page 5 - Chilkat Valley News

Wrestler Thomsen 4th at state - page 7
Toddler grant divides board - page 5
Serving Haines and Klukwan, Alaska since 1966
Chilkat Valley News
Volume XLII Number 50
Thursday, December 13, 2012
$1
Former Haines cop
surrenders license
Agencies mum on complaints
ALL FOR ONE -- Actors in last weekend’s production of “Dixie Swim Club” make a toast. From left
are Vernadette Simms (Cheryl Mullins), Sheree Hollinger (Lorrie Dudzik), Lexie Richards (Hannah
Reeves), Jeri Neal McFeeley (Michele Wing) and Dinah Grayson (Judith McDermaid). Other residents
in the cast included Jerrie Clarke, Pam Randles, Jacque Horn and Suzanne Newton. Ron Horn photo.
Troopers won’t revisit heli-ski probe
By Karen Garcia
Alaska State Troopers will not
reopen an investigation into the
heli-ski accident that killed two
people in Haines last spring, Lt.
Rodney Dial said this week.
Natalia and Alex Dodov filed
an employee conduct complaint
in mid-November against Trooper
Josh Bentz, who conducted the
investigation into the deaths of
Alaska Heliskiing client Nikolay
Dodov and guide Rob Liberman.
The Dodovs voiced criticism
of perceived flaws in Bentz’s
investigation and requested
troopers reopen the case.
Dial spoke to the Dodovs
Monday and explained that while
some of their concerns – such as
Liberman’s autopsy indicating
recent marijuana use – might be
legitimately raised in civil court,
the company could not be held
responsible criminally.
If Liberman survived, he could
potentially be held criminally
liable, but the company is not
criminally liable by extension,
Dial said. “The death investigation
looked into whether there was
criminal conduct involved in the
death of the two individuals and
the short answer is there wasn’t.”
The Dodovs also claimed
Alaska Heliskiing did not have
the proper permits to be on the
land where the accident happened.
Again, Dial said, this would be
a civil issue; to be a criminal
issue, the presence or absence
of permits would have to have
directly affected the outcome of
the accident.
“It’s not germane to the death
investigation itself. I would have
to be able to show a linking
between having the right permit
or not having the right permit and
whether it would have affected
the outcome here,” Dial said.
The Dodovs also asked why the
autopsy report was not included in
the report, and why all eyewitness
statements were not included.
Dial said the autopsy report is
included in the official report, but
it was not included in the report
provided to the Dodovs because
troopers do not release medical
records. Dial said the Dodovs’
lawyer could try to subpoena the
autopsy results.
Dial also said Bentz did
interview all eyewitnesses, a
fact stated in the report. Bentz
condensed three eyewitness
statements into one, though,
because all three made very
similar reports, Dial said.
The Dodovs said they are
working with their lawyer in
California and intend to file a
wrongful death suit against Alaska
Heliskiing.
“We didn’t want to file a lawsuit.
We just wanted the truth, but then
we started to be showered with
lies,” Natalia Dodov said.
Alex Dodov said he believes
there is a two-year statute of
limitations in filing a civil suit.
Dial said he added some
information to the report at the
request of the Dodovs, including an
See HELI-SKI page 9
By Karen Garcia
Neither a statewide police
oversight agency nor the Haines
Borough Police Department
will provide information about
complaints that led to the
decertification of former Haines
police Sgt. Jason Joel last week.
The Alaska Police Standards
Council formally accepted
forfeiture of Joel’s police
certificate Dec. 4, an action that
disqualifies Joel from working as
a police or corrections officer in
the state.
The council started a revocation
process in May by sending Joel
an accusation packet outlining
complaints against him and
evidence collected during its
investigation.
Joel opted to surrender his
certificate rather than plead his
case before the group, which
oversees police and correction
officer standards statewide.
D e t a i l s o f t h e c o u n c i l ’s
investigation and discussion are
confidential and borough police
chief Gary Lowe this week said he
made a deal with Joel to withhold
the nature of the complaints from
the public and from prospective
employers in exchange for Joel’s
resignation.
When Joel resigned in April
2011, Lowe filled out a mandatory
form for the council, including
that the department conducted an
investigation into Joel’s conduct.
Lowe indicated on the form he
would recommend revocation of
Joel’s certification and would not
rehire him.
“There was an agreement where
he was allowed to resign and there
were stipulations on that about
non-disclosure to prospective
employers. Because of that
agreement, I can’t go into details,”
Lowe said.
Lowe said he made the
agreement – facilitated by a
union representative – because it
removed Joel from the department
and also minimized borough
liability. “In my mind, it’s a
protection for the borough because
See JOEL page 12
Cookie cosmetics give
Jobbins title for treats
By Karen Garcia
She’s done it again.
Defending champion Tammy
Jobbins dominated the Chamber
of Commerce Cookie and Candy
Contest, sweeping three of the top
four prizes during judging Friday
evening at the Haines Visitor
Center.
Jobbins snagged first and
second place in the adult candy
competition and first place in adult
cookies.
“I couldn’t believe it. I never
expected to win all three of my
entries,” Jobbins said Monday.
Though she hadn’t previously
entered the candy competition,
Jobbins took first place with
pistachio cranberry fudge and
second with Christmas macaroons.
Her first-place victory with the
“Surprise Package” cookies was
hard-won, however, as judges
Krista Kielsmeier, Michelle Webb
and Patty Campbell initially voted
into a three-way tie.
The judges deliberated over the
decision, weighing the pros and
cons of Jobbins’ cookies, Tom
Heywood’s sugar cookies and
Barb Blood’s cranberry pecan
drops.
“That is one of the best-tasting
cookies I have ever had,” Webb
said of Blood’s cranberry pecan
drops. But the judges decided the
drops were short on appearance,
See COOKIE page 8
Thomas’ ascent: From millhand to Alaska legislator
By Rosalie Loewen
In 2006, a certified public
accountant brought in to review
the books of the Southeast
Alaska State Fair determined
the organization was bankrupt.
A former executive director had
allowed charges at local stores,
federal tax bills, and associated
penalties to pile up to a debt of
more than $100,000.
“We owed so much to the
federal government in taxes. The
federal government was putting
the squeeze on us. We owed
(creditor) Roger (Schnabel) a
bunch of money. The fair would
have been done, basically,”
recalled resident Scott Doddridge,
who had recently become fair
Over the
Mountains
board treasurer.
State Rep. Bill Thomas,
R-Haines, provided the lifeline,
securing state appropriations of
$120,000 to keep the organization
afloat. “It saved the fair, pretty
much,” Doddridge said in an
interview this week.
Thomas, who was in San
Antonio, Texas, last week helping
care for his father-in-law, said he
hoped his legacy as a four-term
legislator would be the good
things he did for his hometown.
Haines mayor Stephanie Scott
this week estimated Thomas
steered as much as $95 million in
state funds to projects and groups
in the Chilkat Valley.
A recent appropriation
of $50,000 to the Takshanuk
Watershed Council for Lynn
Canal beach cleanup will put local
youths to work next spring.
Providing jobs was a priority
for Thomas, 65, a lifelong
commercial fisherman who rose to
be co-chair of the powerful House
Finance Committee before losing
this year to Democrat Jonathan
Kreiss-Tomkins of Sitka.
Thomas also worked more
than a decade as a lobbyist in the
Alaska Legislature and previously
served as CEO of Native village
corporation Klukwan, Inc., as a
member of the Haines Borough
Assembly and board member of
Chilkoot Indian Association.
“It’s easier to fail these days
than to be successful,” Thomas
said during an interview before
the recent statewide election
campaign, comparing his life
growing up here to the world of
today’s youth. The big difference,
he said, is jobs.
“Back then, people worked,
people looked forward to going
to work. We had the (lumber)
See BILL page 9 Rep. Bill Thomas
Page 2
Letters to the Editor
Lynch story off-base, unwarranted
Your article regarding the death of Ted Lynch in the Dec. 6 edition of
the CVN was off-base and unwarranted. I was shocked and surprised
that you would base an entire article on one person’s account of
the events that day and draw conclusions based on that singular
account, to what end? What could possibly be gained from printing
such an article, at the expense of the memory of Ted Lynch and his
huge body of family and friends? Ted’s influence on Haines cannot
be overstated, and everyone that knew Ted also knows that the
claims your article made are not close to reality and not believable. I am very disappointed in your lack of integrity and attempts to drag
a hard-working father and friend of so many Haines residents through
the mud, using questionable facts that result in nothing to gain with a
large cost. It’s embarrassing to think you would report fictitious news
just to stir the pot or try and sell a couple more newspapers. Your
motive is uncertain and your reporting is subjective. You have gone
too far this time.
Brian Elliott
Wrestling tournament a success for all
Haines High School would like to thank the many volunteers
who helped make the 1A-2A-3A Region V wrestling tournament a
success. We could not have done it without those who helped score,
time, clean, bake and donate. Thanks to coach Dennis Durr for his
expertise in wrestling and tournaments and for making the season a
success for everyone. This is the first time Haines has hosted such an
event but hopefully not the last! Commemorative sweatshirts are still
available at the school office for $20.
Tiana Taylor
Does anyone care about missing dogs?
Four Haines dogs went missing in one week and the general
consensus of opinion around town, among those whom I asked, is that
they were shot. The theories of attacks by wild animals or being frozen
to death by the recent low temperatures are overridden by the shooting
theory. But why would anyone shoot domestic animals, who represent
no threat to them? I have always thought of Haines as Mayberry, R.F.D.
but it now seems more like the The Twilight Zone. Does anyone have a
clue about the whereabouts of these dogs? Does anyone, besides the
bereaved owners, even care?
Gabrielle LoGuidice
Village is seeking used car oil
Chilkat Indian Village is asking for your used vehicle oil. Klukwan
has a furnace that uses motor oil to heat the fire hall during the winter. If
you have some and need to get rid of it, please let us know. Our number
is 767-5505. Ask for Don Hotch or email me at dhotch@chilkat-nsn.
gov. Thank you.
Don Hotch
MORE LETTERS page 3
Chilkat Valley News Save the Date
To list an event in Save the Date, phone 766-2688 or
e-mail [email protected].
Thursday, Dec. 13
Burger Night, 5 p.m. at American Legion.
Monday, Dec. 17
Friday, Dec. 14
Tuesday, Dec. 11
Well & Fit Community Challenge, 6 p.m.
at the school library.
Haines Chamber of Commerce Thursday
Bingo Night, 6 p.m. at the senior center.
“Watching Wildlife and Tracking Eagles”
by Dr. Taal Levi, 6 p.m. at the library.
School Concert, 6:30 p.m. at the Mosquito
Lake School.
Basketball at Open Gym, 8:30 to 10 p.m.
Same time Tuesday.
Haines Chamber of Commerce luncheon
and meeting with guest speakers from the
Haines Port Development Council and Jeffery
Lisius from U.S. Customs. Lunch at 11:45 a.m.,
at the eagle foundation.
Story Time, 11 a.m. at the library, ages 2 to 5.
Afterschool Art: Bead-a-Gift, 3:30 p.m.;
Homework Help, 4:30 p.m. at the library.
Upper Lynn Canal Fish and Game
Advisory Committee public meeting and
elections, 5 p.m. in assembly chambers.
Haines Chamber of Commerce Holiday
Progressive begins at 6 p.m. at the Captain’s
Choice lounge. Interested individuals can
contact the Chamber office at 766-2202. Haines Sportsman’s Association annual
meeting and election of officers, 7 p.m. at the
eagle foundation. For more information, call
766-2490.
