newspaper - The Cordova Times
Election 2014: Aug. 19 Primary Election information & sample ballots PAGES 20-21 www.thecordovatimes.com Friday, August 15, 2014 Prince William Sound’s oldest newspaper and part of Cordova’s local news tradition dating back to 1906. In the Know NET HANGING PUBLIC HEARING ON MINE Pebble issue draws large crowd in Anchorage Subscribe Today! Subscribe today at www. thecordova times.com City CEC to host customer appreciation day Opinion • Remembering Dave Butler • Comments on Ballot Prop #1 EPA will accept public comment on proposed restrictions on mine through Sept. 19 Lynden Transport earns honors PAGE 7 BY MARGARET BAUMAN [email protected] Fisheries • Begich, Cantwell want more ocean monitoring • Fisheries observer program Cordova Life Red Dragon makes top ten INDEX Schools.............2 Local News.......3 Opinion..............4 Fisheries............8 Around Town...12 Cordova Life...14 Classifieds.......22 Puzzles............23 Vol. 100 Issue 33 BEN YEAGER/THE CORDOVA TIMES Mike Maxwell behind the wheel of his forklift. NET WORTH Fishing, mining, environmental and resource development advocates came out by the dozens on Aug. 12 to tell the Environmental Protection Agency what they thought about protecting valuable salmon fisheries from large scale mining. It was the first of seven EPA hearings scheduled in Alaska during the coming week on EPA’s proposal to use section 404 ( c) of the Clean Water Act to impose ■ See Page 19, PEBBLE TAILINGS POND DAM After a lifetime in a changing fishery, Mike and Rob Maxwell remain purveyors of a lost art. BY BEN YEAGER [email protected] He rarely stops moving. Keeping up with him requires one to pace. When tasked with writing about LFS Marine & Outdoor manager Mike Maxwell, John Freeman, his right hand man, told me, “Good luck, I hope you brought your roller skates.” Constantly besieged by customers, some in a state of personal emergency, Maxwell, 55, helms the shop, often talking to them in person with a phone in one hand and a line, mid-splice, in the other. Less like customers and more like neighbors looking for advice or a favor, they come to him for help on all mediums, text, phone, or in person. He knows each one by name and by problem, and sorts their affairs. Learning to fish alongside his brother Rob—two years Mike’s elder—at age nine when they operated a 17’ skiff by themselves across the Sound, Mike entered the fishery at a time when fishermen had to be almost Warnings were issued to mining company entirely self-sufficient. Back then, in the late ‘60s when the nets were smaller and lighter, crews performed most of the gear work by themselves. As the nets and boats got bigger and heavier over the years—through innovation and to address increasing volume of fish—the skill and power required to hang them increased until commercial hangers became scarce. The newly robust salmon fishery, enhanced by the advent of hatcheries, drew fishermen from all over the country, diluting local knowledge of nets and other gear. Today, as equipment knowledge wanes, Mike and Rob Maxwell, due to a lifetime in a rapidly-maturing fishery, remain beacons of skill and proficiency. “They’re the only guys in town with this expertise,” said EJ Cheshier. “It’s really important to have them here.” As the rain comes down in sheets, Maxwell and his team stand in the doorway of the LFS net loft, easing in a trailer with a seine net. Testing continues to determine affect of spill on water quality critical for human consumption and aquatic life BY MARGARET BAUMAN [email protected] The international consulting group that designed the ill-fated British Columbia tailings pond dam for Mount Polley Mine says they had cautioned the mine company and British Columbia officials that its use was greater than it was designed for. “As the former engineer of record of the tailings storage facility at Mount ■ See Page 12, NET WORTH ■ See Page 16, DAM CT 08-15-14 All the Hottest Phones! iPhone 5S iPhone 5C Samsung GS5 Samsung Note 3 on a 3 year contract on a 2 year contract on a 3 year contract on a 2 year contract $149 $199 $149 $332 facebook.com/CordovaWireless SCHOOLS 2 | The Cordova Times | Friday, August 15, 2014 | www.thecordovatimes.com Kids Corner SUMMER MEALS SUMMER FUN PUZZLES Calling all kids It’s time to eat! BY THE CORDOVA TIMES STAFF Summertime means it’s time for Cordova’s Summer Meal Program for Children. The program opened June 2, 2014 and meals are being made available free to all children 18 years of age and under. The program runs through August 15, 2014. Breakfast Breakfast will be available at Mt. Eccles from 8 a.m. - 10 a.m. Lunch Lunch will be made available from 11 a.m. - 1 p.m at the following locations: • Mt. Eccles Elementary School, 675 Second Street • Bidarki Rec Center, Council Ave. • Cordova Family Resource Center, 705 2nd Street • Children’s Pallas, 531 1st Street • Native Village of Eyak, 110 Nicholoff Way • United States Coast Guard, Coast Guard Housing Acceptance and participating requirements for the Program are the same regardless of race, sex, color, age, disability or national origin In accordance with Federal law and U.S. Department of Agriculture policy, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability. To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, Room 1400 Independence Avenue, SW Washington, D.C. 202509410 or call toll free (866) 632-9992 (Voice). Individuals who are hearing impaired or have speech disabilities may contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 8778339; or (800) 845-6136 (Spanish). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. Today’s Kid Corner is sponsored by Cordova Telephone Cooperative. Cordova Telephone Cooperative is proud to support Cordova schools. Mastonville by Maston Johnson www.thecordovatimes.com Friday, August 15, 2014 | 3 CEC CUSTOMER APPRECIATION DAY CEC to host barbecue for co-op members City of Cordova BY BEN YEAGER The Cordova Conversation . . [email protected] On Tuesday, August 19, from 11:30a.m. to 2p.m., the Cordova Electric Cooperative will host a barbecue outside their building for “Customer Appreciation Day,” in which co-op members can come ready with questions and suggestions about bills and energy use. “The idea is for the board to have some one on one time with members to discuss customer service options,” said Valerie Kovel, administration and finance manager at CEC. The board, made up of five members elected to three-year terms, came up with the idea in order to increase participation with customers, time for which is usually allotted during board meetings. Information on energy saving will be provided, as will handouts from the Alaska Power Association. They plan to discuss how the CEC can better serve its members, questions relative to hydrogeneration, their capacities, and alternate energy sources. Another focus will be on energy conservation—lowering Did you receive the City’s PHOTO COURTESY OF CORDOVA ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE The Cordova Electric Cooperative Board and employees. bills—and talking about solutions to the city’s diesel dependence. “We’re looking into ideas from members on technologies they’ve seen that we haven’t thought of,” said Board Vice Chair Jeff Hamberger, who believes he will be manning a grill. “It’s kind of a win-win situation.” The board and employees will be serving hotdogs and hamburgers. They are gearing up for 250 people. In addition to board members and employees available for discussion, there will be a suggestions box. “It’s new to us, something we’ve never done before,” said CEC CEO Clay Koplin. Koplin added that the barbecue will be on the primary day, and offered that customers stop by before or after they vote in the library. “Come enjoy a hotdog and hamburger at the co-op and let us know what you’re thinking,” Kovel said. newsletter in your PO Box? Did you like it? Please let us know what you thought by completing a 4-question survey on our website, www.cityofcordova.net. You can find a link to the survey near the top of the page, to the right of the photos. Thanks in advance for www.thecordovatimes.com sharing your thoughts! — City Staff Over the TOP TV Five easy steps to watch what you want! 1. Buy a Roku box from CTC, a one-time fee starting at only $59! 2. Bring home your Roku box and connect to your super-fast CTC internet connection – there’s no monthly fee, just your regular CTC internet costs 3. Choose from over 350 free Roku channels, including: ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ Movies TV Shows Sports News ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ Travel Food Music and much more! 4. Connect your Roku to your favorite streaming subscriptions like Neflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime, and Major League Baseball (each only around $7/month) 5. Sit back and enjoy watching exactly what you want, when you want on Cordova’s biggest, fastest, most reliable network — CTC’s Fiber Cable Connection! Get a FREE Roku with a 2 year internet package at CTC! OPINION 4 | The Cordova Times | Friday, August 15, 2014 | www.thecordovatimes.com The Cordova Times OBITUARY P.O. Box 200 Cordova, AK 99574 907-424-7181 ISSN 10488766/USPS 563680 David M. Butler Publisher & Editor August 15, 1939 - July 30, 2014 Jennifer Gibbins Reporters Margaret Bauman Jennifer Gibbins Dick Shellhorn Columnists Naomi Pinke deFri Gerald Masolini Robert Masolini Bob Smith Cartoonists Maston Johnson Mikah Johnson Gary Hondel Visual Editor Annette Potter Webmaster Steve Keller Director of Sales & Marketing Linda Newton Editorial Jennifer Gibbins, editor [email protected] 907-424-7181 Advertising Linda Newton [email protected] phone: 907-350-3993 fax: 907-222-7706 Subscriptions & Delivery [email protected] 907-424-7181 Accounting [email protected] 907-424-7181 Letters to the Editor The Cordova Times welcomes letters to the editor. General interest letters should be no more than 300 words. Thank you letters should be no more than 150 words. Letters should be submitted by 5 p.m. Thursdays for consideration in the following week’s edition of the newspaper. However, meeting that deadline is no guarantee that the letter will be published. All letters must include the writer’s name and address and daytime number. Only the writer’s name and city or village will be published. This newspaper also reserves the right to edit letters for content, length, clarity, grammar and taste. Unsigned letters will not be published. Letter writers are encouraged to use e-mail. Published weekly on Friday by The Cordova Times LLC. Postmaster: Please send address changes to The Cordova Times, PO Box 200, Cordova, AK 99564. Subscriptions: $250 per year inclusive of local sales tax and delivery via first class U.S.P.S, home delivery by Cordova paper kids or digital subscription. Newstand price: $4 each. The publisher reserves the right to reject or edit any advertisement submitted. All opinions expressed by columnists and contributors are solely their own and do not necessarily represent the views or opinions of The Cordova Times. No part of this paper may be reproduced by any means without the express permission of the publisher. Copyright 2011 The Cordova Times. All rights reserved. David M. Butler, longtime Cordova resident, Commercial Fisherman and former Coast Guardsman, died July 30 at Providence hospital following emergency surgery due to a ruptured aorta. Dave came to Cordova in 1963 as a Coast Guard Damage control man. After his service he entered into the Commercial Fishing Business; crabbing, long lining and fishing salmon. He fished Prince William Sound and Southeast, but his beloved Prince William Sound was where his heart was. Dave was preceded in death by his parents and oldest son, David Michael. He is survived by his daughter and son-in-law, Susan and Buzz Kelley, his daughter Megan Butler, son Kyle Butler, as well as his sister and brother-in-law Joan and Bob Prouty of California, his brother and sister-in-law Ted and Sandi Butler of Anchorage, his brother and sister-inlaw, John and Carla Butler of Cordova. He also leaves behind his beloved granddaughters, Rachel Stephens and her husband Zachary, Alison Kelley and Laura Kelley, as well as his yet to be born Great Grandaughter, Daisy. He also leaves two ex-wives, Kathy Bowen and Robyn Butler and too many friends to list. A memorial service will be held at the Cordova Moose Lodge on September 13. Dave’s ashes will be spread in Prince William Sound at a later date. Why I’m voting ‘yes’ to re-write SB-21 COMMENTARY BY LES GARA For The Cordova Times It’s interesting how $12 million in oil company ads don’t mention what you need to know. All oil fields after 2003, and all future oil fields, pay us a NEGATIVE or NEAR ZERO value for Alaska’s oil under this SB 21’s Production Tax. That’s in the “Scott Goldsmith” report, and that part has been hidden in TV ads for too long. Just in case the high-priced oil company ad folks who’ve never actually read the bill that’s up for an August 19 Repeal Vote, can’t find it this slide, it’s on page 19 of the Goldsmith presentation. I’m sure the smart London and Houston executives orchestrating the ads can help find that for their advertising folks. A near zero or negative oil tax value is a pathway to a damaged economy. It will continue the loss of teachers, and grow this year’s $1+ billion budget deficit so Alaska loses jobs the state can’t afford in road construction and maintenance, engineering, public safety, private businessstate contracts, and health care. SB 21 is a recipe to hit the businesses where these employees spend their money. Wait. There are many other multimillion dollar PR myths. $12 million is plenty to tell you oil investment actually grew vastly—by over 50%—under the prior oil law, ACES. But ad folks who are paid to mislead claim the new law is “turning around” a non-existent ACES investment “decline” that was in fact an investment boom. I’d like an honest, equal partnership with oil companies, not the junior partnership SB 21 creates. And oil companies that made handsome annual Alaska oil profits under ACES—of roughly $2 billion every year each—apparently can’t afford to tell you this truth. SB 21 produces a steep oil production decline, and LESS OIL than ACES would have. Where does that come from? Facts, not ads. Parnell’s Department of Revenue produces what it calls its most accurate oil production forecast ever with input from the industry. It says under SB 21 North Slope production will fall by 40% in the next decade. Worse yet, by 2022, they conceded this untold gem. In their last ACES forecast (April, 2013) they said ACES would produce more oil by 2022 than SB 21 (April, 2014 SSB 21 forecast). Why? Because SB 21 doesn’t require its massive tax breaks—some of which get you a negative or near zero value for your oil—to be invested in Alaska. Under ACES, or any smart improvements on ACES, companies can only reasonably buy down their tax rate if they invest IN Alaska to bolster Alaska production. What about those mythical “new” fields? The 50%-plus investment increase under the ACES paid to develop and explore all the pretend “new” fields companies claim they are investing in because of SB 21. That’s CD-5; Moose’s and Bear Tooth in the National Petroleum Reserve; years of announced expansion commitments in Kuparuk; a 2012 announcement that they’d start producing in the southwest corner of Kuparuk; Exxon’s Point Thomson field; and every field in which companies invested millions under ACES and now claim is the result of SB 21. It gets worse. SB 21 wouldn’t reward illegal conduct, would it? It does. Exxon violated the law for 30 years by breaching their lease duty to develop the large Point Thomson field. Legal action was brought against Exxon under ACES to force production from this field. That case was settled under ACES to require this production. By delaying development 30 years, Exxon now qualifies for that near zero or negative production tax value provision because when production belatedly starts, it will be considered “new oil”. Exxon gets rewarded for breaking the law. So, how can the state get a negative or zero worth under SB 21? As Goldsmith explained at his last public presentation, post-2003 and future oil fields—cryptically called “GVR” oil in SB 21—pay so low a tax rate that it barely or never covers the money the state gives up front to oil companies during the development of those projects, in Tax credit and deductions. It’s not in those ads. But that’s why I’m voting YES to re-write SB 21. —Rep. Les Gara SB21 is Risky Business COMMENTARY BY REP. PAUL SEATON For The Cordova Times As a fiscally conservative Republican I have been surprised conservative voices have only focused on high oil price tax rates and revenue under the newly enacted SB21. I haven’t heard a single concern about the enormous risk to Alaska at low oil prices and net operating loss. SB21 created risk for Alaska by giving any company with a North Slope oil or gas lease a transferable or reimbursable tax credit of 45% of their net operating loss from normal expenses related to their leases. After 2016 that credit becomes 35%. Read it yourself in the final fiscal note analysis number 4 that accompanied the bill: http://www.legis. state.ak.us/PDF/28/F/SB0021-14-5-041213REV-Y.PDF SB21 creates two scenarios that are very dangerous for Alaska: 1. Companies without production operate at a net loss and generate “carried-forward annual loss credit”. For new entrants, companies with no current revenue from Alaskan production, all related expenses generate a net loss. SB21 guarantees Alaska will pay at least 35% of their normal costs for the 10 years or more it takes to get oil or gas from a new field into the pipeline. Oil companies share these upfront risk and development costs by taking partners. Partners generally get the same ownership as their investment percentage and are repaid by profits when production starts. The SB21 35% carriedforward annual loss credit makes us a ‘partner’ in the expenses but the ‘partnership’ disappears once profits start. The lower SB21 tax means we will never even recover our credit investment from all future tax on most SB21 “new oil” fields. 