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Slain police officers celebrated in Hoonah
Casey Kelly
HOONAH, ALASKA (2010-09-09) Slain Hoonah police officers Tony Wallace and Matt Tokuoka were remembered Wednesday for their dedication to service, their perseverance, and their love of law enforcement. Hundreds packed the Hoonah High School gymnasium, where Wallace and Tokuoka were also remembered as loving husbands, fathers, and sons.
The crowd was so large that about a hundred people had to watch on closed circuit television in the old gymnasium.
Many government and tribal leaders from Southeast and other parts of Alaska were in attendance. Dignitaries included Governor Sean Parnell, Senator Lisa Murkowski, and US Senate candidate Scott McAdams.
Parnell began the ceremony by praising Wallace and Tokuoka for being true men of honor.
“Sons and fathers, men who loved their families, men who swore an oath to protect and defend Alaskans. Men who served others first, men who balanced strength and authority, with respect and compassion.”
Several dozen uniformed public safety officers lined the bleachers and rows of folding chairs on the gym floor. Police, fire and military agencies from every corner of Alaska, as well as the Lower 48 and Canada were represented. Alaska Department of Public Safety Commissioner Joe Masters commented on the bonds that unite the law enforcement community during tragedy.
“As witness to how strong it is, one just needs to look around this room. Local, state, federal, international law enforcement officers are banded here together.”
Hoonah Police Chief John Millan said he’d flipped a coin and decided to eulogize Tokuoka first. Various media reports have described the US Marine Corp veteran as a larger than life action figure. Millan -- himself an ex-Marine -- said all those descriptions were true. Tokuoka was a towering figure, whose quiet demeanor could be intimidating at times. But Millan said the more he got to know him, the more he saw Tokuoka’s soft side. He loved his wife and four kids and would do anything for his co-workers. For proof, Millan said to look no further than Tokuoka’s heroic actions the night he was shot.
“Matt ran directly into a hail of bullets, when any other person would run away, and he did so without a hint of hesitation. He called in a situation report, precisely like a Marine would in combat. He began to move Tony to safety, when he laid down his life. He also saw to the safety of Tony’s mother and his own family. Matt walked through the gates of Hell into the valley of the shadow of death and he feared no evil. He laid down his life for his partner and his community.”
Millan described Wallace as an amazing and unique young man, who loved his mother and daughter with all his heart. A championship wrestler in both high school and college, Wallace was legally deaf -- something many people said would prevent him from achieving his dream of being a cop. Of course, Wallace did achieve that dream, and Millan said he was the most accomplished and dedicated officer on the Hoonah police force -- a cop’s cop. But his service to the community went beyond patrolling the streets.
“He touched so many lives coaching here at the school, playing Scrabble with the elders at the senior center. For Hoonah’s wrestling team his expertise was invaluable. Tony Wallace loved being a cop and helping people. So much good arose from his amazing come from behind success story.”
Millan said Wallace and Tokuoka both had wonderful senses of humor, and he’d miss the times they spent joking together around the police station.
“Tony took occasional pleasure in tormenting his chief. If he excessively tormented me, I would suddenly cover my mouth with my hands while I spoke – and yes, he could read lips. Often times Matt would join in doing the same thing. Tony would jump up and down and say, ‘Okay, pick on the deaf guy.’ Then Matt would say, ‘Wait a minute, I thought it was hard of hearing?’"
Family and friends of the fallen officers were the last to speak, including Haley Tokuoka, Matt’s wife.
“My husband is an amazing man. Not only was he a great person, he was my best friend. He was the most amazing father any person could wish for. He was so loving, nurturing, and I just thank him for all the memories we have.”
As the service came to an end, four US Marines performed a military gun salute outside the gym.
The crowd was so large that about a hundred people had to watch on closed circuit television in the old gymnasium.
Many government and tribal leaders from Southeast and other parts of Alaska were in attendance. Dignitaries included Governor Sean Parnell, Senator Lisa Murkowski, and US Senate candidate Scott McAdams.
Parnell began the ceremony by praising Wallace and Tokuoka for being true men of honor.
“Sons and fathers, men who loved their families, men who swore an oath to protect and defend Alaskans. Men who served others first, men who balanced strength and authority, with respect and compassion.”
Several dozen uniformed public safety officers lined the bleachers and rows of folding chairs on the gym floor. Police, fire and military agencies from every corner of Alaska, as well as the Lower 48 and Canada were represented. Alaska Department of Public Safety Commissioner Joe Masters commented on the bonds that unite the law enforcement community during tragedy.
“As witness to how strong it is, one just needs to look around this room. Local, state, federal, international law enforcement officers are banded here together.”