Saturday, Dec. 15
Stories with Mrs. Claus, 3:30 p.m. at the
library.
“Hometown Holiday” Holiday Parade,
4:30 p.m. on Main Street. Line up at 4 p.m. at
the Elks Lodge.
Gifts for Grub Dinner, following the
parade until 6:30 p.m. at the American Legion.
Sponsored by the Uglys of Haines.
Sunday, Dec. 16
Women’s Basketball at Open Gym, 2 to 4
p.m. in the high school gym.
Basketball at Open Gym, 4 to 6 p.m.
Holly Jolly Christmas Follies, 4 p.m. at the
Chilkat Center.
Editorial
Duly Noted
Some readers complained this week that my story and headline last
week about the state trooper’s report on the Oct. 23 drowning death
of Ted Lynch were insensitive, inappropriate and a wrongful attempt
to sell newspapers.
The story included an account of the accident by deckhand Terence
Moniz, including Moniz’s statement that he and Lynch had been
drinking and that he was half-drunk when he tried to pull Lynch aboard
the Darlin Michele.
My story quoted Moniz because he was the only witness to what
happened and he had no apparent motive for being untruthful about
his level of inebriation. Further, his condition was confirmed by an
eyewitness trooper account and by an alcohol test.
I included inebriation in the headline because it provided a plausible
explanation for why Moniz was unable to bring aboard Lynch, who
was apparently wearing a life vest and also secured to the vessel by a
tethered life ring. The weather that day was not especially rough.
Knowing why and how fishermen die at sea – including the specifics
of accidents – are of vital importance to residents of a fishing town.
An insensitive response to this tragedy would be to not report the
deckhand’s account fully and prominently. To qualify this story or to
report its most revealing details lower in the story where they might be
overlooked would diminish the only possible value this tragedy holds
for us.
The story and its presentation were based on my conviction that we
honor the memory of those who die in fatal accidents by working to
ensure such accidents aren’t repeated.
That begins with knowing the details.
If, in my attempt to make plain the facts, I have hurt Lynch’s family
members or friends, I am sorry.
By Sara Callaghan Chapell
H a i n e s b r i d g e p l a y e r s
caravanned to Whitehorse for a
weekend tournament. John and
Roger Schnabel, Sally and Bob
Lix, Gregg Bigsby, Rob Miller,
Jim Wilson, Brenda Jones and
Roy Josephson all made the trip
last weekend. Sally said they
watched the temperature plummet
on the drive north, and endured
strong winds and nighttime lows
of minus 35 F. The highlight came
Saturday evening when Brenda
and Roy joined the group with
some big news to share; Roy had
proposed just minutes earlier
in their hotel room. The group
celebrated the new engagement
with champagne and toasts into
the wee hours. Sally said the group
also played a lot of bridge, took
home many prizes and had a great
time.
Dozens of residents turned out
for the 10th annual Lighting of the
Fort Saturday. The houses around
historic Fort Seward lit up with
Christmas lights at the sounding of
the cannon blast, courtesy of Jim
Shook. Annette Smith and Sam
Wright lit luminarias fashioned
out of milk jugs. Holly Davis
led the live Nativity scene on the
back porch of Tresham Gregg’s
gallery. Sasha Mackowiak played
Mary with Isaac Wing as Joseph.
Baby Mackenzie VanSpronsen
played baby Jesus, and slept
through the whole thing. Angels,
shepherds and wise men looked
on. Fort residents built a roaring
bonfire and provided cocoa, chili
and hot dogs to the gathering for
roasting. Plenty of fluffy snow
kept children sledding for hours.
Robin Grace had an article
published in the December
Last summer, when Haines Borough Assembly members wanted
voters to relax financial disclosure laws affecting them, leaders held
public workshops explaining why they thought it was a good idea.
Assembly members would be wise to hold similar meetings about
promoting trans-shipment of ore.
Some residents already are questioning trans-shipment. Meanwhile,
the assembly’s push for a heavy-duty bridge at 25 Mile and millions of
dollars of improvements at Lutak Dock indicate the government wants
to make Haines an ore truck destination.
Leaders haven’t yet explained why they want the trucks, what volume
of trucks they envision, or in what ways they expect truck traffic will
affect the town.
Sitting down with citizens and having this conversation -- before
more public resources are committed to this effort -- would go a long
way toward smoothing bumps in this road.
-- Tom Morphet
December 13, 2012
Care-a-Van Service available for seniors
60+, Monday - Thursday, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. 7662383.
Mother Goose Story Time for newborns to
3-year-olds, 11 a.m. at the library.
Senior Exercises, 11:15 a.m. at the senior
center. Same time Wednesday.
60+? Join us for lunch, Monday through
Wednesday, noon at senior center. 766-2383.
Afterschool Art: Expensive Gift Tags, 3:30
p.m.; Homework Help, 4:30 p.m. at the library.
Strong & Fit Class, noon to 1 p.m. at the
Chilkat Center lobby. Same time Thursdays.
Tlingit Language class, 6:30 to 8 p.m. at the
museum. Learn the local native Tlingit language.
All ages and abilities welcome. Wednesday, Dec. 12
Time for Tots, ages 4 and under, to run and
play, 9:30 to 11 a.m. at the elementary school
gym. Call 766-2152 for more information.
Afterschool Art: Ornament Decorations,
3:30 p.m; Homework Help, 4:30 p.m. at the
library.
Wednesday Walks, free local hikes with
knowledgeable locals, 9 a.m. to noon. Meet at
the Sheldon Museum to carpool. Call 766-2366
or 303-0204 for more information.
Wednesday, Dec. 19
Haines School Winter Break begins. Early
dismissal, 2 p.m.
Thursday, Dec. 20
“Ignite Your Light” Yoga, 5:15 to 6:45 p.m.
at the Chilkat Center lobby. All levels welcome
to a special solstice yoga class.
Friday, Dec 21
“Christmas Joy” video, the story of
Christmas in dance and song, 7 p.m. at the
Presbyterian Church.
Saturday, Dec. 22
Christmas Bird Count. Sign up and pick up
forms at Alaska Backcountry Outfitters.
Last Minute Shopper’s Holiday Bazaar, 11
a.m. to 3 p.m. at ANB Hall.
edition of “Psychoanalytic
Dialogues,” an international
journal. Entitled, “Shrink Wrap
on the Air - Mentalizing on the
Last Frontier,” the article details
the mental-health radio talks
Robin produced on KHNS, and
includes transcripts of shows
with Dr. Russ Bowman, Aihan
Goldberg and Tom Morphet,
who each helped role-play with
Robin on-air. The article aims to
show “how Shrink Wrap expands
the understanding of therapy and
relationships and moves beyond
the stigma of therapy.” Robin was
invited to present her paper at a
New York City conference last
March, and played the show with
Tom on stage for the audience.
Contact Robin for the link to
the article through her website,
www.robingrace.com. Robin,
who lives in Eugene, Ore., with
husband Dan Henry and stepson
Charlie Henry, says they get
lots of Haines visitors. Charlie is
a sophomore in high school and
recently landed his first big role
in a drama department production.
Charlie plays the policeman in the
musical Carousel, to be performed
in February.
Steve Vick’s Black Friday
video is gaining attention on
Yo u Tu b e . “B lac k F r i d ay Haines, Alaska” shows the bustle
around Haines on the infamous
shopping day. Business owners
Jan Hill, Tom Heywood and
Kristine Harder are featured,
as well as resident shoppers
Courtney and Darsie Culbeck,
Lisa Blank and Mike Denker,
Darren Schweinefus, JoAnn
Ross-Cunningham and Nancy
Johnson, who was shopping with
former resident Julie Rae.
The Visitor’s Center hosted
their annual cookie and candy
contest Friday, and guests sampled
the offerings at Saturday’s open
house. Santa made an appearance,
and spent time with 170 good
girls and boys of all ages, who
whispered their lists and had their
photo taken with the big elf. Mrs.
Claus will make an appearance at
the Haines Library at 3:30 p.m.
Saturday for stories and songs.
Children and families of all ages
are invited. The event dovetails
with the annual Christmas parade,
which kicks off at 4:30 p.m.
The Sheldon Museum and
Cultural Center hosted its
See DULY page 8
Chilkat Valley
News
(ISSN8750-3336)
USPS Publication No. 500290
is published weekly, except the
last week Dec. & 1st week Jan.
Publisher: Tom Morphet
Staff: Karen Garcia, Leslie Evenden
Contributors: Eileen McIver
Sara Callaghan Chapell, Heather Lende,
Rosalie Loewen
Office: Main Street, Haines.
Mailing: Box 630, Haines AK 99827
Tel: (907)766-2688
E-mail: [email protected]
Subscription rates:
Haines, $42 plus tax;
2nd Class, Alaska, $48;
2nd Class, Out of state, $54;
1st Class, $75
Periodical postage paid at
Haines, AK 99827
POSTMASTER:
Send address changes to
Box 630, Haines, AK 99827
Vol. XLII #50 December 13, 2012
December 13, 2012
Chilkat Valley News
Page 3
LETTERS from page 2
Rather heliport than rules
We are property owners in the Eagle Vista
subdivision. We just returned from a wonderful
trip north for a family Thanksgiving. While we
were gone the Nov. 15 Chilkat Valley News article,
“Neighbors critical of rezone plan,” came out. My
neighbors are livid and so am I, but for different
reasons.
The article reads, “Of the 60 surveys sent out, 43
were returned. Nineteen property owners expressed
a desire to rezone, 22 wished to remain designated
general use, and two requested more information.” We are one of the households that requested more
information. I wish to make a few points here: 1)
This was a survey, not a referendum to be voted
upon. 2) We have yet to receive any information
from the planning commission. 3) How can Mr.
Goldberg state “there were no ‘no’ votes in that
area” when we haven’t been given the information
we need to make an informed decision? How can
he unilaterally interpret the 17 surveys that were
not returned as “yes” votes? 4) Isn’t 22 vs. 19 a
majority?
Now that it appears that the borough had no
intention to send “more information,” I respectfully
insist that my response to the survey be changed to
an emphatic “no” to rezoning. Make that 23 vs. 19,
an even larger majority.
Here’s our view: We’d rather have a heli-port
nearby than to have the borough restructure our
neighborhood with new rules and regulations. Just
drop the whole thing and leave us alone.
Stan and Ady Milos
Road crews do a great job
We are always impressed with what a good job
our road crew does. Our roads are cleared early.
The berms are taken down and they are right on it.
We really owe them a thanks and we want to say,
“Thank you.”
Jay and Charline Tate
Film festival a success
The Takshanuk Watershed Council would like to
thank everyone who came out to the Wild & Scenic
Film Festival. It was a huge success. We would like
to congratulate our cord of wood raffle winners:
Tish Aldrich and Jerrie Clarke. Congratulations
and hope you have a warmer winter. Takshanuk
would also like to send out a special thanks to all
those who made this event possible: Babbling Book
for selling tickets, First National Bank of Alaska for
selling raffle tickets, Haines Brewing for providing
beverages, Scott Rossman for the wood donations,
Jim Stanford for the sled dog ride donations, and
the Southeast Alaska State Fair for all its support
and providing such a wonderful venue for this event.
Stay tuned for the Telluride Film Festival later this
winter and join us 3 p.m. Saturday for the Takshanuk
Holiday Open House at our office above the Rusty
Compass.
