On The Soap Box

The Alcohol Beverage Control Board voted 5-0 to deny the issuance of the liquor licenses applied for by six Bethel businesses. Their meeting was held last Friday, February 26, 2010 in Juneau.
The Board of Directors read into the record the 6 applications for consideration: 123 BBQ Express, Alaska Commercial Company AC Value Center, Corina's Restaurant, Dimitri's Restaurant, Osaka Restaurant, and the Veterans of Foreign Wars.
The decision to deny all licenses was based upon the City of Bethel’s protest based on the advisory vote held in January 2010.
During the meeting the Chairman of the Board of Directors Bob Klein posed 2 options for the members' consideration:
1. Approve with delegation, which would require finding the protests of each license application by the City of Bethel to be arbitrary, capricious, and unreasonable, or
2. Deny the licenses based on the protests of the local governing body.
The Board voted 5-0 to deny the issuance of all of the six licenses based upon the protest. Also taken into consideration was the fact that all statutory requirements were not met by the applicants.
What about all the application fees?
“Applicants lose the application fees, fingerprint fees, and fees for a restaurant designation permit if they do not get the licenses,” said ABC Board Director Shirley Gifford. “The only refundable fee would be for the license itself.”

Last week the Taxi Cab Company of Bethel announced they were lowering their cab fares. In-town fares are down to $3 from $5. A ride to the airport is $5 (reminiscent of cab fares in the mid 1990s), and to go to Kasayuli Subdivision is $7.
On Sunday night, Alaska Cab fares were $4 for town-to-town rides, $6 to go to the airport, and $9 for outlying Kasayuli. A Kusko Cab cabbie said their fares were $3 for in-town, $5 for the aiport, and Kasayuli was still $10.
However, the lowest cab fares in town are being offered by the Quyana Cab Company. In-town rides are $3, a ride to the aiport is $4, and to go to Kasayuli is $8.
So what tipped the delicate balance of the cab economy in Bethel?
Other services in Bethel include the two busses – the City/ONC operated bus service which has been in business since November 2008, and the newly-licensed and permitted Northern Lights Bus service. Patrick and Carol Oulton, are the independent owners of the native-owned Northern Lights Bus. Their service officially began on February 15, 2010.
Competition is tough in Bethel, where the person-to-cab ratio is reportedly the highest in the nation and gas prices are over $5 a gallon. But competition is what drives down prices for the benefit of the consumer.

Bethel’s annual dog show was paradise for dog lovers this past Saturday at the Cultural Center. There were nearly 40 dogs who competed for trophies in the traditional and fun categories. Zeke, a German Wirehaired Pointer owned by Kyle Jones took the Best of Show for the traditional categories. Rex, a Border Collie owned by Aki Komulainen took the other Best of Show honors in the fun categories.
The volunteer judges this year were Amanda Barker, Diane McEachern, Jackie Klejka, Sue Angstman, and Sabrina Woofter. The MC was Reyne Athanas and photography was done by Sean Denning-Barnes. The dog show was sponsored by the Yupiit Piciryarait Cultural Center.
During the Best Vocal Performance, none of the dogs entered felt like howling so the audience got them into the mood by doing a little howling to get them going. In the Best Tricks category, the dogs wowed the audience with their roll overs, playing dead, jumps, barking, and other tricks.
Traditional Categories Results
Sporting Group (5 entrants): “Zeke”, German Wirehaired Pointer owned by Kyle Jones
Toy Group (8 entrants): “Jonas”, Cavalier King Charles Spaniel owned by Christy Davis
Working Group (5 entrants): “Avalanche”, Malamute owned by Lee Foley
Terrier Group (4 entrants): “Duncan”, Scottish Terrier owned by The Keplers
Non-sporting Group (4 entrants): “Mishka”, Bichon Frise owned by Gula
Herding Group (4 entrants): “Rex”, Border Collie owned by Aaki Komulainen
Hound Group (1 entrant): “Bess”, Dachshund owned by Sarah Angstman
Delta Mix (7 entrants): “Rosey” owned by Nate Davis
Best in Show: “Zeke”, German Wirehaired Pointer owned by Kyle Jones
Fun Categories Results
Most Independent (6 entrants): “Avalanche”, Malamute owned by Lee Foley
Most Unusual Markings (3 entrants): “Brother”, Australian Shepherd owned by Mike Chung
Best Tail Wagger (10 entrants): “Neesa”, American Rednosed Pit Bull owned by Richard Young
Most Mysterious Heritage (1 entrant): “Chica” owned by Barb Ramos
Best Vocal Performance (4 entrants): “Avalanche”, Malamute owned by Lee Foley
Most Obedient (7 entrants): “Rex”, Border Collie owned by Aki Komulainen
Best Old Timer (4 entrants): “Samson”, 11 ¾ years old, Yorkshire Terrier owned by Andrea Ruble
Most Original Costume (9 entrants): “Kiska”, Schnauzer owned by Cindy Andrecheck
Best Trick (10 entrants): “Rex”, Border Collie owned by Aki Komulainen
Most Adorable (15 entrants): “Spotty Douglas”, Chorkie owned by Cindi Mondesir
Best in Show: “Spotty Douglas”, Chorkie owned by Cindi Mondesir
Bethel Dog Pound Note:
Is your dog or cat missing? Are you looking to save a life? Would you be willing to adopt an animal? Are you looking for an animal to warm your home? If you answered yes to any of these questions, call the Police Dept. (907) 543-3781 to make arrangements to save an animals life. The City of Bethel Pound currently has three dogs and 2 cats available for adoption. Save a life, adopt today!

