Author: kfskadmin

Former Petersburg poet laureate and retired teacher Lee Ribich has published a new book of poetry called “The Lines That Connect Us.” Ribich has lived in Petersburg for nearly four decades. He taught high school and middle school classes for 18 years here, coached local sports teams and retired in 1991. Ribich’s book features photography by retired Fish and Game biologist Barry Bracken and poems inspired by Petersburg and the natural world. Joe Viechnicki spoke with Ribich about his new book.

Petersburg’s State Senator will be Democrat Dennis Egan of Juneau after the 2012 elections. Petersburg recently lost a lawsuit aimed at overturning its new legislative district and the city council this week decided not to take the case any further. Egan is the only legislator who will not be up for re-election next fall. Once Alaska’s new legislative boundaries take effect, Egan’s Senate District will include Petersburg, Skagway, and several smaller towns along with the Capitol City. Petersburg is currently in Republican Bert Stedman’s Senate district which also includes his home town of Sitka as well as Wrangell, and Ketchikan. Egan says he has a good relationship with Stedman and plans to work with him to get up to speed on Petersburg issues. Egan’s also been in touch with local officials and Matt Lichtenstein spoke with him late last week

Petersburg elected officials last week continued an ongoing discussion about developing more of a fishing vessel services industry. Petersburg’s city council, harbor advisory board and local business representatives heard updates Friday on several public and private projects to increase the number of vessel maintenance and repair options in town.

Petersburg will give up its legal challenge over redistricting. While they were not happy about losing their long-time legislators next year, the Mayor and the majority of city councilors Monday voted not to appeal the case to the Alaska Supreme Court.