Meredith Pochardt
NE
ON
W
OPEN HOUSE
T
Yoga helped gym classes
A big thanks to Melina Shields who volunteered
her time to teach yoga to five physical education
classes last Friday. Students felt stronger, balanced,
and relaxed as they left class. We definitely look
forward to having her back next semester. Lexie DeWitt and Kerry McIver
Haines School physical education teachers
See the Fort’s lovely lights
The Lighting of the Fort, which took place on
Saturday, was a happy occasion. We were blessed
with perfect weather – no wind, nice cloud cover
and light snow. Many thanks to those who helped put
it together. Thanks to Jim Shook who brought forth a
great blast from the cannon, to Holly Davis and the
Presbyterian Church for the delightful Nativity play,
to the Venturer Scouts for the bonfire and lighting of
the luminarias, to Dave Nanney with his lighted kite,
to Randy Miner, Judy Heinmiller and Phyllis Sage
for help with the wienie roast, and to the residents
of Fort Seward for the lovely lights. Take a drive
through the Fort in the evening or bring your sled
and enjoy the sparkling scene. Happy holidays!
Annette Smith
Slow down at intersection
Glad to see the Chilkoot subdivision is getting
well utilized. Families here seem to be happy in the
new neighborhood. So please drive slowly, for the
children are sledding and running around as they
do. The roads are icy at times, so give yourself plenty
of time to slow down at the “T” of Chilkoot Street
and Chilkoot Loop, so we don’t get anyone T-boned
or run over. Thank you for your consideration.
Robert Martin
Tournament visitors positive
The Haines High school wrestling team would
like to personally thank all the local volunteers
for their contributions to the Region V wrestling
tournament last week. This event could not have
been a success without the help of you and the many
other volunteers who donated their time.
The feedback we received from visiting coaches,
parents and athletes was absolutely positive. A
special thank you goes out to our athletic director
Tiana Taylor, Michael and Michele Byer, Rene
Martin, Matt Davis, Ashley Sage and Darwin
Feakes. Thank you to Laurie Mastrella, The American
Legion, Bill and Mary Jane Valentine, and Bruce
and Jenny Lynn Smith for help with paying
the airfare for the three athletes who qualified for
state. I believe this was a major part in the success
these athletes achieved this weekend. And most of all, thank you to all the friends, fans
and family that attended the region championships
and cheered on our hometown athletes.
Dennis Durr
Haines High School wrestling coach
Winter Shoppers are Spring Buyers!
Private fix sought
for junked vehicles
By Karen Garcia
The Haines Borough could
soon be partnering with a
private business to solve towing,
impoundment and junked-car
related issues.
The assembly voted Tuesday
to direct the administration to
request bids for providing the
services. The provider would help
the borough enforce laws already
on the books.
In light of recent discussion of
a proposed local motor vehicle
registration tax to pay for vehicle
removal, the assembly decided
to investigate whether a private
business could adequately and
affordably tackle the issue, along
with towing services such as
moving vehicles impeding snow
removal. The tax would cost
vehicle owners $22 every two
years.
Assembly member Debra
Schnabel said she initially
supported the tax but changed
her opinion after investigating
borough code.
“Enough people said to me
that we should just be enforcing
our own code that I actually went
and read the code and realized
that really, I think, all that is
missing to pull it all together is a
(bid request) to actually activate
and pull together all of the code
issues,” Schnabel said.
The assembly postponed
discussion of the motor vehicle
tax ordinance pending the
publishing, receipt and review of
bids. The borough needs to pass
the ordinance by the end of 2012
Tribes pursue grant
for junker removal
By Karen Garcia
A joint effort by the Chilkoot
Indian Association and Chilkat
Indian Village to remove junked
vehicles for tribal members could
result in another scrap metal barge
visit to Haines this spring.
The two organizations recently
received a $65,000 special projects
grant from the Environmental
Protection Agency to assist in the
collection and transportation of
junked vehicles, said Pat Warren,
CIV’s environmental planner.
Luke Williams, who conducts
Community
Christmas Eve Service
7 p.m. Monday, Dec. 24
Candlelight Service
of Holy Communion
Affordable 3-bedrm in town
$139,500
“A” Frame Cabin Chilkat Lake
$85,000
Everyone’s Welcome
Haines Presbyterian
Church
Artists!
Roomy family, south face, 1+acre
$367,000
Sunny, 3 bd rm like new 1 + acre
$235,000
Kluane-Chilkat
International
Bike Relay
Association
James Studley, [email protected]
Dave Long, [email protected]
Pamela Long, [email protected] Jeanne Beck, [email protected]
115 SECOND AVE. SOUTH
766-3510
WWW.HAINESREALESTATE.COM
to begin collecting revenue on the
tax by 2014, a deadline that is now
impossible to make. In a draft bid request outlined
Dec. 4, borough manager Mark
Earnest said the borough may
require the contractor to operate
a junk vehicle collection drive
each fall and spring for a set price
and the contractor and borough
would agree to a set rate of fees
for towing and storage.
Assembly member Steve Vick
voiced concern that the borough
had a contract with a private
towing company which turned out
to be unsatisfactory, as residents
complained about exorbitant fees.
Schnabel said it is incumbent on
the borough to negotiate a fair fee
with a contractor.
“I think that’s a step in the right
direction, finally. I must say that
there have been lots of people
frustrated by the absence of this
service in our town, including the
state department of transportation
and the state police,” said mayor
Stephanie Scott.
Scott clarified that the bid
request and motor vehicle tax
are separate issues. The borough
could still choose to implement
a motor vehicle tax whether or
not the it decides to contract with
a private business for towing,
impoundment, and junked and
abandoned vehicle services.
Earnest wrote in his memo
that “a public sector approach
will be necessary” in the event
that the borough does not receive
satisfactory proposals from the
private sector.
$650 for the winning
design for the 2013
Bike Relay T-Shirt.
DeaDline: January 31, 2013
Contact: [email protected]
for more information
www.kcibr.org
environmental services for CIA,
said he is in discussions with
Juneau-based Skookum Sales and
Recycling to coordinate another
scrap metal barge visit to Haines.
He said the company wants to
make sure a trip here would
be worth its while in number
of vehicles collected before
committing to anything.
“They want to come back
because, from what they told me,
there’s a bunch of cars up the
highway. There’s almost another
barge load,” Williams said.
Williams said Skookum is
investigating potential staging
areas for the barge. Last spring, a
barge staged at the Lutak sawmill
site.
“Some people were just starting
to drop off a bunch of stuff and
the rain was making fuel leach
down toward the bay. They got it
all contained, but it was a burden
on the barge workers because
they had to contain all the leaking
fuel,” Williams said.
Williams said the company
wants to use a different site if they
return this spring.
Abandoned cars in Klukwan
will get first priority because
of their long distance from
any potential barge site and
consequent increased cost of
removal, Williams said. Warren
said the Klukwan landfill already
has 40 vehicles drained of fluids
and ready to be taken away.
Williams said the agencies will
contact tribal members to see
who is in need of the junked car
removal service. Williams said he
is looking into whether the Haines
Borough would be interested in
organizing some sort of scrap
metal or junked car collection if a
barge were to come to town.
Page 4
Chilkat Valley News December 13, 2012
Architects rate condition of borough buildings
By Karen Garcia
The Haines public safety
building is in bad shape. In fact,
Anchorage-based architect Jason
Gamache said he hasn’t seen
anything quite like it in the rest
of the state.
Gamache, along with McCool
Carlson and Green associate Jason
Weir, delivered a presentation
recently at Haines High School
outlining the results of their
Haines 2015 facility planning
report. The report contained
technical assessments of borough
buildings as well as ratings by
borough workers on suitability of
buildings to functions they house.
The public safety building
garnered an overall “poor”
appraisal ranking from users,
who assessed buildings in six
categories ranging from location
to safety. It also received a “poor”
condition assessment.
“I don’t mean this to be spiteful,
but I don’t think I’ve seen any
public safety buildings anywhere
else in the state that are in quite
this condition,” Gamache said.
Undersized parking bay doors,
a lack of occupancy separation
between the garage and office,
major rot issues, a substandard jail
and prisoner processing areas and
a slew of other problems make
the public safety building a pretty
glaring priority, Gamache said.
“If I were personally to move a
project forward on a priority list,
this would probably be one of
them,” he said.
The report is part of a larger
project by the borough to develop
a facilities master plan, which will
help the borough make decisions
about its public facilities.
McCool Carlson and Green also
looked at the human resources
building, Sheldon Museum,
Chilkat Center, visitor center,
pool, and borough administration
building. In terms of the
condition assessment, they rated
the public safety and human
resources buildings “poor,” the
administration building “good,”
and the others, “fair.”
Panel wants firehall studied
While a recent technical assessment of the
public safety building determined the facility is
in bad shape, the Haines Borough wants to know
precisely how bad.
The Facilities Master Plan Steering Committee
voted Dec. 6 to recommend the assembly hire an
engineering firm to conduct a more thorough,
detailed analysis of the public safety building.
The Anchorage-based architectural firm
McCool Carlson and Green recently conducted
a surface-level analysis of borough buildings,
including the public safety building, but only
provided a list of general deficiencies with very
rough cost estimates, borough executive assistant
Darsie Culbeck said at the meeting.
A follow-up document, which would include
specific structural and electrical surveys with more
accurate costs in addition to other information,
will help the borough decide whether a partial
remodel or complete reconstruction of the
building is necessary, borough manager Mark
Earnest said.
Earnest said it would also help determine
whether parts of the building, such as the
assembly chambers, are salvageable in the event
of total demolition. “It sounds like we don’t have the money
to have them do a detailed analysis of every
deficiency of every building and so maybe this
committee wants to recommend that we do a
more detailed analysis of this building since it
has come to the top of the list,” said committee
chair Rob Goldberg.
Public facilities director Carlos Jimenez
recently contacted three engineering firms
Gamache combined all of
McCool Carlson and Green’s
information – including the
condition assessment, appraisal
rank, energy use index (which
gauges efficiency) – with
results from Lenise Henderson
Fontenot’s needs assessment
survey – including how the public
ranked program and building
importance – to come up with
a “master” score, or capital
improvement rank (CIP).
The CIP rank, according to
Breakfast • Lunch • Dinner
Tue - Sat 8 am - 8 pm
Sun & Mon 8 am - 7 pm
Cabin Rentals 767-5510
Patrick Smalley, DDS
Gamache, attempts to consider
the subjective, practical, and
technical facets of the building to
determine where it should rank on
a hypothetical priority list.
From highest to lowest priority,
the buildings ranked: public
safety, the Chilkat Center,
administration and pool (tied),
human resources, the visitor
center, and the museum.
Gamache said the alignment
between the ultimate CIP ranking
and some of the rankings from
DEPARTURES
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to Juneau 11:30 am via SKG
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Henderson Fontenot’s public
survey were extremely close,
demonstrating that Haines
residents understand their
community facilities very well.
Wednesday - World Tavern Poker 7 & 10 pm
33 MileRoadhouse
We’re remodeling, but still open!
Place an order for Holiday Pies
requesting a cost estimate for the desired
document. Jimenez contacted PND Engineers,
Inc., McCool Carlson and Green, and Carson
Dorn, Inc. outlining a scope of services and
requesting a cost estimate.
Earnest said he did not issue a request for
proposals because it is a “small project,” “the
RFP process would cost a couple thousand
dollars potentially and a couple of months,” and
the companies are also already familiar with
borough facilities. Earnest also said the project
does not have to go to the assembly for approval
if it is less than $10,000.