2. Companies are producing and profitable, but oil or gas prices drop. We tend to look on the bright side, but fiscal conservatives usually plan, or at least calculate, for downturns as well. We are talking as if oil could never go below $100 per barrel but energy dips have happened ■ See Page 10, SEATON www.thecordovatimes.com Friday, August 15, 2014 | 5 ALASKA OIL Vote yes on Prop 1 COMMENTARY BY DAVE OTNESS For The Cordova Times Well now, this is the most difficult thing to write as I have ever encountered in my life-long sense of responsibility to Alaska. But the sovereignty and financial future of our state is under assault by the world’s most powerful by far business corporations which are filling the airwaves, print and television networks with their supposedly best-intentioned actions regarding our prosperity and general good fortunes as Alaskans under their long-pursued oil tax policy called Senate Bill 21, a bill introduced by former Exxon attorney and ConocoPhillips lobbyist, Gov Sean Parnell. They have been angling to do this and will continue to do this for the life of the Prudhoe Bay oil field. Their goal is to share our wealth with their stockholders and not Alaskans. It’s as simple as that. In my 7 years of full-time residence in Cordova I have never, not once, seen any other private citizen nor elected official show up in the Legislative Information Office to witness nor testify regarding changes in Alaska’s oil taxation policies. But, I have -- and consistently -- and as a result watched as the oil company fix was put in via the House and Senate, and of course the Governor’s Office. This was accomplished by redistricting that put good Alaskans of both major political parties’ seats in peril if they were not singing the oil companies’ tune. The head of reapportionment/redistricting during that time period was one Randy Reudrich, a man straight out of the oil patch via Texan origins. In an earlier appointment by Gov Frank Murkowski, Reudrich was fined $12,500 for conducting politically partisan business while on the state’s dime. SB 21 squeaked through by one vote in a 20 member state senate. Two of those votes were from two ConocoPhillips executives. One of them, Peter Micciche of Kenai had his oil-derived salary boosted from a declared $100,000 to $200,000 to $200,000 to $500,000 following his vote for the bill. Coincidence? Or, “in your face” to the people of Alaska? It is one of the failures of people living in a petro-state to presume that they are somehow gifted and oil will always be there to take the sting out of otherwise harsh realities such as state income taxes on top of federal and other reality taxes. But, those taxes are on their way, and sooner not later under this law we must overturn by voting Yes on Proposition 1. Because we as citizens have not paid enough attention and kept our oversight vigilant through the years things have evolved to the point where we are now confronted with putting our signatures on Alaska’s future with a simple vote on August 19. I cannot summarize in a few paragraphs the depth of Alaska’s new oil tax policy in all of its prevarications, obfuscations and outright lies that are being bandied about like truth, but I can say knowledgeably, we are heading for certain financial ruin if SB 21 is allowed to stand as passed by a Legislature deemed to be illegal by a Superior Court judge. Don’t get me wrong, I appreciate what oil has done for our state, I was born into Alaska while it was a Territory. But I also know the oil forces have enormous focused power and the will to use it and bring it to bear everywhere in our lives. They picked this entire fight from the get-go knowing with an institutional memory they had every advantage beginning with their domination of messaging, their long-term business relationship with advertising/public relations houses for all of the full page ads in newspapers, radio and television spots, their lobbyist network, their politicians, especially their flagrant politicians and ghostwriting trolls. Pretty impressive along with the House, Senate and Governor’s Office. And the Office of former Anchorage Mayors and Governors of Fear-Mongering. And yes, they picked this fight. Because it’s what they do. So what are we going to do about it? Cordova Electric Cooperative CEC Customer Appreciation Day Tuesday, August 19 from 11:30-2:00 CEC Headquarters building on Second Street Enjoy lunch, enter drawings. Visit with the Board of Directors and all CEC employees! We look forward to seeing you on the 19th! CEC: Providing power for Cordova AUGUST BOARD MEETING—CEC BOARDROOM: August 27, 2014– 6:30 p.m. SB 21 is flawed: We can do better COMMENTARY BY BILL HALL For The Cordova Times The referendum to repeal Alaska’s new oil tax legislation gives citizens the power to decide what is good for Alaska. It challenges us to make a simple choice about a complex issue where facts are scarce and arguments are many. But, arguments without facts are opinions, and opinions are based on assumptions and motives that are not always visible. To be useful, opinions require trust as a substitute for facts. So, what do we know? How can we decide? And, who can we trust? What do we know? We know that Governor Parnell proposed SB 21 as a solution to the problem of declining state revenues caused by declining production of oil. He argued, “Legislation is necessary to drive new investment to create new Alaska production and new opportunities for Alaskans.” SB 21 repealed the progressive tax structure in ACES to encourage long-term planning and investment in new production. It’s purpose was to reduce state revenue from oil taxes thereby increasing oil industry profits that could be invested in new production. This shift of income from the state to the industry was intended to provide capital for investment—not increase profits for a very profitable industry. How can we decide? How can this be good for Alaska? It will be good if the benefits exceed the costs. The costs are decreased state revenues from oil taxes now and into the future. The benefits are increased state revenues from increased oil production in the future. What needs to happen for SB 21 to deliver on the governor’s promise? Current State oil tax revenues must decline thereby increasing oil industry profits available for investment. The oil industry must invest their tax savings in new production, but are not required to do so under this legislation. Increased investment must increase production. This could happen by increasing the rate of extraction of existing resources or by finding new oil. Increasing production from existing fields would deplete known resources faster at the lower tax rate in SB 21. How does this benefit the state? New oil needs to be discovered on state lands. Future oil taxes must generate income to the state that will exceed the costs of granting the tax break in SB 21. How can citizens be sure that the state income given up today will be recovered, at a profit, in the future? Who can we trust? Not the oil industry. Like Senator Gary Stevens, I remember the Amerada Hess court case where a judge ruled the industry cheated Alaska out of nearly $1 billion, the Exxon Valdez oil Spill, and the VECO corruption scandal. This is an industry that has often proved itself to be untrustworthy, and the argument that repealing SB 21 will cause it to close down or leave Alaska is ■ See Page 10, HALL Tree Yuks A man is sitting in a sidewalk cafe and he notices a couple of blondes from the public works department working across the street. One of the blondes digs a hole, and the other blonde comes along behind her and shovels the dirt back in the hole. They go up and down the entire block like this. Finally, as they stop to work in front of the cafe, the man speaks up. “I’ve been watching the two of you work, but for the life of me I can’t figure out what it is that you’re doing.” One of the blondes looks at him and says, “Oh, well normally there’s three of us, but the girl who plants the trees is out sick today.” How did the tree surgeon break his arm? He fell out of a patient. My uncle was going to be a tree surgeon, but he faints at the sight of sap. A Chinese man comes to the lumberjack camp looking for work. The boss says “OK, you’re hired. You’re in charge of the supplies.” “The supplies? OK, I do supplies.” And he’s hired. Next morning, the lumberjacks leave the camp for their day’s work. When they return in the evening, there is no sign of the Chinese man. Suddenly he jumps out from behind a building and shouts “SUPPLIES!!!” Cordova Drug Co. Established 1908 — Celebrating 106 Years Monday-Saturday 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. 6 | Friday, August 15, 2014 The Cordova Times REDUCING BYCATCH Reducing bycatch is key part of broader fisheries management picture COMMENTARY BY ERIC OLSON For The Cordova Times A recent commentary written by Joe Macinko and published on Alaska Dispatch News (“Canada’s trawlers drastically cut bycatch, why can’t Alaska’s?”) lauds the bycatch reduction successes of the Canadian trawl fishery and asserts that the North Pacific Fishery Management Council, the entity responsible for managing fisheries in federal waters off Alaska, is unable or unwilling to address the issue. That commentary ignores the efforts the council has put into measures to control and reduce bycatch in fisheries off the coast of Alaska, as well as a major initiative currently underway to restructure trawl fisheries in the Gulf of Alaska to provide those fisheries with the tools to fish more cleanly and efficiently. In the past several years, the council has focused the bulk of its attention on bycatch reduction, while still maintaining commercial fisheries that account for more than half of the nation’s seafood production and are critically important to Alaska’s coastal economies. For example, in 2011, the federal pollock fishery in the Bering Sea was managed for the first time under a hard cap on chinook salmon bycatch. Since the complex system of caps and bycatch avoidance incentives has been in place, average annual chinook salmon bycatch in this fishery has been 60 percent lower than the 10-year average and 86 percent lower than the high of 122,000 chinook salmon taken in 2007. Just this June, the council evaluated the issue again in light of declining salmon abundance in Western Alaska and initiated an analysis proposing further reductions in chinook salmon bycatch as well as protections for chum salmon. The council also acted in 2011 to cap chinook salmon bycatch in the Gulf of Alaska pollock trawl fishery, and, in 2013, to cap all other trawl fisheries in the Gulf. These hard caps are the first of their kind to protect chinook salmon caught incidentally in these fisheries. In 2012, the council acted to reduce the amount of halibut that could be taken as bycatch in the Gulf of Alaska trawl and longline fisheries to provide additional halibut for directed fisheries and for conservation purposes. And at its most recent meeting in June, the council initiated an analysis of alternatives to reduce halibut bycatch caps in the Bering Sea for all gear groups. This analytical package will evaluate a potential halibut bycatch cap reduction from 10 percent to as much as 35 percent. At the time the council took action to reduce Gulf of ■ See Page 10, BYCATCH THE MOUNT POLLEY DISASTER HITS HOME COMMENTARY BY BOBBY ANDREW For The Cordova Times The devastating dam failure at the Mount Polley copper mine in northern British Columbia hits much too close to home. As a lifelong subsistence hunter and fisherman, a disaster of this magnitude on our land would be the end to my—and many others’—way of life. The breach sent 15 million cubic meters of toxic muck into streams, rivers and lakes, endangering the local water supply and salmon habitat. How could such a thing happen? According to the mine’s spokespeople, the cause is unknown. But I know one thing—if it can happen at Mount Polley, it can happen here. The comparisons between Mount Polley and the proposed Pebble Mine can’t be ignored: both mines are large, open pit, copper porphyry mines at the headwaters of important salmon streams. The Pebble mine would involve blasting and digging in the heart of the world’s largest sockeye salmon fishery, creating billions of tons of acid-generating toxic waste that would affect the watershed long after the mine is gone. And it would damage our salmon fishery, our subsistence way of life, and the 14,000 sustainable jobs that depend on it. Bristol Bay is the economic engine of our region and supplies nearly 50 percent of the world’s commercial supply of wild sockeye salmon. Although the mining giants Anglo American PLC and Rio Tinto withdrew from the Pebble Partnership last year, the remaining partner, Northern Dynasty, is determined to move forward with the project. Based on information they provided to investors and the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, mining the Pebble deposit is likely to result in a mine pit nearly as deep as the Grand Canyon; waste that would fill a major football stadium up to 3,900 times; and a footprint that would cover an area larger than Manhattan. That image horrifies those of us who are tied to this land, and who make a sustainable living from it. The EPA agrees; according to their analysis, impacts of this nature and magnitude would be unprecedented for the Clean Water Act Section 404 regulatory program in the Bristol Bay region, as well as the rest of Alaska and maybe even the nation. In late July, EPA Regional Administrator Dennis McLerran stated, “Bristol Bay is an extraordinary ecosystem that supports an ancient fishing culture and economic powerhouse. The science is clear that mining the Pebble deposit would cause irreversible damage to one of the world’s last intact salmon ecosystems.” This week, the EPA held public meetings in Alaska on their proposal to protect the Bristol Bay watershed. Even if you weren’t Carol AUSTERMAN able to attend a meeting, you can still make your voice heard. The agency will be taking public comments on its proposal until September 