The Bethel City Council voted 7-0 to pass the ordinance allowing for a special election to opt back into local option during their Jan. 26, 2010 regular meeting.
Ordinance 10-01 is “Submission to the qualified voters of the City of Bethel, AK at a special election the questions of opting into local option AS 04.11.491 (a)(1) Prohibiting the sale of alcoholic beverages in the City of Bethel.”
“The city council, when it comes to scheduling this local option special election, is subject to state law and to local option election law,” said Hugh Dyment, one of twenty-five opt-in petition sponsors and former city mayor during public hearing of this ordinance. “The only responsibility and authority you have when it comes to local option special elections, is scheduling the exact day of the vote. That is the only authority that you have.”
Dyment was speaking to the fact that during the last city council meeting, council members Tom Valadez and Heather Pike voted against introducing the ordinance to schedule the election. Both later changed their votes during the Jan. 26th meeting.
“Some members of the public are encouraging the city council not to schedule an election. For one thing, they cite BMC special election law and that is incorrect. The city's own attorney has refuted all those claims. A municipality does not have the legal authority to prevent a local option election. This is a right given to the people of a municipality or an established village by the state of Alaska,” he said. “You have no legal authority to suppress a vote that state law allows. If opponents really believe that they’ve got valid legal reasons, their option is to go to court and get an injunction to postpone the scheduled election. But only a state court has that authority.”
He further stated that if the city council fails to schedule this election, that they would be inviting an investigation of the City of Bethel by the U.S. Justice Dept., the State of Alaska Attorney General’s office, and the Alaska Division of Elections. Dyment referenced the 1965 Voting Rights Act that supervises special elections in Alaska and eight other states due to their history of discriminatory voting practices against racial and language minorities.
Dyment also expressed sympathy to the fact that some Bethel residents are concerned that it seems unfair that people can vote to further restrict alcohol regulations as frequently as they wish but can only vote to loosen alcohol restrictions every 2 years.
“Your own (city) attorney has said that is the law of the land now and a fundamental constitutional principal is if you believe your rights have been infringed, the situation isn’t remedied by you infringing on mine. Your solution is going to be legislative.” Dyment said.
The special election to vote on opting back into local option is scheduled for May 4th, 2010.

