Author: kfskadmin

Tensions are running high over employee contract talks in Petersburg. The Petersburg Municipal Employees Association is accusing the city administration of not negotiating in good faith. The Alaska Public Employees Association, which represents the local union, has filed a complaint with the Alaska Labor Relations Agency, claiming that contract talks are at an impasse. The City Manager disagrees and has declined a Union request for outside mediation.

While Southeast Alaskans have expressed a mix of opinions over the Sealaska lands bill, that was not the case at a recent meeting in Port Protection. Residents from that small, Prince of Wales Island town and nearby Point Baker passionately told a senate staffer on Wednesday that they opposed the bill in any form. With help from Joe Viechnicki, Matt Lichtenstein produced this report

Petersburg has a new Eagle Scout. The top Boy Scout rank is the culmination of 13 years of effort by local high school senior Bynum Jackson. Jackson completed his Eagle Scout project over the summer by organizing the construction of bridge at Petersburg’s sandy beach park. Along with scouting and other public service work, Jackson is also a volunteer with the Petersburg Fire Department. He’ll be studying aviation at the University of Alaska Anchorage next fall. A large crowd of family and friends filled the high school library for Jackson’s Eagle Scout ceremony Tuesday night. Nationwide, fewer than one in fifty scouts achieve eagle. Matt Lichtenstein put together this audio postcard of the special event.

Petersburg will apply for library construction funds from the state this year. The project is number two on the city’s priority list and the City Council reaffirmed that local support this week.

Gubernatorial primary candidate Bob Poe spent a couple days in Petersburg last week. The Anchorage Democrat has never run for office before, but he has a long history of work in Alaska’s public and private sectors. In state government, Poe has served with four Alaska administrations including Governors Sheffield, Cowper, Hickle and Knowles. He’s been director of the Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority, the Alaska Energy Authority, and Alaska’s International Trade Office. Poe also worked as Commissioner of Administration and was a Deputy Commissioner of Transportation. In business, Poe was a Senior Vice President with ASCG, an engineering subsidiary of Arctic Slope Regional Corporation.
During his visit to Petersburg, Poe spoke with Matt Lichtenstein about a variety of topics – including energy development, Alaska seafood marketing, education and, of course, his decision to run for governor.