October 17, 2013 - Turnagain Times

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Cooper Landing
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Mountain News
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T U R N A G A I N
VOL. 16, NO. 20
TIMES
Serving Indian, Bird, Girdwood, Portage, Whittier, Hope, Cooper Landing & Moose Pass
Record
harvest
of pinks
in Sound
Whittier
election
certified,
but not
without a
challenge
BISON STRONG
By Ken Smith
Turnagain Times
“It was crazy big!” said
Tommy Sheridan, area management biologist for purse
seine fisheries in Prince
William Sound, in reference
to the historic harvest year for
the pink salmon commercial
fishery.
The Alaska Department of
Fish and Game reported that
the pink salmon fishery in the
sound had an all-time record
catch in 2013 with a value
over $100 million, breaking
the prior record in 2010 of $72
million.
To put it in perspective,
the 2013 pink salmon harvest
was nearly three times that of
2011, with a preliminary estimate of 90 million fish being
caught this year.
In a 2011 fishery management report of Prince William
By Ken Smith
Turnagain Times
During that time, Hemry kept an eye on the school district
job board, looking for full-time principal openings. That’s
when she saw the Girdwood School posting. She was attracted to the small school size and small, tight-knit community
of Girdwood. They also had a familiarity with the community
through skiing.
“There’s a lot of parent involvement at the school,” she said,
“and my kids have done Mighty Mites Ski program here.”
Hemry and her husband grew up skiing in Girdwood, and
they have three children who all ski.
She grew up in Anchorage and attended Dimond High
School, graduating in 1987. She went on to attend the University of Oregon to study education and then transferred to the
Whittier’s election was
certified and five new city
council members have been
sworn in, but not without a
challenge from one of the
candidates.
During the regular city
council meeting, Tuesday,
Oct. 15, write-in candidate
and former councilman
Peter Denmark, filed two
challenges against write-in
candidate and former Whittier Mayor Lester Lunceford.
In the first challenge,
Denmark argued that the
unmarked ballots should
not be used in calculating
the percentage of votes, as
has been the procedure of
past elections.
Denmark and Lunceford were both vying for
Seat F on the city council
with Denmark leading with
45 votes to Lunceford’s
25. That gave Denmark
39 percent of the votes,
1 percent shy of the 40
percent needed to be declared the winner. But 19
ballots of the 115 cast were
left blank for candidates in
Seat F. If Denmark were to
win his challenge, then the
city would not allow blank
ballots to be counted when
calculating the winning
percentage of votes.
The council reviewed
information provided by
the city’s attorney, Brooks
Chandler, who submitted
examples of decisions in
other cities outside the state
that favored disallowing
blank ballots. In the end,
the council voted in Denmark’s favor, and the clerk
resubmitted the recalculated results, giving Denmark
46 percent of the votes, and
the victory.
“There was no concise
law in Alaska statute or in
Whittier code that speaks
to this issue,” said city
See Page 7,
New Principal of Girdwood School
See Page 7,
Whittier Election
Photo courtesy of Doug Lindstrand
The Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center is hosting a fence raising event for
the endangered wood bison. See story page 9.
Sound conducted by biologists at the ADF&G, the
commercial harvest of pink
salmon that year was 33.40
million – a typical harvest
year for pinks in the sound. In
2012, 24 million pinks were
harvested.
Wild pinks were also
caught in record numbers this
year, estimated at 18 million,
which are included in the total
count of fish harvested.
Historically, pink and
chum salmon have numerically dominated returns in
Prince William Sound, with
humpies the most abundant of
all the salmon. Chum usually
average in the low millions in
the sound, which is predomiSee Back Page,
Record Pink Harvest
Girdwood School’s new principal ready for big transition
By Ken Smith
Turnagain Times
After two-and-a-half months of being on the job, Cindy
Hemry is settling into her new position as the Girdwood
School’s new principal. Hemry replaced Kathy Recken who
was the principal of Girdwood School for nine years. She also
comes in during a major transitional period for the K-8 school
of 190 students as it prepares for a $17 million facelift and
expansion beginning next summer.
The rebuilt school will have a new gym and two classrooms as well as a science room and new cafeteria – currently
the gym doubles as a cafeteria. It’s a major project and much
needed for a school that was built in 1982 and is near full capacity.
“We definitely don’t have enough classrooms for all the
students,” said Hemry, during a Friday interview in her office
at 3 p.m. “We have to double up a lot of space during certain
times, but we make it work.”
The 44-year-old Hemry is starting her second job as principal of an elementary school. Last year she started out as a traveling administrator, filling in half-time as assistant principal at
William Tyson Elementary School in Mountain View and at
Williwaw Elementary School, finally finishing the school year
as acting principal at Lake Hood Elementary School.
PRSRT STD
U.S. POSTAGE PAID
ANCHORAGE, AK
PERMIT NO. 353
ECRWSS
Postal Customer
October 17, 2013
Inside this Issue
The Girdwood Scene .................2
Letters to the Editor ..................3
Hope Happenings .....................4
Moose Passings........................4
Out of the Town .........................6
Between the Pages ...................9
FVCS News ...............................9
Trooper Report ........................10
Ken Smith/Turnagain Times
Cindy Hemry is Girdwood School’s new principal.
Page 2
Turnagain Times
October 17, 2013
The Girdwood Scene
By Paddy Notar
Turnagain Times Correspondent
Well, it’s that time of year
again. That’s the one where
everyone has had their first
cold. There are over 2,000 different kinds of colds so get
prepared and keep up with
your vitamins and exercising.
Speaking of exercising, the
Girdwood Community Sports
Swap is happening on Saturday, Oct. 19 from noon to 5
p.m. at the Daylodge. Bring
stuff, buy stuff, and enjoy
the madness. It’s always fun.
Hopefully the checkout line
runs smoother this year.
If you’re in the mood on
Halloween, and we all know
Micaela from Chair 5 is, then
check out the Kids’ Carnival
at the Daylodge. It’s a good
place to start your evening so
be there between 5 p.m. to 8
p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 31.
The cost of admission is $3
per person or $10 for the immediate family. Your cousin
Lenny is not immediate
family. But the other ones that
are can enter the family theme
costume contest. Someone
should do Scooby Doo.
There’s nothing better than a
70s neckerchief. All proceeds
benefit the Girdwood P.T.A.
If you’re heading into town
to get cold medicine be sure
to stop by the Firetap and get
the natural remedy, the meat
lover’s pizza. It’s oozing with
cheese, meatballs, pepperoni, sausage, and ham. Get a
side of blue cheese and dip
the pizza in it. You’ll wonder
why you never thought of
that before. I learned it in
college. They also have a
great Cajun fettuccine with
blackened chicken breast
and Italian sausage that is
put in a spicy Cajun sauce. If
you’re looking to feed your
cold look no further. Yes, I’m
fighting a cold.
While you’re in O’Malley
Centre do stop by and get your
eyes checked by Dr. Andrea
Eberle at Eberle Eyecare.
She went to Scotland recently to train on a new eye exam
machine that is the latest
and greatest in detecting a
number of problems early
on. That’s code for “before
bad stuff becoming untreatable because you waited too
long and didn’t want to spend
the money.” Eyes are kind of
important, and with the dark
days looming over us as well
as no reflectors of any kind
on the Seward Highway, you
need your vision to be sharp.
Besides, they’re not like
teeth. You only get one pair
so take care of them, and she
is one of the best optometrists
anywhere.
Did you know that it’s
illegal in Ohio to catch mice
if you don’t have a hunting
license? I have no idea why I
remember stuff like this.
If you’re hanging around
Girdwood, make sure to
stop by Jack Sprat for a nice
weekend brunch. The Eggs
Flu shots and nasal mist
are now available at
Girdwood Health Clinic
Photo courtesy of Girdwood 2020
Girdwood 2020’s Go For The Gold athletes Tyler Kornfield and Reese Hanneman
came to Girdwood School on Oct. 2 to speak to students about their quest to
win a place on the Olympic Team in 2014. Both skiers are currently skiing with
Alaska Pacific University’s Nordic Ski Team and were given a financial donation
by Girdwood 2020 to assist them with the high costs of competing at that level.
Benedict seems easy enough
to do but Sprat has a hollandaise sauce that has the ever
so slight hint of lemon and the
eggs are perfectly poached.
They even have a vegetarian
version and their dedication
to using as many organic ingredients as possible should
always be rewarded. I’ll be
stopping by soon.