Hoonah Police Chief John Millan said he’d flipped a coin and decided to eulogize Tokuoka first. Various media reports have described the US Marine Corp veteran as a larger than life action figure. Millan -- himself an ex-Marine -- said all those descriptions were true. Tokuoka was a towering figure, whose quiet demeanor could be intimidating at times. But Millan said the more he got to know him, the more he saw Tokuoka’s soft side. He loved his wife and four kids and would do anything for his co-workers. For proof, Millan said to look no further than Tokuoka’s heroic actions the night he was shot.
“Matt ran directly into a hail of bullets, when any other person would run away, and he did so without a hint of hesitation. He called in a situation report, precisely like a Marine would in combat. He began to move Tony to safety, when he laid down his life. He also saw to the safety of Tony’s mother and his own family. Matt walked through the gates of Hell into the valley of the shadow of death and he feared no evil. He laid down his life for his partner and his community.”
Millan described Wallace as an amazing and unique young man, who loved his mother and daughter with all his heart. A championship wrestler in both high school and college, Wallace was legally deaf -- something many people said would prevent him from achieving his dream of being a cop. Of course, Wallace did achieve that dream, and Millan said he was the most accomplished and dedicated officer on the Hoonah police force -- a cop’s cop. But his service to the community went beyond patrolling the streets.
“He touched so many lives coaching here at the school, playing Scrabble with the elders at the senior center. For Hoonah’s wrestling team his expertise was invaluable. Tony Wallace loved being a cop and helping people. So much good arose from his amazing come from behind success story.”
Millan said Wallace and Tokuoka both had wonderful senses of humor, and he’d miss the times they spent joking together around the police station.
“Tony took occasional pleasure in tormenting his chief. If he excessively tormented me, I would suddenly cover my mouth with my hands while I spoke – and yes, he could read lips. Often times Matt would join in doing the same thing. Tony would jump up and down and say, ‘Okay, pick on the deaf guy.’ Then Matt would say, ‘Wait a minute, I thought it was hard of hearing?’"
Family and friends of the fallen officers were the last to speak, including Haley Tokuoka, Matt’s wife.
“My husband is an amazing man. Not only was he a great person, he was my best friend. He was the most amazing father any person could wish for. He was so loving, nurturing, and I just thank him for all the memories we have.”
As the service came to an end, four US Marines performed a military gun salute outside the gym.
© Copyright 2010, CoastAlaska
Samuelson concedes house primary race
Joe Viechnicki
Image by KFSK file photo
© Copyright 2010, Narrows Broadcasting Corp.
Officers remember slain Hoonah policemen
Casey Kelly
HOONAH, ALASKA (2010-09-08) Hundreds of mourners accompanied the remains of Hoonah Police Officers Tony Wallace and Matt Tokuoka to Hoonah this (Wednesday) morning aboard the state ferry Malaspina. Wallace and Tokuoka were shot and killed by a lone gunman last month as they chatted with each other and their families on Hoonah’s Front Street. Casey Kelly spoke with some of those traveling to Hoonah for the officers’ memorial service.
© Copyright 2010, Capital City Broadcasting Inc.
Farmed geoducks sold at market for first time
Deanna Garrison
Image by Deanna Garrison
A farmed geoduck
© Copyright 2010, Rainbird Community Broadcasting
Rescue workers ask aviators to update ELTs
Maria Dudzak
KETCHIKAN, ALASKA (2010-09-08) A false alarm last week is prompting local emergency rescue workers to encourage aviators to inspect, maintain, a possibly replace their older Emergency Locator Transmitter units. Maria Dudzak reports.
© Copyright 2010, Rainbird Community Broadcasting
Sealaska picks regional development CEO
Ed Schoenfeld
SITKA, ALASKA (2010-09-07) Sealaska has named the new head of a subsidiary tasked with economic development in Southeast’s small communities. Russell Dick is the new CEO of Haa Aaní LLC, which will focus on resource extraction and other business ventures.
It’s no secret that most small Southeast cities have been losing jobs, and people. Changes in the fishing industry, the downturn in timber and higher energy costs have sent some residents to nearby larger towns, or outside the region.
That’s happened at the same time Sealaska has focused more on investments and manufacturing operations down south.
"Sealaska’s own economic presence within these communities has diminished as we’ve continued to scale back our own operations," Dick says.
Southeast’s regional Native corporation wants to return some focus to its shareholders’ home communities. So last year, it created a new subsidiary to support development of sustainable communities and economies within Southeast.