19th here, and I urge everyone to do so. We must tell the EPA to take immediate action to protect our fishery, our jobs, and our culture. Now is the moment to fight for the future of our renewable fish and wildlife resources. By speaking up, we can let the world know that we are working together to protect the environment, air, water and lands that produce the resources on which we all depend. EDITOR’S NOTE: Bobby Andrew lives in Dillingham and is an elder and spokesman for Nunamta Aulukestai, an association of ten Alaska Native village corporations and tribes in Bristol Bay. In his work advocating on behalf of subsistence hunting and fishing rights for Alaska Native villages and people, he serves on the Nushagak Mulchatna Watershed Council and the NushagakMulchatna Wood-Tikchik Land Trust. Bill Thomas is formally FOR endorsing Carol Austerman State House for the Alaska State House Leading the way for District 32 on ... vote for her on August 19th. ✔ FISHERIES Bring all parties to the table for most community benefit ✔ EDUCATION Fund the classroom, focusing on children’s learning ✔ FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY Ensure expenditures are necessary and provide value ✔ ALASKA’S FUTURE Utilize all Alaska’s resources to benefit us now and in the future I want your vote for State House! I will lead the way to healthy, vibrant communities in our district. ✔ 3rd generation Alaskan leader ✔ 4+ years on Kodiak Island Borough Assembly ✔ Small business owner ✔ Parent of high school student ✔ Existing relationships with sitting legislators ✔ Reputation for acting as moderator to bring opposing sides together ✔ Decades of public service on non-profit boards Paid for by Austerman for House, POBOX 8766, Kodiak, AK 99615 and asks that his supporters www.thecordovatimes.com Friday, August 15, 2014 | 7 Voting yes is our duty COMMENTARY BY LISA WEISSLER For The Cordova Times On August 19th, Alaska voters will act as legislators. Through Ballot Measure 1, Alaskans have the power to repeal the law currently governing Alaska’s oil and gas production tax, known as Senate Bill 21. A “Yes” vote repeals the current tax and reinstates the system that was in effect from 2007 until 2013, known as Alaska’s Clear and Equitable Share (ACES). Just as legislators need to be informed before they vote, so does the voting public. Alaska owns the oil on the North Slope. But as a state, we decided that rather than develop the fields ourselves we would offer leases to companies who have the technical expertise to explore and produce the resources. In exchange for them taking the risks in exploring for and developing our oil, we give the companies significant rights and a share of the profits. The oil and gas production tax is intended to compensate Alaskans for the taking of our resources by the private companies who profit from its production. The tax is how oil is converted into revenue that supports public services and infrastructure, Alaska jobs and businesses, and economic diversification. The question presented by Ballot Measure 1 is – which tax structure is better for Alaska? My view is the former tax system, ACES, will work better. That is because it was designed for a balance between profit sharing and encouraging investment in exploration, development and production. ACES did this by ensuring the state shared in profits at high oil prices, helping industry at low prices, and requiring investment in the state for a company to qualify for tax credits that reduced the amount of tax owed. SB 21 was designed to encourage production, primarily in the large existing fields. SB 21 has a flat tax with limited adjustments for high and low oil prices, and does not require investment in the state to qualify for tax credits. In effect, SB 21 gives control of a share of our oil profits to private companies with the hope they will invest in the state and that will somehow trickle down into our economy. Supporters of SB 21 say to give the legislation a chance. But there is a real risk that the three major North Slope producers – ExxonMobil, BP and ConocoPhillips – will take the excess profits they make in Alaska and invest them in places like North Dakota. The fields down south are unconventional oil fields that use fracking technology. The fields decline much faster than Alaska’s big conventional oil fields and so require continual and immediate investments in drilling to keep up production. Consequently, giving SB 21 a chance means risking both oil and profits flowing out of the state with no way to recoup the loss. And if we try to fix the tax system later, we will face the same battle we are fighting today. When it comes to encouraging investment and production in the state, Alaska benefits more from taking a strong position. This happened with the large North Slope oil and gas field called Point Thomson. In 2005, after Exxon sat on the area’s leases for more than 30 years, the state finally moved to take them back. The result was a settlement where Exxon is now actively developing Point Thomson. Because the state held firm, more than 730 people were employed on the site this past winter and 92 companies are contracting with the project, 80% of which are Alaskan (Juneau Empire, August 3, 2014). This occurred under ACES. As owners of the oil, we have a duty to be engaged and to work with the oil companies. We should not hand over profits with the hope companies will act in our best interests. Passage of Ballot Measure 1 puts the state in a stronger position for refining the tax system to encourage investment in Alaska and provide a healthy revenue stream to serve Alaskans. Please vote “Yes.” Lisa Weissler is an attorney with expertise in natural resource law, specializing in oil, gas and mining law and coastal management, and more than 20 years experience with the State of Alaska. QUALITY PERFORMANCE Lynden Transport earns honors for best work BY THE CORDOVA TIMES STAFF Lynden Transport has earned top honors among Less-than-Truckload carriers in the Western Region in Logistics Management magazine’s 31st annual Quest for Quality awards, announced the first week of August. Lynden swept the category, earing No. 1 rankings for on-time performance, customer service, equipment and operations and information technology. Its total weighted score of 53.01 was the highest among all carriers in the national LTL sectors of Western, Northeast, South/ South Central and Midwest/North Central, the magazine noted. This is the second year Lynden Transport has earned the No. 1 ranking for on-time performance in the Western Region. With this year’s award, Lynden Transport has received 18 Quest for Quality Awards. “Lynden employees continue to put the customer first in every aspect of our day-to-day activities, and that effort is reflected in our scores this year,” said Lynden Transport President Paul Grimaldi. “We are very proud of our ranking in the LTL category and just as proud of our employees who provide top-notch transportation solutions to our customers.” Editors of Logistics Management magazine said Lynden Transport “is among the carriers who received the ultimate vote of confidence, posting the highest scores across our lists of critical service criteria. Those in the Regional LTL sector work tirelessly to manage the onslaught of increased regulation and related operational challenges while maintaining top service levels.” In judging performance the Quest for Quality Awards go straight to the customers, asking shippers to evaluate providers on one-time performance, equipment and operations, value, information technology and customer service. This year the research group received 7,451 total responses, 1,272 more than last year. To be a winner, a company had to receive at least five percent of the category vote. Beginning May 1st, LFS Will Be Open 7 Days a Week! Wilson Construction Store Hours: Monday – Saturday: 8 – 5 Sunday: 9 – 3 302 Seafood Lane 424-5495 424-3452 FISHERIES 8 | The Cordova Times | Friday, August 15, 2014 | www.thecordovatimes.com Fisheries Report SEAWATER CONDITIONS Brought to you by Trident Seafoods Begich, Cantwell want more ocean monitoring BY THE CORDOVA TIMES STAFF Trident Seafoods is a proud supporter of The Cordova Times SPORT HUNTING BAN Petition asks halt in brown bear hunts in refuge BY THE CORDOVA TIMES STAFF A conservation organization is asking the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge to enact a permanent ban on sport hunting of brown bears on refuge lands, after the killing at an unprecedented rate of Kenai Peninsula bears. Of the roughly 600 bears on the peninsula, some 100 were killed in 2013 and another 52 were killed by hunters this spring, most at bait stations, the Center for Biological Diversity said in a petition submitted Aug. 11. “Kenai’s bears have take a beating ever since Alaska’s game commission loosened hunting rules,” said Kiersten Lippmann, a biologist with the Center’s Alaska office. “If the killing continues at this pace, these bears- which are isolated and genetically unique – could face the real possibility of disappearing from our public lands. “That’s why we need science, not politics, to drive management,” she said. “Unfortunately politicans want to manage Alaska’s wilderness as a giant moose farm, bereft of the bears, wolves, lynx, wolverine and other predators that make Alaska such a wild place.” The petition asked that the refuge begin a process of official rulemaking, resulting in a permanent ban on brown bear hunting on the refuge. The refuge has already put a ban on brown bear baiting, and in the fallof 2013, imposed an emergency halt to brown bear hunting as the death toll neared 100 bears. The fall hunting season is se to begin Sept. 1. More about the Center is online at www.biologicaldiversity.org Senators Mark Begich, D-Alaska, and Maria Cantwell, D-WA, plan to introduce legislation to reauthorize the Integrated Ocean Observation System program and require federal authorities to prioritize fisheries and fish habitat most at risk. The two senators made the announcement on Aug. 11 during a tour of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Western Regional Center in Seattle. They were there to see high tech buoys and sensors used by NOAA to monitor ocean conditions. The buoys, administered b y NOAA under the Integrated Ocean Observation System program, check surface water for carbon dioxide concentrations, temperature, salinity and oxygen levels, and transmit that data back to researchers. “Alaska’s fishermen know first hand that we must do everything we can to protect our fish habitats from ocean acidification,” Begich said. “This is a serious issue and this bill would help NOAA plan for the future while providing valuable research to the most at risk fisheries. Their bill would create the first ever national ocean acidification monitoring plan that targets deployment of monitors to areas under the greatest economic threat. As seawater absorbs increasing amounts of carbon dioxide, the ocean’s chemistry is changing, making it more corrosive to shells of sea creatures such as oysters, mussels and crab. Fisheries research has shown a connection between increasing ocean acidity and high mortality rates of fish and crab. RECONSIDERATION Review of fisheries observer program ordered Concerns arose from impact of increased costs that resulted in dramatic reduction in observer coverage BY MARGARET BAUMAN [email protected] U.S. District Judge H. Russel Holland says a restructured federal fisheries observer program may stay in place for now, but that the National Marine Fisheries Service must reconsider those controversial changes. In his 50-page ruling handed down in U.S. District Court on Aug. 6, Holland said that NMFS arbitrarily ignored the potential impacts of increased costs and lower observer coverage. He ordered NMFS to prepare a supplemental environmental assessment “that addresses the question of when data being gathered by the restructured observer program ceases to be reliable, or of high quality, because the rate of observer coverage is too low.” NMFS implemented the restructured observer program in 2013 with the stated goal to expand the proportion of the Gulf of Alaska fleet observed and randomize the deployment of observers on vessels. The restructured program, however, doubled the daily cost of observer coverage, which led to a sharp reduction of human observers on certain high-volume trawlers that are responsible for significant bycatch of salmon and Pacific halibut in the Gulf of Alaska. Jon Warrenchuk, of Juneau, an ocean scientist with the international advocacy group Oceana, said that “while the newly restructured program had the right idea to endeavor to provide expanded information about fleet activities, the actual implementation fell entirely short of that goal and actually reduced coverage on the large bottom trawl fleet known to have high rates of discards. “Trawlers are leaving the docks to catch thousands of tons of fish without having an observer on board – this is unacceptable,” he said. While Oceana and the plaintiff, The Boat Company, of Sitka, felt they had won a partial victory, NMFS was pleased with the court’s decision to uphold the North Pacific Groundfish and Halibut Observer “Trawlers are leaving the docks to catch thousands of tons of fish without having an observer on board – this is unacceptable.” — Jon Warrenchuk, Ocean scientist with the international advocacy group Oceana Program. Jim Balsiger, Alaska regional administrator for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, said Holland’s decision “ensures this critical fishery management program will stay I place. “Going forward, we will work with the court on a schedule for development of that supplemental EA,” Balsiger said. Doug DeMaster, director of the Alaska Fisheries Science Center, said that data collected by observers onboard vessels and at processing plants provides the cornerstone for management and conservation of North Pacific groundfish and halibut fisheries. “A robust public comment process was invaluable to helping shape this program,” De Master said. “We will continue to work closely with the North Pacific Fishery Management Council, fishermen, processors, and other stakeholders to make one of the best observer programs in the country even better.” The lawsuit challenging the restructured observer program was brought by The Boat Company, a not-for-profit corporation that describes its mission as protection and conservation of Alaska’s fisheries. The Boat Company is supported by a sport fishing and ecotourism operation based in Sitka and Juneau. Joel Hanson, director of conservation programs at The Boat Company, called the decision an important step toward conservation of salmon and halibut resources and a healthier ecosystem. “Sound fisheries management requires collecting the best available scientific information, and that means full observer coverage on the high-volume trawlers that account for the most catch and bycatch,” he said. An intervenor in the lawsuit on behalf of The Boat Company was The Fixed Gear Alliance, whose members include the Alaska Longline Fishermen’s Association. Linda Behnken, of Sitka, director of ALFA, told the Alaska Public Radio Network in an interview this week that the main improvement ALFA hopes to see in the program is an increase in observer coverage on vessels where bycatch is an issue. Bycatch, the harvest of fish not targeted, has been an issue in groundfish fisheries for years, particularly as it involved the incidental harvest of salmon and halibut. For the past several years Oceana has worked to encourage reductions in bycatch in groundfish fisheries in the Gulf of Alaska. If not managed properly, bycatch in these fisheries can have substantial negative effects on long-term ocean health and become unsustainable, and good information is essential to preventing these adverse impacts and managing fisheries sustainably, Oceana noted. On May 30, 2013, Oceana filed an amicus brief in support of the plaintiffs challenging the restructured observer program for the Gulf of Alaska, to provide perspective on the importance of the Gulf of Alaska ecosystem, the