If you want to know the
Silvertip music lineup check
them out on Facebook. If you
ever get a chance to listen to
the smooth sugar-toned voice
of Jon Dykstra, do go. It’s
always a fun time when he
plays there. Unfortunately,
I could only find acts from
September on their website.
We’re all late with our updating this time of year.
If you were around for Ok-
toberfest at Alyeska Resort
you were having a pretty
good time and some unique
German food and beverages. I
like the way they’ve expanded
the menu and everyone knows
that sauerkraut goes great with
anything. Speaking of which,
sauerkraut’s direct translation mean sour cabbage. Even
more useless but fun information that I have for you is that
physician John Jay Terrell,
during the United States Civil
War, used to feed his patients
raw sauerkraut and said it
decreased the death rate of
prisoners by fighting disease.
Regardless, it’s loaded with
vitamins C, B and K. We all
should be eating it.
I stopped by Essential One
gas station in Bird Creek recently. They still have the
cleanest bathrooms out of any
gas station that I’ve been to.
Hats off to Todd, the manager,
for taking care of the things
that usually go unnoticed.
There are no huge music
events going on but Halloween is right around the corner
and Chair 5 is always a fun
spot to see who’s dressed up.
Also, daylight savings time
begins Sunday, Nov. 3 at 2
a.m. Everything goes back
an hour including the fun so
behave accordingly.
That’s it. Be sure to grab
a local and get to the Musky
for their two for one specials
that are going on during the
fall. Two filet mignons, with
béarnaise sauce, for the price
of one? It’s a no brainer. Take
care and drive safe. The roads
will be icy before you know it.
www.Girdwo
w
om
oodHomes.co
We’ve m
moved to
Appointments are available at both clinics
to help avoid waiting.
118 Lindblad
L
A
e 200!
Ave, Suite
Call for pricing:
783-1355 – Girdwood Health Clinic
783--2010
The Turnagain Times is
published the first and third
week of each month by
Midnight Sun Communications,
LLC, Girdwood, Alaska.
By Mail:
P.O. Box 1044
Girdwood, Alaska
99587-1044
Publisher & Editor
Ken Smith
Production Artist
Matthew Bailey
Serving Indian, Bird, Girdwood, Portage, Whittier, Hope, Cooper Landing & Moose Pass
By Phone:
(907) 783-1135
By Fax:
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By Email:
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© 2013 Midnight Sun
Communications, LLC
Turnagain Times
October 17, 2013
Page 3
Opinion
PADDY WAGGIN’
“I think it’s a poor decision
to build schools on contaminated sites,” said Jeff Tuttel,
former Director of the Sierra
Club in New Jersey. Does
anyone think it’s a good idea?
The Anchorage School District does.
The Girdwood School that
serves kindergarten through
eighth graders was built on
top of an unregulated landfill from the early 1900s. According to the Environmental Protection Agency most
landfills consist of about
50 percent paper waste, 30
percent construction waste,
and 20 percent diapers and
other things.
Within
the
construction debris there can be unchecked, banned hazardous compounds such as lead
paint and other heavy, toxic
metals as well as pesticides.
After all, we’re talking about
the early 1900s. There was
no regulation back then. You
simply put the stuff in a hole
and poured dirt over it.
An example of how bad
the Girdwood landfill could
be is the Fresh Kills landfill
in Staten Island, New York.
In 1948, the state dumped all
of their garbage into it. To
this day it still releases toxic
chemicals into surrounding
waters and noxious fumes
into the air. Nearby neigh-
PADDY
NOTAR
bors complained in 2001
of feeling sick all the time.
Cancer rates were also unusually high. Ironically, Alaska’s cancer rates are about 25
percent over the average.
Sanitary (regulated) landfills have liners to keep contaminants from leaking into
underlying
groundwater.
These are leachate collection systems that collect and
treat precipitation coming off
of the garbage and capping
systems that keep the landfill from releasing harmful
gases into the air. The landfill underneath the Girdwood
School has none of those precautionary devices.
Unlike the early 1900s,
today the EPA requires that
landfill liners have several
layers – one of soil, then a
synthetic membrane. It lets
water through but filters out
small pieces of trash and the
leachate collection system
prevents the liquid garbage
from reaching ground water.
There’s also a clay layer to
stop any water that made it
through the plastic.
Once again, the landfill
that the Girdwood School
was built on has none of
these. The EPA depends on
the state to enforce laws regarding unregulated landfills.
They expect them to test the
soil and drinking water. I
have yet to find any information saying that the state or
Municipality of Anchorage
has done that at the former
Girdwood landfill.
In Charleston County,
South Carolina, the school
district also had an elementary school on an unregulated
landfill. They did testing of the
water and air and found that
they needed a methane gas
control system, which they
purchased for $1.5 million.
They also did renovations,
and in the process, raised the
school up a level, where they
could put clay under the dirt
to keep any of the bad stuff
from seeping out. Basically,
they took the necessary steps
to deal with the issue.
In Minnesota the state
moved a school that was near
a landfill. One of the inspectors, a hydro-geologist, said
553 tons of waste sludge were
removed from the site in the
‘90s cleanup. The sludges con-
tained lead and polychlorinated biphenyls, known as PCBs,
which can cause cancer. The
hydro-geologist, John Betcher
said the Minnesota Pollution
Control Agency now considers the site safe for the school
but has advised the school
district to avoid routing utilities, such as sewer and water,
through the dumpsite.
In 2002, Anchorage Waste
Water Utility began its project
to get the Girdwood elementary school on city water instead
of the well water they were
using. The Girdwood Board
of Supervisors asked for the
upgrade citing “a high vulnerability of contamination to the
school well.” The school was
originally built in 1981.
And what about all of that
garbage oozing to the surface?
Can they guarantee that there
won’t be any infiltration into
the piping that they put in?
After all, you’re putting pipe
through some hazardous materials from the early 1900s.
Even if the school district says
they’ve safely removed contaminants from the site, how
can anyone be sure? After all,
those poisons, like lead paint,
have been festering for over
a 100 years. They should be
testing soil and water every
year.
Have you ever seen blue
flames coming out of the
ground and flaring into the sky
as you’re driving? Those are
landfills and that is methane
gas. It’s being burned off
because everything under the
soil is rotting. Putting water
lines through it doesn’t seem
like the most sensible thing
to do let alone building an
elementary school on top of
it as well. Now, the Anchorage School District is going
to dig into a toxic grave for a
Girdwood School expansion
project, slated to begin next
spring.
I say move the school
away from the landfill. The
Anchorage School District
can afford it with a budget of
$811 million in 2012, and it’s
worth the investment for the
safety and health of our children.
I have yet to find any information saying that yearly
testing is going on to see if
there is any problems at the
Girdwood School but why on
earth would anybody in their
right mind want to build anything on top of a landfill in
the first place?
I think Bill Wolfe, a former
Department of Environmental Protection employee, was
absolutely correct when he
said, “If it’s my kid, no way
in hell would I allow a school
board to build on a contaminated site.”
vote to determine the election outcome. As citizens,
we might not always like the
results, but it is a fair democratic process.
If person(s) being recalled
prevail, that is the end of the
story. If petitioners prevail,
the city clerk advertises for
letters of interest. The council
appoints a person to serve
until the next election.
When the election is set,
candidates apply for available
seats. After the close of the
application process, citizens
have another chance to enter
the arena by declaring writein candidacies.
The election is held and
citizen cast their votes. Some
seats have clear winners, if
there is more then two people
running for a seat the prevailing top candidate must receive
40 percent of the votes cast.
Several things can happen
if there’s not a clear winner.
A special election is held
between the top two candidates is the normal process.
In some situations a candidate or citizens can contest
the results. Procedures are followed and an investigation is
conducted to determine the
outcome.
Such is the way of Democracy. No matter what you
think of ongoing politics, the
Democratic system works,
not because of politics but
because of citizens who care.
Such is the case for the city of
Whittier.
Letters to the Editor
Turnagain Arm Service
Coalition to Hold Town
Hall Meeting
To the Editor:
Mark your calendar to
attend. The advisory board of
the Turnagain Arm Service
Coalition (TASC) is holding
a Town Hall Meeting on
Wednesday, Nov. 6 at 6:30
p.m. at the Girdwood Community Room. TASC is working
to build a shared facility for
Little Bears, the Girdwood
Health Clinic, and a community recreation center. Both
Little Bears and the Girdwood
Health Clinic are in dire need
of new facilities, and a community recreation center can
certainly benefit all those that
live here. The coalition was
formed in an effort to save
our community money and
resources by constructing one
facility to accommodate all
three needs.