A grand opening ceremony and an open house for the 19 unit Multi-Family Housing Project in Hooper Bay was held last Thursday.
The opening address was given by David Bunyan from the Hooper Bay Traditional Council. The invocation was delivered by Rev. Grant Funk, Pastor of the Covenant Church.
Other welcoming addresses were given by Joe Bell, Mayor for the City of Hooper Bay; and Allen Joseph, Vice Chairman of the SeaLion Corporation.
Robert Nick, Chairman of the AVCP RHA Board of Commissioners, appreciated the traditional Eskimo dancing by the children during the opening of the ceremonies, and spoke of his gratitude.
“We are very excited for this particular development, since this is the first of its kind in our region in a rural setting,” he said. “I would like to thank all the people involved in this project, and thank the housing authority staff as well. Thank you for the opportunity to serve you.”
Also speaking was Ron Hoffman, President and CEO of AVCP RHA.
“During these critical times, we must work together to establish sustainable communities and address many problems we are facing,” said Hoffman. “Despite the challenges, we are able to, by working together in partnership, collaboration and cooperation, overcome these challenges to be able to come together today to celebrate a new dawn in Hooper Bay.”
Hoffman asked his housing staff to stand and be recognized for their efforts, along with the major partners supporting the project.
Other honored guest speakers included Jeff Judd, Vice President of the Cook Inlet Housing Authority (invited but could not attend); James Wiedle of the Alaska Housing Finance Corporation; Donna Hartley of the Alaska Office of Native American Programs; and John Moeller - staff to Governor Sean Parnell.
Special recognition and awards were presented to the Hooper Bay Traditional Council, the City of Hooper Bay, SeaLion Corporation, Alaska Housing Finance Corporation, HUD and ONAP, Cook Inlet Housing Authority, Senator Begich, Senator Murkowski, and Congressman Don Young.
The ribbon cutting took place after the opening ceremony, followed by refreshments and a grand tour of the new facility. Eighteen families will be moving in to their new apartments beginning on January 15, 2010.

Congratulations to the brave and strong mushers participating in this year's Kuskokwim 300, Bogus Creek 150, and the Akiak Dash. With this year's rough trail conditions and freezing temperatures, we stand in awe of your great accomplishments. It is something that some of us can only dream of doing! You are and will be forever honored and engraved into the history of our region for taking on such a great endeavor. Quyana!

Alyson McCarty, the daughter of Thomas and Minnie McCarty – originally of Napakiak – has a new CD out entitled, “Nunam Yui Quyakilit – Joy to the World” that was recently released on December 17, 2009 in time for the Christmas holiday season.
Alyson, whose Yup’ik name is Panikaq, sings 10 Christmas songs all in the Yup’ik language – the language of her mother and her grandparents. The 10 songs on her CD are Christmas favorites: Joy to the World, While Shepherds Watched, Hark the Sound of Angel Voices, Away in a Manger, Silent Night, Glory to God the Father, Hark the Herald Angels Sing, O Come All Ye Faithful, and Our Father We Thank Thee.
Alyson is now 12 years old and is a 7th grader at a private Christian school in Anchorage. Her Yup’ik language learning has advanced and she is now reading and writing in Yup’ik, says her mother Minnie.
Alyson also sings at school auctions, memorial services, and most recently at the AFN Convention. She also loves to sing at the Anchorage Moravian Church every Sunday when she can. Alyson hopes to produce 2 CDs each year.
In June 2009, Alyson also put out another CD called “Atawhayugtukut – Blest be the tie that binds”. In this album Alyson sings 11 worship and praise songs – Jesus Loves Me, Just as I Am, Take the Name of Jesus, He Leadeth Me, Praise Ye the Lord, How Great Thou Art, Sweet By and By, A Charge to Keep I Have, God Be With You, and Keep Me Everyday, including the title song.
Both of her latest CDs are available for purchase at Corina’s Case Lot in Bethel, and Napakiak Native Store and Jung’s Store in Napakiak. In Anchorage they are available at the Alaska Native Medical Center gift shop. Anyone wishing to order a CD may contact Minnie McCarty at 907-748-6101.

