Major change is in the air and the pendulum swing can’t come soon enough, as the verbal civil war in which we’re engaged has gotten increasingly shrill and strident. What a wonderful time to confound both the Republican and Democratic Parties by supporting both.
Sarah Palin and Diane Benson are two independent people of courage and principle, neither of whom is receiving active support on a level expected for party standard bearers because they are expressing the true sentiments of their potential constituents, not the agenda driven desires of their respective parties’ idealogues. In particular, Diane Benson is being slighted by a defeatist attitude within her party by its refusal to acknowledge Don Young’s vulnerability in this election cycle.
4:08 p.m. Reporting party advised bear cub is in a tree at Marathon and Resurrection. Advised to stay away from the bear and it should go back up the mountain. 5:46 p.m. 911/Medical Reporting party was at Resurrection Lutheran Church and stated her father was choking. Right after that she said he got it out and hung up. Called back and spoke with another person who stated he was choking on a hot dog and was given the Heimlich and it came out. They did not need any further assistance. 6:07 Hospital requested Seward Volunteer Ambulance Corps pick up Aeromed at the airport at 6:30 p.m. 8:47 p.m. Report of an intoxicated pedestrian. Reporting party advised of a subject with a light beard wearing an orange coat, walking in middle of road on Port Avenue toward the cruise ship dock. Officer spoke with RP who thought he may have gone to tent city. Checked tent city, the cruise ship dock, the small boat launch area and unable to locate subject. 10 p.m. Reporting party advised his girlfriend was unconscious but breathing in the bathroom at their cabin on Lowell Point. She responded to some of his questions while on the phone, but would not wake up. D8 responded to check for suspicious circumstances. Trooper was advised. Refused treatment. Read More>
Question: When approaching a school bus with flashing yellow lights, what do you do? Will the lights stay yellow until everyone stops? What are the fines for running the red lights on a school bus and can the bus driver report you to the police?
Answer: The flashing yellow lights on school buses are used to warn drivers of the other vehicles of the presence of a vehicular traffic hazard requiring the exercise of unusual care in approaching, overtaking or passing the hazard. The yellow flashing lights are turned on 100 to 500 ft before the bus stop. The red flashing lights will be turned on once the bus stops. AK Statute 28.35.145 Overtaking/Passing a School Bus – When red lights are flashing, passing a school bus is a criminal offense; B Misdemeanor with a penalty of 0-90 days in jail and a $1000 fine. The owner of a vehicle that passes the school bus may be issued a $75 citation even if they are not actually the driver. Yes, we rely on the bus drivers to report violators but expect to be a “witness” if it goes to court.
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October 27, 2006
Seward, Alaska Sporadic Bird Report
Swans!
This afternoon at 1:25, 44 swans sailed south on a brisk north wind, calling wildly, in a very loose and wide bow formation. What a beautiful sight! White against the blue sky. I understand the weather to the north of Moose Pass was pretty nasty this morning, giving them incentive to flee. Bon voyage, swans!
The exact count was made by zooming in on a digital photo, and marking each swan with a dot. Very handy tool when they fly so fast and change positions so often.
In other news, an unverified SHORT-EARED OWL was reported by A.M. from the meadows near the Clemens’ Cabin on the Lost Lake Trail on Saturday, Oct 21st.
M. H. reported that the local swan family of 5 cygnets and widowed adult was last seen at the Nash Road wetlands on October 7th before the huge storm. A lone juvenile was then seen the next week and last seen October 17th. May they have a safe winter and return to grace our wetlands next spring!
Happy Birding!
Carol Griswold
Sporadic Bird Report reporter
October 27, 2006
Seward, Alaska Sporadic Bird Report
34º at 9 am, clear skies, light breeze from the north. Snow back up on the mountain tops as “termination dust” where it should be.
Sunrise 9:08 am, sunset 6:13 pm, for a total of 9 hours, 5 minutes, tomorrow will be 5 minutes and 17 seconds shorter.
Before the sun painted the first cloud pink, the birds were up and active. I heard a PINE GROSBEAK call melodiously overhead, still too dusky to see. As the light strengthened, I watched an aerial ballet between a SHARP-SHINNED HAWK and a BLACK-BILLED MAGPIE. They maintained the same distance apart, first one “floating” after the other until another magpie joined in and the hawk split. It seemed uncharacteristically quiet for the normally chatty magpies, and over in less than a minute. Two lived, but one is still hungry.
