year period payable from increased harbor moorage and upland outdoor storage rates. Taking...
The Petersburg City Council discussed five funding options for the acquisition of the Reid Marine Property in Scow Bay. Option one includes raising the sales tax rate from six to seven percent. This option will raise approximately $462,000. Passing a resolution giving the Harbor Enterprise Fund all of the fish tax the City receives annually is also a part of this alternative. Option two includes increasing the sales tax cap from $1,200 to $1,700; eliminating the sales tax exemption for seniors outside the City; moving to a point of sale system... Full story
For some time the City of Petersburg has been contemplating the purchase of the Reid waterfront and warehouse property. During the June 11 City Council meeting requests were made for an appraisal and survey of the property to be performed along with the preparation of a business plan to assess the possible benefits for this facility to the city. Several statements of positive feedback from the business community were introduced to help guide the council toward a favorable decision regarding the purchase of the property. “Our fishing c... Full story
Rep. Peggy Wilson, R-Wrangell and Sen. Bert Stedman, R-Sitka in May wrapped up the 27th legislative session, including a 30-day special session. They passed several pieces of legislation that benefit the Southeast region, and passed a capital budget that includes projects to benefit both Wrangell and Petersburg. “For the region itself, I thought we did very well,” Wilson said. “Basically the capital budget, we came out really good with the capital budget for the region. I made several trips...