Please join us on Nov. 6 as
we will have RIM Architects
in Girdwood to discuss the
future building site (land dedicated to TASC by the Heritage
Land Bank) as well as present
conceptual design plans.
Please attend this meeting as
TASC board members and
RIM Architects will be on
hand to answer any questions
you might have about this important project.
Turnagain Arm
Service Coalition
Democracy is alive and
well in Whittier
To the Editor:
Federal, state and local
codes control procedures governing elections. Citizens play
the key role in democracy by
voting to elect representative
government officials. Citizens
rights can also be exercised by
filing a petition of recall when
they feel that is appropriate.
The recall process requires
that the petitioner state a valid
reason for the filing, and a set
number of qualified voters
must sign the petition. When
the petition is submitted it
must stand the test of legal
scrutiny. If the petition passes
the test then a recall special
election is set.
During this process citizens weigh the pros and cons
Charlene Arneson,
Whittier
Page 4
Turnagain Times
October 17, 2013
Hope Happenings
Shyla Malone
Turnagain Times
Hope Correspondent
Halloween is right around the
corner; the days have grown shorter
and autumn is in full swing. Orange
and gold hues cover the mountainsides as morning fog wafts up from
the ground. In the morning, frost sparkles on the trees and adorns our cars.
Smoke tendrils drift lazily from our
chimneys, across the brisk air.
School News
On Oct. 10, there will be a Mexican
dinner at the school. It will mainly
consist of enchiladas, beans and rice.
On Saturday, Oct. 12, the kids are
participating in a Challenge with other
schools in the Kenai Borough; it’s
called Mind A-mazes. This is a Kenai
Borough School District problem
solving competition sponsored by the
Quest program. It’s a long-term exercise in which the students receive
several weeks in advance so they can
work to complete their solution to the
problem in the weeks leading up to the
competition.
The task for this challenge is different each year. There is also a spontaneous problem that is presented
at the competition for the teams to
solve in a very short amount of time.
Our school’s teams consists of Tyler
Motoyama, Liam Bureau And River
Skarren for the high school team, and
for the 3-5 grade team: Alex Schell,
Cody Fortin, Ryder Skarren, and
Andy Bishop. The competition will at
be Soldotna Middle School.
October 26 there will be a Halloween ball at the school. The theme of
the ball is “Happily never after.” There
will be a jack-o’-lantern contest (for
already carved pumpkins), costume
contest, disco room, haunted house
(run by the new science teacher), refreshments, games and activities. All
the proceeds go to Hope School PTA.
We are currently looking for donations for the cake walk and volunteers.
If you are interested, please contact
Kristy 971-241-5222 or Shyla 3319773. Check out the Hope School and
have a spooktacular time.
Church News
Church service is every Sunday at
3 p.m. The food bank is on Thursdays
from noon to 1 p.m.
“Hope in Hope” are Alcoholics
Anonymous meetings that take place
at Hope Christian Church every Saturday at 7 p.m.
Library News
The library’s hours will soon be
changing. The new hours will be noon
to 3 p.m. There are many new items at
the library, including learning toys and
toddler books. Come sit by the fire,
enjoy a hot cup of cider or coffee and
great books.
Moose Passings
Compiled by Willow Hetrick
Turnagain Times
Moose Pass Correspondent
Abs and Core Circuit
Class
Mondays and Thursdays
from Oct. 3 through mid-November, Bobbie Jo Kolodzeijski will be heading an exercise class at the Moose Pass
Community Hall. The class
is currently held from 5:306:30 p.m. Contact Bobbie Jo
at bobbiejokolo@gmail.com
for an updated schedule. Bring
a yoga mat if you have one or
a stability ball. For those who
have done this before know
that it is fun, you actually see
results, but it is kind of fast
paced, and we listen to up beat
music, we all get involved in
helping be the timer, it is sort
of self guided in a way. You
go at your own pace and do
what you can. Fun and kid
friendly (if you have to bring
kiddos, we are okay with that,
just bring snack and something
for them to do or get them involved in the exercises too.
Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly Report
The first October meeting
was very short, with the one
Ordinance up for public hearing
being postponed to our October
22 meeting due to finalization
of pay scale agreements. It is
Ordinance 2013-19-19 which
approves moving eight State
dispatchers to borough employment for the Soldotna Public
Safety Communications Center
(911).
During committee meetings we heard an in-depth presentation on the administrative
salary schedule and suggestions for revision. We later approved a resolution approving
the revised salary schedule.
We passed a resolution on the
consent agenda certifying the
Double Musky Inn
Cajun Cuisine
Girdwood, Alaska
Since 1962
“Laissez les bon temps rouler!”
Closed Mondays
Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday .................. 5 p.m. - 10 p.m.
Friday, Saturday, Sunday ........................ 4:30 p.m. - 10 p.m.
results of the October 1 election. Of interest are the statistics
showing a 20.78 percent voter
turnout borough-wide, with
Seward/Lowell Point showing
22.96 percent, Cooper Landing
with 23.92 percent, Moose
Pass 21.17 percent and Hope at
18.64 percent.
Borough Proposition 1 (the
tax exemption increase) passed
with 63.39 percent yes votes,
Proposition 2 (the school bond)
passed with 57.33 percent yes,
and the two term-limit repeal/
extension propositions both
failed with approximately 71
percent “no” votes. Returning
Assemblyman Johnson (district
7, and newly elected Assemblymen Dale Bagley (district
4) and Wayne Ogle (district 3)
were sworn in. In his report,
Mayor Navarre stated that he
had met with the governor and
presented his top few requests
to be in the governor’s budget.
These include roads, the Tall
Tree bridge repair, elodea eradication, and backup generators
for Seldovia. He also attended a
community meeting in Nikiski
to discuss the North Road extension.
The assembly approved Resolution 2013-071 to provide for
issuance and sale of the general
obligation bonds approved by
the passage of Proposition 2.
Also, in an unusual move, the
assembly unanimously vetoed a
petition to vacate brought to us
by the Planning Commission.
I attended meetings of the five
unincorporated communities in
our district, discussing revenue
sharing plans and capitol improvement priorities on Sept.
23 and 28. It was good to meet
new folks in Sterling, and to
see my friends in Lowell Point,
Moose Pass, Cooper Landing
and Hope. I look forward to
those annual meetings. Our
next
Borough
Assembly
meeting will be October 22 at 6
PM in Soldotna. As usual I can
be reached at 224-784.or smcclure@borough.kenai.ak.us.
The Seward Annex office in
SeaView Plaza is a great source
of information, as is the borough’s website: www.borough.
kenai.ak.us.
Turnagain Times
October 17, 2013
Page 5
Cooper Landing News
By Susanna LaRock
Turnagain Times
Cooper Landing Correspondent
Federal Shutdown
Closes Operations of
Local Fishing Guides
On Oct. 3, Cooper Landing
fishing guides received an
e-mail with an official letter
from Andy Loranger, Kenai
National Wildlife Refuge
Manager. The letter informed
guides that all special use
permits to provide commercial visitor services on the
KNWR are suspended due
to a lapse in appropriations
resulting in a government
shutdown. Many of the local
guides holding these permits
are being put out of business
early.
Generally, fishing guides
in Cooper Landing who hold
Special Use Permits continue to take clients fishing in
the refuge through mid-October. Fall fishing is popular
with avid trout anglers and
conditions are great for trout
fishing. Guides who received
the letter informing them of
the suspension were advised
to stay tuned to news reports
regarding government operations.
The letter stated, “Your
Special Use Permit will automatically be reinstated and
you may resume your authorized activities as soon as government operations have been
restored.”
In the meantime guides are
forced to sit out the end of
their fishing season waiting
for government operations to
be restored.
National Weather
Service Issues Flood
Warning
The National Weather
Service in Anchorage issued
a flood advisory to Cooper
Landing Residents on Thursday, Oct. 10. The advisory
stated that the Snow Glacier
Dammed Lake appears to
be releasing, causing water
levels on Snow River to
steadily rise. In the past, when
there has been an outburst at
Snow Glacier Lake, Cooper
Landing residents have seen
flooding in Kenai Lake and
River.
The advisory warns that
the Kenai River in the Cooper
Landing area is expected to
rise 2.5-3.5 feet before cresting around minor flood stage
early in the week; minor flood
stage in Cooper Landing is
13 feet. Cooper Landing residents with homes on Kenai
Lake and Kenai River are
advised to be aware of rising
water levels.