Of the $75,000 allocated for the first phase of
the master plan project, $50,000 has been spent
to date, Earnest said. Remaining funds could go
toward to the engineering analysis.
Jimenez said the cost estimates are free.
“We haven’t made any deals and no money has
been spent nor has any contract been signed,”
he said.
Earnest said the issue is time sensitive because
the public safety building is included in the
borough’s list of legislative priorities for the
upcoming year. A sufficient amount of detail
is needed when submitting those projects for
consideration, he said.
“It’s a very short window to try to do a lot of
work. And I’m not sure how much we actually
have to have done, but I think we should at least
define to the best that we can in the time that we
have available,” Earnest said.
The committee voted unanimously to
recommend the assembly hire an engineering
firm to conduct the analysis.
Gamache also provided
figures for how much money
the borough would save each
year if the buildings were either
remodeled or rebuilt with a highperformance, energy-efficient
design. For example, the public
safety building would save over
$19,000 annually, the pool over
$51,000, and the Chilkat Center
just under $39,000.
“I walked away thinking that
there may be changes that we
can’t afford not to make. If you
look at the cost of energizing a
building over a period of time,
versus the cost of energizing a
rehabbed or replaced building,
it almost begs the question, ‘Can
we afford not to make those
changes?’ We definitely can’t,”
said borough mayor Stephanie
Scott during an interview.
Gamache said the energy
efficiency numbers used in the
report are influenced by many
variables, including occupant
behaviors like thermostat
settings. They are established for
benchmarking purposes only, he
clarified, and could change based
on these variables.
Cecily Stern and Ann Myren,
who have contracted with the
borough to investigate funding
sources for relevant projects, also
presented.
Assistant to the borough
manager Darsie Culbeck said
the borough contracted with
McCool Carlson and Green for
about $33,500 for this phase of
the project. Stern and Myron have
not yet billed the borough for their
services, but the contract will be
under $10,000, he said.
8:00 am
8:40 am
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Mon - Fri
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7:55 am 8:30 am
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Please check in 30 minutes prior to departure.
FAA Certified to fly IFR from Haines to Juneau.
Haines Office at Airport Terminal
907-766-2030 or 1-800-789-WING (9464)
www.IChooseWings.com
Thursday - Karaoke
Fri & Sat. World Tavern Poker -7 & 10 PM
Ducks Unlimited Holiday Party
Thursday Dec. 20 6 to 9 pm
Gun Raffles, Prizes & Fun
FERRY SCHEDULE
For
update info,
call the
Terminal
766-2111
Recording
766-2113
NORTHBOUND
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13
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14
Sun
16
Mon
17
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19
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20
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21
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23
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24
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26
Thur
27
Arrival
from JNU
11:00 am
11:30 am
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10:15 am
11:30 am
2:30 pm
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11:30 am
10:45 am
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12:00 pm
Arrival
SOUTHBOUND
from SKG
Thur
13
No SKG
Fri
14
3:30 pm
Sun
16
3:30 pm
Mon
17
4:45 pm
Wed
19
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20
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21
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Sun
23
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Mon
24
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Wed
26
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Departure
to SKG
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Departure
to JNU
1:00 pm
4:30 pm
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December 13, 2012
Chilkat Valley News
Page 5
School spending on toddlers?
Grant contribution of $7K divides board
By Tom Morphet
How far should the Haines
Borough School District go
in preparing children to enter
kindergarten?
That question was at the center
of a school board discussion last
week when the board voted 4-3
against participating in a grant
request aimed at early childhood
learning.
The “Prime Time to Learn”
grant would pay for a sevenmonth program, including classes
and activities aimed at parents of
young children. It sought $20,000
from the Rueben E. Crossett
Endowed Alaskan Fund and
$7,000 in district wages.
Grant funds would pay for
equipment, such as infant wet
suits and strollers, as well as
light suppers as an incentive to
get parents involved, and parent
transportation.
E n d o r s e d b y d i s t r i c t
administrators, the grant was
pursued by teacher Jeanne
Kitayama, the district’s early
literacy coordinator. Kitayama
would have supervised the
program starting in May.
The program would have held
classes to “empower parents
with the knowledge, practice
and support to raise healthy
young children so that they enter
school eager and ready to learn,”
according to Kitayama’s proposal.
“Early childhood literacy is
about what children know about
language before they actually
learn to read and write… As
parents learn the benefits of
nutrition, exercise, physical and
emotional health, and then support
each other to put them into regular
practice, year after year this
knowledge will spread to enrich
the lives of children and adults
alike,” Kitayama wrote.
Kitayama said her participation
was “to get the parent classes
started and show they can be selfsustaining once they get the boost
to get them going.”
School board member Anne
Marie Palmieri, who voted against
the grant proposal, characterized
her “no” vote as concerning
jurisdiction, suggesting the project
may be better suited for local
preschools. Members Brenda
Jones, Brian Clay and Sarah
Swinton also voted in opposition.
“There’s definitely merit and
validity in the grant proposal (but)
I don’t think the school board’s the
one to head that, especially with
declining enrollment,” Palmieri
said after the meeting. “There’s
a projection that enrollment is
going to be going down next
year as well. We need to be more
conservative in our spending and
what we obligate ourselves to.”
Principal Cheryl Stickler
said that by training parents,
Kitayama’s request was forwardlooking and in line with district
goals to bring all students up to
reading-level standards by third
grade.
Stickler said offering activities
as a way of enlisting parents to
work with their children was
important. “Parents will not come
to meetings about enriching the
vocabularies of their toddlers.”
“We’ve been talking a couple
years now. When (students) come
to us in kindergarten, they can
already be two years behind (in
reading skills). If we don’t have
this kind of program… We can
wait for the state legislature to
get in gear and make it happen…
or we can do it. And I would
prefer in our community, we
have the resources, the heart and
connections to make that happen.
And it does take all of those,”
Stickler said.
School board member Ardy
Miller said: “The better prepared
we can have kids when they come
in, the easier our job’s going to
be for the next 12 years, not just
for kindergarten or first grade…
We’re not doing it for them, we’re
doing it for us.”
But board member Swinton
suggested the school had
overstepped its mandate. “We
have to remember we’re funded
by the state for K-12. That’s what
our job is. I think we’ve stepped
off a little bit, worrying about little
kids.”
Board chair Jones said literacy
was a prime concern of hers but
she was worried about “mission
creep.” “We’ve got declining
enrollment and uncertain funding.
What’s unfortunate when you
start programs like this, there’s
the expectation to maintain it.
I worry about perception in the
community when we don’t do it
the next year as well.”
Kitayama is working as a longterm substitute teacher through
mid-March. She typically works
20 hours per week for the district
on early childhood literacy, K-5
classroom support and MAP, the
district’s computer-based student
assessment program.
STUDENTS PUT ON SHOW -- Haines High School senior Karissa
Land performs during the High School Band and Choir Concert
Dec. 6 in the elementary gym. Matt Davis photo.
$619K for projects
A $50,000 lift for wrestling
mats heads a $619,112 list of
planned capital expenditures
in a budget revision approved
unanimously last week by the
Haines Borough School Board.
The lift would hoist a $15,000
mat off the ground and into a
special harness that would help
extend its life over time, school
officials said this week. Currently
the mat is stored against a gym
wall during wrestling season and
beneath the pool afterward.
Other expenditures include
$60,000 for four copiers, $45,000
for 60 iPads and three charging
carts, $40,000 for digitizing the
school’s security camera system,
$35,000 for a card-lock system
for school exterior doors, $25,000
for stage improvements in the
elementary school gym, $10,000
for music room noise abatement,
766-3221
Merry
Open
9 am ‘til 6 pm
7 days a week
8 am ‘til midnight
7 days a week
Plenty of other in-store specials through the holidays!
HAINES QUICK SHOP
Nestle Ice Cream Sandwich
Neopolitan or Vanilla
Freschetta Natural Rising Supreme Pizza
Jimmy Dean Saugsae Biscuits 17 oz.
Don Miguel Mini Tacos 5.5 oz.
Baby Basics 23 ct #6 Diapers
Reynolds Wrap 75 sq. ft.
MIKE’S
BIKES &
BOARDS
766-2330
99¢
$799
$599
$175
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XMA S SPECIALS
NIKE SB 15% OFF
boots, coats, snowpants,
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✪ Kelty Brand Stroller 29999
✪ Seattle Sports Frost Pack Soft Coolers 10% off
✪ Haro Z10 Push Bike 20 dollars off
Open 7 am ‘til midnight
7 days a week
and $10,000 for replacing interior
doors at Karl Ward Gym.
S u p e r i n t e n d e n t M i c h a e l
Byer said the iPads are aimed at
improving reading skills.
Planned elementary gym
improvements include stage
lighting and a curtain. “We’d like
to make better use of it” and are
working on improving acoustics,
Byer said.
Byer said security at the school
hasn’t been an issue in recent
years but a card-lock would
remove a potential large expense
for changing locks when keys
go missing. “We’d have to rekey the whole building. It hasn’t
happened yet but it’s only a matter
of time.”
The district wants to replace
four, interior gym doors because
they’re old and don’t secure very
well anymore, Byer said.
766-3220
Gioia Luisa Imported Italian Liqueur
$1449
Lemoncello, Lemoncello Creme, Orangecello & Pomecello
Kru 82 Vodka 750 ml
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Bacardi Classic Cocktails
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Foghorn Merlot 1.5 Ltr
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Chateau Ste Michelle Gewürztraminer 750 ml
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Hieneken 5 Ltr mini keg
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OF CHILDREN’S BIKES
Lots of New Cool Stuff
Page 6
Chilkat Valley News December 13, 2012
Guard tracks drug,
alcohol incidents
Six serious cases in 18 months
PAINT IT BLACKLIGHT -- Mario Benassi Jr. and Serena Badgley at Saturday’s homecoming
dance in the Haines High School open area. The dance theme was, “I’m Dreaming of a Blacklight
Christmas.” Students named to the homecoming court included freshman Corinna Hill and Neil
Little, sophomores Jennie Humphrey and Kyle Klinger, juniors Justice Jensen and Isaac Wing and
seniors David Lockerman and Rosemary Martin. Matt Davis photo.
ALCOHOLICS
ANONYMOUS
St. Michael & All Angels
Episcopal Church
Invites you to stop for a moment,
take a breath, and give thanks.
Christmas Eve
10 pm - Caroling
10:30 pm - Holy Communion
Christmas Day Service
10:30 am - Holy Communion
MON, WED , FRI and SAT
6 - 7 PM
You can join us
for a quiet moment
in the
Chilkat Center lobby.
Stay
Alive,
Stay
Alive,
Don’t
Drink
and
Drive
Don’t
Drink
and
Drive
Celebrate
The Holidays
Responsibly
Drunk
driving
results
in of
1/3car
of accident
car accident
deaths.
Drunk
driving
results
in 1/3
deaths.
•
•
•
•
Before
Drink
Before
YouYou
Drink
• • .
• • 



Paid for by the Haines Alcohol Task Force
Public Health Conference Room
Main Street, Upstairs Gateway Bldg
Phone Mike: 314-0165
By Tom Morphet
Drugs or alcohol have
been involved in at least six
commercial fishing accidents
that claimed lives or vessels in
Southeast in the past 18 months,
Lt. Patrick Drayer, investigations
division chief for Coast Guard
Sector Juneau, said this week.