To all of Bethel’s cookie bakers, it is time again for the spectacular and tasty Christmas Cookie Extravaganza. Here are some statistics from years past: In 2004, cookie bakers made 166 pounds of cookies and added $1,163 to the swimming pool fund. In 2005, a new record was set – the over 160 lbs. of the baked goodies were gone in 8 minutes! Over $1400 was deposited into the pool fund. For 2006, over 150 pounds of cookies disappeared in 10 minutes ad the fund was increased by over $1201. In 2007, 38 cookie bakers made 189 pounds of Christmas cookies – raising over $1700! Last year bakers made over 120 lbs. of cookies – raising over $1200. Here is more from Beverly Hoffman, sponsor and advocate for the Bethel Swimming Pool project:
Over the last 17 years the Y/K Delta Lifesavers Cookie Extravaganza in Bethel has helped raise thousands of dollars for a swimming pool support fund. Between a Wells Fargo Account and the recently created Lifesaver Endowment fund with Bethel Community Service Foundation, the fund has reached $145,000 through donations, open gyms and fundraisers like the Christmas Cookie Extravaganza.
The 2009 Christmas Cookie Extravaganza needs your support. Bethel Cookie Bakers are needed for this event scheduled for Sunday December 13 at the Cultural Center. All the homemade cookies donated are sold by the pound. Approximately 190 pounds of cookies are baked and sold by Bethel bakers for the swimming pool fund. Contact Beverly Hoffman at 543-3239, Nancy Elliott at 543-1987 or Kathy Baldwin at 543-2682 if you can help.
Cookies can be brought to the Cultural Center on Sunday December 13 between 11:30 and 12:30. Volunteers are also needed to help during the event which starts at 1p.m. For more information on the Lifesaver Endowment Fund and how you can make a tax deductible donation go to www.bcfoundation.org.

The process to return to damp status has begun in Bethel. Petition sponsors have submitted their names to the city clerk and are: Ana Hoffman, Myron Naneng, Hugh Dyment, Susan Murphy, Bonnie Bradbury, Mary Pete, Gene Peltola Jr., Allen Joseph, Juanita Asicksik, Shari Neth, Renee Crow, Jody Sleppy, Donna Bach, Mary Nelson, Daniel Picazo, Regina Lieb, Will Updegrove, Karen Sidell, Fr. Chuck Peterson, Michelle DeWitt, Ray Watson, Darlene Mojin, Jerry Domick, Barbara Liu, Christine Christiansen, and Jill Hoffman.
“This is a diverse group and we are working together to return Bethel to damp status,” said Ana Hoffman to the city council during People to be Heard. “We plan to gather the required signatures and provide them to the city clerk before the Christmas holiday break.”
Once that is done, the process will be turned over to the city council to schedule an election to vote on the proposition.
The petitioners also asked the city council to postpone the advisory vote scheduled to take place during a special election on January 19, 2010 regarding alcohol sales in Bethel. “Our suggestion is to allow the people’s initiative to take precedence to address this issue more definitively,” said Hoffman.
Approximately 40 people came to the meeting in support of the petition.
According to Alcoholic Beverage Control Board Director Shirley Gifford, what she said at the Bethel Chamber of Commerce meeting on November 18, 2009 still stands regarding the fact that there is no timeline as to when a petition can be initiated for more restrictive options regarding alcohol status in a community.
Under AS 04.11.507(f) removal of local option or to change to a less restrictive option may not be conducted during the first 24 months after the local option was adopted. This does not mean that a move to adopt local option or to make a change to a more restrictive status has to wait 24 months and can be pursued now.
Gifford is scheduled to be in Bethel on December 9th, 2009 along with Assistant Attorney General for the State of Alaska, John Novak. They have agreed to do an informal session in the morning with the city council and a public forum in the afternoon for the community that will be broadcast live on KYUK radio.