That division is called Haa Aani, Tlingit for “Our Land.” It encompasses several existing initiatives, including oyster farming, sand and gravel, and wood-pellet marketing and development. But it’s looking for more, particularly in resource extraction.
"Mineral development I think is certainly a potential. When we look at economic development and opportunities for rural communities, Sealaska has a subsurface land base that is quiet substantial. And that’s something that we have to take a hard look at and determine whether or not those assets are on the table," Dick says.
Haa Aani may also work in fisheries and forest management. And Dick says it could revisit some failed ventures.
"We need to analyze why things weren’t able to happen in the past. But going forward, it’s about innovation and overcoming obstacles. I’m not particularly interested in hearing why something can’t be done. I’m more interested in hearing and understanding what it takes to make it happen," he says.
Sealaska has given the subsidiary the same name it uses for its lands-selection bill before Congress. If it passes, the corporation would take ownership of tens of thousands of acres of valuable timber land. That would be managed by Sealaska’s logging subsidiary.
It would also allow the corporation to select several dozen small plots of land that fit other Haa Aani’s goals. The so-called futures sites could be used for ecotourism, hydro and tidal energy development and other ventures.
But Dick says it’s unclear how the bill will fit into the business.
"I won’t say that Haa Aani as a division of Sealaska will manage futures sites. But futures sites will certainly have a role in how we develop the region in terms of economic opportunity."
Sealaska has already entered into business-development partnerships with Klawock’s Viking Lumber and the Juneau-based Tlingit-Haida Central Council. And more are planned.
'Sealaska can’t and will not do this alone. It’s going to take a collaborative effort with a number of organizations to make this truly a reality and a success in the region," he says.
A major focus will be lowering energy costs and providing jobs that can keep young people in small communities.
He says shareholder and local hire will be high priorities for any venture. But they also must make business sense.
"We have over 20,000 tribal member shareholders. We have to meet financial expectations of our shareholders. So this is not going to be a social program. But it’s really going to be a program predicated on developing economies that meet financial hurdles for everybody involved," he says.
Dick, a shareholder who was raised in Hoonah, began his job in mid August. He’s worked for Sealaska as vice president of corporate development, director of diversity solutions and as a natural resources engineer.
Click here to hear more of our conversation with Russell Dick.
Hear earlier reports on:
It’s no secret that most small Southeast cities have been losing jobs, and people. Changes in the fishing industry, the downturn in timber and higher energy costs have sent some residents to nearby larger towns, or outside the region.
That’s happened at the same time Sealaska has focused more on investments and manufacturing operations down south.
"Sealaska’s own economic presence within these communities has diminished as we’ve continued to scale back our own operations," Dick says.
Southeast’s regional Native corporation wants to return some focus to its shareholders’ home communities. So last year, it created a new subsidiary to support development of sustainable communities and economies within Southeast.
That division is called Haa Aani, Tlingit for “Our Land.” It encompasses several existing initiatives, including oyster farming, sand and gravel, and wood-pellet marketing and development. But it’s looking for more, particularly in resource extraction.
"Mineral development I think is certainly a potential. When we look at economic development and opportunities for rural communities, Sealaska has a subsurface land base that is quiet substantial. And that’s something that we have to take a hard look at and determine whether or not those assets are on the table," Dick says.
Haa Aani may also work in fisheries and forest management. And Dick says it could revisit some failed ventures.
"We need to analyze why things weren’t able to happen in the past. But going forward, it’s about innovation and overcoming obstacles. I’m not particularly interested in hearing why something can’t be done. I’m more interested in hearing and understanding what it takes to make it happen," he says.
Sealaska has given the subsidiary the same name it uses for its lands-selection bill before Congress. If it passes, the corporation would take ownership of tens of thousands of acres of valuable timber land. That would be managed by Sealaska’s logging subsidiary.
It would also allow the corporation to select several dozen small plots of land that fit other Haa Aani’s goals. The so-called futures sites could be used for ecotourism, hydro and tidal energy development and other ventures.
But Dick says it’s unclear how the bill will fit into the business.
"I won’t say that Haa Aani as a division of Sealaska will manage futures sites. But futures sites will certainly have a role in how we develop the region in terms of economic opportunity."
Sealaska has already entered into business-development partnerships with Klawock’s Viking Lumber and the Juneau-based Tlingit-Haida Central Council. And more are planned.
'Sealaska can’t and will not do this alone. It’s going to take a collaborative effort with a number of organizations to make this truly a reality and a success in the region," he says.
A major focus will be lowering energy costs and providing jobs that can keep young people in small communities.
He says shareholder and local hire will be high priorities for any venture. But they also must make business sense.
