Sorted by date Results 301 - 325 of 857
As we observe the anniversary of the creation of the Alaska Permanent Fund Corporation (APFC) this month, it is noteworthy to laud the vision and leadership of the past, and imperative in my opinion to look forward - to bring that same extraordinary vision, leadership, and forethought to the now, the near, and the far. Now – today, Alaska is the only State that earns the majority of its unrestricted general fund revenues from the global economy. No longer a "rainy day account," the Permanent F...
A suggestion by Assembly member Taylor Norheim that term limits are needed for borough assembly seats is yet another solution to a problem that doesn't exist. Norheim says it will, "free things up for other people," to run. As long as former counselor Marc Martinsen continues to place his name on the borough ballot, it proves to us the term limit won't create more open or robust elections for the borough. Besides, assembly members themselves spoke against the proposal. Assembly member Tremblay...
Frederick Point East – Ordinance 2021-08 To the Editor: This letter is in rebuttal to Finance Director Jody Tow's comments during the May 3 assembly meeting regarding Ordinance 2021-08 which seeks to remove Frederick Point East (FPE) from Service Area 1 because Service Area 1 mill rates do not accurately reflect the actual borough on-site services provided to FPE. Service Area 1 services, such as road maintenance, police protection, trash service, etc, are not provided to FPE. Ms. Tow's o...
The last time Alaska changed the state tax on motor fuel, gasoline cost about 36 cents a gallon at a Lower 48 pump, the average home price in the United States was $24,000, and the average price of a new car was about $3,500. The motor fuel tax rate in Alaska in 1970 was 8 cents a gallon, about half the price of a cup of coffee. Gasoline now runs about $2.50 a gallon in the Lower 48, $3 in Anchorage, and closer to $4 a gallon in California. The average home price in the country is over...
Changes to Service Area 1 boundaries proposed under Ordinance 2021-08 are unnecessary and ill advised. The issue has nothing to do with services available to the Frederick Point East (FPE) property owners. They currently pay the lowest tax assessments for their properties. Millage rates don't have to be revised. Because they lack amenities available to other property in Service Area 1, the assessments reflect that fact. A waterfront 12,000 sq. ft. lot in the Frederick Point East subdivision is...
"Confidence in an economy matters," Dan Robinson, research chief at the state Department of Labor, told the House Ways and Means Committee earlier this month. "There is an economic cost of not solving these problems." He was talking with legislators about the state's job loss, population loss, economic loss and inability to agree on a fiscal plan to pay for public services long term. For most of the past 30 years, Alaska has taken from savings, prayed for high oil prices and rejoiced at any...
We're getting closer to achieving the required herd immunity levels needed to abate the spread of COVID -19 and the expanding variants as the virus mutates across the worlds' populations. According to the State of Alaska, Petersburg is second from the top (behind Skagway) in attaining the most vaccinations. Petersburg's rate stands at 72.94 percent as of Wednesday. Vaccine hesitancy is the major roadblock to the U.S. achieving herd immunity against COVID-19. Dr. Anthony Fauci, President Joe...
Thank you for caring about Petersburg To the Editor: I know there is not a single citizen in Petersburg that has not walked by and admired one of our beautiful flower boxes or gardens created by Petersburg Borough Groundskeeper, Jesse O’Connor. Jesse’s 25 year long commitment to serve our community began in 1996 when he was hired as an assistant groundskeeper during the summer season. As that season ended, he moved over to help our sanitation department, both as a laborer and a supervisor. In 2001 he went back to the Public Works Dep...
A deep dive To the Editor: The author of the Letter to The Editor entitled “Regulatory malfeasance” in the April 15 edition of The Pilot appears to be following her unfortunate practice of citing scientific studies, historical facts, or analogies that do not actually support her positions on issues ranging from fluoride in our drinking water, to face coverings to vaccines. In this letter, the author cited the thalidomide debacle for the reason to be distrustful of regulatory agencies such as the FDA, that “failed the public they are suppo... Full story
Thrift Store To the Editor: We need to ask the community of Petersburg to stop dropping off donations when the store is closed. The stealing and vandalism from our local thieves is getting out of control. Your donations left when we are closed is attracting them, and we end up having to take donations to the dump as a result of damage. They are known to urinate on items, dump liquid in the bin and recklessly throw things around and they end up broken. Please do not leave your items when the... Full story
Vaccinations save lives To the Editor: Here is some important information that I have read about the vaccines that protect you against Covid-19: If you get Covid-19, it could infect your whole body and you could be sick for more than a week. This viral infection may damage many vital organs in your body such as your lungs, heart, and brain. This damage will probably heal but it could also last a long time and be life changing. Covid-19 is much more likely to cause long term damage to your body than the vaccines will. The vaccines, once they... Full story
The governor will go to great lengths to avoid supporting a tax — any tax — but taxes are how people pay for public services. Instead of thinking about the public, his administration’s latest ill-conceived plan is to close Division of Motor Vehicle offices in six small communities so that he can claim budget savings of $500,000 a year. Of course, what the state may save, the public would have to pay — and more. The administration has proposed contracting with private operators to provide driver’s license and vehicle registration services...