It has been over 5 months since over $20,000 in damage was sustained by vehicles around Bethel at the hands of vandals, and the victims are still waiting for justice.
The vehicles suffered smashed windshields and windows in what appeared to be random attacks on the parked cars. Throughout the time of the attacks, Officer Corbett of the Bethel Police Department responded to over 20 reports of damaged vehicles in the Ridgecrest, City Subdivision, and 6th Avenue areas of Bethel.
With the help of citizens, Bethel Police eventually caught three juvenile perpetrators – ages 12, 14, and 16 – on June 5, 2009. The officers were able to obtain an admission of guilt from the three juveniles. The parents of the juveniles apparently did not know where their children were at the time, according to a report by KYUK. It was approximately 2am in the morning.
The victims that had filed reports were told that they would receive a letter from the investigating officer as to the status of the case and that charges would be referred to the Division of Juvenile Justice for prosecution.
During the November 10th, 2009 regular Bethel City Council meeting, a citizen stepped forth to speak about her personal experience about the incident.
Debbie Fairbanks told the city council during “People to be Heard” that her own vehicle was one of the cars damaged by the juveniles during their crime spree and that nothing had been done.
“In early part of June, vandals broke lots and lots of car and truck windows around town, my own included. The two kids that broke our windows that night were caught. During the investigation, the kids pointed out all the cars they damaged and the newspaper reported it was over $20,000 worth of damage,” said Fairbanks. “We got a letter on June 15th, all of us that were involved, from Joe Corbett - police officer, telling us the status of everything and to be expecting a call from juvenile justice in the near future and to please cooperate with them so something could happen. Well the situation to date is, the police reports have never gone to juvenile justice, and its over 5 months.”
Fairbanks further told the council that she had her car windows fixed, costing her $2600 – which is what most of the victims had gone ahead and done. But her real concern was the lack of discipline for the kids who committed those crimes.
“The fact is, nothing is being done to these kids so that they get any consequences,” she said.
About three weeks ago, Fairbanks said she called the police asking for her report for insurance purposes. The next day, juvenile probation also got a copy of her report.
“Obviously paperwork is getting backed up,” she said. “But I think the real crux of the matter is kids need to see a consequence real soon after they do the damage for them to get the point.”
Council member Beverly Hoffman offered to suspend the rules to hear a response from Bethel Chief of Police Larry Elarton who said the reports did go out to juvenile justice – but had been lost in the shuffle of employees.
“On the initial case, those reports did go to juvenile justice. However, they went through some new people - they say they didn’t get them. We show a record in our report that they got them - we ended up having to resubmit them.”
And as for the slow processing of police paperwork, Elarton said that they are changing their records management system that puts more accountability on the officers to file timely reports.
“By policy, the officers are supposed to have them done - if it’s a misdemeanor by the end of the workweek, and if it’s a felony by the end of the workday.”
Elarton assured Fairbanks that the reports were in the hands of the Bethel Youth Facility.

The Robert V. Lindsey VFW Post #10041 celebrated its 50th year anniversary last weekend in memory of the original charter members. The post was first mustered on November 5, 1959 with 23 founding fathers. Of the 23, there are only 3 surviving members – Donald “Sompy” Elliot, Howard V. Elliott, and Paul P. Jenkins. Each surviving member was presented with a US flag that had been raised on November 5, 2009 in commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the post. The flags were certified by the post commanders as having flown.
Reverend Paul Jenkins gave the opening prayer before dinner. To begin the ceremony, the Bethel JROTC represented by Kayla Tony, Natalie Mochin, Julia Mochin, and Timothy Hare posted the colors. The BRHS Choir sang the National Anthem, America the Beautiful, and the Alaska State Flag Song. Singing in the choir were Jalene Herron, Kathleen Young, Ian Sanders, and Michael White.
Representative Bob Herron serving as Master of Ceremonies read the names of the deceased Post 10041 Original Charter members and was followed by Taps.
The evening commenced with a list of distinguished guest speakers included VFW Alaska State Chaplin Tim Albright, Post Commander Henry Hunter, Post Quartermaster John Guinn, Ladies Auxiliary President Donna Gibbons, Senator Lyman Hoffman, former Representative Mary Nelson, Bethel Mayor Joseph Klejka, Representative Reggie Joule, and Gene Peltola.
The VFW as a non-profit organization gives back to the community, said Post Quartermaster Guinn. “I’m proud to be part of this post,” he added. The VFW helps veterans and their families with donations for burial assistance, caskets, and food. It also donates to the local schools and to students through scholarships and youth programs, and supports the upkeep of the cemetery.
Paul Jenkins, one of the surviving members, spoke about his service in the 1940s. He was drafted into the army in 1943 and was sent to Adak, Amchitka, Kiska, and Rat Island in the Aleutians in 1945. He spoke about the large rats on Rat Island and having to search for bodies on Kiska where he saw the small abandoned 2-man Japanese submarines. Upon entering one of them, he said the only place he could stand up was where the sub’s binoculars were. He saw Japanese-dug tunnels and even a trail made by the Japanese. During that time he met his good friend Joe Sallison. Jenkins also spoke of making a patriotic pledge to serve his country.
The families of Robert V. Lindsey, of whom the post is named after, were presented plaques of remembrance and appreciation as did the families of Ben Dale and Ellery Herron. The families of the original charter members were also called to receive plaques. Many said a few words of appreciation and praise for the VFW.
Towards the end of the celebration, the Tundra Sisters made a special appearance and sang several harmonious melodies including “God Bless America”. Members of the Tundra Sisters included Sadie McDaniel, Kim Jung, Jan Vanasse, Amy Johnson, Cathy Dale, and Suzi Israelsson. The evening concluded with door prizes and a performance by the Winkelman Brothers Band from McGrath.
Founding Charter Members for the VFW Robert V. Lindsey Post #10041
James T. Active, Oscar N. Anvil, Thomas E. Atwood, John H. Dow, Donald E. Elliott, Howard V. Elliott, Robert D. Ellis, Thomas F. Haley, Charles Hoffman, James Hoffman, Ronald W. Humphreys, Paul P. Jenkins, Ray P. Jenkins, Carl A. Kawagley, Fred Kawagley, James Kohl, Jack W. Larson, William J. Lyons, John W. Roush, Theodore Samuelson, Donald F. Shantz, Keith Swanson, Melvin O. Troseth.