"We have over 20,000 tribal member shareholders. We have to meet financial expectations of our shareholders. So this is not going to be a social program. But it’s really going to be a program predicated on developing economies that meet financial hurdles for everybody involved," he says.
Dick, a shareholder who was raised in Hoonah, began his job in mid August. He’s worked for Sealaska as vice president of corporate development, director of diversity solutions and as a natural resources engineer.
Click here to hear more of our conversation with Russell Dick.
Hear earlier reports on:
© Copyright 2010, CoastAlaska
State says Southeast sea lions don’t need protection
Dave Donaldson, APRN
JUNEAU, ALASKA (2010-09-03) Governor Parnell on Thursday announced that the state has asked the Federal Government to take the Eastern population of Stellar Sea Lions off the list of species getting Endangered Species Act protection. It is currently listed as “threatened.”
The Eastern Sea Lion population has recovered and the threats facing them have been addressed to the point where they no longer need Endangered Species Act Protection.
In announcing the petition – which was joined by the states of Washington and Oregon – Governor Parnell said taking the Steller Sea Lion off the list would remove what he sees as a “roadblock to development” in Southeast Alaska.
"If our petition is successful, we’ll take a large swath of Southeast Alaska’s coastline out from the ESA’s burdensome and litigious regime," he said.
The Eastern population lives roughly east of Prince William Sound and along the Pacific Coast South to California . It has increased by an average of about 3 percent a year since the 1970’s and has been on the Threatened Species list since 1990.
Lowell Fritz of NMFS’s Alaska Science Center, says this particular population of sea lions was already the subject of a recovery plan developed by the agency in March of 2008.
"This was likely to be a candidate for de-listing because it has shown fairly consistent, fairly unimpeded increase over thirty years – three generations of sea lions. So it didn’t seem like it was threatened with extinction any longer," he said.
Parnell also has asked that the National Marine Fisheries Service not increase protection for the Western population of stellar sea lions — which carries an “endangered” listing. NMFS has determined that the status of the Western population is affected by commercial fishing, and it raises the possibility of curtailing fishing activities in the Western Aleutians.
Fritz says the Western population is very different and has had different dynamics over the last thirty years.
"I don’t think you can .. and we haven’t … made the claim that just because the east has done well, that that means much of anything in regard to what should or shouldn’t be done in the west," he said.
Parnell has brought action against the federal government on many fronts – from health care to polar bears. But he says this action is the first “offensive” step the state has made – saying all the others were in defense of Alaska’s state policies.
His opponent in the November general election, Ethan Berkowitz, says Parnell is using disagreements with the federal government as a distraction.
"It’s easier to hurl accusations at the federal government than to take responsibility for his own failings," he said.
The federal government will review the Alaska, Washington and Oregon petitions for delisting. That review will be open for public comment, and NMFS has ninety days to respond.
The Eastern Sea Lion population has recovered and the threats facing them have been addressed to the point where they no longer need Endangered Species Act Protection.
In announcing the petition – which was joined by the states of Washington and Oregon – Governor Parnell said taking the Steller Sea Lion off the list would remove what he sees as a “roadblock to development” in Southeast Alaska.
"If our petition is successful, we’ll take a large swath of Southeast Alaska’s coastline out from the ESA’s burdensome and litigious regime," he said.
The Eastern population lives roughly east of Prince William Sound and along the Pacific Coast South to California . It has increased by an average of about 3 percent a year since the 1970’s and has been on the Threatened Species list since 1990.
Lowell Fritz of NMFS’s Alaska Science Center, says this particular population of sea lions was already the subject of a recovery plan developed by the agency in March of 2008.
"This was likely to be a candidate for de-listing because it has shown fairly consistent, fairly unimpeded increase over thirty years – three generations of sea lions. So it didn’t seem like it was threatened with extinction any longer," he said.
Parnell also has asked that the National Marine Fisheries Service not increase protection for the Western population of stellar sea lions — which carries an “endangered” listing. NMFS has determined that the status of the Western population is affected by commercial fishing, and it raises the possibility of curtailing fishing activities in the Western Aleutians.
Fritz says the Western population is very different and has had different dynamics over the last thirty years.
"I don’t think you can .. and we haven’t … made the claim that just because the east has done well, that that means much of anything in regard to what should or shouldn’t be done in the west," he said.
Parnell has brought action against the federal government on many fronts – from health care to polar bears. But he says this action is the first “offensive” step the state has made – saying all the others were in defense of Alaska’s state policies.
His opponent in the November general election, Ethan Berkowitz, says Parnell is using disagreements with the federal government as a distraction.