D r a y e r i s c o m p i l i n g
information he intends to include
in a recommended regulation
change that would make
commercial fishing boats adhere
to the same drug and alcohol
programs enforced on operators
of most other commercial vessels.
As creating a new regulation
is a lengthy process, the agency
in the meantime will continue
outreach efforts, including
education about regulations and
voluntary dockside exams, he
said.
“This is about changing the
mindset, that, in this type of
industry, where the slightest
misstep can result in injury or
death, to be under the influence
of alcohol or drugs is not
acceptable,” Drayer said in an
interview.
Under existing regulations,
mariners doing “safety-sensitive”
jobs aboard vessels skippered by
Coast Guard-licensed operators
must comply with a drug and
alcohol safety program that
includes a pre-employment
drug test, random drug tests,
“reasonable cause” tests and
periodic tests for license renewal.
Those requirements apply to
many commercial boats but only
to fishing vessels that exceed 200
tons, Drayer said. He believes
there’s enough drug and alcohol
use contributing to accidents
aboard smaller fishing vessels to
warrant the change.
Drayer said there are many
more accidents aboard fishing
boats than are reported, estimating
that fewer than one fifth of them
come to the Guard’s notice. Also,
the state and federal governments
have differing accident reporting
requirements and there are
nuances and exceptions in current
reporting regulations.
United Fishermen of Alaska
Executive Director Mark
Vinsel said in an interview his
organization hasn’t discussed the
potential extension of drug and
alcohol program requirements to
fishing boats.
“A s a trade as sociation
representing professional
fishermen, we embrace practical
measures that prevent the deaths
of fishermen. I think we’d be
interested in knowing whether
the Coast Guard has the funding
and logistics to carry out such a
program like that so that it’s not
a new burden on what’s already a
difficult business,” Vinsel said.
Vinsel said UFA embraces
practical research that works
with the industry, including a
recent safety program through the
National Institute of Occupational
Safety and Health. “On most boats
I know, there’s no drinking on
board until the catch is delivered
and the boat is safely tied up to
the dock,” he said.
Drayer said a regulation
change would take a long time and
would be his “final option” but his
agency is concerned because drug
and alcohol use jeopardizes lives
of boat operators, crew and crews
on nearby vessels.
Under current law, skippers
or deckhands of operating
fishing boats are prohibited from
consuming alcohol and may not
have a blood-alcohol level of .04,
half the legal limit for operating
a vehicle.
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Monday, December 24, Christmas Eve Day
and Monday, December 31, New Years Eve Day
December 13, 2012
Chilkat Valley News
Page 7
Petersburg tournament
kicks off hoops season
By Kevin Thompson
The Glacier Bears varsity
boys’ and girls’ basketball seasons
get under way this weekend at
the Little Norway Tournament in
Petersburg.
Regular season games begin in
January. The girls play Craig here
Jan. 11-12 when the boys travel
to play the Panthers. Both squads
will compete in a reconstituted
2A division comprised of Haines,
Metlakatla, Wrangell and Craig.
The Glacier Bears girls finished
last season with 10-8 record and a
fourth-place finish at the regional
tournament that included teams
in this year’s 2A plus Mount
Edgecumbe, Sitka and Petersburg.
The Bears lost five seniors to
graduation and one underclassman
whose family left town. As coach
Brian Elliott put it, “There are a
lot of job openings.” Returning
players with varsity minutes
include seniors Alisha Young and
Riley Erekson and junior Libby
Jacobson.
Elliott says there are many
new faces and lots of energy at
practice.
“The team hasn’t played
much together. We’re just
trying to develop a rhythm and
understanding of where to be and
when to be there on the court.
But expect the same style as
years past, with a lot of full-court
pressure and an up-and-down
game,” Elliott said.
Senior Alisha Young said,
“We lost a lot of seniors, but
it’s been good so far. It’s going
to take some time to gel, but
there’s lots of potential and two
out of four teams (at the regional
championship) go to state, so we
will definitely see.”
Players include seniors Young,
Erekson, Jess Giddings and
Karlie Spud, juniors Jacobson,
Jamie Messerschmidt, Serena
Badgley, Adalee Lari, and Coral
Bauer, sophomores Celia Bower,
Natalia Taylor, and Paige Winge,
and freshmen Kayley Swinton,
Destinee Cowart, Autumn Gross,
Jenae Larson, and Bailey Stuart.
The Glacier Bear boys finished
last season with a record of 8-4 in
conference play and a fifth-place
finish at regionals.
The squad lost a lot of height
from last year but coach Steve
Fossman doesn’t expect that to
be too much of an issue. “The
only team I can think of with a
lot of size in 2A in Southeast is
Metlakatla, who I believe has a
big guy around 6’4”.”
The boys have three players
returning with varsity experience:
seniors Caullen Taylor and Chris
Olsen and junior Justin Swinton.
Fossman said his squad has
more speed this year to make up
for the loss in size and will look to
capitalize on that with a more uptempo game and focus on defense.
“We’re going to have to wait and
see who’s going to surface as our
scorer in the half court.”
Fossman said that there looked
to be a lot of parity among 2A
teams and it will be interesting
to see who comes out on top.
His players are working hard and
showing intensity, he said.
The team includes seniors
Olsen, Taylor and Russell Clark,
juniors Swinton, John Gross,
Kai Sato-Franks, Chevy Fowler,
Isaac Wing, Chris Turner, James
Morgan, sophomores Keegan
Sundberg, Jordan Badger and
Keanu Lynch and freshmen
Harley Morden and Matthew
Green.
MAKING A HOLIDAY SCENE -- Dozens of residents turned out Saturday for the 10th annual
Lighting of the Fort celebration at Fort Seward. It included displays of Christmas lights, caroling, a
live Nativity scene, and a bonfire wienie roast. Andy Hedden photo.
Thomsen nabs 4th at state
By Kevin Thompson
Two of three Haines High
School wrestlers placed at the
small schools state wrestling
championship last week at
Nikiski, the best finish by the
team since the sport was revived
here five years ago.
Senior Jimmy Thomsen placed
fourth of 16 competitors in the
152-pound weight class, with a
record of 4-2.
Thomsen lost in the semifinal
round by points (8-3) to Bethel’s
Brayton Lieb. In the match for
third place, he was pinned by
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Nikiski’s Josh Brown, caught in a
“head and arm,” a move Thomsen
said Brown defeated him with
earlier this year.
Thomsen said the performance
was his best for the season. “I
felt I did well… I’m happy with
how the season turned out. I’d
really like to thank coach Durr
and Andus Hale for all the time
and support they gave, and I’m
looking forward to watching
the team develop in the coming
years.”
Sophomore Josh Stearns also
placed, finishing sixth of 16
competitors at the weight of 220
pounds and up. Coach Dennis
Durr said he was “pleasantly
surprised” by Stearns. “He’s
looking real good for the next
couple of years.”
Freshman Zane Durr also
traveled to Nikiski, winning
one and losing two matches,
but gaining valuable experience
as a first-year wrestler. The
Haines team finished 23rd out
of 44 schools and fourth among
Southeast schools, behind Mount
Edgecumbe, Craig and Wrangell.
Each of the three Haines
wrestlers made it to the second
day of competition at state, which
also was a first for the team, Durr
said. He said he was pleased
with his team’s performance and
excited for next year. “We have
two returning state competitors
and what looks to be a good-sized
team with up to a dozen guys
coming out.”
Junior high wrestling starts in
January.
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766-3653
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Page 8
Chilkat Valley News December 13, 2012
COOKIE from page 1
which is weighted equally with
taste on their scorecards. Blood
got second.
Blood conceded her pecan
drops weren’t exactly beauties.
“It’s just a plain, old ordinary
drop cookie. It’s not fancy. It’s
not formed. It didn’t have icing
on it. It didn’t look Christmas-y,”
she said.
While taste is most important
to her, Blood said she understood
why Jobbins’ cookie bested her in
the end. “I think it should taste
good. You can have a beautifullooking cookie, but if it doesn’t
taste good…But Tammy’s cookie
was pretty and it tasted good.”
Jobbins dipped her Christmas
macaroons in white chocolate
and sprinkled them with green
sugar before arranging them
into a Christmas tree. She then
sprinkled powdered sugar on
the surrounding tray to mimic
snowfall.
The “Surprise Package”
cookies came nestled in a holiday
basket. The oval-shaped butter
cookies contained an Andes mint
in the middle, with melted Andes
mint chocolate drizzled on top.
“I enter every year. I started
entering it with my girls. It’s just
a tradition and I just like to do it.
It’s not really to win. But it’s nice
to win,” Jobbins said.
Following in her mother’s
footsteps, Natalie Jobbins took
first place in the youth candy
competition with her cathedral
window fudge – containing red
and green marshmallows and
white chocolate chips – after
judges broke a tie between the
fudge and Marirose Evenden’s
“caramelized chocolate circles,”
which took second place.
In a joint effort, Evenden and
Kadin Doddridge won first place
in the youth cookie competition
with their “Salmon Spice”
cookies, which were shaped like
– but not flavored with – salmon.
Mandalyn Gala’s peppermint
puffs finished second.
The competition drew 13 adult
cookie, seven adult candy, four
youth cookie, and two youth
candy entries. The judging was
blind and submissions were
ranked on a scale of 1-3 on flavor,
appearance and originality.
Jobbins received both first
place prizes: identical packages
with an apron, baking mitts,
chocolates, and an ornament. First
and second place youth winners
and second place adult winners
got gift certificates to local stores.
Judges Michelle Webb, left, and Patty Campbell examine entries at the Chamber of Commerce
Cookie and Candy Contest last week at the visitor center. Karen Garcia photo.
DULY from page 2
Christmas Open House Saturday
afternoon. Seth Diggins lent
his wooden train set that filled
“almost the whole Hakkinen
Gallery,” according to museum
director Jerrie Clarke. The
museum also set up their electric
train set. Jerrie said the museum
had a difficult time finding trains
this year, and staff hopes to be
able to boost participation for next
year’s event. Museum staff Kris
Reeves and Blythe Carter led
crafts, including Christmas cards
and reindeer heads, and Scott
Pearce played the concertina and
sang Christmas carols. The trains
will stay up through the week and
on Saturday before the Christmas
parade.
The Community Education
bazaar was one of the largest
in memory, with more than
60 vendors in attendance.
Community Ed director John
Hagen said the traditional date
of the bazaar was pushed back
a week to accommodate the
wrestling tournament, and may
have allowed new vendors to
participate this year. Artist and
seasonal Skagway resident
Jessica Callies is spending the
winter in Haines, and recruited
her friends to bring their wares
over to the bazaar. New vendors
from Skagway were selling
hand-painted boxes, original
art, handmade bags, local hot
sauce and jewelry. Chilkat Valley
Preschool saw a brisk business
mixing up smoothies for hungry
shoppers and toasting homemade
bagels from board member Alissa
Henry. Former residents Russ
Bowman and Karen Meizner
were seen perusing Saturday’s
offerings. Russ was teaching an
advanced pediatric lifesaving
course in Haines for ambulance
crew and clinic staff over the
weekend.