A special election is planned for the city of Bethel for the purpose of making it clear to the City of Bethel Council what direction they should take pertaining to the issuance of liquor licenses within the City of Bethel.
The vote is scheduled for January 19, 2010 pending pre-clearance from the Department of Justice. Ordinance #09-40 was passed during the regular city council meeting on October 27, 2009. It states that the voters of Bethel rescinded local option in the October 6th, 2009 election and that anyone can now apply for a liquor license within the city of Bethel.
The ordinance also states that it is the desire of the Bethel City Council to allow the citizens of Bethel to have the choice of whether or not to support those applications.
There will be five questions on the January 19 ballot during the special election that voters will decide: 1) Should the City of Bethel support a liquor license application for a liquor store within the City of Bethel? 2) Should the City of Bethel support a liquor license application for a bar within the City of Bethel? 3) Should the City of Bethel support a liquor license application for a restaurant or eating establishment within the City of Bethel? and 4) Should the City of Bethel support a liquor license application of any other type within the City of Bethel.
A fifth question was added by Council member Rick Robb to ask the citizens of Bethel if the City of Bethel itself should apply for a liquor store license, which was approved and will also be included on the ballot.
During the meeting, the city council heard from guest speaker Doug Griffin – a former director of the ABC Board and former member of the Rural Justice Board who helped craft the legislation for the alcohol database.
“He kept insisting that Bethel wants to be wet,” said Vice Mayor Eric Middlebrook. The council will decide if they want to hire Griffin as a consultant.
Sponsors of the “Opt-Out” petition to abolish local option have said that their group does not support any alcohol sales in Bethel.
“We in no way support liquor sales in Bethel – legal or illegal,” said Gary Vanasse, speaking on behalf of the opt-out group during the last city council meeting during People to be Heard. “The petition sponsors never supported sales, they just wanted to get away from the laws of the state outside of the citizens of Bethel’s control.”
The City Council also passed a resolution requesting the Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) Board to not grant any liquor licenses in the city limits of Bethel for at least the full 90 day limit for making a decision on any liquor license application.
The resolution, which passed unanimously, will be forwarded to the ABC Board for their consideration.
As of last Friday, four local restaurants have posted or are in the process of posting notices in The Delta Discovery newspaper declaring that they have applied for liquor licenses.
Piurci!

Alvin Jimmie of Bethel has been awarded the 2009 Glenn Godfrey Law Enforcement Award at the 2009 AFN Convention.
Jimmie has been the Village Public Safety Officer (VPSO) Coordinator for the Association of Village Council Presidents (AVCP) for 5 years. Prior to joining AVCP, he served 13 years as the VPSO for the village of Kwigillingok. He coordinates and negotiates with the State Department of Public Safety for VPSO positions, recruits potential candidates and works with local municipal governments for support. Currently, 20 VPSO positions are filled in the AVCP region. Alvin uses his years of experience to support all the VPSO’s in the villages. He advocates strongly on their behalf. He speaks Yupik and English and is very patient in a job that is highly stressful. His parents are Peter and Elsie Jimmie of Kwigillingok. His wife is Julia.
Other 2009 AFN Presidential Awards
Della Keats “Healing Hands”: Christian Tigluk Stein , Sr. - Kotzebue
Culture Bearer: Julius Rexford , Sr. - Point Lay
Hunter –Fisher: John Dilts - Hydaburg
Roger Lang Youth Leadership: Rachel Philemonof – St. Paul
Small Business: Melvin Squartsoff – Port Lions
Health: Lydia Olsen – Kodiak
Elder of the Year: Clare Swan - Kenai
Public Service: Anna Frank - Minto
Eileen Panigeo Mac Lean Education: Agnik Polly Schaeffer - Kotzebue
Parent of the Year: Noah Naylor – Kotzebue
Quyana!