"It’s easier to hurl accusations at the federal government than to take responsibility for his own failings," he said.
The federal government will review the Alaska, Washington and Oregon petitions for delisting. That review will be open for public comment, and NMFS has ninety days to respond.
Former City Councilor's lawsuit dismissed
Matt Lichtenstein
PETERSBURG-AK (2010-09-02) A Superior court judge has dismissed a former city councilor’s lawsuit against two city employees in Petersburg. The suit alleged invasion of privacy and defamation. It was set for a jury trial this month. However, after hearing pre-trial arguments last week, the judge granted a defense motion to dismiss the whole thing and ordered the plaintiff to pay the defendant’s legal expenses.
© Copyright 2010, Narrows Broadcasting Corp.
Sealaska lands bill could survive Murkowski loss
Ed Schoenfeld
SITKA, ALASKA (2010-09-01) Lisa Murkowski’s defeat could impact the chances of Sealaska’s lands legislation passing. The Republican U.S. senator was the bill’s main backer in Congress. And primary winner Joe Miller has spoken against it.
But the other two members of Alaska’s Congressional delegation say they’ll keep the measure in play.
Congressman Don Young introduced the first Sealaska bill in 2007.
But Lisa Murkowski’s office has been doing most of the recent heavy lifting. That’s in part because she’s the ranking Republican on the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, which handles such legislation.
In an internet interview earlier this year, Murkowski took the lead in defending the bill against critics.
"There’s been some concern somehow or other, Sealaska is getting something extra, something that they’re not entitled to. And what I think is important to appreciate is the history, and the fact that Sealaska remains incomplete in terms of their conveyances under ANCSA," she says.
Murkowski’s narrow primary defeat still leaves her the power to push the measure through in her final months.
But Robert Dillon, her Natural Resources Committee spokesman, says that is not in the works.
"I’m not aware of any plans to move the bill in the immediate future. There’s certainly no plans to rush the bill through until it’s finished and ready to go. And at that point it would be made public, again, with any changes," he says.
Murkowski will serve until early January. But Dillon says scheduled recesses leave only about five weeks for Congressional action.
Don Young continues to sponsor a version of the measure. Spokeswoman Meredith Kenny says he is committed to seeing the bill through.
He serves on the House Natural Resources Committee, a key panel for the bill. But he no longer holds the leadership post he once had.
The third member of Alaska’s Congressional delegation, Senator Mark Begich, is also a sponsor of Murkowski’s legislation.
"His goal is to get the bill passed through Congress," says Begich spokeswoman Julie Hasquet.
She says he believes in the bill, which would allow Sealaska to select approximately 80,000 acres of the Tongass National Forest. That would be outside boundaries set in the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act.
"He continues to support the bill and whether it’s while Senator Murkowski is still in office or after she leaves office, if it hasn’t passed by then, Senator Begich will continue to work to get this bill passed," she says.
The chief contenders for Murkowski’s Senate seat are less positive about the bill.
"It would just create a high degree of economic impact in a way that would hurt Alaskans," says Republican candidate Joe Miller.
He slammed the legislation as a back-door deal during the primary. His campaign press staffers have not returned calls about the legislation since the August vote.
But in pre-election interviews, he criticized more than the process.
"The concern I have is that when you select outside boundaries it creates all sorts of uncertainty for private enterprise, other users, other stakeholders, that have come to depend on land that no one ever thought would be selected because it wasn’t within ANCSA boundaries. And so I think as a general concern, that is going to create, if you we go that route with this bill, uncertainty throughout the state, she says.
The Democrat in the race is less negative, but far from enthusiastic.
Senate candidate Scott McAdams has sat through meetings on the bill as Sitka’s mayor. But he would not say whether he’d sign on as a cosponsor.
"I think that the Sealaska land bill is a work in progress. I think as a general rule putting Native lands back into Native hands is the right thing to do," he says.
Sealaska officials were not available for interviews in time for this report. But spokesman Todd Antioquia sent an e-mail saying, quote, “We are not prepared to speculate and we will continue to evaluate all our options. We have legislation … with bipartisan support and we will continue working towards passage.”
Meanwhile, some bill opponents say it’s one of the reasons Murkowski lost to Miller.
Point Baker resident Don Hernandez, who has campaigned against the measure, says it cost the incumbent votes.
"On Prince of Wales Island I’m sure that there were a good number of people that voted against her specifically because of this bill. There may have even been a few people switching parties so they could vote for Joe Miller. It wouldn’t surprise me," he says.
An analysis by Native law attorney Donald Craig Mitchell, published in the Huffington Post, also suggested the bill could be a factor.
