Author: kfskadmin

Officials from Petersburg, Wrangell and Angoon may try reconciling their differences over energy issues. Angoon’s mayor has written the mayors of Petersburg and Wrangell to formally propose the towns work together on contested plans for hydro-electric development in Thomas Bay near Petersburg. The letter suggested Angoon may drop its agreement with a private development company. That’s been a sore spot for Petersburg officials who have opposed more extensive, for-profit development plans in the bay, a popular fishing, hunting and tourism area.
Petersburg’s mayor and council discussed the issue this week and were receptive to arranging talks. For the time being, however, they decided to continue their appeal of a federal permitting decision that provided Angoon with an exclusive permit for the project.

A century old house at the center of a Petersburg lawsuit is on the move. A local contractor began moving the structure at First and Fram onto a solid foundation earlier this week. The repairs may help resolve the city of Petersburg’s lawsuit against the property owners, but for now, the case is still scheduled to go to trial in late summer.

City Manager Scott Hahn expressed hope this week that an outside mediator could improve communication between his administration and Petersburg’s municipal employees. Hahn briefly addressed the stalled contract talks in his report to the city council during this week’s meeting. That followed more comments from a concerned union member.

A federal judge in Anchorage has decided in favor of the Forest Service and against two environmental groups in a 2008 lawsuit over the impacts of logging on deer habitat. Both sides agree the implications go beyond the four Tongass timber sales named in the suit.

Sitka carver, artist and writer Robert Davis Hoffman is bringing his talents to Petersburg this week. Originally from Kake, Hoffman is known for his unique expression of Tlingit designs. Along with other commissioned artwork, Hoffman illustrated a children’s book and created the sets and props for the Perseverance Theaters production of “Tlingit Macbeth” in Juneau. He’s also a poet. In Petersburg, Hoffman will be teaching Tlingit art classes for children and adults. He’ll also perform an evening of poetry at the library. Matt Lichtenstein asked Hoffman to describe his art