Cooper Landing
Historical Society
and Museum Meeting
The Cooper Landing Historical Society and Museum
will be hosting a meeting at
the Cooper Landing Commu-
nity Hall on Saturday, Oct. 19
at 2 p.m. The meeting is open
to the public; after the business meeting, Willard and
Beverly Dunham will give a
presentation about the early
days in Seward and Cooper
Landing. Willard and Bev
are lifelong residents who are
still active in their community
doing volunteer work.
Willard is the former
Mayor of Seward, and Bev
is the former editor of the
Seward Phoenix Log, a publication that the couple helped
to found. All are welcome to
come and listen to the stories
that these two have to share.
Refreshments will be served
and door prizes will be given.
Time is running out
to Buy Tickets for
the Annual Library
Fundraiser
Tickets are on sale now
for the 14th Annual Cooper
Landing Community Library
Fundraiser. This event is one
that you will not want to miss
and tickets go fast! Be sure
to stop by the library or stop
a librarian to buy your tickets
now. Tickets are $110 and
admit two adults to the fundraiser event on Saturday, Nov.
2.
The food will be provided
by Arden Rankins, and is expected to be amazing as usual.
This is a Bring Your Own
Bottle event. There will be
23 cash prizes from $125 to
$2,000 handed out during the
course of the event, though
one does not need to be
present in order to win. This
is the Cooper Landing Community Library’s biggest fund
raiser and the proceeds go to
keep the library running every
year.
If you enjoy the many services provided to the community by the Cooper Landing
Susanna LaRock/Turnagain Times
Water levels have risen on Kenai Lake and Kenai River due to Snow Glacier
Dammed Lake releasing.
Community Library, be sure
to show your support by
buying tickets and attending
the fundraiser.
Cooper Landing Gun
Club Open House and
Turkey Shoot
them for a Halloween party
at 2:30 p.m. in the Cooper
Landing School Gym. The
students will all show off
their costumes in a Halloween parade and there will be
refreshments following the
parade. Pre-School students
and babies are welcome to
come and show off their costumes and join in the fun as
well.
The Cooper Landing Gun
Club will be hosting an Open
House and Turkey Shoot at the
shooting range on Bean Creek
Road Saturday, Nov. 2 from
11 a.m. to 2 p.m. This event
is open to the public. Participants are encouraged to bring
their shotguns as trap games
begin at noon, and there will
be a chance to win a turkey for
Thanksgiving dinner.
Cooper Landing School
Halloween Party
Cooper Landing School
students and staff invite all
community members to join
The Cooper Landing AmeriCorps Members are hosting a Recycled Fashion Show competition event this
November in honor of America Recycles Day. We
are trying to get the word out so that interested individuals can create their outfit in time. This event is
sponsored by the Cooper Landing Community Club
and is free to all.
Read the Turnagain Times online or
download a PDF of the printed version:
www.turnagaintimes.com
Find Useful Stuff like Ferry, Railroad
and Tunnel Schedules, Road Conditions,
Local Weather and more.
Page 6
Turnagain Times
October 17, 2013
Out of the Town: Anchorage Bowl Arts & Entertainment
By Robin Rosemond
Turnagain Times Correspondent
The snow hasn’t come
down the mountains yet, but I
smell it in the air. It’s been a
busy few weeks and I see the
holidaze looming ahead.
On a cheerier note, I went
to see Viva Voom Burr-Lesque
at the Sydney Lawrence
Theater recently. It was a Fundraiser for the Alaska AIDS
Assistance Association (Four
A’s). I had a fabulous evening.
I saw Viva Voom Brr-Lesque
the first time at Bernie’s Bungalow years ago. It’ was the
Fourth of July and my band,
The Elly Maze, opened the
then Annual 4th of July Bash.
Gosh, it seems like 100 years
ago.
When I met Kamala,
Frank, all the girls and guys,
it was fan at first sight. I think
they’re an erotic, hilarious, inspiration to all of us. Kamala
Steiner (Lola Pistola), the coleader and singer extraordinaire reminds us every time
she hits the stage, that we are
all beautiful. I love that she
does that.
The show was fantastic. I
laughed and enjoyed Danger
Mause, Strawberry Stems,
Coral Key and the entirely
amazing cast of characters.
I liked seeing them at the
Performing Arts Center. The
center was bubbling with entertainment both national and
local that night. I think the
community should take back
the Performing Arts Center
a little more in the coming
years. The facility shouldn’t
just be a rental box. The
Center must do more to be
the cultural hub of the city
and utilize the building in
the way it was built to function. I love the place. I work
there, and I do not criticize
anything about it except that
it could be so much more for
the city. But as in everything,
it’s difficult if it isn’t making
money.
Chilcoot Charlie’s will be
hosting Burlesque Assassins
premier Nov. 16, 21, and 22.
Featuring Amber Ray, a world
burlesque icon and actor in the
film. Follow them on Facebook or Twitter at VivaVoomAK.
Come to Me, Leopards
is the exciting new show at
Cyrano’s. It’s about a running
group that travels to Italy
and loses their coach. Sure
to be a great night of theater
with actors ‘acting’ like their
running. Runs Oct. 25 to
Nov. 17. I love what Cyrano’s
does and I think this theater
company also deserves the
community’s support for their
ever-changing performances.
Cyrano’s Off Center Playhouse Theatre, 413 D Street,
Anchorage. For more information call: 274-2599
My culinary portion of
the column is to praise Great
Harvest Bread Company. I
love their bread. It’s baked
fresh daily. It’s made from
scratch and they also grind
their own grains daily. Their
location in the Northway Mall
is my favorite destination
Robin Rosemond/Turnagain Times
Fresh bread from the Great Harvest Bread Company. Yum!
these days. I’ve already mentioned La Bodega and Café
Amsterdam having the prime
spots in this ever changing
mall, but with Great Harvest
there as well, it’ makes for
a must go to mall. Great
Harvest Bread Company, 570
E. Benson Boulevard, Anchorage. Monday-Saturday, 7
a.m. to 6 p.m. For more information call: 274-3331.
Write to me: rosebud61155@
mac.com or check out my
blog: www.rosemondpost.com.
www.turnagaintimes.com
ANCHOR INN
For reservations call 1-877-870-8787
Vacation Condos for rent • Hotel Accommodations
Affordable Rates • Satellite TV • FREE Parking
Phone in Room • Full Service Restaurant • Laundromat
Cocktail Lounge • Grocery Store • Gifts & Souvenirs
Free Shuttle Service Call for details
Short-term and Long-term
Condo Suites available for rent
Phone: 472-2354 Fax: 472-2394
P.O. Box 750 • Whittier, AK 99693
email: info@anchorinnwhittier.com
Turnagain Times
October 17, 2013
Page 7
New Principal of Girdwood School
Continued from page 1
University of Alaska Anchorage where she obtained her
teaching certificate in 1992.
She followed up with a Master’s degree in 1998.
For 17 years she taught at
the elementary school level,
teaching every grade but kindergarten and sixth. She then
took time off to raise their
three children, two boys and
one girl. When her youngest
child entered kindergarten,
Hemry was ready to return
to educational work, but this
time as an administrator.
After a lengthy interviewing process for the Girdwood
School principal position, she
was offered the job.
Hemry oversees a staff of
seven full-time elementary
school teachers, one fulltime middle school teacher
and several part-time teachers. One of the first challenges she will face is putting
together next year’s school
budget, which will come at a
time when the school expansion and renovation is underway.
“Budgets are always challenging,” she said. “I do the
grant writing as well, and
the PTA provides support for
the fundraising.” She added
that the school district provides strong support with the
budget process.
As for her first couple of
months on the job, Hemry
said there haven’t been many
issues this year that have
posed any real problems, and
things have been going along
smoothly. The real challenge,
she admitted, will come
next year when construction
begins at the school.
“Hopefully, the students
will not have to be relocated
to other schools during the
building project,” she said.
“The plan is to start construction this summer after school
is out. I’m really excited
about it. It’s a perfect time be
coming into a new community when you’re involved with
Whittier Election
Continued from page 1
manager Tom Bolen. “There was ample evidence in other states
where this type of case has been interpreted in this way where
you count the votes cast for the seat, but you don’t count the
blanks. I don’t agree with the decision. I believe when we vote
in any part of our democracy the basic principle is that the majority rules. So to me the reason the Alaska statute includes this
language about 40 percent of the election is to avoid a candidate
having minimum support in the community. If there were 114
votes and only 14 votes were cast for a certain candidate on a
ballot and 100 didn’t vote that is not a 100 percent confirmation
that the candidate received the majority support of the people.
