Author: kfskadmin

The Southeast Alaska Power Agency is operating at a surplus and the cost of its power generation has dropped. That’s according to SEAPA chair Joe Nelson, who gave an update to the Petersburg City Council this week. SEAPA provides electricity to Petersburg, Wrangell and Ketchikan. Nelson also discussed the Kake electrical intertie project as well as improvements at the Tyee electric plant. Meanwhile, as the local power and light superintendent, Nelson reported on Petersburg’s legal appeal over a federal hydro-power permit at nearby Ruth Lake.

The City of Petersburg has had little response, so far, to its call for a committee of residents who want to actively promote a Petersburg borough. As of Monday’s council meeting, only one person had inquired about taking part. Meanwhile, another area resident provided the city with a satirical spoof of the borough discussion, along with a list of reasons they opposed a borough.
The mayor repeated a request for pro-borough committee volunteers Monday night. He also invited more people to voice their concerns, while the city manager gave another update on the city’s borough work.
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Alaskan voters will decide this month whether the parents of pregnant teens have to be notified if their minor child is going to have an abortion. Primary ballot measure two would require a doctor tell parents forty eight hours before performing an abortion a daughter who is 17 years old or younger. Failure to do so could result in a criminal penalties for the doctor. However, parental consent would waive the two-day waiting period. A minor could be exempted from the notification requirement, if they can show they are from an abusive home.

Voters will decide two ballot questions during the August 24th state primary. Ballot measure one would prohibit the use of public funds for lobbying. It would also prohibit someone who contracts with the government, including organized labor, from making campaign contributions. The measure also seeks to create an online database of government contracts. Municipal governments and school districts around the state are opposing the measure.

Contract negotiations between the City of Petersburg and most of its workers are not likely to resume for at least a couple more weeks according to City Manager Scott Hahn, who updated the City Council this week.