February 2012 - Page 4 of 8

School, city leaders discuss budget woes

Last year, the city gave about $5 million to the schools. That amount has been declining since 2010. With budget times tight this year, the school district is not counting on an increase.

Raven Radio turns 30!

The voice of Program Director Marika Partridge brought Raven Radio alive on February 19th, 1982 several weeks before the scheduled March 6th sign on. Find out the what caused the early sign on and other lore, this Sunday, February 19th at 4pm as the first General Manager Rich McClear and Board Member Kermit Whittemore join Marika for an hour long program that tells the tale leading up to Raven Radio's first flight. If you can't catch it live, we'll post it here on our website next week. Click "Continue" for a link to an audio clip of the sign on.

After 18 years, Knapp to hand over Yunann exchange program

Dave Knapp has been bringing Chinese exchange students to Sitka for eighteen years. This October, he'll transition the program to former Sitka schools superintendent John Holst. Knapp appeared on the Morning Interview to talk about some of his first visits to Kunming in Yunann Province, and to explain how Chinese high school students compete to spend a semester here.

Thu Feb 16, 2012

https://www.kcaw.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/news_021612.mp3 Click here for iFriendly audio. Assembly bumps tax cap to $1500, but exempts charter bookings for this season. Despite protests from initiative sponsor, fish box tax...

Peratrovich inspires student to fight discrimination

Linda Schumann is a senior at Mt. Edgecumbe High School. She'll be playing the part of Elizabeth Peratrovich during a skit today at ANB Hall. Feb. 16 is Elizabeth Peratrovich Day in Alaska, set aside to honor the Native civil rights leader.

Sitka Assembly tweaks fish box tax plan

That tax requires charter operators to pay $10 per fish box, with the money going to the city’s harbor department, general fund and for fish enhancement. But how much money goes to each area could change, and some on the Assembly are suggesting the fish box tax could go away entirely.

Sitka tax cap would go up to $1,500 under new plan

In its current form, the ordinance will move the tax cap to $1,500 on July 1st. It’s a far cry from the $5,000 proposed cap – an amount that was roundly criticized Tuesday night by business owners.

“Slow Food,” local brews to be shared at Sunday potluck

Lisa Sadleir-Hart and Ellen Frankenstein are organizing a meeting for Sitkans interested in learning about the "Slow Food" movement, 5:30 PM Sunday, February 19 at the Baranof Brewery.

Wed Feb 15, 2012

Assembly retains senior citizen sales tax exemption, but considers adding a means test. Action on increasing sales tax cap delayed by Assembly recess until tonight (6 PM Wed Feb 15, at Harrigan Centennial Hall). Administrator Dinley apologizes for unintended offense to domestic violence advocates. Sitkan Bill Foster discovers a country in love with its cars.

Sitka to limit tax break to low-income seniors; tax cap uncertain

The measure advanced last night will also increase the age at which seniors qualify for the exemption from 65 to 67-and-a-half. That puts it in line with the federal government’s retirement age. A separate measure to raise the sales tax cap remains in limbo, with the Assembly's business incomplete.