dangers of bycatch, and importance of observer coverage to good management and behavior. Warrenchuk said his organization also is looking forward to working with NMFS and the North Pacific Fishery Management Council to ensure the reliability of the observer program. Cordova Tide Tables DATE TIMEHEIGHTTIME HEIGHTTIME HEIGHTTIME HEIGHT 10/05 10/06 10/07 10/08 10/09 10/10 10/11 Fri Sat Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu 05:02 AM 05:51 AM 12:18 AM 01:14 AM 02:22 AM 03:35 AM 04:37 AM 10.19 H 9.42 H 2.19 L 2.75 L 3.0 L 2.81 L 2.27 L 10:47 AM 11:29 AM 07:05 AM 08:32 AM 09:39 AM 10:29 AM 11:10 AM 4.28 L 5.04 L 8.86 H 8.82 H 9.32 H 10.14 H 11.13 H 04:31 PM 05:10 PM 12:20 PM 01:26 PM 02:50 PM 04:13 PM 05:13 PM 11.96 H 11.17 H 5.66 L 6.0 L 5.78 L 4.81 L 3.35 L 11:29 PM 1.48 L 06:08 PM 07:45 PM 09:13 PM 10:19 PM 11:14 PM 10.34 H 9.83 H 9.97 H 10.53 H 11.26 H Today’s Tide Tables is sponsored by TridentTrident Seafoods. Seafoods is a proud supporter of The Cordova Times Trident Seafoods: We are proud to offer you our finest seafood products, “From the Source to the Plate®.” www.thecordovatimes.com Friday, August 15, 2014 | ENDORSEMENT Fishing industry endorses Begich re-election Alaska Bering Sea Crabbers, UFA back senator’s candidacy for re-election BY THE CORDOVA TIMES STAFF Even as Republican hopefuls prepare to battle it out in Alaska’s primary election on Aug. 19, Sen. Mark Begich, D-Alaska, has already picked up solid endorsements for re-election in November from two major commercial fisheries organizations. Alaska Bering Sea Crabbers, which represents the majority of harvesters of Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands king, snow and tanner crab, gave its endorsement in early August on the heels of a late June endorsement from United Fishermen of Alaska, the statewide commercial fishing industry trade association, which represents 36 member organizations. Begich, who chairs the Senate Subcommittee on Oceans, Atmosphere, Fisheries and Coast Guard. is seeking a second term. “Begich is uniquely poised to addres the most pressing issues facing the Alaska fishing industry,” said Edward Poulsen, president of Alaska Bering Sea Crabbers. “Alaska could not ask for a more committed leader in the United States Senate.” ABSC said in a statement that the senator has work in the appropriations process to ensure that Alaska has the funds needed to continue with the world class fisheries management it is known for. “Above all else, Senator Begich has taken the time to listen to the needs of Alaskans from all walks of life, not just the fishing industry.” In late June, United Fishermen of Alaska endorsed Begich, citing his record of service to the commercial fishing industry and fishing dependent coastal communities. Begich continually addresses challenges facing the seafood industry head-on,” UFA said in a statement. “Begich has been an advocate for fishermen throughout his five years in the Senate, tackling issues such as illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing, genetically modified salmon, seafood certification, seafood marketing and fisheries disaster funding,” UFA said. Begich also recently introduced legislation that ensures common sense is applied to Environmental Protection Agency discharge regulations for commercial fishing vessels, UFA said. And, said UFA President Jerry McCune, of Cordova, the senator has shown a constant dedication to helping Alaska’s fishing families and businesses and the thousands of people that are employed by the seafood industry. FINANCIAL AID Senior benefits program extended to 2018 BY THE CORDOVA TIMES STAFF House Bill 263, extending the Alaska Senior Benefits Program through 2018, signed into law on Aug. 6 by Gov. Sean Parnell, open to all Alaskans over the age of 65 with low to moderate incomes. The program was to have expired on June 30, 2015. The legislation, sponsored by Rep. Mike Hawker, R-Anchorage, and co-sponsored by 32 legislators in both houses, is now extended for another three years. Eligibility is based on income. “We wrote this specifically so individuals’ assets are not counted in determining eligibility,” Hawker said. To learn more, contact the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services’ office of Senior and Disabilities Services at 1-800-478-9996. Nichols CONNECT 100 destinations with Club 49™ benefits offered only to Alaska residents 2 ! 2 Free Checked Bags When flying to or from the state of Alaska on Alaska Airlines flights. Benefit not available on all codeshare itineraries. Front Door Store Check out our weekly specials! Call in your boat order, we deliver to you, at the cannery or dock Travel Now Discount Two annual one-way certificates for 30% off an Alaska Airlines Refundable Coach (Y) fare within four days of departure for any itinerary that includes an Alaska city. Weekly Fare Sales Receive exclusive emails featuring new deals every week. Backdoor Store Come check out all our great bulk deals! If you need it and we don’t have it, let us know and we will do our best to get it here for you. Sidedoor Bakery Learn more at: alaskaair.com/club49 Fresh baked breads and other treats made here daily in Glenn’s wood fired brick oven. Sourdough, wheat, jalapeno cheddar, sourdough potato and more. Only available at Nichols. 9 10 | Friday, August 15, 2014 BYCATCH From Page 6 Alaska halibut bycatch caps, it committed to continue addressing bycatch issues in the Gulf. The council has launched a process to convert management of trawl fisheries from a competitive race for fish into a cooperative structure where vessels have the ability to fish slowly, strategically, and cooperatively. This type of management system allows vessels to share information about bycatch hotspots and incentivizes gear modifications and behavior to avoid bycatch. The preliminary design includes a minimum of 100 percent observer coverage on all trawl vessels. The management program under consideration may result in increased retention, use and better quality of the fish vessels are targeting, and could provide an opportunity for The Cordova Times a significant reduction in the catch of non-targeted species. Several other jurisdictions have created management structures similar to the one the council is considering. In the trawl fishery off the Pacific coast, discards have been reduced more than 50 percent by converting to a cooperative management structure. In Canada, the trawl fishery was able to achieve such bycatch success because it changed its management from a race for fish to a system in which each boat is responsible and accountable for a defined share of the total catch. Some of Alaska’s fisheries already operate under a cooperative model. The Central Gulf of Alaska rockfish trawl fishery converted to cooperative management in 2007, and since that time has seen more than a 70 percent reduction in halibut bycatch. However, when considering converting to a cooperative program, all who rely on the resource must be considered. This issue will continue to be vetted and discussed by fishermen, processors, communities and other stakeholders, and is guided by a purpose and need statement and set of objectives that the council approved early in the process. This deliberative, iterative process incorporating significant stakeholder input has resulted in a preliminary program design that the council is scheduled to review when it next meets in October. And last, as I depart the North Pacific Fishery Management Council after my tenure of nine years, I can say that this council takes its mandate to reduce bycatch to the extent practicable very seriously. The council is also subject to a number of other mandates under the Magnuson-Stevens Act, including the 10 “National Standards. ” It is important for the public to understand that the council is required to evaluate the effects of its For more information on recent bycatch reduction measures and upcoming meetings, please visit the council’s website at www.npfmc.org. EDITOR’S NOTE: Eric Olson is a native of Dillingham, is the director of offshore fisheries for the Yukon Delta Fisheries Development Association. He has fished salmon commercially and for subsistence use, and has just ended his final term as chairman of the North Pacific Fishery Management Council. City of Cordova SEATON From Page 4 many times. The last oil crash was not that long ago, and natural gas unexpectedly did the same when we were planning the AGIA gas line. SB21 offers a minimal protection if prices plummet because the per barrel credit cannot reduce the tax below zero, but at that point the SB21 net operating loss credit would apply. Alaska would owe the producing oil companies 35% of that net operating loss when it’s carried forward. This tax system would basically force the State treasury to pay 35% of the expenses of oil companies because they did not make a profit. Even under ELF with zero tax on many fields, we did not have to PAY the companies to produce North Slope oil! SB21 is not robust enough to effectively handle large variations in energy prices without exposing Alaska to tremendous risk. It is fiscal conservatives that should be objecting to SB21. No business owner I know would sign on to this sort of deal for their contractors. Tell the legislature this tax reform needs to go back for a real fix. These provisions won’t be fixed without your action. You have only one chance to protect your state’s economy – VOTE YES on Ballot Measure 1. potential actions more broadly than on a single resource user. I strongly encourage all stakeholders who have an interest in these issues to engage in the council process. The council holds five public meetings a year, and input from the public who rely on the resources the council manages is critical to good decision making. Request for Bids The City of Cordova is requesting written bids Page:www.cityofcordova.net, the Plans Room:www. from qualified Contractors interested in providing plansroom.com, or by calling the city’s front desk at drainage and sidewalk installation along 3rd Street. 907-424-6200 or Public Works Director at 907-424- Sealed bids, plainly marked, “Invitation to Bid #01- 6231.A non-mandatory pre-bid meeting will be held 14 – Drainage and sidewalk installation 3rd street at 11:00 A.M. on August 15, 2014 at City Hall. The SRTS” addressed to the City Manager, City of City of Cordova reserves the right to reject any and Cordova, P.O. Cordova, AK 99574 will be accepted all bids, to waive technical or legal deficiencies, to until 2:00 P.M. August 22, 2014. BIDS RECEIVED accept any bid that is in the best interest of the City, AFTER 2:00 P.M. WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED. and to negotiate the terms and conditions of any Copies of the invitation to bid may be downloaded from the City of Cordova Web bid leading to acceptance and final execution of a contract for services. Paul Seaton, a Republican, has represented the lower Kenai Peninsula since 2003. He has continuously served on the House Resources Committee and as Co-Chair in 2011-12. HALL From Page 5 their latest falsehood. Not the elected representatives who created this flawed legislation. Too many of them work for the industry or are dependent on the industry for campaign funding. Not economists who tell us that SB 21 may or may not provide sufficient tax savings to provide the investment capital the governor has promised, but we should support it anyway. What can we trust? Not SB 21. It does not require performance for pay. It does not specify how, when, or if increases in future production will generate income to repay our investment with interest. Voting yes to repeal SB 21 will give us a second chance with a new legislature, and hopefully a new governor, to create a tax system that is fair to the industry while maximizing benefits for the people. We can do better. — Bill Hall EDITOR’S NOTE: Bill Hall has facilitated 10 dialogues on the referendum to repeal SB 21 in Anchorage, Fairbanks, Seward, Homer, and Cordova as part of an evolving network of librarybased civic dialogue called “Let’s Talk Alaska.” He is a lifelong Alaskan with experience in local government, banking, politics and education. The opinions expressed here are his own. Let’s Talk Alaska is a collaboration of Alaska Common Ground and the Anchorage Public Library. FREE FOR ONE YEAR For a limited time and only from GCI. Stop in or call today: 424.7317. Terms and conditions apply. gci.com/epic www.thecordovatimes.com Friday, August 15, 2014 | 11 SUNNY CORDOVA PHOTO BY DARLENE ROBERTSON Beautiful high tide on the Odiak Slough, taken from Whitshed Road. City of Cordova We now are an authorized SLEDNECKS Dealer! We now stock Slednecks hoodies, tees, hats, snow jackets, snow pants, DVD's, BluRay's and stickers. Congratulations, Police Chief Hicks! The Mayor, members of City Council and City Staff congratulate Mike Hicks, our new Police Chief. Chief Hicks was sworn in by Vice-Mayor Reggiani on August 6th and warmly welcomed with letter from Councilmember Burton. If you missed the ceremony, you can view it through a link on the City’s website, www.cityofcordova.net. "WE KEEP CORDOVA RUNNING!!" ANCHOR AUTO MARINE INC. PO Box 2342 Cordova, AK 99574 907-424-7278 12 | The Cordova Times | Friday, August 15, 2014 | www.thecordovatimes.com AROUND NET WORTH From Page 1 Looking like a terrestrial seine crew, they stack cork and lead. Sabin Landaluce, 28, stacks the lead, his wife Casey, the corks. The couple works primarily with Rob on seines when not fishing. Rob spends the summer gill netting, his cellphone, like his brother’s, ringing constantly with people needing help with their nets; and Mike, whose usual responsibility is gill nets, handles seine repairs during the season. John Freeman, whose presence on the team Mike considers karma for past good deeds, takes care of the gill nets in a rented loft down the road. Rob reclaims the seine operation in the fall, repairing and building nets all winter. Last winter, he built or repaired 50 nets for their 40 customers. LFS is the only place to hang seine in town; without Mike and Rob, fishermen either have to fix their nets themselves or get them to Homer or Bellingham, WA. Like seining, net hanging is a strict process one must learn. The team clears the whole area for the net, and feeds it through the power block and a system of hooks and wires that hang it. The loft can only hold a ten-fathom section at a time, called a “pull.” A second, smaller set of hooks on wires allows the team to hang the web in one-fathom increments that move as they do, so multiple people can work on it and keep everything proportional. “All it is is math,” Mike said. “An equation.” With other methods, one has to flag the middle of the net and work their way to the ends. “With this way there are no wasted motions,” Maxwell says. Sabin flags breaks in the web with pink gauze. Even with the net stretched out in the loft, there’s no clear diagnosis. Fishermen rarely tell Maxwell what’s wrong with their net; it’s his job to find out. Although Maxwell is in charge, it’s very much Casey and Sabin’s show. Rob remembers when Casey first came to work in the shop. “She was so efficient and organized; she was always ahead of me,” he said. “One day I asked her, ‘You want to hang, don’t you?’ She said, ‘Yes.’” Sabine, Rob added, “reminds me a lot of me and Mike. He’s motivated. He don’t ever stop.” To Rob and Mike, they are the next generation of commercial net hangers. Mike pops in and out to help other customers splice, cut lines and find other gear in the store. Sometimes he’ll disappear phantasmagorically, and customers, suddenly talking not to Mike but to themselves, will wonder where he just went. Knowing the net loft is almost exactly 100 feet in length, he helps a woman measure out 460 feet of purse line. “You know how to splice this stuff now?” He says excitedly like it’s a personal victory. His frenetic movement conflicts with his voice: The intonation on the last word and slow phrasing give him a chilled out effect, like an aging surfer. When at rest, it’s common to find him sitting on a bucket, his body still, his hands working furiously and efficaciously as if little splicing machines. He pauses now and then to take calls or answer texts. After splitting up and starting their own fishing operations, Rob went on to work on nets at Redden under the guidance of Terry Buckholz. He brought Mike to Redden in 1984, where they stayed for 15 years. Buckholz had learned the trade from Andy Forman, a Californian who brought a unique method of hanging—using the hooks—with him from Southeast. The proportionality the hook system achieves allows for significantly more web, so that the net bowls up better in the water. Back before nets began to specialize, they would often be pulled flat by the lead lines and fish would escape. Mike remembers Forman as a surly legend in his later years. “If he dropped something on the floor, it would stay there,” he said. Rob recalls neatly-swept little piles of lace that would remain on the floor. “I don’t stoop!’” ALL PHOTOS BY BEN YEAGER/THE CORDOVA TIMES ABOVE: Mike Maxwell and Sabin Landaluce work on a corkline. LEFT: A customer’s phone call interrupts Maxwell from splicing. Forman would say. Forman ran Redden’s net loft when Buckholz started there in 1975, who then passed his knowledge on to the Maxwell brothers in the ‘80s. “Mike was like a great big workhorse,” Buckholz said. “He was always in a great big hurry.” Or, as Rob put it, “Mikey was the bull.” The team lifts the cork line and lead line on separate sides onto the hooks, and begin to walk the length of the net to see what’s wrong with it. First off, the corks are a mess. Mike begins whacking at them with a ball peen hammer to remove damaged ones. They strip the cork line from the web up to a certain point, as not to completely detach it. Stripping hundreds of tiny mends, Mike looks incredulously at the motley mosaic. “This here is the most important tool on the boat,” he says. “And it can be the least taken care of.” Beginning to lace the cork line to the web with quick hand motions, Mike is sweating, but it could be the rain; it’s difficult to tell whether he’s been outside recently. His hands bleed in places from tiny nicks. The net is in worse shape than the team initially thought, and Sabin suggests they rehang it all and replace all the corks. “Let’s do it right,” he says. “I’m making the executive decision.” “I’m not gonna argue with you,” says Mike, rushing out the door for a dentist’s appointment. When he returns that afternoon, his team is patching the net. Sabin strips the lead line in quick cuts. Mike’s mouth is swollen from having a tooth pulled; he decides he’s had enough for a day and settles down on a bucket to clean some reds for smoking, one of a few beloved activities he needs to do to “blow off steam.” The Exxon Valdez collided with Bligh Reef five years after Mike started at Redden. They didn’t work on nets for the next ten years. Like most Cordovans, Mike considers that the most difficult time in his life. Money was scarce, and his health had begun to turn on him after a lifetime of laborious work. He’s had two hip replacements; there’s no cartilage in his right knee and a slipped disk in two vertebrae. Two years ago, doctors inserted a pacemaker to address an arrhythmia. “I’m the million dollar man,” he said. “Mike and I beat the hell out of our bodies,” Rob said. He hopes that Sabine will take care of his, so he doesn’t end up like them. The rain has lessened the following morning and the seine still looms in the loft. The team works busily in silence, relacing the lead and cork lines and adding hardener. They space the corks so the power block’s grip won’t pull them off again. They sweep up the lace scraps from the floor. Mike’s phone rings; he’s constantly asking that customers “keep bugging” him. Sabin says that they might have to tell D TOWN Maxwell replaced the webbing on a seine net. Sabine and Casey Landaluce re-lacing cork and lead lines. the customer the true extent of the net’s damage. It may cost him up to $10,000. LFS charges hourly for net hanging, which can be over $100. That can add up to $1000 a day for parts and labor. Mike steps over the web, and groans from having to lift his leg so high. The net’s owner comes into the shop to check up on progress. “It’s got cancer real bad,” Mike explains. “We’re not fixing little holes, just putting it together so you can fix it.” After a morning of lacing, the team takes off for lunch. Sabin notices that the trailer is preventing the net loft door from closing, and asks who’s going to watch it when they leave. “It’s ok,” Mike says. “I’ll keep hanging.” He’ll get lunch when they come back. “I love hanging seine,” Rob said. Some people ask me how I do it, but I love it. It’s like a piece of art at the end.” Now hanging alone, Mike wonders what will happen this winter with the seines, as Rob has been having problems with a rotator cuff and will need surgery. As a young man, Rob got his shoulder caught in a power block, snapping his bicep. Luckily, he has Sabin and Casey, whose prowess is undeniable. The couple is even building a net loft in their new home. Though the nets are stacking up outside and he longs to get out on his boat, Mike says he doesn’t plan on retiring for ten years; he would miss the action and get bored. His dad taught him and Rob to work, he says. “You see something to do, you do it. It’s been a lifetime of work.” Mike remembers fondly the fishery of his past—before hydraulic power blocks, before the hurry—staying out on closures, catching crabs and butter clams and eating well. He’s seen the lead lines nearly double Sabine Landaluce replaces a section of leadline. in weight, and the gill net boats grow to the size of seiners and the seiners to the size of tenders. “It’s kind of like race cars,” Rob said. “Somebody’s always got the edge and everybody has to catch up.” Rapid innovation in the fishery is nothing new, nor is apprehension over change. In a 1981 interview by Daryl Kramer of Cordova fisherman Fred Tiedeman, Tiedeman, 56 at the time of the interview, laments the rapid changes in the industry. Believing himself the third person to have nylon gear, he remembers gill nets made of linen, with wooden corks and “old time leads,” meshes “15-30 meshes deep.” According to the transcript, reminiscing about the days before machinery, Tiedeman said: “In the olden times we didn’t have reels, we did it all by hand pulling. That’s when men had to be men, now days all we have is power to pull everything in for you, even the anchor.” During Tiedeman’s time, fishing from 1936 until at least this interview, the pace was much slower. “Now everything is by emergency, all I can say is fishing has sure changed in every way,” he said. As profitable as fishing can be, Mike is well aware of its difficulties. “I know their anguish,” he says. “I love these people.” In the years after the oil spill when he was having serious trouble, the community gathered $25,000 for a hip surgery. His hip had been bone grinding against bone. “It was so freaking touching, it changed my life,” he says. Perhaps his is an innate work ethic, or maybe remaining one of the few purveyors of this lost skill, alongside his brother, is his way of thanking Cordova. At the end of a long day, still in the net loft as LFS closes, Mike sits down on a bucket to “de-slime” more reds, cellphone by his side. CORDOVA LIFE 14 | The Cordova Times | Friday, August 15, 2014 | www.thecordovatimes.com BEAR INCIDENT HISTORIC PRESERVATION Resident survives bear mauling on Heney Ridge trail The Red Dragon Reading Room, probably shortly after it was finished in 1908. PHOTO COURTESY OF CORDOVA HISTORICAL SOCIETY, 70-51-31 Biologists remind the public to take extra caution when recreating in bear territory during the fish and berry season BY JENNIFER GIBBINS [email protected] Wildlife managers are reminding the public to be aware and prepared when recreating following a recent bear mauling on the Heney Ridge Trail in Cordova. According to Alaska State Troopers, on Aug. 12 at approximately 1630 hours Alaska Wildlife Troopers in Cordova were notified Thea Thomas, 57 of Cordova, was mauled by a brown bear while hiking on Heney Ridge Trail. Thomas was seriously injured with multiple lacerations and medivaced to Anchorage. Thomas had been hiking in an area where salmon are actively spawning. She was hiking with two dogs who disappeared downhill in the direction of Hartney Creek and returned with a brown bear in pursuit. The bear knocked Thomas to the ground and attacked her multiple times. According to a source, when Thomas positioned herself on the ground face down protecting her chest and abdominal area and stayed silent, the attack subsided and the bear eventually left the area. In the event of a brown bear attack, wildlife experts generally advise that you do not attempt to flee or fight back. After the mauling was over, Thomas waited to make sure the bear was gone before walking 1.5 miles back to her vehicle. She located one dog while walking back to her truck. The other dog was waiting for her at the truck. Thomas was able to drive herself to the hospital. “It is very lucky that the nature of her injuries did not prevent her from walking out under her own power. Had she suffered arterial damage or been immobilized in these wet conditions, the outcome could have been much worse,” said Charlotte Westing Area Biologist for ADFG in Cordova. While regardless of preparation, bear attacks can occur, there are a few guidelines to consider that will help hikers and hunters stay safe in bear country. “Bears are very focused on consuming as many calories as possible before going into their dens for winter. As a result, berries and spawning salmon draw bears and you want to be especially aware when hiking where fish or berries are present.” Hiking in groups can help prevent a bear from being startled. “With rainfall and streams there is a lot of ambient noise that makes it harder for animals to be aware of your presence. As a result it is easier to catch them off guard,” said Westing. Also remember that pets can be a real “wildcard” in the bear safety department. “In some situations a dog may help alert you to a safety concern, in others, a dog may become a complicating factor. Hiking with a dog can give you a false sense of security,” said Westing. Westing advises the public to carry a deterrent such as bear spray, a noise maker or flare, or a gun; to make noise along the trail and to be aware of weather factors that may prevent a bear from knowing you are there. AWT, ADF&G, and the USFS collaborated and agreed to close the trail to any further traffic for at least the next 7 days. The bear is believed to be a 6 - 7 foot brown bear. Because the bear was defending a natural food source, no further action is warranted at this time. Red Dragon makes the top 10 Alaska Association for Historic Preservation lists buildings as Ten Most Endangered Historic Properties for 2014. BY NANCY BIRD For The Cordova Times Cordova’s Red Dragon Reading Room and St. George’s Church are on a Top Ten list! Unfortunately, it’s the annual list of Ten Most Endangered Historic Properties for 2014. The Alaska Association for Historic Preservation recently announced this list to call attention to threatened historic properties in Alaska. The primary threats to Cordova’s Red Dragon and St. George’s are their roofs, which have not been replaced in almost 35 years. There may also be problems with the foundations of these buildings which are on the National Register of Historic Places. The small congregation of St. George’s Episcopal Church is working on multiple fronts to address the threats to these Cordova treasures. In addition to soliciting the recognition on the top 10 endangered buildings list, the congregation was pleased that a grant was awarded earlier this spring to the Red Dragon by the Alaska Historical Commission (AHC). This AHC state anniversary grant will provide a building condition assessment report, an engineer’s assessment and some of the roofing materials needed for the Red Dragon. Using this report, congregation member Nancy Bird said the church will develop a plan for the re-roofing and other restoration work. The building report is now being compiled by historical architects who work for the National Park PHOTO COURTESY OF HABS, NATIONAL PARK SERVICE HABS architect Jeremy Mauro sets up the $100,000 laser scanner in the yard between St. George’s Church and the Red Dragon. Service in Anchorage. In addition to the report and planning effort, the $12,000 matching grant from AHC will also help purchase cedar shingles for the Red Dragon, and provide for a structural engineer to inspect and make recommendations about the building’s roof and foundation. “It’s a major, major effort we’ll be PHOTO COURTESY OF CORDOVA HISTORICAL SOCIETY, 93-21-5 The fireplace, card table, reading materials and piano were important drawing cards for the Red Dragon in its early years. This photo dates to about 1915. making to fix the roofs and do additional restoration work necessary for these wonderful buildings,” said Neva Nolan, who is taking part in leading the restoration project. “We expect the roofs for both buildings will cost $100,000 – 200,000 and our annual budget is only $22,000, so we’re ■ See Page 17, RED DRAGON PHOTO COURTESY OF HABS, NATIONAL PARK SERVICE St. George’s youth group is shown results on YouTube from other digital scans done by HABS at sites around the country. www.thecordovatimes.com Friday, August 15, 2014 | The Native Village of Eyak Promoting the self-determination of Native Village of Eyak tribal members through meaningful programs and services. SUMMER HOURS Monday - Saturday 8 am to 5 pm Sunday 9 am to 5 pm 10,000 years in our Traditional Homeland, Prince William Sound, the Copper Riwer Delta, and the Gulf of Alaska Come check out our selection of Rigid Industries’ Corrosion Resistant Marine Series LED Lights! 907.424.3188 Serving Cordova’s fleet from our expanded facility in the Cordova Harbor behind the Harbor Office. Working for Our People. From language revitalization to preserving subsistence rights, The Eyak Corporation is on the hunt for opportunities that will benefit our people now, and for generations to come. State of Alaska DIAMOND KITE! ON THE HUNT THE EYAK CORPORATION Email: [email protected] Tel. (907) 424-7161 | eyakcorporation.com SIZE: 30” x 30” TAILS: 12” (2 tails) BODY: Rip stop nylon FRAME: Fiberglass Kite line and handle included! Wind range is 6-25 mph Laura’s has everything you need! OPEN MON-SAT 6 AM – 9:30 PM! • 907-424-3144 Follow Us at facebook.com/LaurasCdv! 