A flock of WHITE-WINGED CROSSBILLS flew past, in a scattershot pattern that would no doubt confuse the hawk. A pair of RAVENS stroked by, one calling in a high singsong I have not heard before, focused on a mission that likely involved breakfast, but for scavengers, not predators. Trash or salmon, probably both, for that balanced diet.
The newly elected city council members were sworn in.
The following ordinance was enacted following a public hearing:
Ordinance 2006-12, Determining It To Be In The Public Interest And Necessary To Proceed With The Proposed Electric Improvement District For And Benefiting Lots 5, 6 And 7 Of Bear Lake Subdivision, Lots 13 And 14 Of Woodrow Alaska Subdivision, Lots 8a And 8b Of Elhard Replat Bear Lake Subdivision, And The E Portion Of An Unsubdivided Area Of 10.35 Acres Described As A Portion Of SW T01n, R01w, Section 12, That Portion Of The N 1/2, SW 1/4 Lying Southeast Of The Alaska Railroad Row For An Amount Not To Exceed $48,673.87 And Appropriating Funds.
The following resolutions for public hearing were discussed, amended and set for adoption on November 6, 2006:
Resolution 2006-108 through 2006-117, Approving Fiscal Years 2007 City Budget, Consisting Of General Funds, Enterprise Funds, The Motor Pool Fund, And The Capital Budget.
The following resolution was postponed until November 6, 2006:
Resolution 2006-95, Opposing The Alaska Railroad’s Permit Request To The Alaska Department Of Environmental Conservation To Spray An Herbicide Mixture Along The Railroad Right-Of-Way Inside Seward City Limits.
Willard Dunham was appointed Vice-Mayor.
The September 11, 2006, Regular City Council Meeting Minutes were approved.
Theresa Butts was appointed to the Port and Commerce Advisory Board for a term to expire July 2009.
The November 13, 2006, regular city council meeting was re-scheduled for November 6, 2006, due to AML conflict.
Work sessions were scheduled on ARR herbicide, SMC dock, Library/Museum and the Budget.
An evaluation discussion with City Manager Clark Corbridge resulted in his termination. A resolution finalizing will be on the November 6, 2006, agenda.
Council went into executive session to discuss the City Clerk’s evaluation.
Celebrate Octoberfest at Yoly’s Bistro, Thursday Oct. 26, 9 p.m. Tickets are available at Yoly’s, 220 4th Ave., or by calling 224-3295; cost $15. Admission includes a drink ticket, German buffet and live music by Rebel Blues. Appetizers will be available for purchase. The celebration will continue with live music by Elite 9, beginning 6:30 p.m. Friday, and multi-instrumentalist Dave Edward Smith, beginning at 7 p.m. Saturday. Costumes are encouraged for all three nights, but not required.
Seward Schools are still desperately in need of substitutes for all positions – teachers, aides, kitchen and custodial. There will be substitute training in Soldotna on the following dates.
Substitute teacher training will be held Friday, Nov. 3, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Staff Development room, which is in Portable #1 at Soldotna Middle School. Seating is limited to 30 people, and there is a $25 fee.
Substitute secretary training will be held Thursday, Nov. 16, from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in the Borough Assembly Room in Soldotna.
Substitute aide and tutor training will be held Thursday, Nov. 16, from 12-2:30 p.m. in the Borough Assembly Room in Soldotna.
Anyone intersted in these training opportunities should call Kelsey Ciufo at 714-8888 as soon as possible.
Parents are invited to bring children five and under to Play-n-Chat, Saturday, Oct. 28, 10:30-noon at the Seward Community Library. Guest Speaker Judy Parrish of the Seward Police Department will speak about “Halloween Safety.”
Last weekend the Seward wrestling team had the opportunity to travel to Wrangell, AK for competition in the largest tournament held in the South East. The team consisted of 15 young men who battled courageously advancing 12 to the medal rounds. Earning individual titles were Dylan Beck 152, Brandon O’Brikis 215, and Josh Zimmerman HWT. The team wishes to extend a big thankyou to all who helped make this trip possibe and a special thanks to the Wrangell Wolves and Coach Garrison for the hospitality.
The USCG Cutter Mustang (WPB-1310), is scheduled to return to Seward on Sunday 29 October, weather permitting, according to Lt. James D. Stoffer, commanding officer.
The 110’ cutter has been undergoing biennial repairs at the Coast Guard facility in Ketchikan for the past 8 weeks.