Now that’s an extreme example, but it demonstrates the fallacy
of that concept that you should count 40 percent of the votes for
a seat rather than 40 percent of the election.”
The second challenge by Denmark was for the council to
investigate whether Lunceford was a legal resident of Whittier.
Vice mayor Daniel Blair asked Denmark if he would withdraw
the challenge, given that he won the election, and Denmark
agreed to withdraw it. He was then sworn in and seated on the
council.
Next meeting
October 21
all the transitions.”
McCool Carlson Green Architects in Anchorage is overseeing the school expansion
and renewal project, which is
expected to take one year to
complete. During that time,
Hemry will have to adapt
to the construction plan.
Whether the school rebuilding or remodel takes place
first has yet to be decided,
making it more difficult to
plan ahead.
“The biggest challenge
will be the renovation of the
school and figuring out what
to do with the students and
the logistics of the school,”
she said.
Hemry will have the
daunting task of working
around not only the school
expansion, but also the old
Ilustration by McCool Carlson Green Architects
A rendering of the exterior entry to the new Girdwood School. Construction is expected to begin
next summer.
section being remodeled.
Keeping the students in the
building during the construction will be half the challenge
as teachers and students are
relocated to work around the
constant noise of construc-
tion and debris.
“Girdwood doesn’t have
another building for a school,
and it’s going to be a juggling
act with classrooms, because
its important that we can stay
here,” Hemry said.
Page 8
Turnagain Times
October 17, 2013
Mountain News
Ben Napolitano
Special to the Turnagain Times
Tram Closed
for Season
The Alyeska Aerial Tram
will be closing up shop for
the summer/fall season with
a scheduled reopening for the
2013/14 ski season on pass
holder appreciation day Nov.
27. While the tram is down
Alyeska lift maintenance
crews will conduct its bi-yearly inspections and perform
regular maintenance to insure
the tram is in top shape for
winter traffic. All hikers going
up the North Face Trail need
to be aware that they will need
to hike down.
Photos courtesy of Ben Napolitano
Work on the towers for the Glacier Bowl Express, the new Chair 6, is winding down. The new lift will have an
uphill speed of 1,000 feet per minute, slightly faster than the previous chair.
visit www.alyeskaresort.com.
Visit the Pond Café
for a great steak
New Chair 6 named
“Glacier Bowl
Express”
The Pond Café, located on
the second floor of the Hotel
Alyeska has seen some great
traffic the past few weekends
as it has been transformed
into Girdwood’s newest
steakhouse. Operations of
the Pond Steakhouse will run
through Nov. 2 from 5–10
p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. Alyeska Executive
Chef Jason Porter has created
a delicious menu featuring
some mouth-watering appetizers, succulent entrees and
a build-your-own steak dish.
The build-your-own option
allows patrons to choose their
preferred cut of meat, sauce,
vegetables, and starch with
extra add-ons including king
crab legs and shrimp. For
more details and full menu
The lift that transports
skiers and riders to the upper
mountain
for
seemingly
endless POW turns, face shots
and the most incredible view in
skiing, will be forever known
by locals as Chair 6. But let’s
face it, you would never name
your sweet new car after your
old car no matter the memories connected to it, right?
This is exactly the stance
Alyeska Resort has taken
when it decided to rename the
new lift on the upper mountain. Resort management and
ownership tossed around a lot
of names before deciding on
Glacier Bowl Express. The
new name is not only meant
to communicate the physical
location of skiers and riders
but also draw attention to the
unique beauty and features of
the upper mountain.
Glacier Bowl Express was
designed and built by Doppelmayr USA based in Salt Lake
City, Utah. The new lift will
have an uphill speed of 1,000
feet per minute, slightly faster
than the previous chair. Skiers
and riders will notice some
other new changes as well including fewer lift towers on
slope and a top terminal that is
set back 20 yards which allows
more room for people to get
ready before dropping in. The
loading pattern at the bottom
terminal will be different also.
Glacier Bowl Express will
have a perpendicular loading
sequence making the lift lines
less congested and easier to
get through.
October odds
and ends
Saturday, Oct. 19 – Need
some gear for the upcoming
HALLOWEEN
PARTY
AT THE
ALASKA
WILDLIFE
CONSERVATION CENTER
SATURDAY,
OCT. 26TH, 5-8PM
Investigate skulls, scat and scary animals in this fun, FREE, carnival
type event held after hours in the AWCC barn. Wear your costume
and bring the whole family!
*Event is free. Normal admission charges apply.
The Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center is a
non profit organization dedicated to wildlife
conservation and education. Open 7 days a
week from 10am-5pm.
For more information call 783-2025 or visit
alaskawildlife.org
Mile 79 Seward Highway
Portage, AK 99587
907.783.2025
alaskawildlife.org
season, or are you looking to
sell some old gear that still has
some pop in it? Alyeska will
be hosting the Girdwood All
Sports Ski Swap from noon –
5 p.m. inside the Daylodge as
a fundraiser for Four Valleys
Community School. Twentyfive percent of all sales transactions will go directly to
FVCS to help them keep their
great program going.
Thursday, Oct 31 – The
closing day of October marks
the final day to purchase a
2013/14 season pass at a discounted price. It’s also the last
day to roll over any unused
days from a 2012/13 10X
Powder Pass and apply them
towards a 10X pass for the upcoming season. Call the Tram
ticket office at 754-2275 or
stop by in person.
Thursday, Oct 31 – The
Girdwood PTA is hosting a
Halloween Kid’s Carnival
inside the Alyeska Daylodge.
The carnival will run from 5-8
p.m. and will feature a candy
walk, costume parade and
other game stations for young
trick or treaters to enjoy. Entry
is $3 per person or $10 per
family. All proceeds benefit
the Girdwood School.
All aboard the
Halloween Train
Halloween falls on a
Thursday this year, not
much we can do about that,
except for throw a party on
the weekend! Alyeska will
be hosting a weekend full of
Halloween fun Friday and
Saturday, Nov. 1 and 2 at
the Daylodge. The weekend
festivities kick off Friday
night with Los Angeles based
Fly Guy. This 80’s and 90’s
rocking group covers some
of your favorite tunes and has
a live DJ for on the spot mash
ups. The Halloween party
continues Saturday with the
Alaska Railroad and Alyeska
Resort teaming up to bring
you the Halloween Train
from Anchorage to Girdwood for The Funky Hippeez
zombie disco concert. Remember these guys from
last year’s Halloween party?
They put on one groovy 70’s
disco dance party that rocked
the Daylodge crowd all night.
The Alyeska Halloween Train is scheduled for
a mid-afternoon departure
from Anchorage to the Hotel
Alyeska on Saturday, November 2; the package is for
guests ages 21 and over and
includes one-night stay, rail
travel to Girdwood, buffet
dinner, two drink vouchers, tickets to the Halloween
concert at the Daylodge, and
return coach bus to Anchorage on Sunday, November 3.
The package price is $249 per
person based on double occupancy and available through
the Alyeska Reservations Department.
Turnagain Times
October 17, 2013
Page 9
Between the Pages: New library space for the very young
By Sherri Douglas
Special to the Turnagain Times
The idea of libraries serving youth
is a relatively recent concept, especially given that the libraries have been
around for nearly 4,000 years ago. Although some public libraries had children’s books in their collections in the
1800s, most of them didn’t allow youth
in the reading rooms. It wasn’t until
mandatory schooling and child labor
laws passed at the end of the century
that libraries started building collections for the young. By the 1920s and
‘30s, youth librarians joined library
staffs, and storytimes for families with
preschoolers became a regular feature.
In the late ‘80s, we started offering Lapsit – a story-sharing program
for children ages 3 and under and their
caregivers. We knew it was important to read aloud to children, but we
didn’t know much about the scientific
reasons then. What we saw was that
reading developed language skills and
created a loving bond between parents
and children.
Our Lapsit programs are easily the
most popular. They are theme-oriented, with a set structure, so kids become
familiar with and look forward to the
songs and rhymes. Librarians select
books to share and add new fingerplays and action rhymes around the
theme. Puppets greet the families.
Flannel board stories add another dimension. I’ve seen friendships form
amongst the parents and caregivers,
and overheard plans for play dates.
