This is a brief note to the citizens of Seward from your City Manager. Please allow me to take a moment of your time to discuss the two ballot initiatives for our upcoming election. These initiatives pertain to (a) a financial disclosure policy for municipal officers and (b) a biennial (two-year) budget. I fully support approval of both initiatives for the following reasons.
Factors supporting the adoption of a City of Seward Financial Disclosure Policy
• The City will still have a financial disclosure policy that balances the need for disclosure with the need for greater protection of personal information
• The City will join some 200 Alaskan communities that have already opted out of the new State Financial Disclosure requirements
• Personal information that could lead to identity theft will not be posted on the Internet but will continue to be available in the Clerk’s office
• Citizens will still have ample information to determine if municipal officials have significant conflicts of interest (the City disclosure policy will remain at the $1000 level instead of changing to the $500 level)
• Intrusive financial reporting requirements could discourage citizens from serving on the City Council and Planning and Zoning Commission
• Citizens will still have ample information to determine if municipal officials have significant conflicts of interest (the City disclosure policy will remain at the $5,000 level instead of changing to the $1,000 level)
Factors supporting the adoption of a biennial budget
• The City needs to become more efficient to cope with higher costs and inflation (changing to a biennial budget will save time and money)
• A biennial budget will reduce budget preparation time 50% (this change will save approximately 5 months of staff work and a minimum of 20 hours of Council meetings every other year)
• Reduction in the number of special council meetings may encourage more people to serve in these important positions
• Saving 50% of the time that is now spent on budget preparation will provide the City staff and council members more time for budget forecasting and management
• The City Council will still be able to change the budget whenever necessary (these changes occur in all budgets regardless of the budget timeline)
• Citizens and business owners will have greater certainty about taxes and fees in a two-year budget cycle (it is harder politically to change fees and taxes outside of the budget preparation process)
• The annual audit of the budget will still occur each year
• Other cities in Alaska, such as Juneau an Wasilla, have proven the effectiveness and efficiency of a biennial budget
The biennial budget is one of many recommendations in the recent comprehensive efficiency study of the City of Seward. I ask for your support of this initiative and the one relating to financial disclosure.
Thank you, Phillip Oates, City Manager of Seward
Youth Center News:
The TYC has 3 new Councils up and running. Congratulations to all of our Teen, Junior and Youth council members. We are looking forward to another wonderful year.
Teen Council Members:
Anna Aase, Logan Adelmann, Natua Aderholt, Derek Brash, Beau Crosby, Sean Moline, Tyler Washburn, Lee Yoo, & Amanda Zimmerman.
Junior Council Members:
Tessa Adelmann, Tyrone Anderson, Daisy Budde, Anna Campbell, Felicia Cubley, Keilani Geronimo, Misha O’Leary, Branden Ramoth, Jalen Terry, & Tyler Wallace
Youth Council Members:
Olivia Beckhem, James Carlsen, Sasha Hamner, Jackie Jones, Larry Lindberg, Zach Martin, Peter Mow, Vitali Sturdy, Alex Porter & Mary Wallace
Teen Activities
After Hours at the High School has closed for the year. Middle Time will be @ the TYC for Middle School kids to attend between the hours of 2:30 and 5:30. This program is designed for middle school aged kids to allow time for homework, physical activity and general game play. The cost of the program is $1 per day or $59 for a booster pass good for 1 year.
Neon Nites @ the TYC are for Middle School and High School kids from 5:30-9 Tue- Thur, 5:30-10 Friday and 5-10 on Saturday. High School students are welcome to stay 1 hour later each night. Activities include tournaments, movies, coffee, cards, pool, video games and more. Come in and check us out.
Teen 2 on 2
November 20th 7pm at the AVTEC Gym. Double-elimination Tourney! Mix up your own team! Boy/Girl: MS/HS Division determined by oldest team member. Middle School and High School Age Divisions: with minimum of 8 teams per division. Pizza & Prizes to follow at the TYC. Call 224-4054 or email mwilkins@cityofseward.net
Sports & Recreation News:
Instructors and Volunteers needed!
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“As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them.” (John F. Kennedy) On behalf of Parents Advocating Recreational Kids Stuff (PARKS), we would like to extend a long overdue and very warm thank you to all of the volunteers, sponsors, and donators who supported the Seward Community Playground project. Many can now testify that they know a few people better then they did before, or that they know how to operate a power tool, or even point at a certain playground piece and say with pride, “I helped make that!” The pride in our new playground flows from young to old alike.
“All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them.” (Walt Disney). We thank the original group of parents who got together and dreamed of a better playground for their kids. Courage was what the group needed next and this was obtained from the collaborative effort of the Steering Committee who put in many long hours meeting deadlines and achieving the project goals: Maya Moriarty, Lauren Jones, Chellie Skoog, Darcie Larson, Patty Beals, Jennifer Elhard, Elle Zernia, Lisa Hartman, Hillary Bean, Stephanie Schilling, Monica Luther, Amy Hankins, Rainy Albino, Terri McKnight, Vanta Shafer, Tember Eliason, Mark Stauble and Tara Jones. PARKS would also like to list specifically by committee some of the people and companies who supported the project from fruition to completion. If we missed anyone, please forgive us.