Press Release
Date: Monday, October 23, 2006
Contact: Sue Lang FSO-PA
Seward Flotilla 170-02-05
United States Coast Guard Auxiliary
suelang@alaska.com
http://a1700205.uscgaux.info/
(907) 224-8237
Flotilla Commander Alan Drake of Girdwood and Vice Flotilla Commander Sue Lang of Lowell Point were unanimously re-elected to lead the flotilla for 2007 at the Election Meeting on October 20.
Drake has been in the Auxiliary since 2003 and holds competencies as Boat Crew and SAFE Boat Coxswain, Instructor and AUXOP. AUXOP classification means that he has passed all six of the Auxiliary Specialty Operations courses. He also maintains the flotilla website and is Materials officer.
Lang joined the Auxiliary in 2002 and holds competencies as Instructor, Vessel Examiner and Recreational Boating Safety Program Visitor. She is also the Public Affairs officer and Personnel Officer for the flotilla.
The next meeting of the Seward Flotilla will be Friday, November 4 at 1900 (7 PM) at the American Legion Hall, 402 5th Ave, Seward.
For additional information on the many benefits of an auxiliary membership or to learn about other public boating programs available call Sue Lang at 224-8237 or visit the flotilla website at http://a1700205.uscgaux.info/index.html.
The United States Coast Guard Auxiliary is the civilian, uniformed volunteer component of the United States Coast Guard, as well as the lead volunteer force in the Department of Homeland Security. Founded in 1939 by an Act of Congress as the US Coast Guard Reserves and re-designated the Auxiliary in 1941. The 31,000 volunteer members (men and women) donate thousands of hours in support of the Coast Guard and Maritime Domain Awareness missions, such as Search & Rescue, Public Education, and Marine Environmental Protection.
Winter walking shoes permanently studded for ice and snow. Bring shoes to the Seward Senior Center, Oct. 25, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Service provided by Duane LeVan.
Also hear Tina McLean of Active Alaskan Physical Therapy discuss preventing ice falls. Noon, Oct. 25 at the Senior Center, 336 Third Avenue.
3:55 p.m. Bear cub headed towards the mountain in alleyway between Second and Third Avenue. 4 p.m. Cub made it up the hill by Twin Lakes. 4:22 p.m. Advised that Chip Drawdy from Old Mill Subdivision called and his carbon monoxide detector went off and thought it should be checked. FC responded. House was clear of CO at this time. Advised to move their generator further from the house. Response form sent. 5:28 p.m. Reporting party advised that several kids approximately five-years old were throwing rocks at cars on the corner of Third by the Seaman’s Mission. Gone On Arrival. 7:10 p.m. Reporting party at The Farm Room advised her and her boyfriend had a physical altercation this morning. He has been drinking and she wanted us to know there could be problems there later tonight. While on the phone, he was knocking on her door. She did have another male adult at the residence with her.
Question: Are you allowed to drive with only parking lights on?
Answer: 13 AAC 04.070(e), No parking lights on a vehicle may be used when the vehicle is in motion, unless the parking lights operate in conjunction with the headlights.
Violation: Bail - $50 Points – 2
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Visitors to Seward from Texas collect their luggage from a cabin on Old Exit Glacier Road. The Texans were in Alaska for only 14 hours when they had to be rescued in the bucket of a Metco front-end loader.
The Kenai Peninsula Borough and City of Seward have scheduled a community meeting intended to provide information related to the recent flood event such as;
What has been done
What is ongoing
What to expect for the immediate future
The damage assessment process
Public assistance that can be expected.
In addition to the Borough and City, representatives from the State Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management will participate.
For further information or for special needs for this meeting, please contact the Kenai Peninsula Borough Office of Emergency Management at 262-4910.
Water testing kits and instructions for use will be issued beginning Tuesday, Oct. 17 between noon and 7:00 p.m. at the Kenai Peninsula Borough mobile bus at the Seward High School. Wednesday, Oct. 18, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Thursday, Oct. 19, 8 a.m. to 10 a.m.
Water test kits are time sensitive. Water samples must be returned to the KPB bus at Seward High School by Noon each day and within 24 hours of water sample collection.
All water sample bottles must be returned by Thursday, Oct. 19, 2006.
If your sample has bacteria contamination, you will be notified by phone within 24 hours of the lab receiving your sample.
If your sample does not have bacteria, you will receive your results by mail.
Pursuant to Section 5.20.025 of the Seward City Code, notice is hereby given that at its regular meeting of October 23, 2006, the City Council will conduct a public hearing to be held in the Council Chambers at City Hall, beginning at 7:30 p.m., or as soon thereafter as business permits. A special improvement district has been proposed which would result in the construction of electrical improvements in the area described as follows. Read More>