Despite the opposition, the incumbent pulled in about 57 percent of Southeast Alaska’s GOP primary vote. That’s a stronger return than most other parts of the state.
Web links:
But the other two members of Alaska’s Congressional delegation say they’ll keep the measure in play.
Congressman Don Young introduced the first Sealaska bill in 2007.
But Lisa Murkowski’s office has been doing most of the recent heavy lifting. That’s in part because she’s the ranking Republican on the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, which handles such legislation.
In an internet interview earlier this year, Murkowski took the lead in defending the bill against critics.
"There’s been some concern somehow or other, Sealaska is getting something extra, something that they’re not entitled to. And what I think is important to appreciate is the history, and the fact that Sealaska remains incomplete in terms of their conveyances under ANCSA," she says.
Murkowski’s narrow primary defeat still leaves her the power to push the measure through in her final months.
But Robert Dillon, her Natural Resources Committee spokesman, says that is not in the works.
"I’m not aware of any plans to move the bill in the immediate future. There’s certainly no plans to rush the bill through until it’s finished and ready to go. And at that point it would be made public, again, with any changes," he says.
Murkowski will serve until early January. But Dillon says scheduled recesses leave only about five weeks for Congressional action.
Don Young continues to sponsor a version of the measure. Spokeswoman Meredith Kenny says he is committed to seeing the bill through.
He serves on the House Natural Resources Committee, a key panel for the bill. But he no longer holds the leadership post he once had.
The third member of Alaska’s Congressional delegation, Senator Mark Begich, is also a sponsor of Murkowski’s legislation.
"His goal is to get the bill passed through Congress," says Begich spokeswoman Julie Hasquet.
She says he believes in the bill, which would allow Sealaska to select approximately 80,000 acres of the Tongass National Forest. That would be outside boundaries set in the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act.
"He continues to support the bill and whether it’s while Senator Murkowski is still in office or after she leaves office, if it hasn’t passed by then, Senator Begich will continue to work to get this bill passed," she says.
The chief contenders for Murkowski’s Senate seat are less positive about the bill.
"It would just create a high degree of economic impact in a way that would hurt Alaskans," says Republican candidate Joe Miller.
He slammed the legislation as a back-door deal during the primary. His campaign press staffers have not returned calls about the legislation since the August vote.
But in pre-election interviews, he criticized more than the process.
"The concern I have is that when you select outside boundaries it creates all sorts of uncertainty for private enterprise, other users, other stakeholders, that have come to depend on land that no one ever thought would be selected because it wasn’t within ANCSA boundaries. And so I think as a general concern, that is going to create, if you we go that route with this bill, uncertainty throughout the state, she says.
The Democrat in the race is less negative, but far from enthusiastic.
Senate candidate Scott McAdams has sat through meetings on the bill as Sitka’s mayor. But he would not say whether he’d sign on as a cosponsor.
"I think that the Sealaska land bill is a work in progress. I think as a general rule putting Native lands back into Native hands is the right thing to do," he says.
Sealaska officials were not available for interviews in time for this report. But spokesman Todd Antioquia sent an e-mail saying, quote, “We are not prepared to speculate and we will continue to evaluate all our options. We have legislation … with bipartisan support and we will continue working towards passage.”
Meanwhile, some bill opponents say it’s one of the reasons Murkowski lost to Miller.
Point Baker resident Don Hernandez, who has campaigned against the measure, says it cost the incumbent votes.
"On Prince of Wales Island I’m sure that there were a good number of people that voted against her specifically because of this bill. There may have even been a few people switching parties so they could vote for Joe Miller. It wouldn’t surprise me," he says.
An analysis by Native law attorney Donald Craig Mitchell, published in the Huffington Post, also suggested the bill could be a factor.
Despite the opposition, the incumbent pulled in about 57 percent of Southeast Alaska’s GOP primary vote. That’s a stronger return than most other parts of the state.
Web links:
- See the latest primary results.
- Link to the Scott McAdams campaign website.
- Connect to the Joe Miller campaign website.
- Watch an online interview with Lisa Murkowski by Alaska Internet Network’s Brad Fluetsch.
- Hear and interview with Joe Miller by KFSK's Melati Kaye.
- Link to a report on Scott McAdams' chances by KCAW's Ed Ronco in Sitka.
© Copyright 2010, CoastAlaska
Ocean Beauty plans to reopen Petersburg plant in 2011
Matt Lichtenstein
Just the opposite was the case this year. Ocean beauty shuttered its Petersburg plant for the most part this summer in anticipation of low pink catches. The company continued to purchase fish from the area, but it only processed them all at its Excursion Inlet plant near Juneau.