Over the last decade or so, scientific studies on brain development of
the very young have given credence
to our intuition about early learning.
What a child learns and experiences in
his or her first three years has a profound affect on success in school and
in later life.
As a result, Anchorage Public
Library created a statewide resource
for youngest Alaskans – youth age 3
and under, thanks to an Alaska State
Library grant. Many communities
lack libraries or bookstores to provide
board books for babies. Librarian
Terrie Weckerle directed the Ready to
Read Resource Center, and assembled
tubs of board books, theme bags and
Read to Me at Home kits to circulate
throughout the state. She trained early
childcare providers and librarians on
the importance of early literacy learning. (Terrie has moved and the new
project manager Stephanie Schott
joins APL at the end of October.)
Recently, the Public Library Asso-
Fence raising event
to be held at AWCC
for wood bison
By Scott Michaelis
One hundred years from
now it will not matter what
kind of house you lived in, or
what kind of car you drove,
but what will matter is that you
were an important part of the
reintroduction of wood bison
to Alaska.
One hundred years from
now the world will be grateful
to those who made the reintroduction of wood bison into
Alaska possible.
One hundred and thirty
wood bison wait patiently in
Portage to be released, with
an additional fifty calves estimated to be born next spring.
Managing these wood bison is
an expensive task. A task made
possible through contributions from organizations such
as; University of Alaska Fairbanks, Carlile Transportation
Systems, Rasmuson Foundation, Alyeska Resort, Craig
Taylor Equipment, Ted Turner
Foundation, Anchorage Firefighters, and Safari Club International.
Starting with just 13 wood
bison seven years ago the
wood bison have outgrown
their pasture capacity. To
manage these animals properly more space was immediately needed. A request to
the Chugach National Forest
resulted in the approval of
the adjacent use of 165 acres
for the wood bison project.
A request to ConocoPhillips
produced a donation of pipe,
fulfilling necessary for fence
posts. A $75,000 grant application for fencing was approved
by Wells Fargo Bank. We are
now ready to make a difference in the lives of these bison
as they eagerly await release.
For the Alaska Wildlife
Conservation Center, it is a
privilege to be involved in
this great wildlife conservation effort. Using the land is a
privilege, building the fence is
a privilege, returning the wood
bison to the land they once
roamed is an honor.
Once released these bison
will multiply into great herds
numbering in the tens of thousands. This project is America’s greatest contribution to
wildlife conservation of this
century.
On Saturday, Oct. 19, the
Alaska Wildlife Conservation
Center will host a volunteer day
for all those who wish to assist
in this great project. Beginning
at 9 a.m. we will drive fence
post and erect fence. A barbeque lunch will be providing
in the AWCC barn. All volunteers will receive a wood bison
project volunteer tee-shirt. All
volunteers will receive the satisfaction of knowing that their
effort made possible the great
reintroduction of wood bison
into the wilds of Alaska.
Directions: Go 1 mile past
the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center and turn right
into the new driveway to the
parking area.
ciation summarized the early literacy
skills a child needs to be ready to learn
into a simple formula – Read, Write,
Sing, Play and Talk. Loussac’s new
early literacy space on level 2, which
opens with a ceremony Tuesday, Oct.
22, at 10 a.m., is designed to share that
formula with young children and their
caregivers.
You may need to stoop to enter
through the archway entry to this
unique space. Low, birch shelves
contain a refreshed board book collection and a variety of toys. Colorful interactive elements and bright wall art
created by Hope Studies attract attention and encourage interaction.
The key here is parents engaging
with children as they explore language through play. Join your toddler
at the kitchen sink, have tea together,
and sing “I’m a little teapot” between
nibbles of pretend food. Plop down
together beneath the “READ” sign
with a board book. Lift your knees
so another toddler can drive a truck
through your makeshift tunnel.
The era of the shushing librarian is
long gone. Friends of the Library is
providing funds so every APL neighborhood library can create its own
early literacy space. On your next trip
to the library, you may hear the joyful
sounds of infants, toddlers and their
caregivers reading, playing, talking,
singing, laughing or crying (an effective form of communication for infants,
but hopefully not for adults!). Join us
in supporting and celebrating the early
literacy development in our youngest
Alaskans at our local libraries.
Sherri Douglas was an Anchorage
Public Library youth librarian for 26
years; the last 12 as the Youth Services Coordinator. Recently she accepted
a position as the APL Assistant Director for Public Services.
FVCS News
By Briana Sullivan
Special to the Turnagain Times
As the fall season sticks with us, Four
Valleys Community School continues a
busy schedule for students and adults alike.
Know that when it’s really raining or frigid
outside, there’s always something going
on in the Girdwood School gym and Community Room. Fresh classes are Calling
All Pets and Vinyasa Flow Yoga for adults,
Gym Games for high schoolers and After
Skool Youth Media for the t(w)eens.
Fire Station Tours, After School Crafts,
Guitar Lessons, and Romp ‘N Snore
Mondays are all here, now. Open court basketball (all ages) is looking for some more
players ladies and gentlemen! Tuesday
nights could be the evening to get on the
court, have a blast, and get your mid-week
sweat on. Continue to visit our website at
www.fourvalleys.org for the latest and
greatest and like us on Facebook.
Happening next
Ski Swap at the Alyeska Daylodge is
merely hours away! Saturday, Oct. 19 is our
annual Ski & Sports swap from noon-5 p.m.
with equipment drop off between 9-11 a.m.
Clean out those closets, garages, and sheds
while helping raise money for FVCS. Volunteers are still needed to help prep, run, and
clean up the event. Just a few hours on the
19 has a perk: VIP shopping. Also, this year
will feature an express lane for those that
arrive with clean, organized, tagged gear,
along with a complete control sheet. Pick up
control sheets just outside the door of FV
office at the Girdwood School. Go express!
For tips on pricing and control sheet instructions, visit our website to make for an easy
morning. Drop off equipment between 9-11
a.m. at the Alyeska Daylodge.
Photos courtesy of Briana Sullivan
Sophia Vercelline calls for the ball
during a girls’ volleyball game.
Calling all locals
Join your friends and neighbors for
A.N.O. Adult’s Night Out! at Challenge
Alaska, Saturday Nov. 9 at 7 p.m. for fun,
drinks, and hors d’oeuvres. Time to get up,
turn off the computer and make a night out
before ski season hits; visit face-to-face
with your community! Bottom line, let’s
all get out and unwind for a great cause
while having a good time. Your $25 or 2
for $40 admission will fund classes, after
school programs, and activities for children and adults in Girdwood. This event is
sponsored by FVCS. Tickets available at
the Ski Swap and FVCS. Save the date.
www.turnagaintimes.com
Page 10
Turnagain Times
October 17, 2013
TROOPER REPORT
The Alaska State Troopers
reported the following incidents. Any charges reported
are merely accusations and
the defendants are presumed
innocent unless and until
proven guilty.
Driving While License
Suspended
MILE 110 SEWARD
HWY—September 23 at approximately 9:25 p.m., troopers stopped a 1995 Nissan
Stanza for an equipment violation near mile 110 of the
Seward Highway. The driver,
Gwendolyn Marie Wood, age
37 of Soldotna, was found to
be driving with a suspended driver’s license (Driving
While License Suspended).
Wood was issued an misdemeanor citation for DWLS
and released on scene.
Driving While License
Canceled
MILE
46
SEWARD
HWY—September 30 at
around 9 p.m., troopers
stopped a vehicle near mile
46 of the Seward Highway
for a moving violation. The
driver of the vehicle, Gary
Porter, age 60 of Homer, was
issued Minor Offense Citation for the moving violation
and a Misdemeanor Citation
to appear in the District Court
at Seward for Driving with a
Cancelled License.
Take Big Game Closed
Season, Fail to Seal
HOPE—October 1 Alaska
Wildlife Troopers from Soldotna Post, issued citations
to Robert “Dave” David
Townsend, 42 of Eagle River,
for taking a fork antlered bull
moose on Sept. 11 near 1.7
mile of the Hope Highway.
Townsend was also cited
for failure to seal the moose
antlers within 10 days of take.
Townsend was charged with
two class A misdemeanors
with arraignment set in the
Seward District Court.
Driving While License
Canceled
MILE 109 SEWARD
HWY—October 3 at approximately 1:52 p.m., troopers stopped a blue Toyota 4
Runner near mile post 109
of the Seward Highway for
an
equipment
violation.
