Author: Robert Woolsey

The Sitka roundabout is back – possibly as a public advisory question, or possibly as a straight assembly decision – depending on how the vote breaks at the next regular assembly meeting. The roundabout issue resurfaced during a special meeting of the assembly early Tuesday evening (7-22-08) – this time as much a cost-savings measure as a matter of traffic safety.

Sitka voters will not see an advisory question regarding a multi-purpose dock on the ballot this fall. The Sitka assembly last night (Tue 7-22-08) rejected a proposed ballot question that would have asked the voters to give the go-ahead to plan for a dock at Sawmill Cove industrial park. In an eleventh-hour meeting on Monday, Cove board members endorsed the “no” vote in order to have more time to involve and educate the public about the project.

Alaska Airlines plans to experiment with onboard broadband internet service starting next month. The carrier will charge for the wireless service, although rates have not been set. Passenger advocates say Wi-Fi will be welcomed … with limits.

More people are riding state ferries in Southeast this summer. Figures from the marine highway system show both passenger and vehicle numbers up for the region’s ports. Officials credit schedule changes including increased fast ferry service to Sitka and more sailings from Prince Rupert.

House District 2 Democratic primary candidates Marko Dapcevich and Lily Herwald addressed issues and answered questions during a July 15 forum on KCAW. Listen here for the 60-minute forum including call-in questions.A Republican candidates forum is planned for August 8th.

The sounds of folk, Americana, hip-hop and roots will fill Sitka stages this weekend. It’s the 3rd annual Homeskillet Festival, put on by the local record label by the same name. Andi McDaniel spoke with organizer Nick Galanin and dug up some musical samples. Here’s a backstage look at what’s to come.

Despite the closure of Sheldon Jackson College a year ago, the campus is no ghost town. That’s partly because of places like the Sitka Sound Science Center, which used to be part of the college. Now, it’s an institution in its own right. Andi McDaniel spent some time there recently and came back with this report.

For the last 33 years, young people from all over Alaska—and the rest of the country—have flocked to Sitka in the summertime to participate in the Sitka Fine Arts Camp, which teaches campers anything from documentary film to how to be a clown. The 169 students in the high school session are currently enjoying their last few days of camp. Andi McDaniel stopped in Wednesday to get a taste of what they’re up to and brought back this audio postcard.

Sitka voters will likely see an advisory question this fall on a Sawmill Cove deep-water dock. The Sitka assembly last night (7-8-08) approved on first reading ballot language asking whether the city should develop a plan for a municipally-owned multi-purpose dock at the cove. The dock would serve a variety of cargo vessels, and be capable of mooring a large cruise ship.

A pair of procedural ordinances at Tuesday night’s (7-8-08) assembly meeting touched off a lengthy policy debate about the role of public participation in Sitka. At issue were whether to allow the public to speak on any topic on or off the agenda during the first “persons to be heard” portion of an assembly meeting, and whether to require candidates for municipal commissions to submit written applications.