Ocean beauty Vice President Tom Sunderland said this week the Petersburg plant will be buying fish again next year. “We plan on processing in Petersburg full bore. Every indication is that there will be a very good pink salmon run and based on that, we expect business as usual. Back to normal. I mean 2010 was the aberration. We expect 2011 we’ll be back to usual and back to buying as many fish as we can,” Sunderland said.
When Ocean Beauty announced it would be closed this summer, company officials emphasized it would be only be for one year. However, that didn’t stop some speculation in town that it might be longer. Municipal officials and business owners worried about the decline of raw fish tax income to the city as well the loss of seasonal business from transient fishing vessels, cannery workers and the plant itself.
The news that Ocean Beauty is planning to buy fish again in Petersburg next summer comes as a relief to Mayor Al Dwyer, who said, “I’m elated.”
Dwyer and the city council have formed a committee to come up with ways to retain existing, local fishing businesses and attract new ones.
Petersburg’s two other major processing plants are owned by Icicle Seafoods and Trident Seafoods. Both operated this year. Ocean Beauty has run its plant in Petersburg since 1985. Historically, this was the first summer in at least twenty years that Icicle had the only major canning operation in town.
The Alaska Department of Fish and Game has not yet put out official pink salmon projections for next year. However, state fishery managers say an annual survey of out-migrating pink salmon fry, done by the National Marine Fisheries Service this summer, indicates Southeast could see a big return in 2011.
© Copyright 2010, Narrows Broadcasting Corp.
Candidates for Wrangell Election announced
Tony Gorman
WRANGELL (2010-09-01) The deadline to declare candidacy for this year's Wrangell Borough Election has come and gone. This year's list of candidates was announced during this week's Wrangell Assembly meeting. KSTK's Tony Gorman reports.
© Copyright 2010, Wrangell Radio Group
Sept. 8 memorial set for Hoonah officers
Casey Kelly, KTOO
JUNEAU, ALASKA (2010-09-01) A memorial service has been scheduled for the Hoonah Police officers killed last weekend in what authorities say was an ambush by a lone gunman.
Interim City Administrator Bob Prunella says Officers Tony Wallace and Matt Tokuoka will be honored in a ceremony next Wednesday, Sept. 8, at 2 p.m. in the Hoonah High School gym. Prunella says he’s heard the memorial will be attended by law enforcement personnel from across the country.
Former Hoonah resident Carolyn Noe, who now lives in Juneau, has leased an Allen Marine catamaran to take people over for the memorial. She says she just wanted to help out any way she could.
“This community and all of Southeast communities have always been a real close knit family and helping in a time of need. So, I just felt that I needed to do something like this to help out,' she says.
She’s still sorting out the details, but Noe says the catamaran will go over to Hoonah and come back to Juneau in the same day. The Alaska Marine Highway System also plans to add ferry service to accommodate the service. Ferry system spokesman Roger Wetherell says details will be announced soon.
The suspect in the police shootings, 45-year-old John Marvin, Jr., was arraigned in Juneau on Tuesday. He’s accused of shooting Wallace and Tokuoka as they chatted with each other and their families Saturday night. Tokuoka was off duty at the time and Wallace’s mother, Debbie Greene, was doing a ride along with her son.
Interim City Administrator Bob Prunella says Officers Tony Wallace and Matt Tokuoka will be honored in a ceremony next Wednesday, Sept. 8, at 2 p.m. in the Hoonah High School gym. Prunella says he’s heard the memorial will be attended by law enforcement personnel from across the country.
Former Hoonah resident Carolyn Noe, who now lives in Juneau, has leased an Allen Marine catamaran to take people over for the memorial. She says she just wanted to help out any way she could.
“This community and all of Southeast communities have always been a real close knit family and helping in a time of need. So, I just felt that I needed to do something like this to help out,' she says.
She’s still sorting out the details, but Noe says the catamaran will go over to Hoonah and come back to Juneau in the same day. The Alaska Marine Highway System also plans to add ferry service to accommodate the service. Ferry system spokesman Roger Wetherell says details will be announced soon.
The suspect in the police shootings, 45-year-old John Marvin, Jr., was arraigned in Juneau on Tuesday. He’s accused of shooting Wallace and Tokuoka as they chatted with each other and their families Saturday night. Tokuoka was off duty at the time and Wallace’s mother, Debbie Greene, was doing a ride along with her son.
© Copyright 2010, Capital City Broadcasting Inc.