Top Hat Logging
Log Home Packages
Logging / Land Clearing
Problem Tree Removal
Equipment Hire Loader, Excavator and
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766-2514
Dark Horse Lumber
General Contractor
Log and Frame Homes
Saw Milling
Rough Cut Lumber
Beams and Planed Timbers
314-0049
Middle School basketball
players are home from Juneau’s
Icebreaker tournament. Haines
sent 10 boys and 10 girls to the
tournament. Ralph Swinton
and James Sage coached the
boys’ team, which included
all-tournament player Dylan
Swinton. First-year coach Lori
Giddings coached the girls’ team
with Brian O’Reilly. The girls
brought home the only Haines
win, with a 1-4 record over the
tournament. Lori was impressed
with the level of determination
on the team. “They had fun,
played hard and never gave
up. They had good attitudes.”
Kayla Yoeman was named to
the girls all-tournament team.
The Haines Triple Threat middle
school tournament is scheduled
for February 22-23.
The Haines High School swim
team organized for about six
weeks this fall. Coach Rae Ann
Galasso led sophomore Keegan
Sundberg and juniors Kai SatoFranks and Chevy Fowler in
workouts before school. The trio
swam at the Thunder Mountain
Invitational Oct. 26-27, where
Fowler broke the 30-second mark
in the 50 freestyle. Sundberg
continues to swim with the Haines
Dolphins.
The community birthday
calendar appears kaput. Rae Ann
Galasso took on the calendar
last year as a fund-raiser for
the high school swim team, but
said she lost about $500 on the
venture. Assembled for years by
students, the calendar included
local birthdays and anniversaries.
Sponsored, Haines
in part by
Day
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
Sun
Mon
Date
Dec 4
Dec 5
Dec 6
Dec 7
Dec 8
Dec 9
Dec 10
High Low Rain
10
5
0
11
6
0
15
9
0
16
10
0
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0
36
7
.17
36
16
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Snow Depth 8”
Snow
0
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1.0
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Day
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
Sun
Mon
Date
Dec 4
Dec 5
Dec 6
Dec 7
Dec 8
Dec 9
Dec 10
High
8
7
9
11
10
15
24
766-2595
Home Center
Low
3
2
4
1
-4
-1
13
Rain
Tr
Tr
.16
.01
0
.34
.02
Snow
Tr
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3.0
Tr
0
5.5
Tr
AVALANCHE REPORT INCOMPLETE, FALSE
PAID COMMENTARY
On Nov. 27, seven months after the
avalanche accident that killed two people,
the Colorado Avalanche Center received
an accident report from Alaska Heliskiing
company. The author of this report is an
employee of Alaska Heliskiing and was also
on site as a rescue member. The report is hasty,
incomplete and contains false information.
The report didn’t have any information on
the snow conditions on March 13. After new
snowfall accumulations of approximately
three feet with additional wind deposits,
the avalanche warning coming from Haines
Avalanche Information Center was posted as
“considerable.” The HAIC website forecast
described an upside down snowpack with
three distinct, weak layers.
In a private conversation, a Haines
Borough heli-ski committee member shared
with our friends that an Alaska Heliskiing
snow forecaster knew of the surface hoar
layer on March 13th.
Why didn’t the company’s report have
any detailed information about the safety
protocols and precautions of the day, such
as the snow stability check? If the report
was based on the eyewitness statements,
Alaska Heliskiing would know and include
in its report that a snow pit was dug by Rob
Liberman on the previous run before the
avalanche.
The snow pit showed an unstable snow
condition. The guide didn’t take the group to
ski this run, but instead of following his safety
protocols to call the helicopter to pick up the
group, he took the group to an alternative run
without checking the snow. Taking the group
to the second run, the guide did not check
the snow there either, even though the clients
expressed concern. He assured them, “Don’t
be concerned, it is just an alpine bowl.”
Why was the crown inspection four days
after the avalanche?
What was the report based on?
Alaska Heliskiing has in its accident
report that the third skier took a heavy fall
and impacted the snow, but did not trigger
the avalanche. The truth is, according to the
eyewitnesses, that the third skier was Casey
Osteen. Casey didn’t fall on his run; it was
the second skier, Ryan Kirkpatrick. He was
caught by surprise by a rock outcrop and
rolled, flipping forward, landing on his
board, without impacting the snow. This
happened at the end of his run, at the bottom
of the gully.
Alaska Heliskiing states that Nick Dodov
CHOSE to go much farther to the right and
this is where he triggered the avalanche. The
truth is, according to the eyewitnesses that
they all heard on their radios, Rob Liberman
guided Nick Dodov: “Go to the right. There
is a better powder snow there.”
Why doesn’t Alaska Heliskiing want to
reveal the actual timeline from the moment
the victims were buried under snow until the
victims’ bodies were excavated? According
to eyewitness statements, the first guide was
dropped on the avalanche debris at least 30
minutes after the avalanche broke.
Why doesn’t the report include that
clients Ryan Kirkpatrick, Dwight Bailey and
Brandon Corbett were involved in the search
and rescue? If the company questioned them,
they would know that only two guides helped
and that it wasn’t until late in the search and
rescue when the place was swamped by the
other guides – too little, too late. Why doesn’t
Alaska Heliskiing have the names and the
level of emergency wilderness first aid and
CPR qualifications of the guides involved in
the search and rescue?
After the accident, Rob Liberman was
transported straight down to Haines medical
clinic. Why was Nick Dodov transported to
Alaska Heliskiing base to wait for a paramedic
car? Why doesn’t the report say who made
these decisions?
Why didn’t Alaska Heliskiing Company
have in its accident report the findings of
Rob Liberman’s toxicology report? The report
shows THC marijuana three times higher
than background levels.
What was the Alaska Heliskiing drug
policy?
Alaska Heliskiing published fraudulent
information on its website stating that
they are members of a fictitious heli-ski
association that monitors very closely their
safety programs and all of the company’s
guides meet the requirements of this nonexistent heli-ski association.
If Alaska Heliskiing crafted false
information on its website to attract
clients, we are not surprised that their
accident report has been fabricated with
false information too.
Alex and Natalia Dodov
Bear Valley, Calif.
December 13, 2012
Chilkat Valley News
Page 9
BILL from page 1
mills. People wanted to work,
that’s how they got ahead. There
is a difference now: the economy
has completely swung differently.
We don’t have mills. Primarily it’s
fishing and tourism. Back then
you could fish in summer and
longshore in winter. You had more
options.”
Thomas worked in the mills
sawing lumber and loading logs
after returning from his 1968 tour
in Vietnam. “It was hard work…
Get up in the morning at 4:30, get
a truck back at 7 at night and go
play basketball, get up the next
day at four-thirty to catch the first
truck out the highway.”
A timber-industry accident
claimed the life of Danny Thomas,
Thomas’ oldest brother. The
accident was a turning point in
Bill Thomas’ life, said his wife
Joyce. “Danny was the oldest so
he was kind of the head of the
family, and with him gone, Bill
had to step up, and he did. I think
that really woke him up.”
Lifelong friend and longtime
neighbor Sue Meacock said
Thomas got his work ethic from
his mother, Margaret Thomas.
Thomas’ father, a construction
worker also named Bill Thomas,
left town after Thomas was born.
“(Margaret) was single and
there were three kids. She took
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in laundry, she raised them, she
worked hard, and she instilled that
work ethic in her children. Back
in those days you worked or you
went hungry... We were all poor.”
Thomas’ brother, Clifford
Thomas, said his younger brother
liked to work and was persistent.
“He was always wanting a job.
When he wanted a job from (mill
owner John) Schnabel, he went
out there every day, asking for a
job… Schnabel finally got tired of
him coming in every day, and put
him to work on the loader.”
Bill Thomas said he thinks
school was different back then,
too. “School was hard work. We
were disciplined then. If you
spoke when you shouldn’t, then
they’d whack you with a ruler.”
Thomas claims to remember
all his teachers and he can reel
off a long list of names: Olerud,
Ward, Whittaker, Hopper, Ebert,
Erikson, Turner. But he doesn’t go
into specifics of what he learned
from them. “I can’t put blame on
any of them for my success. They
all played a part.”
Clifford Thomas recounted
that, as an adult, Bill Thomas
tracked down the address of their
father. “He went up to the house,
walked up to the door, then said,
‘The hell with it.’ He never did
knock on the door. He just turned
around. (Bill) decided he didn’t
want to know what his father
looked like or what he was about.”
Thomas remembers the event
differently, saying he wasn’t
sure he had the correct address.
When asked how his father’s
absence affected him, Thomas
cited the influence of grandfather
Bill Sparks and turned the
conversation toward Haines.
“You know how they say, ‘It
takes a village (to raise a child)…
Even though I was the child of a
single parent, I had 50 fathers.
Everybody kept an eye on people
and made sure they behaved.”
T h o m a s c r e d i t e d s o c i a l
worker Harriet Botelho, mother
of Juneau mayor Bruce Botelho,
with steering him into the public
arena. When he was a junior
in high school, she took him to
seminars throughout Alaska,
school programs that involved
debating and discussing issues.
“They were weeklong and 10day trips. That opened the door,
a little. I learned to talk to other
people,” Thomas said.
After a semester at University
of Alaska-Fairbanks and a stint
working on a fish tender, Thomas
was drafted. He served as an E4 in
the Army’s 210 Combat Aviation
Battalion, as an airplane mechanic
and crew chief. The planes
flew troops and VIPs between
Vietnamese cities. Thomas said
he was a “sandbag specialist,”
helping build perimeters of
airfields that sometimes came
under attack.
On returning home he joined
a pile buck crew working under
uncle Evans Willard, and started
fishing as a deckhand on the
Bantry, a gillnetter he bought
years later. In the mid-1970s, he
helped with land selection work
for village Native corporation
Klukwan, Inc. and a few years
later became the second CEO and
board chair of the corporation, as
it became wealthy logging timberrich land in southern Southeast.
Thomas led the corporation
until 1985 when he went to work
as a lobbyist for Klukwan, Inc.,
eventually developing his own
clients.
He worked the halls of the
capitol for about 14 years then
won a seat in the state House of
Representatives in 2004. He was
re-elected three times.
“The reason I got elected is
because I knew people, because of
my life experiences as a Vietnam
vet and a fisherman,” Thomas
said. “I played basketball with
everyone. If you want to be
successful you need to get out
and talk to people. A politician is
different from (other professions).
You have to keep juggling. I will
cover six or eight or 10 issues in
one day, 10 or 15 communities.”
Thomas cited his grandmother,
Mildred Sparks, an active
community leader, as leading him
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to involvement in public issues. “I
joined the school board and then
became involved in the village
corporation world. It just kind of
evolved.”
Thomas said his proudest
legislative accomplishments
are passage of a $50 million
renewable energy bill he sees as
key to reducing the cost of living
in communities like Haines, and
legislation benefitting veterans.
He took a pass at naming his
proudest life accomplishment.
“I’ve never thought of that… I
just try to get through the day.”
He said his favorite thing to
do when he gets time off is to
go home. But he never stops
politicking: “I have been married
34 years. My wife was my high
school sweetheart. Then I’ll go
into the office, let people come
visit me. I like to go into the
Bamboo Room to have breakfasts.
When I’m around town, my truck
will be in front of the Bamboo
Room most every day.”
Joyce and Bill have five grown
children, including a son each
had before they married. She
remembers her junior high crush
on him. “He played basketball
and he was athletic and he kind of
walked around, bounced around.
I remember that walk of his, like
he was ready to go play.”
Joyce said her husband still
has that type of energy – “He
just keeps going. He is amazing,
I couldn’t keep up with him, never
could. Kids can’t” – but she says
it takes a toll as well. “He is tired
a lot. His mind is always working.
He always has a phone on his ear.
