Author: Robert Woolsey

Four candidates for the job of city administrator offered their views on their qualifications during telephone interviews with the Sitka assembly Sunday afternoon (1-13-08).

A proposal for an affordable housing apartment complex at the old city shops site provoked strong reactions from the public at a special assembly meeting Thursday night (1-10-08). Questions about the proposal's suitability for the site, its impact on traffic volume and land values, and its proximity to a known slide area dominated the evening. But, there was also strong support for allowing the developers to revise their plans to address the major concerns.

Southeast Alaskans commented on the Alaska Marine Highway's proposed operating plan and summer schedule during a regionwide teleconference Thursday (1/10). About ten Sitkans lined up at the Legislative Information Office Thursday to have their say about the summer schedule, and for the first time in many years, their comments were mostly positive. They were pleased with the proposed five fast ferry runs a week between Sitka and Juneau, saying the frequency of service would fix many of the community’s transportation woes. But Sitkans also renewed their call for direct ferry connections to the villages, a request echoed by other communities.

Sitka’s first police dog, Justice, was the victim of an alleged assault this past weekend. Detective Mark Hake, the dog’s handler, responded to a drunk and disorderly complaint Friday night at the Lakeside Grocery store. According to court documents, after being escorted off the premises, the defendant allegedly stopped at the marked police canine vehicle and punched the left rear window where Justice was housed. The defendant was also allegedly shouting while he struck the vehicle. He was placed under arrest and charged with “Harming a Police Dog” in the second degree, a misdemeanor offense. The defendant was also arrested on one count of resisting arrest. KCAW’s Melissa Marconi Wentzel talked to Detective Hake about the incident and about the state statute protecting police dogs:

Sitka's long-range energy plans may not require a new hydro project at Lake Diana after all. At a worksession with the Sitka assembly on Tuesday (1-8-08), system engineer Dean Orbison explained that a consultant had identified much more potential at Blue Lake than the 23-feet of additional height planned by the dam's original designers.

The Sitka assembly wasted little time acting on the electric department's recommendation to pursue significant expansion of the Blue Lake hydro project. During their regular meeting Tuesday night (1-8-08) they authorized the restructuring of the electric fund's debt, and the creation of a capital fund to begin preparatory work on the project.

The Sitka assembly on first reading narrowly passed an ordinance granting the state a right-of-way to construct a roundabout at the Swan Lake intersection. Newly-appointed member Heide Raffaele held the swing vote. She chose to pass the issue on to second reading, and buy time to study the issue.

Sealaska, Southeast's regional Native corporation, met with Sitkans on January 3rd to discuss a proposed bill which would transfer to the corporation about 85-thousand acres of Southeast Alaska rainforest.

The Sitka assembly met in special session on January 4th, to choose a short-list of candidates for the position of City Administrator. Six candidates were chosen.

A female green sea turtle found dead near Sitka last week traveled thousands of miles to reach Southeast Alaska shores. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration says the turtle likely originated from Mexico or the Galapagos Islands. About four weeks earlier, a sea turtle was recovered near Ketchikan, bringing the total number of strandings of this protected species within the last decade up to seven.