15 16 | Friday, August 15, 2014 The Cordova Times DAM City of Cordova From Page 1 Work with the Best! The City of Cordova wants YOU and has job opportunities for the right individual. Municipal government employment is one of the most rewarding experiences you can have ... serving your fellow citizens in your own home town. As of August 1st, the following full-time positions are available: • Communications Clerk • Equipment Operator/Laborer Maint. II (Parks & Rec Dept) • Firefighter/Medic • Laborer Maint I or II or Sewer Water Tech • Rec Ops Leader • Refuse Supervisor • Shop Mechanic • Superintendent of Facilities Full time positions include benefits such as paid vacation, sick leave, health insurance, uniforms where required, life insurance and state retirement plan. Salary ranges are based on position, skills, and qualification. Details for any job can be found at the city’s web page, www.cityofcordova.net on the Find A Job link, or contact Human Resources at City Hall, 424-6223. B a l lot M e a s u r e some say this issue is about big oil. It’s about our jobs. It’s about our families. It’s about our future. on august ugust 19th, protect our jobs and vote 1 It’s not. NO on 1! Don’t reject oil tax reform. Give it a chance. www.VoteNoOnOne.com Paid for by Vote No on 1, Anchorage, AK 99509. Leslie Hajdukovich, Bob Berto, Rick Boyles, Linda Leary and Rick Mystrom, co-chairs, approved this message. Top contributors are BP, Anchorage, Alaska, ConocoPhillips, Anchorage, Alaska, and ExxonMobil, Anchorage, Alaska. Supported by more than 500 Alaska small businesses, labor unions, Native Corporations, and community groups. Polley, we feel it appropriate to provide some clarity and transparency of the role of Knight Piesold Ltd,” the company said in a statement released Aug. 8. The company said it is not familiar with details of what it described as “an extremely unfortunate incident” or on the design, construction, operations, water management practices or any other aspect of the tailings storage facility. Knight Piesold informed Imperials Metals on Feb. 10, 2011 that they would not continue as the engineer of record for the gold and copper mine in central British Columbia, and subsequently ceased to perform that role. Upon completing all assignments as the engineer of record in 2010, Knight Piesold had written to the mine corporation and the government of British Columbia’s chief inspector of mines of their concerns. “The embankments and the overall tailings impoundment are getting large and it is extremely important that they be monitored, constructed and operated properly to prevent problems in the future,” the letter said. Knight Piesold’s statement of Aug. 8 noted that the original engineering accommodated a significantly lower water volume than the tailings storage facility for the copper and gold mine reportedly held at the time of the breach. “Significant engineering and design changes were made subsequent to our involvement, such that the tailings storage facility can no longer be considered a Knight Piesold design,” the statement said. A formal handover of design, construction and monitoring responsibilities was conducted on March 8, 2011, when AMEC Earth and Environmental was acknowledged as the new engineer of record for all future work at the tailings storage facility. British Columbia’s environmental minister, Mary Polak said during a news conference that a sampling plan was being developed that would include the Fraser River, as well as other bodies of water affected by the spill of 14.5 million cubic meters of mine wastes Preliminary water samples collected by the province’s Ministry of Environment staff at several locations in Quesnel Lake were being tested for a number of contaminants. Sample collection is ongoing and BC Interior Health is monitoring regularly to ensure the health safety of residents in affected areas, to determine when restrictions on water use can be lifted, according to a statement on Interior Health’s website. British Columbia’s Watershed Watch Salmon Society notes that the containment wall rupture in the tailings pond unfortunately occurred as thousands of sockeye and other species of salmon are making their way upstream to spawn. The immediate and long term impacts of this environmental disaster are still unclear, the society said in a statement on its website. Imperial Metals meanwhile noted that preliminary results of water quality testing of Quesnel Lake and Quesnel River confirmed that the water samples met both provincial and federal safe drinking water guidelines and also stated that “impact to aquatic life and fish is not expected.” www.thecordovatimes.com Friday, August 15, 2014 | KEYNOTE SPEAKERS Aarons, Tosi will address AFN convention BY THE CORDOVA TIMES STAFF Mirian “Kaniak” Aarons, corporate communications director for Bering Straits Native Corp., and Mao Tosi, creator of the non-profit Alaska PRIDE Youth Programs, are this year’s keynote speakers for the Alaska Federation of Natives convention. Both are scheduled to address the convention at the Dena’ina Center in Anchorage on Oct. 23. Their collaborative work to strengthen and join communities to make a better RED DRAGON From Page 14 looking for other grants, and particularly donations from past members and the community.” The Red Dragon was built 106 years ago by the Episcopal Church during the heyday of Cordova’s establishment as the port city for the Copper River & Northwestern Railway (CR&NWR). Instead of building a church, it was decided a “club house open night and day, seven days each, seemed more useful for the early days” (Rev. E.P. Newton, Valdez parish). The club house included an open fireplace, couches, lots of reading material (it served as Cordova’s first library until the mid-1920’s), card tables, chess boards, a piano and one pool table. “…On Sundays, presto, an altar is lowered from a landing on the rafters; things are whisked aside and the place is ordered for services and Sunday school.” (Alaska-Yukon Magazine, Dec. 1910 pg. 403-404) Soon after its official dedication as St. George’s Episcopal Mission, it was called the Red Dragon due to its bright red color, the vivid trademark of the CR&NWR, as well as the dragon being an emblem of St. George’s conquered foe. It was in January 1909, shortly after the Red Dragon’s completion, that the then “unknown Alaskan artist” Eustace P. Ziegler arrived from Michigan to serve as the lay Missionary in charge of the new Episcopal mission to Cordova. His strong artistic talent led to his designing St. George’s Church which was finally built in 1918-19. Today, Nolan says the Red Dragon remains a community center similar to the 1910 description. “Although it does not serve railroad workers,” she said, “it is used for music and art classes, Girl Scout meetings, gatherings of book clubs and other special events. Its service as Cordova’s first library was long ago moved to a larger facility but it continues to house books, magazines, games and a well-stocked kitchen for holding breakfasts or dinners.” Alaska exemplifies the convention’s 2014 theme, Rise as One, AFN said. The convention brings together some 3,500 delegates from across the state to discuss key issues, share information, and set the course for the AFN for the coming year. Along with the convention, AFN provides an outlet for Native artisans and consumers of their work at the Alaska Native Customary Art Show, whch will be open all three days of the convention. Two evenings of Native dance and music, the Quyana Alaska cultural performances, are also scheduled. 17 Ilanka Community Health Center Providing personalized quality health care for the entire Cordova Community. Laser scan completed In early June, three architects from the Historic American Buildings Survey (HABS), a branch of the National Park Service in Washington DC, spent two days in Cordova surveying The Red Dragon and St. George’s using a combination of hand measuring and a high definition digital scanner. The architects will create architectural drawings of the buildings’ existing conditions and these plans will assist future preservation efforts. HABS is the nation’s first federal preservation program, begun as a Civilian Conservation Corps program in 1933 to document America’s architectural heritage. Their drawings are stored in the Library of Congress and available to the public. You can watch one example of products from these laser scans and photo surveys in a 3-minute “fly-through” video of St. Michael’s Russian Orthodox Church in Juneau posted at this website: https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=BN_DQxyx2Hg . Additional products from HABS work are posted at their YouTube website: https://www.youtube.com/channel/ UCap2nN4NmI2RFKZhc9Y4Nvw . Nolan, along with Sewan Gelbach and other volunteers, plan to establish a website for this restoration project where the on-going plans, history and photos will be shared. They welcome donations and/or in-kind support. “We expect this project to take 2-5 years,” said Gelbach. “Roof replacement is a priority but equally important is to improve the energy efficiency of these historic buildings. I also want to enhance and share their fascinating histories with all who walk through their doors.” August is Immunization protects all of us from serious diseases. Many vaccine preventable diseases are still common in the U.S. Vaccines protect us at all stages of life. • Pregnant Mothers and Newborns • Infants and Toddlers • School age children and teens • Young Adults preparing for college and adventures • Adult vaccines (i.e.; flu, tdap, shingles, pneumococcal, hepatitis, HPV) What should we do? • Parents should ask their child’s healthcare professional about vaccines they need. • Adults should talk with their healthcare professional about the vaccines that are recommended for them. Need help paying for vaccines? • Most health insurance plans cover the cost of recommended vaccines. Check with your insurance provider for details. • Families who need help paying for childhood vaccines should ask their healthcare professional about the Vaccines for Children (VFC) program, which provides vaccines at no cost to children who don’t have health insurance, or whose insurance does not cover vaccinations. Source: http://www.nphic.org/Content/Documents/NIAM/NIAM-TalkingPoints.pdf If you have any questions about immunization status or to schedule vaccinations, call Ilanka Community Health Center at 424-3622 Services We Provide ALASKAN REAL ESTATE OF CORDOVA Whiskey Ridge Road Very cozy two-bdroom + den on a private large lot next to a creek,with two car garage, wood stove, new Weisman furnace and much more $239,900 Call Becky or Mark at 424-7253 for more information and to arrange a tour. Stop by our office at 401 1st Street | [email protected] Lab work drawn in house Womens Health Laceration Repairs Acupuncture Prenatal care Massage therapy Diabetic counseling FREE blood pressure checks FREE nail care for seniors and diabetics Behavioral Health Steroid injections IUD’s CDL/DOT Physicals Preventative care Immunizations School and Sports Physicals 18 | Friday, August 15, 2014 The Cordova Times LAW & ORDER City of Cordova Notes from City Hall: The Streets crew have completed the road improvements on upper Council. Thanks to all for your patience. safer, better-looking path. It will take some time to finish, so pedestrians should be on the look-out for workers. Check out new times and events at the Bob KornMemorial Pool. Combined lap swims and adult exercise classes have seen lots of your friends in the new saline-filtered water. Come join in the healthy fun. For more info call 424-7200 or check the weekly schedule posted online in the “Have Fun” section of Living In Cordova at www. cityofcordova.net Interested in learning a foreign language but don’t have the cash for classes, tapes or books? Check out the resources at your City Library. Just say “Mango.” We’re working for you. Trail improvements on the right-of-way alongside the pool have begun. When done, you’ll see improved drainage and a Remember to pay attention to city traffic signs. The roads crew is out weekly doing street sweeping, but if your car is blocking the route during designate times you may be ticketed. Don’t run the risk ... use the municipal lots bythe hardware store and behind the Library. The following incidents were reported to the Cordova Police Department between 8-12014 thru 8-7-2014. Any charges reported in these press releases are merely accusations and the defendant and/or defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of Law. AUGUST 1, Friday: 6:19am Caller reported an alarm sounding at a business on First St. Officer responded and found the building secure. 8:33am Caller reported someone is forging her checks. The case is under investigation. 10:25am Caller reported a dump truck rolled over at 13 mile. Officer, fire department and ambulance responded. 11:20am Caller reported an intoxicated individual on Railroad Ave. The employer was notified to pick him up due to everyone else busy with other calls. 12:35pm A theft was reported at a business on Breakwater Av. 1:53pm Caller reported a dog has been barking for days at McLaughlin Trailer Court. Officer spoke with owner about bringing the dog inside. 2:38pm Civil papers were received and served. 3:53pm Ryan Gaber, 29, arrested on three outstanding warrants. Later while in custody, Gaber caused damage to the Cordova Jail facility and was charged with two counts of Criminal Mischief in the 4th degree. 21:42 Ambulance was requested and responded to a home on the Copper River Hwy. 22:31pm Ambulance was requested for a patient transport to the airport. The ambulance responded. AUGUST 2, Saturday: 12:00am Caller reported his vehicle was stolen from in front of a business on First St. The vehicle was found parked at the callers’ residence. 4:42am Caller reported someone was passed out in front of a business on First St. Officer responded and found an individual who had fallen and hurt his ankle. Transportation home was provided.12:37pm Caller reported her tent was stolen from Mavis Island. 5:23pm Caller reported an intoxicated individual by Bidarki was yelling and acting aggressive. AUGUST 3, Sunday: 3:38am Caller reported he ran out of gas on Copper River Highway with his two children. An officer brought him a gallon of gas to get back to town. 6:18am Caller reported that they were advised by CCMC to get the ambulance to take him to the hospital. 12:16pm Caller reported the fire alarm going off for Ocean Beauty. The fire department responded and cleared the scene as a false alarm. AUGUST 4, Monday: Nothing to report AUGUST 5, Tuesday: Nothing to report AUGUST 6, Wednesday: 4:26pm Caller wanted a welfare check on a friend. Officers responded and the friend was found at her father’s house safe. AUGUST 7, Thursday: 8:28am A wallet was turned in at the station. 10:43am An abandoned bicycle with a basket in front was turned in at the station. 1:35pm A premise check was requested. 5:47pm Caller reported people were smoking pot on Council Av. Officer responded and the subjects were gone on arrival. 6:05pm Caller reported a reckless driver on First St. Officer notified and unable to locate vehicle. 10:09pm Caller reported 2 intoxicated individuals were walking in the road on Whitshed Rd. Officer responded and spoke with individuals who agreed to stay off the road. TIPS LINE The police department tips line is up and running. Call 424-TIPS (8477). Cordova Police Department appreciates the information you share with them and you will remain anonymous. If the specific information you provide leads to the arrest of an individual, you could be eligible to receive a reward up to $500.00. To claim the reward, you will need to leave your name and con■ See Page 24, LAW & ORDER www.thecordovatimes.com PEBBLE From Page 1 restrictions on activities believed to have unacceptable adverse effects on the Bristol Bay watershed by a mining operation that would cover an area larger than Manhattan with its mine pit, tailings impoundments and waste rock piles. At the start of the hearing Dennis McLerran, EPA Region 10 administrator told more than 200 hundred people at the Egan Center in downtown Anchorage that the EPA was there to listen to their input about the proposal Region 10 announced, to protect “the extraordinarily valuable Bristol Bay fishery.” McLerran explained that the EPA had taken the first step in February by announcing its intention to restrict development of the Pebble deposit, a project of the Pebble Limited Partnership, the principal asset of Northern Dynasty Minerals Ltd. of Vancouver, British Columbia. Northern Dynasty is a subsidiary of the diversified global mining group Hunter Dickinson Inc., also of Vancouver, B.C. McLerran said the EPA had recently proposed taking the second step required under the Clean Water Act, by identifying possible restrictions on development of the Pebble deposit, to protect the Bristol Bay watershed, which produces half of the world’s sockeye salmon. He also emphasized that EPA was distinguishing a possible Pebble mine from other mining activity in Alaska or elsewhere and that the proposed restrictions would impact only claims surrounding the Pebble deposit. Public comment on the EPA proposal is being accepted through Sept. 19, after which the EPA will consider the next steps in the process, which could include moving toward a recommended determination to the EPA assistant administrator for water at EPA headquarters in Washington D.C. Reaction from some 120 people signed up to speak echoed for the most part the views of individuals, businesses and environmental organizations who had previously expressed their views on the mine. The exception was a number of references to the Mount Polley tailings dam