He’ll be one of those guys that
gets cancer from talking on the
phone too much. But he loves
meeting people, knowing people.
There is hardly anywhere we go
where we don’t meet people that
he knows.”
This week, Thomas said he and
Joyce were enjoying relaxing in
Texas. “We get to sleep, watch TV,
lounge around and eat food – all
the good things,” Bill said.
As for the future, Thomas said
he would continue fishing and
perhaps dive into fish politics.
Thomas has some advice for
Haines youth: “If you have an
idea, chase it down. If you want
to invent something, develop
something… use ingenuity. Don’t
be afraid to try something, it might
work. You don’t know it won’t
work until you try it.”
“Over the Mountains” features
Haines residents who’ve achieved
success. This story was initially
written last spring. Publication
was delayed in the interest of
fair coverage during the election
season.
HELI-SKI from page 1
accident report recently provided
to the Colorado Avalanche Center
by Alaska Heliskiing. The Dodovs
claim the report is incomplete and
falsified.
Dial said he does not foresee
the case being reopened, although
he would accept any additional
information the Dodovs might
want to provide.
“At this point, unless we receive
new evidence, the case is closed.
And quite honestly, I just don’t
see that happening at this point.
We would have to show there was
intent on behalf of this company
to put people in a position that
would result in serious injury or
death. And we just can’t make that
connection,” Dial said.
Domestic Violence
Initiative
Regular Prevention
Mass Schedule
Jackie Mazeikas, DV Educator
Saturday,766-6382
5 p.m.
Sunday, 9 a.m.
Sacred Heart Catholic Church
(Corner of 3rd & Dalton)
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Christmas Eve, Dec. 24
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Page 10
Chilkat Valley News Police Report
Monday, Dec. 10
A parent called to report a
juvenile living at Dusty Trails
apar tments had run away.
Police found the youth, who
was returned home.
A person came to the station
to report Young Road was very
slick. Borough road crews were
notified.
Police assisted state troopers
with a two-vehicle accident at 7
Mile Haines Highway. Owners of
the vehicles drove to the station
and repor ted the accident.
Damage was minimal and there
were no injuries.
State road crews asked
for help locating the owner of
a vehicle impeding traffic on
Second Ave. The out-of-town
owner moved the vehicle.
A caller requested a welfare
check on her daughter who was
driving to Klukwan in bad road
conditions. She called back later,
saying her daughter contacted
her.
An out-of-state caller seeking
help contacting a relative at
Mosquito Lake was referred to
troopers.
A traffic stop resulted in
verbal warnings for exceeding
the posted speed and driving
too fast for conditions.
Sunday, Dec. 9
A caller reported a woman
harassing him at Deishu Drive.
He reported the woman was
yelling and cursing at him, while
the woman disputed his account.
An officer advised the two to
avoid one another.
An officer informed dispatch
the stop sign at the intersection
of Mud Bay Road and Small
Tracts Road was bent down.
State road crews were notified.
Police referred to troopers
a statement from the owner of
a vacation cabin on Mud Bay
Road who said someone had
broken into the cabin and stolen
food items.
A caller reported an assault
o n FA A R o a d . A n o f f i c e r
contacted the alleged victim
who said an individual had
slapped her hands and knocked
her cell phone down during an
argument over a snow blower.
The two were advised to avoid
one another.
Two individuals called from
their downtown residence
to report a civil matter. Both
claimed the other had property
belonging to them and wanted
the matter documented. An
officer recorded the information.
A traffic stop resulted in a
verbal warning for failing to stop
at a stop sign.
Saturday, Dec. 8
A three-vehicle accident was
reported on Main Street and
Third Avenue. One vehicle slid
through a stop sign and struck
another vehicle, which spun into
a third vehicle. One was towed
from the scene. No injuries were
reported.
A caller reported a vehicle in
a ditch on Small Tracts Road.
The driver sustained no injuries.
An officer responded and the
vehicle was removed from the
ditch.
Police issued verbal warnings
for not providing proof of
insurance or a valid driver’s
license, exceeding the posted
speed, and failure to stop at a
stop sign.
Friday, Dec. 7
A caller requested ministerial
association assistance to stay
in a motel due to toxic odors in
her home. The caller had used
an over-the-counter cleaner to
address plumbing issues and
reported the fumes were causing
shortness of breath.
A downtown business owner
reported a vehicle parked on
Main Street in violation of the
one-hour parking restriction.
Officers contacted the owner,
who moved the vehicle.
A caller reported ongoing
thefts from the wood supply at
her residence at Deishu Drive.
Officers advised the woman
install a motion-activated alarm
or light.
A caller reported icy
conditions at the intersection
of Second Avenue and Haines
Highway. State road crews were
notified.
An out-of-state relative called
to report hearing an argument
between her son and his wife
over the phone. She requested
a welfare check, but was unable
to say where her son lived.
Traffic stops brought warnings
for expired registration, driving
only with running lights, and a
defective taillight.
Thursday, Dec. 6
A caller sought help getting
into her Allen Road residence at
2:30 a.m. She had lost her keys
and had been trying to enter
CALL COLDWELL BANKER
In Haines: Call Glenda Gilbert
766-3511 or 321-3512
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Making Real Estate Real Easy.
HEIDI ROBICHAUD, LCSW
SUPPORTING EMOTIONAL
WELL BEING
FOR
PEOPLE OF ALL AGES
303-0010
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Call (907)789-0555
Fax (907)789-8460
2103 N. Jordan Ave
Juneau, AK 99801
the house for about three hours.
Officers responded and as there
was no access to the home,
arranged for the ministerial
association to provide lodging.
A caller dialed the Haines
911 number for an emergency in
Jefferson County, Colo. Dispatch
supplied the caller with the
Jefferson County number.
Police assisted in a civil
matter between a landlord
and tenant downtown. Police
supervised while the tenant
removed belongings from the
landlord’s business to ensure a
confrontation did not occur.
A caller reported a skid steer
Bobcat forklift had slid off the
road at 1 Mile Mud Bay Road.
The owner moved the forklift the
next day.
Four traffic stops resulted in
verbal warnings for a taillight
violation, failure to stop at a stop
sign, and failure to use a turn
signal.
Wednesday, Dec. 5
A caller reported someone
cutting trees on a Beach Road
property. Police investigated and
found no evidence of anyone
cutting trees.
A caller repor ted people
peeking into the windows of
her residence on Beach Road.
Officers responded several
times, as the woman continued
to call and repor t people
looking into her windows. Police
determined the woman was
experiencing hallucinations
and contacted Lynn Canal
Counseling. A counselor
responded and developed a
safety plan for the woman, which
included staying overnight at a
local motel. The woman was fine
the next day.
A chimney fire occurred on
Barnett Road. Police and firemen
responded, extinguished the fire,
and assured the site was safe.
Tuesday, Dec. 4
An itinerant worker
reported she was made to feel
uncomfortable by a worker at
a local lodging. She reported
the male staff member was
“creepy” and “overly friendly”
when she stayed there recently.
She wanted to know if police
had received similar reports from
others. They had not.
There were 12 medical calls
and no calls about dogs.
WINTER HOURS
8 am to 5 pm
Mon - Sat.
The Helpful Hardware Crew
o
you d th
a
m
e
th
100 gallons of heating oil = 14 million BTUs
1 cord Spruce/Hemlock = 14 million BTUs
$275/cord Split & Delivered
766-3321
$650/5-cord load of logs delivered (green)
The STUMP
COMPANY
Recruitment
Notice
Haines Health Center
Clinical Lab Assistant
Job Number: 720011
Full Time, Benefits $15.04 - $17.24 / hour
Responsible for daily operations of moderate complexity lab.
Performs wide range of waived and moderate complexity lab tests.
Maintains logs and documentation in order to meet regulatory
requirements and accreditation standards.
High school diploma or GED
1 year experience minimum in a medical lab setting or 2 years
experience minimum in a similar medical setting.
Phlebotomy or CLA certification preferred.
Successful completion of a two-week in-house laboratory training
program is required for continued employment.
Preference is given to Alaska Native/American Indian applicants
who meet minimum requirements according to the provisions of
Public Law 96-638.
Submit application to SEARHC Human Resources, 3245 Hospital
Drive, Juneau, AK 99801 or online at www.searhc.org.
the perfect
GIFT
A subscription to the
Chilkat Valley News
Local $44.31  Alaska $48 
Outside (2 class) $54  Outside (1 class) $75
nd
st
informative, entertaining, economical
AND it lasts the whole year!
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* applies only to new subscribers
Payment must be received by 12/31/2012
Offer*
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Send your subscription order and payment to Chilkat Valley News, PO Box 630, Haines AK 99827
December 13, 2012
PUBLIC NOTICE
STATE OF ALASKA
DEPARTMENT OF
ENVIRONMENTAL
CONSERVATION
An application for renewal of
an oil discharge prevention and
contingency plan (plan), under
Alaska Statute 46.04.030 and
in accordance with 18 AAC 75,
has been received by the Alaska
Department of Environmental
Conservation (department).
Applicant: Sportsman’s Cove
Lodge
Plan Title: Southeast Alaska
Sportfishing Adventures, Inc.
dba Sportsman’s Cove Lodge
Oil Discharge Prevention and
Contingency Plan
Proposed Activity: S o u t h e a s t
Alaska Sportfishing Adventures,
Inc. dba. Spor tsman’s Cove
Lodge, plan to transport petroleum
product using the Saltery Provider
landing craft, carrying one 4000
gallon (95 bbl) ISO Tank.
Maximum Cargo Capacity: 95 bbls
Potential Results:A potential risk
exists of oil spills entering the
lands or waters of the State as a
result of this operation.
Location of Activity: Southeast
Alaska (Region 1)
Any person wishing to submit a
request for additional information
or provide comments regarding
the application may do so in
writing to the Alaska Department
of Environmental Conservation,
555 Cordova Street, Anchorage,
AK 99501, by facsimile to 907269-7687, or e-mail john.harry@
alaska.gov.
Requests for additional information
must be submitted by January
7, 2013. Comments will be
accepted until January 12,
2013. It is the responsibility of
the commenter to verify e-mail
submissions are received by the
applicable deadline. The public
comment period will be extended
if necessary in accordance with 18
AAC 75.455(d) & (e).
Copies of the application are
ava i l a bl e fo r r ev i ew a t t h e
department’s Anchorage office at
555 Cordova Street and the Valdez
office at 213 Meals Avenue, RM
17. Please call (907) 269-3094 to
schedule an appointment.
If deter mined necessar y by
public comments received, the
department will announce and
hold public hearing(s) on the above
referenced plan. Residents in the
affected areas or the governing
body of an affected municipality
may request a public hearing
by writing to the Department of
Environmental Conservation, at
the above address, within 30 days
of publication of this notice.
The State of Alaska, Department
of Environmental Conservation
complies with Title II of the
Americans with Disabilities Act
of 1990. If you are a person
with a disability who may need
a special accommodation in
order to participate in this public
process, please contact Deborah
Pock at (907) 269-0291 or TDD
Relay Service 1-800-770-8973/
TTY or dial 711 within 30 days
of publication of this notice to
ensure that any necessar y
accommodations can be provided.
December 13, 2012
Chilkat Valley News
Un-Classified Ads
17 color choices - The
Coobie Bra returns! Buckshot
& Bobby Pins. (50b)
UP IN SMOKE Firewood
Sale: $220/cord split and
delivered. 767-5455. (50cb)
Prime office space on Main
Street for lease (former office
of Rep. Thomas.). 298 sq. ft.
suitable for professional or
craft retail. Available February
1, 2013. $596 + tax/month.