The driver was identified as
Gregory Robertson, age 43 of
Indian, by his Alaska driver’s
license. A records check revealed Robertson’s driver’s
license was in canceled status.
Robertson was issued a Misdemeanor Citation for Driving
While License Canceled and
released from the scene of
the stop. Great Land Towing
towed the vehicle.
Misconduct Involving
Controlled Substance
MILE
97
SEWARD
HWY—October 3 at around
11:39 a.m. troopers stopped
a white Oldsmobile Bravada
near mile 97.0 of the Seward
Highway for an equipment violation. The driver was identified as Casey Ainley, age 26
of Arkansas, by her Arkansas
driver’s license. Investigation
revealed Ainley was in possession of marijuana. Ainley
was issued a Misdemeanor
Citation for Misconduct Involving Controlled Substance
6th degree and released from
the scene of the stop.
Marijuana Possession
MILE
90
SEWARD
HWY—October 4 at around
5:45 p.m. troopers stopped
a 2001 Chrysler Town &
Country van for an equipment
violation near mile 90 of the
Seward Highway. The driver,
Russell L. Copelin, age 30
of Fairbanks, was found to
possess marijuana. Copelin
was issued a misdemeanor citation for Misconduct Involving a Controlled Substance VI
then released on scene.
Driving While License
Suspended
MILE
77
SEWARD
HWY—October 4 around
7 p.m., troopers stopped a
vehicle near mile 77 of the
Seward Hwy. for a moving
violation. The driver of the
vehicle, John Bolton (age 42
of Anchorage) was issued
a Misdemeanor Citation to
appear in the District Court at
Anchorage for driving with a
suspended license. Bolton was
also issued a minor offense citation for the moving violation.
DUI, Warrant Arrest
MILE
94
SEWARD
HWY—October 5 at about
5:47 p.m., troopers contacted Floyd A. Itta, age 44 of
North Pole, on a traffic stop
near mile 94 of the Seward
Highway. An investigation revealed Itta had an outstanding
arrest warrant. Further investigation revealed Itta was operating a motor vehicle while
under the influence of alcoholic beverages and was on
conditions of release with a
condition not to consume alcoholic beverages. Itta was
arrested for DUI, VCOR, and
the outstanding arrest warrant.
Itta was transported to the Anchorage Jail and remanded.
Warrant Arrest
MILE 100 SEWARD
HWY—October 5 at around
4:58 p.m., troopers stopped
a 2001 Chevrolet pickup for
a moving violation near mile
100 of the Seward Highway.
The passenger, Robert L.
Bernice, age 45 of Seward,
was found to have an outstanding $1,000 arrest warrant for
failure to comply with alcohol
treatment (DUI). Bernice was
arrested on scene then transported to the Anchorage Jail
where he was remanded into
custody.
Marijuana Possession,
Endangering the welfare of Child II, Warrant arrest
MILE
93
HWY—October
SEWARD
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2:127 p.m., troopers stopped
a 1994 Oldsmobile Cutlass
Sedan for an equipment violation near mile 93 of the
Seward Highway. The driver,
Joe Edward Harmon, age 49
of Anchorage, was found to
have an outstanding $500
arrest warrant for failure to
serve PTRP DWLS. Harmon
was arrested on scene and was
found to possess and attempt
to deliver a schedule I narcotic. Harmon was then charged
with Misconduct involving a
controlled substance second
degree and fourth degree. He
was also charged with endangering the welfare of a child
in the second degree. Harmon
was transported to the Anchorage Jail where he was remanded into custody on an additional $10,000 bail.
DUI, Endangering the
Welfare of Child
MILE
97
SEWARD
HWY—October 6 at approximately 11:10 p.m., troopers
stopped a 1988 Ford Van for a
moving violation near mile 97
of the Seward Highway. The
driver, Justin D. Kroening, age
27 of Anchorage, was found
to be driving while impaired
by alcohol. Kroening was arrested for DUI. Kroening was
found to possess firearms and
had a 10-year-old passenger.
Kroening was charged with
additional charges of misconduct involving a weapon
fourth degree and endangering the welfare of a child first
degree. Kroening was transported to the Anchorage Jail
where he was remanded into
custody held on $3,000 bail.
Theft
GIRDWOOD—October
7 at approximately 5:41
a.m., Tyler Howie, age 28 of
Girdwood, reported to the
Alaska State Troopers that an
unknown person(s) entered
his unlocked and unattended
vehicle while it was parked at
an address on Megeve Road.
An investigation revealed that
between 3:30 a.m. and 4 a.m.,
an unknown person(s) stole a
backpack, laptop computer,
and a digital camera out of
Howie’s vehicle. Investigation is on going. Anyone with
information is encouraged
to contact the Alaska State
Troopers at 783-0972.
Warrant Arrest
MILE
73
SEWARD
HWY—October 7 at approximately 7:50 p.m., troopers
stopped on a 1998 Ford Explorer broken down near mile
73 of the Seward Highway.
The passenger, Crystal Keyes,
age 24 of Anchorage, was
found to have an outstanding
$100 arrest warrant for failure
to appear for MCA. Keyes
was arrested on scene then
transported to the Anchorage
Jail where she was remanded
into custody.
Theft
GIRDWOOD—October
8 around 6:49 p.m., Jeff
Vanlandingham, age 53 of
Chugiak, reported to troopers that on Oct. 5 sometime
between 7 p.m. and 8 p.m.,
unknown person(s) stole the
rear license plate from his
vehicle while it was parked
at a business in Girdwood.
The Alaska license plate is
ELS764. The state tab number
is E116793 with an expiration
date of July 31, 2014. Anyone
that has information about
this license plate is asked to
call the Alaska State Troopers
or your local law enforcement
agency. The investigation is
continuing.
Motor Vehicle Collision
MILE 23.5 SEWARD
HWY—October 9 around
3:11 a.m., troopers received a
report of a single vehicle collision near mile 23.5 of the
Seward Highway in Moose
Pass. Troopers responded
and discovered that Adella
Mullan, age 72 of Soldotna,
had driven her vehicle off road
striking a guardrail end head
on. Investigation revealed
that Mullan was impaired by
alcohol. She was arrested for
Driving Under the Influence
and remanded at the Seward
Jail.
Driving While License
Suspended, Warrant
Arrest
MILE 44.5 SEWARD
HWY—October 9 at about
3:41 p.m., contacted Bridget
Burks, age 27 of Seward, on
a traffic stop near mile 44.5
of the Seward Highway. An
investigation revealed Burks
privilege to drive was suspended in Oregon and she
had an expired Alaska operator’s license. Further investigation revealed Burks passenger, Daniel Vanness, 33
of Seward, had an outstand-
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Turnagain Times
October 17, 2013
Page 11
TROOPER REPORT
ing arrest warrant. Burks was
issued a misdemeanor citation
to appear in court for Driving
While License Suspended and
she was released from the
scene. Vanness was arrested
and remanded to the Seward
jail. Bail was set at 250.
Violate Instructional
Permit
MILE
80
SEWARD
HWY—October 9 around
6 p.m., troopers received a
REDDI (Report Every Dangerous Driver Immediately) report of a motor vehicle
speeding and passing unsafely near mile 80 of the Seward
Highway
in
Girdwood.
Troopers located the vehicle
and conducted a traffic stop
for moving violations in addition to the REDDI report
near mile 38 of the Seward
Highway in Moose Pass. Investigation revealed that
Ellen Knutson operated the
vehicle, age 18 of Anchorage.
Knutson had no driver license
issued, only an instructional
permit requiring a licensed
driver over the age of 21 to
be present in her vehicle.
Knutson was found to be in
violation of her instructional
permit requirements. She was
issued a misdemeanor citation for Violating Instructional Permit along with citations
for traffic violations. She was
released at the scene upon the
arrival of a licensed driver.
Warrant Arrest, Marijuana Possession
GIRDWOOD—October
11 around 7 p.m., troopers
stopped a 2006 Kia Sportage
at the Girdwood Tesoro
after it had been called in as
a REDDI for speeding and
passing dangerously. The
driver, Aiden B. Richardson, age 24 of Seward, was
found to have two outstanding arrest warrants for failure
to comply with probation
Assault IV and False report,
with 10 days to serve. A passenger in the vehicle, age
17 of Seward, was found to
possess marijuana. The Juvenile was charged with
misconduct involving a controlled substance 6, and then
later released to a parent.
Richardson was arrested on
scene then transported to the
Anchorage Jail where he was
remanded into custody.