breach in British Columbia last week that sent an estimated 14.5 million cubic meters of mine wastes into the salmon-rich Fraser River watershed. Several people expressed concern that if such a breach of a tailings dam could happen there, it could happen at Pebble. One of the first to speak was Tom Collier, recently appointed as the new chief executive of the Pebble Limited Partnership. “I must tell you that I think it’s ludicrous that we’re having a public hearing 17 business days after you released a 200-page technical report,” Collier said. “I think this hearing is much more about show than it is about substance.” “We think,” said Collier, “this is a denial of the due process. This has never been done before in the history of the Clean Water Act.” The EPA, however has noted examples of regulatory actions in Florida and Louisiana Friday, August 15, 2014 | that preemptively halted development in wetlands in those states. Sue Aspelund, executive director of the Bristol Bay Regional Seafood Development Association, and Bob Waldrop, the BBRSDA’s past executive director, both spoke in support of the EPA proposal. “The seafood industry has concerns about continuing investments in the Bay, and consumers worry about the safety and abundance of future seafood supplies from the region,” Aspelund said. “This type of certainty provided by EPA’s proposed 404 (c) determination is required to maintain the health of the Bay’s salmon industry – the economic mainstay of the region and provider of over 40 percent of the nation’s wild sockeye salmon. “Bristol Bay’s salmon are a $1.5 billion resource needing no remediation to maintain long-term healthy economic development,” said Waldrop. “All that’s required is good stewardship and management – something that the proposed determination helps maintain EPA’s process properly puts facts first- as a foundation for opinions,” said Waldrop. “Opinions don’t change facts, no matter who says them or how often. Sadly statements that modern mining methods can fully protect fragile ecologies has recently and tragically been reputed again by facts. In contrast, EPA’s process is a solid factual foundation for the proposed determination.” Charles Treinen, vice president of United Fishermen of Alaska, which represents 37 fisheries trade associations in Alaska, reiterated the UFA’s support of the EPA proposal, saying such action was appropriate. “The UFA position has been reiterated in follow-up letters and indicates broad based support for the proposed EPA action amongst fishermen throughout the state,” he said. Jason Metrokin, president and chief executive officer of the Bristol Bay Native Corp., reiterated BBNC’s position that the mien “would be too big and located in the wrong location.” Metrokin said that BBNC was thankful for the EPA proposal and urged a final determination. Deantha Crockett, executive director of the Alaska Miners Association, urged the EPA to let the permitting process decide whether the copper, gold and molybdenum mine should be built and operated. She reminded the EPA, with copies in hand, of all the testimony she had previously given on the issue, and spoke of how she regularly receives phone calls from potential investors wondering if it is safe to invest in mines in Alaska. “I don’t know what to say to them,” she said. Several Alaska legislators also testified, among them Sen. Cathy Giessel, R-Anchorage, Rep. Bryce Edgmon, DDillingham, Pete Higgins, R-Fairbanks, and Rep. Hollis French, D-Anchorage. Giessel spoke of fishing not providing year round employment and said that mining provides good employment. She also said that 60 percent of the commercial fishing permits for Bristol Bay are owned by people living outside of Alaska. Edgmon said it was time to put forward the restrictions, which are all about protecting the Bristol Bay watershed, not about vetoing any particular project. To Higgins, the EPA involvement in Pebble was all about government overreach. “These regulations will affect everyone in this state I one form or another,” he said. “I would like to see due process. … We’re going to fight you every inch of the way. French, in support of the EPA proposal, 19 said that Alaska is pro-development, but Pebble crosses the line. … Just say ‘no’ to the Pebble mine, he said. For more information about the Pebble project and how to comment on the EPA proposal , visit https://www2.epa.gov/bristolbay Shop SerendipiTea on Main street You’ll find a WIN DOOR PRIZES little bit of everything All Summer Long! A Sign up today at 505 Main Street lot of most things And something for everyone! CORDOVA’S MAIN PLACE FOR GIFTS AND ORGANIC GROCERIES. Monday - Saturday | 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. 505 First Street | 424-8327 (TEAS) Local family-owned business. We thank you for shopping Cordova First! Shamarcus Grayson Facility Engineer Central Gas Facility, Prudhoe Bay BP Alaska Our Commitment to Alaska: More Investment. More Jobs. Thanks to a more competitive economic climate, we are increasing our 2014 capital spending in Alaska by 25%. This includes a 40% increase in new production activities like drilling more wells, and other major projects. That means more production and more jobs for Alaskans. A stronger economy benefits all of us. Find out more about BP Alaska at alaska.bp.com ESTABLISHED IN1908 • OPERATED BY CURRENT OWNER SINCE 1989 NO PHONE CALLS PLEASE [email protected] TERMS TO QUALIFIED BUYER: A management agreement with intent to purchase could also be considered. SALE INCLUDES: Real Estate/Property Full Dispensary Liquor License Package Store Liquor License Furniture, Fixtures & Equipment $1.95 Million ESTABLISHED IN CORDOVA, ALASKA IN 1908 Alaskan Hotel, Bar and Liquor Store FOR SALE 20 | Friday, August 15, 2014 The Cordova Times ELECTIONS 2014 PRIMARY VOTING IS OPEN What to expect on the ballot, what it means and when/where to vote BY JENNIFER GIBBINS [email protected] Voting has opened for the Alaska Primary Election. Voters go to the polls on Aug. 19, however, voters who wish to vote absentee or early may do so now by going to City Hall. On Aug. 19, Cordovans may vote in person at the Cordova library. What’s on the ballot? Voters are being asked to vote on candidates running at the federal and state level, and, to vote on Ballot Measure #1. In order to assist voters, The Cordova Times is sharing information below. This information is provided solely as a reference for voters and is not intended as comprehensive or to instruct voters on how they should vote. BALLOTS The political party affiliation appearing on your voter registration record, 30 days prior to the election, will determine which of the ballot types you are eligible to vote. Each voter may only vote ONE ballot. If you request a ballot type that you are not eligible to vote, you must vote a questioned ballot. If you would like to vote for just the ballot measures and not vote for any candidates, you may request the measures only ballot. Aug. 19 WHO GETS PRIMARY BALLOT CHOICE THIS BALLOT? Alaska Democratic Party, Alaska Any registered voter may vote this Libertarian Party and Alaskan ballot. Independence Party Candidate including ballot measures Voters registered as Republican, Undeclared and Nonpartisan may vote this ballot. Alaska Republican Party Candidate including ballot measures Ballot measures only ballot Any registered voter may vote this ballot. CANDIDATES At the Federal level, voters will be asked to vote for one candidate running for United States Senator and one candidate running for United States Representative. At the State level, voters will be asked to vote for one candidate for each of the following: Governor, Lt. Governor, State Senator and State Representative. The names of candidates vary depending on which ballot you are eligible to vote. To see sample ballots, go to www.elections.alaska.gov/ei_primary.php. BALLOT MEASURES There is one ballot measure in the Aug. 19 primary election: Ballot Measure #1 - (13SB21) An Act Relating to the Oil and Gas Production Tax, Interest Rates on Overdue Taxes, and Tax Credit. Ballot Measure #1 is a referendum. A referendum is the procedure used by the citizens to approve or reject a law that was passed by the legislature. This referendum is for Senate Bill 21 which was passed by the legislature in 2013 and became law when Governor Parnell signed the legislation on June 24, 2013. SB21 relates to the Alaska Oil and Gas Production Tax, Interest Rates on Overdue Taxes and Tax Credits. Ballot Measure #1 is on the ballot because 52,649 Alaskans signed a petition requesting that Alaskans be given their constitutional right to vote on the repeal of SB21. What does my vote on Ballot Measure #1 mean? It is important to understand that your vote is about whether to REJECT or APPROVE the law that is in place. It can be a little confusing since a YES vote on Ballot Measure #1 will reject the law that is in place; and a NO vote on Ballot Measure #1 approves the law that is in place. Instructions: To vote, completely fill in the oval next to your choice, like this: Ballot Measure No. 1 - Referendum 13SB21 An Act Relating to the Oil and Gas Production Tax, Interest Rates on Overdue Taxes, and Tax Credits Ballot Measure 1 Voters are asked to approve or reject a law amending provisions of Title 43 of the Alaska Statutes governing the oil and gas production tax and oil surcharge (collectively, “production tax”) and the statutory interest rate for delinquent taxes. The law provides a corporate income tax credit for qualified oil and gas service-industry expenditures and establishes an Oil and Gas Competitiveness Review Board in the Department of Revenue. The law makes several changes to the production tax. For oil and gas produced after January 1, 2014, the law increases the base tax rate on the annual production tax value of oil and gas produced from leases or properties in the state from 25 percent to 35 percent. The law eliminates the “progressivity tax,” which applies only in a month in which a producer’s average monthly production tax value exceeds $30. The law provides that qualified oil and gas produced from leases or properties on the North Slope would be eligible for a 20-percent reduction (called a “gross revenue exclusion”) in the gross value at the point of production. The gross revenue exclusion applies only to oil and gas produced from a lease that was not in a unit on January 1, 2003, from a new participating area (reservoir), or from acreage added to an existing participating area. The law provides for an additional 10-percent gross revenue exclusion for oil and gas produced from a North Slope unit that consists solely of state leases for which the lessee (the producer of the oil and gas) is obligated to pay the state a royalty share (in money or in kind) that exceeds 12.5 percent of the value of the oil or gas produced from the lease. The law provides that North Slope tax credits may be used to permit a taxpayer to apply a credit against its tax, or receive a certificate, in a single calendar year (instead of allowing only half the credit to be applied in a single calendar year). The law adds two new tax credits for North Slope producers of oil and gas that may be applied against the producer’s production taxes. Neither credit is transferable or redeemable for cash, nor may any unused portion be carried forward to a later calendar year. The first is a credit of $5 per barrel of taxable oil that qualifies for the gross revenue exclusion. The second is a sliding-scale credit for each barrel of North Slope taxable oil that does not qualify for a gross revenue exclusion. The sliding-scale credit varies, and is based on $10 increments of the gross value at the point of production. It ranges from $8 a barrel in a month in which the average gross value at the point of production is less than $80 a barrel to $0 a barrel when the average gross value at the point of production equals or exceeds $150 a barrel. At a gross value between $100 and $110 per barrel, the credit would be $5 per barrel. The law eliminates the 20-percent tax credit for qualified capital expenditures on the North Slope after January 1, 2014. The law amends the carried-forward credit for losses incurred to explore, develop, or produce North Slope oil and gas by increasing the loss credit to 45 percent of a loss from January 1, 2014, to January 1, 2016. After January 1, 2016, the North Slope loss credit would be 35 percent. The law does not change the 25-percent loss credit for expenditures incurred south of the North Slope. The law also extends the exploration tax credit under AS 43.55.025 for five years for certain exploration projects, and removes a qualifying requirement related to well distance for exploration wells drilled outside the Cook Inlet sedimentary basin and south of the North Slope. The law amends the tax limitation on gas used in the state so it would not apply to gas first produced after December 31, 2012, and before January 1, 2027, from leases outside the Cook Inlet sedimentary basin and south of the North Slope. The law also lowers the interest rate that applies to overdue taxes from five percent above the applicable federal rate, or 11 percent, whichever is greater, to three percent above the applicable federal rate. The law substitutes the Alaska Net Income Tax Act for the progressivity tax as a suggested funding source for the legislature to consider when appropriating funds to the Community Revenue Sharing Fund. The law adds a credit to the Alaska Net Income Tax Act for expenditures related to the oil and gas service industry. Expenditures that can qualify for credit include manufacturing or modifying tangible personal property in Alaska if that property will be used in the exploration, development, or production of oil and gas. The credit may not exceed $10 million in a calendar year, and applies only against a taxpayer’s corporate income tax liability. The credit may not be transferred or redeemed for cash, and any unused portion may be carried forward for five years. An expenditure that is the basis for this credit may not be used as a deduction from the taxpayer’s income tax, a credit or deduction under another provision in Title 43, or for any federal tax credit that a taxpayer may take under Alaska law. The law establishes an Oil and Gas Competitiveness Review Board in the Department of Revenue. The Board’s duties include considering fiscal policies and levels of investment relating to oil and gas exploration, development, and production in the state and reviewing the state’s competitive position to attract and maintain investment in the oil and gas sector in the state. The Board is required to make reports to the legislature in 2015 and 2021. Under the law, the Board would exist until February 28, 2021. Most of the law would take effect on or after January 1, 2014, except for sections related to transferable tax credits. Those sections would apply retroactively to January 1, 2013. A yes vote rejects the law. A no vote approves the law. Should this law be rejected? YES NO Card 3 SEQ# 1 English A “YES” Vote on Ballot Measure #1 A “NO” Vote on Ballot Measure #1 Voting YES will REJECT the law (SB21) that was passed by the legislature in 2013. Voting NO will APPROVE the law (SB 21) that was passed by the legislature in 2013. ■ See Page 21, VOTER INFO www.thecordovatimes.com Friday, August 15, 2014 | SAMPLE BALLOT FRONT 21 SAMPLE BALLOT FRONT INSTRUCTIONS TO VOTER: To vote for the issue/candidate of your choice, fill in the oval next to the issue/candidate you want to vote for. Place your ballot inside the secrecy sleeve and then take your ballot to the ballot box. INSTRUCTIONS TO VOTER: To vote for the issue/candidate of your choice, fill in the oval next to the issue/candidate you want to vote for. Place your ballot inside the secrecy sleeve and then take your ballot to the ballot box. If you make a mistake while voting, return the ballot to the election official for a new one. A vote which has been erased or changed will not be counted. If you make a mistake while voting, return the ballot to the election official for a new one. A vote which has been erased or changed will not be