Alaskans react to Murkowski loss
Dave Donaldson, APRN
JUNEAU, ALASKA (2010-09-01) Alaskans reacted to Lisa Murkowski’s decision to concede her campaign for re-election to a second full term Tuesday night.
Robin Phillips of Anchorage attended the Senator’s concession speech. Phillips is a former volunteer and staffer for Murkowski. She says she looks forward to hearing Murkowski’s plans for the future.
"I’m bummed. She’s one of the best Senators I’ve had. And I’m said to see this turn of events. But she always puts Alaska first. And I think that’s why I know she would be great at whatever she decided to do," she says.
And Susan Fischetti from Eagle River said she sees a lot of people will feel the effects of Mrukowski’s departure.
"It’s not only a loss for our state. I think it’s a loss for our country. Because I feel that she was a young woman that really represented all the people, not just certain groups. She has Alaska in her heart, and I know that everything that she and her family did was for the good of our state. Never for herself," she says.
Senator Mark Begich said in a prepared statement that Murkowski served Alaskans with “energy and grace.” He said he was grateful for all the support she has given him for the two years they have served together.
The Republican Party is welcoming Joe Miller into its camp. Party Chairman Randy Ruedrich says he looks forward to working with Miller along with Don Young and Sean Parnell during this year’s General Election campaign.
And Democratic nominee for the Senate – Scott McAdams – called Senator Murkowski a “class act” who always put Alaska first. He – along with Begich – said they agreed with Murkowski on the majority of issues effecting Alaska.
Robin Phillips of Anchorage attended the Senator’s concession speech. Phillips is a former volunteer and staffer for Murkowski. She says she looks forward to hearing Murkowski’s plans for the future.
"I’m bummed. She’s one of the best Senators I’ve had. And I’m said to see this turn of events. But she always puts Alaska first. And I think that’s why I know she would be great at whatever she decided to do," she says.
And Susan Fischetti from Eagle River said she sees a lot of people will feel the effects of Mrukowski’s departure.
"It’s not only a loss for our state. I think it’s a loss for our country. Because I feel that she was a young woman that really represented all the people, not just certain groups. She has Alaska in her heart, and I know that everything that she and her family did was for the good of our state. Never for herself," she says.
Senator Mark Begich said in a prepared statement that Murkowski served Alaskans with “energy and grace.” He said he was grateful for all the support she has given him for the two years they have served together.
The Republican Party is welcoming Joe Miller into its camp. Party Chairman Randy Ruedrich says he looks forward to working with Miller along with Don Young and Sean Parnell during this year’s General Election campaign.
And Democratic nominee for the Senate – Scott McAdams – called Senator Murkowski a “class act” who always put Alaska first. He – along with Begich – said they agreed with Murkowski on the majority of issues effecting Alaska.
Murkowski out, Miller wins GOP primary
Annie Feidt, APRN
Image by Annie Feidt, APRN
Lisa Murkowski concedes.
She said it had been a “terribly long week” and “difficult on all sides,” during a press conference in Anchorage.
Murkowski had watched Miller’s lead dip and climb back during the course of Tuesday’s counting of absentee and other ballots but she said did not see a path to winning.
“Based on where we are right now, I don’t see a scenario, where the primary will turn out in my favor,” she told reporters. “I’m now conceding the race for the Republican nomination.”
She told reporters and several sullen supporters standing at her side that she had called Miller just before the press conference to tell him of her decision.
Murkowski thanked her supporters and called them the “best of the best.”
Prior to the press conference, Miller told KTUU-TV in Anchorage he felt “pretty good” about how the count had gone. He was asked if Murkowski should drop out. “No, that’s her decision,” he said.
Miller now faces Sitka Mayor Scott McAdams, the Democrat who easily won his party’s nomination.
Tuesday’s count showed Miller with 52,988 votes or 50.78 pct of the vote. Murkowski had 51,358 votes or 49.22 pct. Some 1,630 votes separated the two candidates. That was a margin similar to the one Miller had started with on Tuesday morning.
The Republican senate primary captured national headlines this past week as both campaigns sought to cast the returns in the most favorable light.
Miller’s candidacy was boosted early when he won the endorsement of former Governor Sarah Palin.
“Do you believe in miracles?!” Palin said in a Twitter message shortly after Murkowski’s announcement. “Thank you for your service, Sen. Murkowski. On to November!”
Miller, a Tea Party favorite, also had won the endorsement of Fox TV host and former GOP presidential candidate Mike Huckabee.
Throughout the campaign, Miller had chided Murkowski for being too liberal.
Murkowski had run strong in Anchorage and various other parts of the state, including Southeast. But Miller led in Fairbanks and in much of the Mat-Su Valley.