Contact Debra 766-2827.
(50cb)
OMG! Pampered Princess Robes,
Warm Heart Hot Water Bottles,
scented drawer liners, jeweled
boxes, lacy gala gloves,
masquerade masks, Mystifying
Oracles, Christmas music
boxes and more! Buckshot &
Bobby Pins. 766-2450. (50b)
Christmas Card Expert Available
for all Your Christmas Card
Needs. Call Holly Jo Parnell
907-766-2447. (49b)
Senior 1 Bedroom Unfurnished
Apartment at St. Lucy’s Senior
Living. Utilities included. Must
be age 62 and low-income
(less than $24,900 for one
person household). Rent is
calculated at 30% of income.
If interested, obtain application
by calling 766-3616. St. Lucy’s
Senior Living provides housing
services without regard to
race, color, religion, national
origin, sex, familial status,
physical handicap or disability.
(49-50b)
FOR SALE: 800 LF TK KD T&G
1x6 AK yellow cedar, $1,300.
907-314-0860. (46cb)
HOME FOR SALE: 4-bedroom,
1.5-bath on 1.5 acres on Small
Tracts Rd. $205,000. Call 7662218. (10b)
Len Feldman, M.D.
Family Doctor
Office Closed
Dec. 6th - Jan. 21st
1.5 Mi. Mud Bay Rd. 766-3009
From the Baha’i
Scriptures
“Become as waves
of one sea, trees of
one forest, growing
in the utmost love,
agreement and
unity.”
~`Abdu’l-Baha
HAINES BAPTIST
CHURCH
6th & MaiN
Christmas Cantata
Christmas at Home!
S I L E N T AU C T I O N : H a i n e s
Borough School District. New
Garage (behind Voc Ed Bldg.)
Saturday, December 15. Opens
at 10 a.m. Bidding closes at
noon. Delta Heavy Duty Shaper
Rockwell, Perfor Max Drum
Sander model#638002, SERYEQUIP, Inc. (cylinder jug hone),
Curtis 2 Stage Air Compressor
Commercial 3 phase, American
Power Equipment Avenger 1
HP Commercial Paint Sprayer,
Clark Shop Vac Model 600A,
Hobar t Commercial Dish
Sanitizer Model LX1H, Hobart
Commercial Dish Sanitizer
Model WM-5H, 2 tables, and 6
wood vices.(49 and 50b)
Office services by natalie
Temp services for your office
needs: filing, data entry, typing,
copying, mailing, office tasks
you don’t have time for. 3037402.
FOR RENT: Two units: 2 bedroom
apartments with garage. $850
and $950/month.767-5564 or
(503) 501-8804. (44b)
DRY CANADIAN LOGS for sale.
Truckload quantities. Call
Dimok Timber, 867-634-2311.
Page 11
BUSINESS
DIRECTORY

Community Waste Solutions
Recruitment Ad
Intermittent Pharmacy
Technician
This position works on an asneeded basis.
SALARY: $15.24 - $18.21 per
hour
DUTIES: Assists the pharmacist
in filling prescriptions, preparing
pre-packs, and assists in inventorying, ordering and restocking.
Maintains temperature logs and
checks for medication outdates.
Computer data entry. All technician work is approved and monitored by the pharmacist.
MINIMUM
REQUIREMENTS:
High school diploma or GED. Two
years of hospital experience in
coding, transcription or CNA, or
a Pharmacy Technician License
and 6 months’ experience in the
field of pharmacy. Customer service experience, computer skills.
State of Alaska Pharmacy Technician license required prior to
working in the pharmacy.
CLOSING DATE: Open
until
filled.
HOW TO APPLY: Submit applications to: SEARHC Human
Resources, 3245 Hospital Dr.,
Juneau, AK 99801 or to the
SEARHC Haines Health Center.
NATIVE PREFERENCE: Preference is given to Alaska Native/
American Indian applicants who
meet minimum requirements according to the provisions of P.L.
93-638.
• One-Bag Recycling
• Composting
• Curbside Collection
• Self-Haul
• Const. /Demo. Disposal
• Septic Pump Out
OPEN
10-3 M-S End of FAA Road 766-2736
www.communitywastesolutions.com
Come & Worship with us!
907-766-2377 Sundays at 10 am
“...Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ,
and thou shalt be saved...” Acts
Acts16:31
16:38
1st Ave. South, by the Boat Harbor
www.haineschurch.org
Union & Second St.
Come and Fellowship with Us
and share the Love of Jesus Christ





Double, Triple &
50 lb Loads
314-0984
Clean
Showers
Mile 1 haines Highway
Haines Christian Center A/G
We Welcome You
Sunday school-----9 am
Sunday Worship---- 10 am
Infinite Life Youth Group
Sunday Evening ----- 7:00 pm





7 am - 9 pm
7 days a week
“Be on your guard; stand firm
in the faith; be courageous and
be strong.” - 1 Corinthians 16:13
Pastor Royce L. McCoy 314-0387

moose horn laundry
open
HAINES
Presbyterian
Church
Performed by
Choir and Puppets

’
Page 12
Chilkat Valley News JOEL from page 1
it eliminates the possibility that the
borough is going to be involved in
a lawsuit,” Lowe said.
Also, Joel’s victims wanted
anonymity and closure on the
matter, Lowe said.
“Some of the victims involved,
it’s something they don’t want to
discuss. It’s a chapter which is
very hard for them and they don’t
want to be involved in any type of
a lawsuit either,” Lowe said.
Joel notified the council
July 26 he would surrender his
certificate. Joel worked in Haines
five years and was demoted before
leaving the job. Lowe said he
received “multiple” complaints
about Joel’s conduct from both
citizens and employees at the
police station.
Lowe said he didn’t know
how many complaints were filed
against Joel.
He said that a police agency
considering hiring Joel contacted
him, but under the agreement
he made with Joel, Lowe could
disclose only the starting and
ending dates of Joel’s employment.
The prospective employer did not
end up hiring Joel, Lowe said.
“If any employer is looking to
employ someone and you call up a
prior employer and they say, ‘We
have a contractual agreement that
all we can tell you is his hiring
date and his last day of work,’
that certainly ought to be a red
flag to a prospective employer,”
Lowe said.
However, the City of Galena
and City of St. Paul Island both
hired Joel after his tenure in
Haines, but neither contacted
Lowe requesting information.
Joel took a police job on St.
Paul Island for a short time after
leaving Haines, then became
chief and sole police officer in
Galena in July 2011.
Standards council executive
director Kelly Alzaharna, who led
the council’s investigation, said
the accusation packet containing
complaints is a confidential
document and is not releasable
under public records law. The
council conducted its Dec. 4
discussion of Joel’s certification
forfeiture in executive session, a
standard practice.
“It’s confidential; we can’t
release it. I couldn’t release it if I
wanted to,” Alzaharna said.
The standards council
paperwork Lowe filled out
concerning Joel’s departure is
a required, standard procedure
w h e n a n o ff i c e r l e a v e s a
department, Alzaharna said.
Department heads must indicate
whether the officer resigned in
lieu of termination, if an officer
was under investigation for
wrongdoing, and whether the
department head would rehire or
recommend certificate revocation.
Alzaharna said she contacted
three of Joel’s previous employers
to investigate whether the
departments were conducting
their own investigations of Joel.
She would not say what the
requests revealed.
Joel can apply to have his
certification reinstated one year
after the Dec. 4 meeting. The
council can rescind its decision for
reasons including if new evidence
is discovered, if fraudulent
evidence was used initially, or if
“conditions or circumstances have
changed so that the basis for the
revocation no longer exists.”
Alzaharna said in her four
years on the job, no officer has
applied to rescind revocation. She
said lack of an Alaska certificate
doesn’t bar Joel from working as
an officer in the Lower 48, but
makes it more difficult.
“There is no national law that
says you can’t. But all of the states
are pretty consistent. If another
state knows about it, they will not
hire them,” Alzaharna said.
Joel’s case was under review
by the council more than a year. December 13, 2012
KHNS fund-raiser:
$7K for automation
A o n e - d a y, o n - a i r f u n d
drive Nov. 29 raised $7,000 for
upgrading the automation system
at public radio station KHNS.
“It was pretty exciting,” said
development director Leslie Ross.
“This will get us on our way.”
The automation system serves
as the station’s receiver and
traffic controller and consists
of two computers that operate
continuously, a backup drive,
and a software program. All
station programming, except
local, live feeds, are fed through
the automation system, she said.
The current system was
installed in 2007, but issues have
developed with the software,
which needs to be overhauled,
and the computers need replacing,
Ross said.
“It’s a heavily used system. If
we go off the air, that’s the reason
for it. Keeping programming
on the air is the main reason for
replacing this,” Ross said.
The revamped system also
should allow the station to receive
certain programming it couldn’t
previously. The station was hoping
to raise $10,000 but $7,000 should
be enough to upgrade the system,
Ross said.
Ross said new equipment
should be in place within a year,
if not sooner.
Girls
Just
Wanna
Have
Fun
221 Main 766-2450
Need ideas for winter projects?
This week only -
Mon - Sat 11 to 5
25% off ALL
How-To and
Cookbooks
12/14 - 12/20
TOYS TOYS TOYS TOYS TOYS TOYS
Happy Holidays from
TOYS TOYS TOYS TOYS TOYS TOYS
Barbies
Trains
Play-Doh
Littlest Petshop
15% OFF STOREWIDE *
* some restrictions apply
TOYS TOYS TOYS TOYS TOYS TOYS TOYS TOYS TOYS
Legos
Dolls
Models
Games
Saturday, Dec. 15th
Free Hot Cocoa For Kids
15% off Wine & Spirits • 10% off Beer
Open 8 am to 7 pm
The Parts
Place
would like to thank Haines
Open House
12 Days of Christmas
Sale
at
Monday, Dec. 24
Noon - 3 pm
Caroline’s Closet
Open House
Great Food and Lots of Prizes
Friday, Dec. 14 6 to 8 pm
Draw a discount for all purchases 20 - 50% off
Natalie’s Spin & Win
Many Holiday Specials - Check it out!
Dec 13th
Dec 14th
Dec 15th
Dec 16th
Dec 17th
Dec 18th
Dec 19th
Dec 20th
Dec 21st
Dec 22nd
Dec 23rd
Dec 24
th
OPEN
Vigoss Jeans
20% off
Alaska Brew Hoodies • Hats • Magnets 20% off
NIKE Clothing • Shoes
20% off
Alaskan Grown Hoodies • Tshirts
20% off
Sierra Designs
20% off
PJ Salvage Bath Tea • Shower Burst • Slippers 20% off
Escante & Kamasutra
20% off
American Apparel Leggings • Hoodies • Shirts 20% off
Candles • Burts Bees
20% off
Metal Mafia
20% off
Earth Shoes
50% off
LA Gear Shoes
20% off
Storewide Sale
20% off
Monday - Saturday
11am to 6pm
Sunday
Noon - 5
$ $pent in town $tay$ in town
Cash Prizes & much more!
Many Christmas Items in Stock
Thanks for
Shopping
Local!
Tools • Tool Boxes • Driving Lights
Great Stocking Stuffers
Flashlights • Magnets • Small Tool Kits
Christmas Drawing
Come in & Sign Up for other prizes
No purchase necessary