Assault, Kidnapping,
Warrant Arrest
GIRDWOOD—October
12 around 10:36 p.m., Trooper
dispatch in Soldotna received
a 911 call from Alyeska Security reporting that Jacob A.
Brown had allegedly physically assaulted an adult female
at the Alyeska Resort in Girdwood. Jacob A. Brown, 31,
of Fairbanks was arrested for
Assault II (DV), Kidnapping,
and an outstanding felony
warrant after investigation revealed Brown physically assaulted the female in a hotel
room with their two minor
children present. An investigation also revealed Brown
allegedly held the female
against her will in the room.
Brown was remanded to Anchorage Jail.
tires and rims were valued at
$1,000. Anyone with information regarding the theft or
the location of the tires is encouraged to call Alaska State
Troopers at (907) 262-4453 or
Crime Stoppers at 800-4784258.
Motor Vehicle Collision
GIRDWOOD—October
13 at about 2:17 p.m., troopers responded to a motor
vehicle collision on Egloff
Drive near the Girdwood Fire
Department. Investigation revealed James Williams, 66 of
Anchorage, lost control of his
1998 Dodge pick up due to a
medical emergency, colliding
with a stationary pole. Williams was not injured and was
wearing his safety belt.
Theft
MILE
80
SEWARD
HWY—October 13 around
5 p.m., troopers received a
report that a Stealth 2000
duck boat had been stolen
out of the Marsh near mile 80
Seward Highway. The boat
was valued at $1,800. Anyone
with information regarding
the theft or the location of the
boat is encouraged to call the
Alaska State Troopers at (907)
262-4453 or Crime Stoppers
at 800-478-4258.
Warrant Arrest
MILE
56
SEWARD
HWY—October 13 around
2:45 p.m., troopers contacted
Katherine Afatia, age 29 of
Alabama, as a passenger on a
traffic stop near mile 56 of the
Seward Highway. An investigation revealed Afatia had an
outstanding warrant. Afatia
was arrested and remanded
to the Anchorage jail and is
being held pending a $10,000
bail.
DUI
GIRDWOOD—October
12 at approximately 9:42
p.m., troopers stopped a 2007
Ford pickup for swerving off
the roadway near the Alyeska
Highway and Arlberg Road in
Girdwood. The driver, Dino
Santos Hinjo Martinez, age 37
of Girdwood, was found to be
driving under the influence of
alcohol (DUI). Martinez was
arrested on scene for DUI then
transported to the Anchorage
Jail where he was remanded
into custody, held on $500.00
C/C and $500 Performance
bail.
Theft
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around 6:22 p.m., troopers received a report that four tires
with Toyota Aluminum rims
were stolen from in front of
a residence in Girdwood. The
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Page 12
Turnagain Times
October 17, 2013
Record Pink Harvest
Continued from page 1
nantly a drift gill net fishery.
The chum harvest is comprised mainly of hatchery fish.
The startling increase of
pink returns this year to the
sound is probably connected to
survival rates.
“You really can’t tell the
reason why the survival rate
was so high, and this is at
a time when other species
returns like king salmon was
not all that great,” said Bert
Lewis, regional management
coordinator for the commercial fisheries in Prince William
Sound.
Short, inner-tidal fresh
water systems are prime
habitat for pink and chum
salmon. The frye of these
species of salmon go straight
to the ocean with no fresh
water life cycle, which is why
the Prince William Sound
ecosystem is well adapted
to pinks and chums, offering fresh water systems right
next to the ocean. It’s also the
reason for hatcheries being
built around the sound.
The market for pink
salmon in the U.S. is mainly
as a canned product, but in
other countries the whole
fish is marketed, headed and
gutted, and it is also offered
as frozen fillets. In addition,
there’s a developing pale meat
market for late runs of pinks
(when the fish is decaying or
spawned out). The pale pink is
used for value added products
and salmon patty burgers and
fish oil can be extracted. “It’s
still got protein in it, so Asia
and Eastern Europe are eating
it,” said Lewis.
This past season, though,
because the market was saturated with pinks, there was less
demand for late season fish.
“Overall the fishery was
strong, it was a huge return, it
was amazing the fishers were
able to keep up with it and the
processors,” said Sheridan. “It
was very productive and lucrative for all fishery participants.”
The returns this year would
have been a product of brood
year 2011, he said. Pinks
spend one year out at sea and
migrated in 2012.
“With hatchery fish, we
did have the largest release
of pink salmon in 2012, and
with wild fish we had the
second largest escapement of
fish into the stream in 2011
(3.9 million wild pink),” said
said Sheridan. “The hatchery releases were just under
674 million pink salmon fry
that were released in 2012.
The survival is looking as if it
were high, but they weren’t as
high as the 2010 return year.
It was close but it looks as
though the marine survival
return was slightly less than
The chum fishery is the
first to come online at the
Wally Noerenberg Hatchery
on Esther Island in the northwestern sound with an annual
return of just over 2 million
chum. Gill netters target
chum, sockeye and coho
salmon in the western sound.
The 2013 chum harvest, like
the other fisheries, also had a
big year with 4 million of the
dog salmon being harvested.
The Coghill District and the
Eshamy District are the two
primary commercial fishing
districts out of Whittier in
northwestern Prince William
Sound. The sockeye fishery
at Main Bay Hatchery in the
western sound usually sees a
return of a million sockeye in
June and July. In 2011, 3.54
million reds were harvested
in Prince William Sound and
the Copper River. In 2013,
the overall harvest of sockeye
was down from last year’s
harvest (nearly 3.4 million)
with this year’s harvest at 2.25
million. Out of that total, 1.6
million reds were caught in
the Copper River.
“The Copper River harvest
was in the top ten historically
this year, said Jeremy Botz,
the area management biologist
for Prince William Sound for
the set and drift gillnet fisheries. “Main Bay came in about
half as forecasted in the five to
six hundred thousand range.
2010, but you had more fish
released from hatcheries and
likely larger number of wildout migrating fish in 2012.”
Not everybody got rich on
this year’s pink bonanza. One
Whittier fisherman, Russ, who
didn’t want to give his last
name, has fished the sound
since 1972, mostly as a drift
netter. Unlike the seiner, the
drifter is limited to 2,000
pounds of pinks per day,
whereas, the seiner can haul
in as much as 80,000 pounds
per day, he said.
“The seiners plugged the
market for us drifters,” said
Russ. “I fish by myself, and I
don’t have five crew members.
We’re the little guys; the big
boats got the fish this year.
They flushed the market, so I
got out and moved to Copper
River for sockeye. There’s no
limit there.”
The Copper River fishery
shut down after the second
opening to increase the escapement, Russ said, so he
eventually left that fishery to
go after chum, which also had
no limit.
The glut of pinks drove the
wholesale price down to 30
cents per pound, Russ said,
which wasn’t enough to pay
for a day’s worth of boat fuel.
“There was too many fish,”
he reiterated. “I make better
money when there’s not a
record year.”
We had a whole bunch of
jacks return for some reason,
but something happened in
the near shore or open ocean.”
He added that there are four
or five age classes of salmon
returning, so there are many
factors affecting their return
numbers.
Coho are the last salmon
to return to the sound in early
September through October to
the Wally Noerenberg Hatchery (a gillnet fishery) and the
VSDA Hatchery (a seiner
hatchery) in Port Valdez. In
2011, 371,000 coho were harvested in the area that includes
both Prince William Sound
and Copper River, which also
has a return of silvers. The
silver fishery in 2013 also
saw a sizeable increase with
581,000 coho harvested. Last
year, 206,699 silvers were
harvested.
This season’s king salmon
harvest was slightly down
from last year with approximately 10,000 fish caught.
The chinook harvest in 2012
for Prince William Sound and
the Copper River was 12,000.
“The silver lining there is
that the escapement seems
to be due in large part to the
fishery being shut down,” said
Sheridan. “There were several
fishery closures in the Copper
River in late May and early
June primarily for the sockeye
escapement.”
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October
19 Girdwood Community All Sports Swap
31 Halloween Kids’ Carnival
31 Last day for Pre-Season Pass Sale
November
1 Halloween Concert with Fly Guy
2 Zombie Disco Party with Funky Hippeez
2 Alyeska Halloween Train
20 Snow Film Series: McConkey
27 Season Passholder Appreciation Ski Day
27 Snow Film Series: Into the Mind
28 Pond Café Thanksgiving Buffet
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