counted. Instructions: To vote, completely fill in the oval next to your choice, like this: August 19, 2014 Instructions: To vote, completely fill in the oval next to your choice, like this: United States Senator (vote for one) United States Senator (vote for one) Kile, Zachary A. Alaskan Independence Kohlhaas, Scott A. Kohring, Vic Libertarian Alaskan Independence Walker, Thom M. Libertarian Begich, Mark Treadwell, Mead Republican Jaramillo, John M. Republican Miller, Joe Republican Sullivan, Dan Democrat Bryk, William "Bill" Fish, Mark S. Republican United States Representative Democrat (vote for one) Libertarian United States Representative (vote for one) McDermott, Jim C. Libertarian Vondersaar, Frank J. Democrat Dunbar, Forrest Democrat Governor (vote for one) Young, Don Republican Cox, John R. Republican Dohner, David F. "Dave" Republican Seaward, David Republican Governor (vote for one) Snowden, Brad Republican Heikes, Gerald L. "Tap" Republican Mallott, Byron I. Democrat Millette, Russ Republican Stoddard, Phil G. Democrat Parnell, Sean R. Republican Clift, Carolyn F. "Care" Libertarian (vote for one) Lee, Andrew C. Libertarian Williams, Robert L. "Bob" Democrat French, Hollis S. Democrat State Senator District P Democrat State Representative District 32 Republican Sullivan, Dan Republican State Senator District P (vote for one) Democrat Republican State Representative District 32 (vote for one) Austerman, Carol (vote for one) McCune, Jerry G. Wolf, Kelly J. Stevens, Gary Lee (vote for one) Henrichs, Robert "Moose" Lieutenant Governor (vote for one) Lieutenant Governor Republican Stutes, Louise B. Republican Walker, Rich Republican Continue Voting on Next Side Continue Voting on Next Side FRONT Card 173 SEQ# 1 English FRONT Card 174 SEQ# 1 English VOTER INFO From Page 20 Non partisan issue summary In order to assist voters, The Cordova Times is sharing information below from Let’s Talk Anchorage/Alaska. The information is a simple, easy to understand nonpartisan summary of the views from both sides of SB21. It is provided here solely as a reference for voters and is not intended as comprehensive or to instruct voters on how to vote. More information can be found online at http://akcommonground.org/. (*see below for more information on Let’s Talk Alaska/Anchorage). Let’s Talk Anchorage Summary on Perspective of Legislators who voted for SB21 Proponents of SB21 argue that it is necessary to reduce the tax rate on the production and sale of Alaska’s petroleum resources to create a more attractive investment climate. They believe this is necessary to attract the capital needed to increase exploration and development which will increase future production. They argue that increased production will increase employment and future income to the state. Let’s Talk Anchorage Summary on Perspective of Legislators who voted against SB21 Opponents of the legislation argue there is no evidence to support the belief that our present tax rates are an obstacle to oil industry investment in future production. They noted that the legislature did not require an increase in exploration of development investment as a condition for receiving reductions in taxes. They concluded that foregoing income now, based solely on the hope that it would increase future production, is not in the best interests of the state. What’s the bottom line? As explained by Let’s Talk Anchorage, your vote on this referendum is an investment decision. A YES vote invests oil resource revenue with the state to provide services and facilities for the public. A vote NO invests oil resource revenue with the oil industry to encourage investment in oil exploration and development that will/may provide benefits to the state. Let’s Talk Anchorage explains that the question boils down to which choice you believe will best serve the state constitutional mandate to “provide for the utilization, development and conservation of all natural resources belonging to the State, including land and waters, for the maximum benefit of its people”; and your needs, your community’s needs and the needs of future generations? Where to find more information Voter information is available online from the State of Alaska Division of Elections at http://www.elections. alaska.gov/ei_primary.php. *Let’s Talk Alaska/Anchorage Let’s Talk Anchorage was formed as a volunteer collaboration presently composed of Alaska Common Ground, the Anchorage Library, and a volunteer Coordinating Committee. They describe it as “an open association of individuals and organizations working to increase the use of public libraries as centers for democratic dialogue. Our goal is to be open and responsive to all individuals and organizations in the community that have a need or interest in dialogue and deliberation.” They have held a variety of public forums on ballot issues and published video of these as well as discussion guides on their website. You can download the complete Let’s Talk Anchorage discussion guide on SB21 at http://akcommonground.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/ Oil-Tax-Referendum-Discussion-Guide.pdf. Photo of the Week Have Dog, Will Hike We have driven from Kansas City, Missouri and are enjoying our 11 days in Cordova. Kate dog and I enjoyed the blueberry treats along the Saddlebag Glacial Trail. Kate got quite good at picking her own salmon and blueberries along the trail. PHOTO BY TINA YOCHUM-MAGAZ SUBMIT YOUR PHOTOS Send your photo to editor@ thecordovatimes. com and it may get selected as the photo of the week. Photos should be at least 1 mb in size. CLASSIFIEDS 22 | The Cordova Times | Friday, August 15, 2014 | www.thecordovatimes.com Announcements Have you seen any gulls with a blue leg band? The Runstadler Lab (MIT) and Prince William Sound Science Center are studying the population biology, migration and health of glaucouswinged gulls in Cordova. If you see a banded gull please contact Nichola Hill ([email protected]) or Mary Anne Bishop ([email protected]). Eat More <º((((>< Home cooking at the Coho including the Best Burger in town, no question. Famous Coho Cafe Sourdoughs. Clam Chowder Fridays. Breakfast and Lunch Tues.- Sat 7-2. Sun. 8-2. Check the board for daily specials. AT ORCA BOOKS: Paintings by David Rosenthall. Coffee, books and art. Orca Books on First Street. ON EXHIBIT: Bird photos on metal by Mark Hoover at the Ilanka Cultural Center. Call 4247903 for opening details and hours. Best Taco in Alaska: Award winning Baja Taco in the red bus in Cordova’s harbor. Breakfast, lunch and dinner daily. Dangerously delicious milk shakes. Yogi says stop on by the Picnic Basket for lunch, shakes and more. Located behind The Net Loft off of First Street. Killer Whale Cafe on First Street has daily specials. Serving breakfast and lunch. Grilled to order. Friday night is Steak Night at the Cordova Moose Lodge. Everyone is welcome! Not a member, it’s easy to join or to be signed in as a guest. City of Cordova has several job openings. For information contact the City at 424-6200 or www.cityofcordova. net. Call NVE for info on classes and the crafts group at the Masonic - everyone is welcome. Call: 424-7738. STORY TIME: Storytime for Little Ones at the Cordova Public Library - every Wednesday at 11:00 a.m. FUN AND GAMES: Check out the Bidarki Center on Facebook for camp dates and ideas on fun seasonal activities. Interested in becoming a life guard for the pool? Contact the Parks and Rec Dept at us at 424-7282. Call an Expert Star Thrower Nets is hanging gillnet gear now. Call Sully @ 907-424-3751 or 907-253-4883. Call an expert, or just stop in at Nichols Front Door Store and pick up a loaf of fresh baked bread, slather it with butter or really good olive oil and call it a day. Locally baked by Cordova’s artisan baker Glenn VanDyck in a wood fired brick oven. bs Need a Scooby Snack? Celebrate all your furry, feathered and fishy friends with a visit to Pet Projects. Quality food, treats and knowledgeable staff. Open Mon.- Sat. 2-6 p.m. for all your pet care needs. merchandise, have a vehicle with a valid drivers license, and work weekends. Apply at Redden Marine Cordova 123B harbor loop road. 907-424-3188 Jo Animals PLEASE CONSERVE. The Cordova Water Department requests that all Cordovans practice good water conservation. Alaskan Hotel and Bar is looking for a handy man. Must be 21 and have a valid driver’s license. Sales clerk/barista positions available at Laura’s Liquore Store. Call 424-3144. ] LE A S [FOR Items for Sale Teas, snacks, gifts, organic groceries and Burt’s Bees cosmetics at SerendipiTea. Stop by and check out our lovely display windows on First Street. Nichols Front Door/ Back Door Store. Fresh produce, meats, seafood and all your household staples. Checkout our specials board and all of Dennis’ great window art. Can’t find what you need, just let us know. Store Open M-S 8-10 and Sundays 8-8. Stop in and see our newly re-organized store. The Camtu Center in the Cordova Harbor. Housewares, clothing and accessories. Imported olive oils, cheeses, crackers, chocolates and more at. Stop in and check out our new speciality items arriving daily. Let us know what you’d like to see in our store. Open daily and now you can rent movies too! HELP WANTED: Seeking seasonal full time counter help. Must have computer knowledge and knowledge of commercial fishing Real Estate CORDOVA REALTY OFFERS: Energy efficient, nearly-new home with beautiful views. See photos at www.cordovaalaska.net or call Linden O’Toole 253-3199 Cedar Chalet on double lot $319,900 and remodeled historic home with detached garage $289,900. See photos at www.cordovaalaska.net or call Linden O’Toole, CORDOVA REALTY 253-3199 For Sale by Owner: Large 110’x 60’ heated shop/building with attached apartment. Will sell just the property and structure and/or an established welding and fabrication business with all tools, office furniture, networked computer system, jigs, molds and inventory for a diverse and successful product line of equipment that is very well represented in the CR/ PWS fleet of gillnet boats. Priced to sell, this is an opportunity for the right person to step right into a functioning business with many marine related profit centers that can effectively provide service to the local fleet. Call for more details: 907-424-5176 or see Bill Webber. Micellaneous Business for sale: Profitable welding and machine shop turn key with 1 1/2 acres of land. For more info contact Lenny at 424-7790 or 3464 Vehicles & Boats Employment PRINCE WILLIAM SOUND SCIENCE CENTER: Science Education Coordinator position open at PWSSC. See www. pwssc.org/jobs for more info. reviewing a proposal from Chugach Alaska Corporation to conduct mineral material exploration on lands near Secret Cove in Port Gravina. The Chugach National Forest is the steward of the surface estate which was acquired as part of an Exon Valdez oil spill (EVOS) settlement conveyance project. In this area, the Chugach Alaska Corporation owns the subsurface estate and retains outstanding mineral rights to the subsurface. The proposal would involve using a class 450 excavator to enable a tracked drill to access two test sites. At each of the two sites, a series of drill holes would be followed with blasting operations to enable an evaluation of the subsurface materials. Operations would occur during the summer and fall of 2014 and occur over an approximate 14-day period. Surface disturbance would be kept to a minimum during operations and no more than ½ mile of temporary access route would be utilized during exploration activities. The project would occur in lands designated as EVOS Acquired Lands Management Area (221) in the Chugach Forest Plan. These lands are also part of the Fidalgo-Gravina Inventoried Roadless Area. For location maps and more information contact Bob Behrends at (907) 4244729 or Robert Skorkowsky at (907) 424-4742. Comments identifying specific issues and concerns are requested by August 29, 2014 and can be emailed to the attention of Bob Behrends, PO Box 280, Cordova, Alaska 99574 or emailed to [email protected]. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is an equal opportunity provider and employer. Star Thrower Nets is hanging gillnet gear now. Call Sully @ 907-424-3751 or 907-253-4883. Legal Ads USDA Forest Service Chugach National Forest, Alaska Region Cordova Ranger District Public Scoping Notice The Cordova Ranger District is FREE CLASSIFIEDS: Hey Cordova Times readers, our classifieds are free to subscribers and our “regular” Cordova business display advertisers. Email your ad copy to [email protected]. Wanted FREE CLASSIFIEDS: Hey Cordova Times readers, our classifieds are free to subscribers and our “regular” Cordova business display advertisers. Email your ad copy to [email protected]. TAKE A BREAK 23 23 | The Cordova Times | Friday, August 15, 2014 | www.thecordovatimes.com Boggle BrainBusters! Sudoku By The Mepham Group Level Complete the grid so each row, column and 3-by-3 box (in bold borders) contains every digit 1 to 9. For strategies on how to solve Sudoku, visit www.sudoku.org. © 2014 THE MEPHAM GROUP. DISTRIBUTED BY TRIBUNE MEDIA SERVICES. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Cordova Crossword ACROSS Nine to Five by H. Schwadron 1 Jay who’s on late 5 Crop up 10 1974 CIA vs. KGB spoof 14 Vehicle behind dogs 15 Summer skirt material 16 McDonald’s founder Ray 17 It’s heedless to go off it 19 Davenport’s state 20 One-__: biased 21 Ancient Mexican 23 HIV-treating drug 24 “Hold on __!” 26 Family nicknames 28 Car-waxing result 33 Letters linking real and assumed names 34 Lures 35 Himalayan republic 38 Invoice add-on 39 Choir room hangers 43 “Over my dead body!” 46 MouthHealthy.org org. 47 Motion on a mound 51 Dwarf planting 52 Polish prose 53 Mil. training center 54 Wood shop tool 58 Prefix meaning “culture” 61 Work hard 63 Director’s cry, and hint to the ends of 17-, 28- and 47-Across 65 Savvy about 66 __ voce: softly 67 Skye of “Say Anything ...” 68 Mark for removal 69 Deplete 70 Start of a classic Christmas poem DOWN 1 D-Day fleet 2 Pre-college, for short 3 Must have now, in memo-speak 4 Most peculiar 5 Stein filler 6 Kelly in Electrolux ads Bearly by Gary Hondel 7 Mother of Don Juan 8 Transmitted 9 Natural to a region 10 Enjoy a winter sport 11 Some charity golf tournaments 12 Cry of surprise 13 Sings like Ella 18 German river 22 Wicker worker 25 Runner Sebastian 27 Sushi bar soup 28 PC linkup 29 Tiny Tim’s instrument 30 Loosen, as laces 31 “Act Naturally” singer Ringo 32 Puts back together 36 Picnic crashers 37 From around here 40 Infielder’s mistake 41 Academic address ending 42 Breakfast syrup source 44 Massage technique 45 Female in the flock 47 __ Raceway: Pennsylvania NASCAR track 48 Latin for “where it originally was” 49 Creative output 50 Blockhead 51 Anti-crow’s-feet treatment 55 Pres. Jefferson 56 Despise 57 Words to a traitor 59 Grandma 60 Unlocks, poetically 62 Subdivision unit 64 Bread for dipping, say (c)2014 TRIBUNE CONTENT AGENCY, INC. Last Week’s Answers 24 | Friday, August 15, 2014 The Cordova Times CONGRATULATIONS MIKE City Council member David Reggiani swears in Mike Hicks as police chief. LAW & ORDER NOTES FROM CORDOVA DMV: From Page 18 tact information with your tip. The tip information will be reviewed by the Chief of Police ONLY and he will make contact with you personally if you are eligible for the reward payment. Thank you for coming forward with information and assisting the community. p ins Our motorcycle road course has been repainted and is ready for the new season - if you want to add M1 or M2 to your license, come on down and sign up. MC road testing will be conducted on Saturdays weather permitting DMV HOURS: Wednesday - Saturday from 8am to 3:30pm unless otherwise posted. iration co ns er va ity adventure tion ch an ge co mm un FRIDAY August 22 Doors 6:30 pm, Films 7 pm Cordova Jr./Sr. High School Gym An Evening of New Adventure & Environmental Films! • Adults $10, Students $5, Kids 12 & under FREE • Come Anytime! • Silent Auction / Prizes • MC’d by Kat of the Super Saturated Sugar Strings • Concessions • Music by Malani Towle & Annie Carlson EYAK PRESERVATION C O U N C I L
© Copyright 2024