GENERAL COORDINATORS: Crissy Shepard, Seward Elks Lodge, Seward PTSA, City of Seward, Seward Parks & Recreation Department, Phil Oates, Karin Sturdy, City Council, Robert Thomas, Emmanuel Williamson, John Bird, 3 Bears, Safeway, American Legion, Rural CAP P.A.T., Seaview Community Services, ILP, Play & Chat, Seward Community Library, AVTEC, Debbie Bond, Boys and Girls Club, Seward Nazarene Church, Spring Creek Prison, John Spurr, Greg Houck, Shawn Glenn, Jolund Luther, Craig Turnbull, Attorney Kimberly Colbo, Adrea Tarver, Dr.s Jeff and Lisa Symonds, Ke Kia`i A O Hula – Alaska Hula Dance Troupe, Ms Alaska 2007 – Cari Makanani Leyva, Steve Lemme, Stefan Nilsson, Dr. Mike Moriarty, Blaine Bardarson, Leathers & Associates, David Kingsland and Seward Elementary, Kenai Peninsula Borough School District, Borough Mayor John Williams and Representative Don Young.
WEBMASTER: Beth Berrien-Clark, Matthew Jones
FUNDRAISING: The Fundraising Committee: Patty Beals, Lynn Nappi, Jeanne Harper, Ivana Banic, Kylie Clemens, Lori Polasek, Darcie Larson, Dawn Osenga, Michelle Keagle, Deann Corbin, Jackie Wilde, Paula Price-Johanson, Johanna Dollerhide, Vanta Shafer, Marti Garrett. OTHERS: Alaska SeaLife Center , Qutekcak Native Tribe, St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, Seward City News, Seward Phoenix Log, City of Seward, Seward Parks & Recreation Department, Seward Elks Lodge, Anne Whitmore-Painter, Dave Paperman, Seward PTSA, Tara Jones, Tim Dillon, FNBA, Wells Fargo, Safeway, Debra Hafemeister, Moose Pass Sportsman’s Club, AVTEC, Seward Elementary, Steve Lemme, Sharyl Seese, Cindy Capra, Jan Christiansen, Major Marine Tours, Crissy Shepard, Aurora Charters / Kim & Carl Hughes, Amy Hankins, Jim & Sarah Spanos, Becky at Knot So Fast, Chris Murphy, Lynn Hohl, Seaview Community Services and all the fundraising volunteers, sponsors, and donors.
PUBLIC RELATIONS: The PR Committee: Christy Terry, Jennifer Elhard, Russell Stigall, Tina King, Vanta Shafer, Jennifer Carrick, and Karl Mechtenberg. OTHERS: Walter at TBC Radio, Laura at KAKM Radio, Lam Lavea and Printer’s Ink, Service Print, The Spanos Family, Rhonda Hubbard, Celeste Lemme, Seward Phoenix Log, Seward City News, Roy Corral, Cinthia Ritchie, David Kingsland, Seward PTSA, Seward Elks, Alaska SeaLife Center, Safeway, SPRD, Amy Ireland and the U.S. Forest Service, Stylin’ Stitches, Stephanie Mullaley, Darby Andrews and DBR TV, One Shot Photography, and Starbird Studio.
SPECIAL NEEDS: Jill Herbert and Patty Beals.
CHILDREN’S: David Kingsland, Jocelyn Jones, Riley von Borstel, Eddy Olesiuk, Winter Richey, Emilia Whitcome, Charity Cinereski, Sully Hauze, Reid Broughton, Mary Wallace, Jon Kingsland, Jackie Jones. Elannah Camp, Michael Lammers, Ashley von Borstel, Cambria Robinson, Nick Zwiefel, and Tori DeGroot
DESIGN: The Design Committee: Sandy Stolle, Sheila Morrow, Doug Capra, Rhonda Hubbard, and Mica Vanbuskirk. OTHERS: Betsy Smith, Jennie Danzel, Jennifer Headke, Al Lamberson, Tom and Sharon Irvin, Abby Wentworth, Dot Bardarson, Jan and Judy Ohdner, Joanie Merritt, Jeremy Tippit, Dr. Mike Moriarty, Gail Richards, Jeannie and Jim Shirk, Dale Lindsey Railroad Terminal and Louis Bencardino, Storm Chasers Marine Services, Seward Community Library, Pam Herman, Res Art Coffee House, Seward Mural Society, Seward Museum, Linnea Bardarson, Elle Zernia and Captain Jack’s Seafood, Binget Nilsson, Seward High School Art Class, Naomi Karlin, Amy Ireland, USCG Alex Haley crew, Michelle Hensel, Starbird Studios, William Hankins, Jeanne Harper, Jerry Olive, Moose Pass Sportsman’s Club & the Moose Pass Elementary School.
