Author: kfskadmin

Petersburg officials will address questions and concerns over the town’s borough petition in a public forum tonight (4/16). The borough would incorporate 43 hundred square miles of land and water. Supporters say the plan would broaden the tax base for local education, maintain or increase several sources of state and federal funding, and help ensure more local control over planning and development in the area. Borough opponents have raised concerns that outlying residences and communities will have to pay taxes for services they don’t receive….and they worry about losing their local autonomy under a new layer of government. The city council finalized the proposal in February after two years of work by consultants, staff and a commission of area residents. However, it’s still short of the signatures the city needs for submission to the state’s local boundary commission. Tonight’s forum will be the city’s first effort to discuss the finished proposal with the public…..many of the questions will go to Jim Brennan, who serves as the borough attorney in both Petersburg and Wrangell. Matt Lichtenstein asked Brennan about tonight’s forum and a couple of the issues that are likely to come up.

The legislature approved just under 17 million dollars in funding for Petersburg area projects before adjourning over the weekend. The money is included in the 2-point-7 billion dollar capital budget. The spending plan will now come under close scrutiny by Governor Sarah Palin, who has vowed to make some cuts. Matt Lichtenstein has a look at the Petersburg projects awaiting her approval.

The cruise ship season in Petersburg will start may fifth with the arrival of the 150-foot Sea Lion. Almost 15 thousand people are expected to visit Petersburg on small cruise ships this year. That’s up just slightly, 2 to 3 percent, from last year. However, business is still down from 2006, when the “sheltered seas” was taken out of service. The Cruise West-Alaska Sightseeing boat used to dock in Petersburg overnight. Up to 70 passengers stayed in a local hotel and were fed and entertained by local businesses four nights a week. Matt Lichtenstein asked Viking Travel’s Dave Berg for a preview of the upcoming cruise ship season and his expectations for visitors on the Marine Highway.

Petersburg’s harbor rates are going up again. The city council gave final approval to a six and a half percent moorage rate increase at the April 7th council meeting, though not without some objections and debate.

The Petersburg Indian Association is offering the city another option for relocating the library, museum or other local functions that are in need of new buildings. PIA representatives made the offer at the April 7th council meeting.