The Alaskan Republican Party's censure of U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski for voting to convict former President Donald Trump at his impeachment trial, and now ousting her as a GOP candidate in next year's election displays the worst traits of party politics. It's no wonder that Congress is battling such partisanship and why little is accomplished unless a single party controls both houses of Congress and the White House. If a Senator or Congressman is obligated to vote the party line on every issue, r...
Ferry system needs to be own entity To the Editor: Governor Dunleavy's AMHS Reshaping Work Group did not show the passion, desire, or knowledge needed to recommend a decision for the future of the AMHS. To qualify for the work group, each member should have made a round-trip from Skagway to Bellingham-once in the winter and once in the summer-this also includes a round-trip across the Gulf to Whittier and a round-trip from Homer to Sand Point. They are to make all their own reservations for...
Heartfelt thank you To the Editor: I would like to thank everyone for sending me their prayers and well-wishes during my recent health problems. I feel so fortunate and grateful to have so many people thinking of me. Thank you also to the wonderful doctors and nurses that took care of me during my stay at PMC, to the P.P.D. first responder, the Volunteer E.M.S. crew and to the crew of the medivac transport. Last but not least thank you to my wife and my family who stood by me through the entire...
Alaska is in a fiscal mess and Gov. Mike Dunleavy is making it worse. The state has spent almost all of its easily accessible savings. Budget cuts have hit hard at essentials such as the ferry system, university and some social service programs. Our credit rating is at risk. And yet the governor acts like next year or the year after is soon enough to figure it out. Calm and thoughtful is good, irresponsible is bad. Dunleavy's plan is to spend from the Permanent Fund until a better idea comes...
By Patrick Wilson, retiring OBI Seafoods Petersburg plant manager and Nik Wendel, current OBI Seafoods Petersburg plant manager Petersburg Fisheries has been the cornerstone of the community since 1965 when the town pooled their resources and bought the processing plant that was about to go under. It was the partnership of members of the community and commercial fishermen that has helped keep our facility running over the past 55 years. Now under OBI Seafoods, we continue to keep this spirit as... Full story
At a cost of almost $200 million, the Alaska Marine Highway System took ownership in the past 17 years of two ferries it could not afford to run and two that it could not run everywhere they are needed. That is painful. The state is selling the two it can't afford to keep fueled, while spending millions to add new doors so that the other two ships can call on smaller communities in Southeast. And even then, it will take additional millions of dollars in remodeling before one of the two can...
Incorrect information To the Editor: I wanted to thank the community of Petersburg for being concerned for my wellbeing. The prayers, meals, and reaching out have been very much appreciated. It is a blessing to live in a caring community, and we've been very moved by so many people's eagerness to rally around us and make sure that we are well taken care of while I have been recovering. However, I also want to take the opportunity to clear up some incorrect information about me that is being... Full story
It should be obvious by now that no amount of peer reviewed science or proven medical knowledge is going to change the minds of those who choose to ignore common sense guidelines to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus. Masking, social distancing and good hygiene have all been proven to flatten the curve of infections and hospitalizations here and across the country. The fact that Petersburg has moved from a handful of positive COVID-19 tests to 36 in the past week is because the basic...
Little Norway Festival To the Editor: As we all know last year took us on a journey that we weren't expecting or even prepared for. With that, many events that we do had to be put on hold, Little Norway Festival being one of them. Here we are in 2021 still putting one foot in front of the other looking forward into what this year holds for our community regarding events. As we don't have a clear picture of what Little Norway Festival will look like this year, we are getting a jump start on...
He was my hero To the Editor: I was saddened to hear about the passing of Jonas Hollingstad and wanted to tell his family that he was the most important person in my life. In 1945 when I was seven years old I fell off the float in Scow Bay. Could not swim, no life preserver and current was taking me down and out into the Narrows. Had not Jonas been walking by at that moment there is no question that I would have drowned. He got me out of the water and up on the dock where he told me years later the first thing I said was, “Don’t tell my Dad...
Today (Feb. 11) will be a significant day for hundreds of Petersburg residents who head to the community gym for the second dose of Moderna's Covid-19 vaccine. Yet others received their first dose of the vaccine last week. Petersburg is taking yet another step towards a more normal life which we expect could bring an end to mandates, masks and the endless arguments being made in opposition to the health mandates that have clearly enabled Petersburg to minimize infections that have largely been...
The governor had a chance to talk honestly about taxes when he announced his 10-year budget plan last month. He had a second chance Jan. 28 with his State of the State speech. Sadly, he failed both times. The governor's 10-year fiscal plan acknowledges there will be a $1.2 billion hole in the state budget 18 months from now. That's equal to more than 20% of public services and Permanent Fund dividends the next year. And that's after spending down the state's savings for much of the past 30...
Show support for Ted To the Editor: I am surprised and disappointed in the response your community has shown to a go fund me page put up for Ted Smith. My son Dan wanted to start the Go Fund Me page to allow people to show Ted support and a way of saying thanks for all he has done over the years for your community and State. There are countless times when he had AK Fuel that he opened the dock after hours, weekends and holidays to fuel boats. He never left you without heating oil even if you...