VOLUNTEERS: Pam Parker, Jennifer Elhard, Celeste Lemme, Dana Paperman, Nikki Thompson, Johanna Dollerhide, Kylie Clemens, Ivanna Banic, Simone Johnson, Crista Tritz, Stephanie Cronin, Peg Hamner, U.S. Coast Guard Alex Haley and Mustang crews, Alaska Sealife Center, AVTEC, Spring Creek Correctional Facility, City of Seward (Fire Department, City Clerks, SPRD, and the Harbor), Aurora Energy Services, Seward Marine Center, Seward High School Boys soccer team and Stephanie Cronin’s AP Calculus class, Mary Huss, and Patty Linville.
CAPTAINS: These people really committed to the project and were on site during construction from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. and sometimes longer. A great round of applause to our captains: Keith Campbell, Dick Cruse, Mark Stauble, Theresa Butts, Kim Hughes, Jim Paulus, Warren Huss, Ed Hartman, Al Lamberson, Ken Carr, Dave Hamner, Jolund Luther, Phyillis Shoemaker, Roger Long , Tony Williams, and Jeff Leahy.
MATERIALS: Dale Hoogland, Jeff Leahy, Chris Murphy, Bob at Samson Tug and Barge, USCG Alex Haley crew, Mark Milligen and Ace Hardware, Mark Clemens and Bay Traders True Value/Fish House, Glen Madsen and Spenard Builders Supply, Chuck Wendt, Joel Crump, Laura Marshall, City Express, Carlile Transportation, Totem Ocean Trailer Express, Portage Transport Inc., North Star Terminals, and ILWU #60.
SITE: Michael J. Horne, Metco, City of Seward Public Works, USCG Alex Haley crew, especially the XO Tony Williams and Jeff Leahy, Robin Dykstra/Service Electric, Dr. Michael Moriarty, Stefan Nilsson, Mike Kinney, Blake Pullins, and Dave Nelson.
CHILDCARE: Gail Bernard, Marianna Keil, Rebecca Buchanan, Karla Oates, Seward Library, AVTEC, Church of the Nazarene and the many volunteers who worked in childcare during the build.
FOOD: Safeway, Coca Cola Bottling / Odom Corporation, Kaladi Brothers Coffee, DiTomasos, FSA, Rays, Seward Windsong Lodge/Roadhouse, Seward Senior Center, Chinooks, Providence Seward Wesley kitchen staff, American Legion, Catholic Church, Lutheran Church, Methodist Church, Episcopal Church, Marathon Ministries, AVTEC Culinary Dept, SPRD, Hetticks and Bear Creek RV Park, Bakery at the Harbor, KFT, Christo’s, Subway, Resurrection Bay Seafoods, Pit Bar, Three Bears, U.S. Forest Service, Peking, Oriental Garden, Margaret Anderson, Seward Elks Lodge, U.S. Park Service, Mary Huss, Jackie Campbell, Amy Mow, Sarah Fink and the many volunteers who assisted with food preparation and delivery and those of you who dropped off snacks and meals to the construction site.
TOOLS – Waste Management, Borough Solid Waste Management, Resurrection Tool Rental, Bear Creek Volunteer Fire Department, Storm Chasers/Karl VanBuskirk, Seward Fire Department, Moose Pass Sportsman’s Club, Dr. Mike Moriarty, Ed Hartman, Chris Murphy, Kirstie Willean, Joe Crump, Jim Sheehan, and Willie Lever.
And finally, on behalf of all the children and their parents that use the Seward Community Playground, thank you to everyone for a job well done!
Seward Senior Center
336 3rd Ave
224-5604
Senior Center Happenings
Lunch Everyday At Noon
We have WiFi!
Monday 9/29
1:00 Fall League ~ Oldies, but Goodies ~ Wii Bowling
1:00 Post Office Run
Tuesday 9/30
9:30-10:30 Strength Training Class
10:30-11:30 Exercise Class
11:30-1:30 Chronic Illness Support Workshop
1:00 Hand Quilting of ‘Sue’
1:00 Bank Run
Wednesday 10/1
10:30 –11:30 Line Dancing
1:00 Fall League ~ Team To Be Named ~ Wii Bowling
Thursday 10/2
9:30-10:30 Strength Training Class
10:00-1:00 Foot Care
10:30-11:30 Exercise Class
1:00 Post Office Run
1:00 Fall League ~ Golden Lions ~ Wii Bowling
Friday 10/3
10:30-11:30 Core Balance Exercise Class
1:00 Fall League ~ One Right, and Three Left ~ Wii Bowling
1:00 BINGO begins today
Saturday 10/4
8:00am-6:00pm Anchorage Shopping Trip
Call 224-5604 by Thursday, 10/2, to reserve your seat in the van.