KCAW Staff, Author at KCAW - Page 494 of 584

Busy ballot for Sitka voters

Sitka voters head to the polls today (Tue Oct 5) to make decisions on seven candidates and eight ballot questions.

Tour season better than some expected

Alaska’s 2010 tourism season is over. Excursion managers and cruise line officials are still crunching the numbers. But it looks like the drop in cruise ship traffic was at least partially made up by an increase in independent travelers.

Mayoral candidates focus on differences

Candidate for mayor Cheryl Westover says she’d consider a hiring freeze to help balance the city budget next year. Her opponent, John Stein, says the assembly should explore ways to privatize some services, and transfer others to the state. The two candidates drew out their differences in a forum hosted by the Sitka Chamber of Commerce this afternoon (Wed 9-29-10).

City staffing changes on hold, for now

Requests from City Administrator Jim Dinley to either add personnel or change the way city hall is staffed were put on hold by the Sitka Assembly Tuesday night. One request was withdrawn completely by Dinley himself.

Literacy program brings authors north

Author Will Hobbs visited Sitka last week as part of the Alaska Spirit of Reading Program. Grant money puts books by a certain author in the hands of students across the state. The author then visits Alaska to meet with those students and talk about the book. But the future of the 3-year-old program is uncertain.

Alaska Bar to focus on accessibility

The new president of the Alaska Bar Association says his organization is making strides toward making legal services more accessible to ordinary people. Jason Weiner also says that the rise of services like mediation has been a boon to the legal business, rather than the threat that many first thought.

Extended audio: Jason Weiner

Extended interview with Jason Weiner, president of the Alaska Bar Association. With KCAW's Robert Woolsey.

Candidate statement: John Stein

John Stein is a candidate for mayor of the City and Borough of Sitka. The municipal election is Tuesday, October 5.

Coast Guard plans for wood-pellet heat

Wood-pellet heat is getting a little more traction in Southeast Alaska. Coast Guard Air officials have announced plans to install a biomass boiler at their Sitka Air Station within a year. And some other building managers around the region are considering the option.