The Tanadgusix Corporation (TDX) is the ANCSA village corporation for the community of St. Paul in the Pribilof Islands and they are in the business of running rural electric utilities.
Last Saturday, Connie Fredenberg of the TDX Village Power Group, which is owned by the TDX Corporation, was one of the presenters at the Bethel Alternative Energy and Energy Conservation Fair.
As you may have heard, TDX has bought Bethel Utilities Corporation, Inc. According to Fredenberg, the transfer won’t occur until 2011. “The deal is done but BUC wants to hold on to it until then,” said Fredenberg, who is the Community Relations Manager for TDX VPG.
Fredenberg accepted the invitation to be a presenter at the fair so she could let everyone know what TDX Village Power Group is all about.
Through a powerpoint presentation, Fredeberg said that TDX VPG is devoted specifically to all aspects of education, research, design, and implementation of renewable energy and hybrid energy projects in rural Alaska. TDX Power also offers basic services on wind turbines, including operations and management training and tower climbing safety classes. She discussed the energy projects TDX was involved in which are:
•The POSS Camp at the St. Paul airport: In 1999 TDX built North America’s largest high penetration wind-diesel plant at their 100,000 square foot industrial complex. Excess electricity is used for heat. TDX estimates wind energy saved them 33,147 gallons of diesel in 2008.
•The TDX Manley Generating Geothermal Power Feasibility Study
•The TDX Sand Point Generating Wind-Diesel Project: 2 refurbished Vestas V39-500 kW wind turbines to be installed in the summer of 2010. The excess electricity will go to hot water tanks in the school and clinic. The Waste Heat Recovery System already supplements heat to the utility offices and apartments above. The projected savings are 153,318 gallons per year.
•Aeromagnetic Survey: July 2009 –
This survey shows a geophysical picture of the subsurface geologic structures that are likely conduits for geothermal waters.
•St. George Wind-Diesel Project: A refurbished Vestas V-27 225 kW wind turbine to be installed in the summer of 2010. The excess electricity will go to hot water tanks in the school and clinic.
•Nikolski Wind-Diesel Project: A refurbished Vestas V17-65 kW wind turbine was installed July 28, 2007. By the end of 2009 TDX will integrate the wind turbine with the 179 kW diesel plant.
•USAF Long Range Radar Sites: TDX was awarded a contract to install two refurbished Vestas V27-225 kW wind turbines each at Cape Lisburn, Cape Romanzof, and Cape Newenham.
•Tin City USAF Long Range Radar Site Wind Diesel Project
Quyana!

The new Gladys Jung Elementary school in Bethel celebrated its grand opening last Sunday. The program for the opening ceremony began with the inaugural raising of the flags by the Bethel JROTC Color Guard. A ribbon cutting followed conducted by Senator Lyman Hoffman and the family members of Gladys Jung. Principal Gerry Kimsey-Shaw welcomed everyone and during her comments she said that there are hardly any discipline problems with the students and that they are very proud of their new school. Honored guest speakers included LKSD Superintendent Gary Baldwin, Senator Lyman Hoffman, and Susan Murphy. Students attending Gladys Jung Elementary in grades 3-6 sang their fight song “On! On! Sandhill Cranes” before everyone was invited for refreshments and to tour the classrooms.
Susan Murphy gave the speech honoring Gladys Jung, whom the school is dedicated to. Below is her speech.
Gladys was born in St Michaels, Alaska and moved to the Kuskowkim when she was about 12 years old. She told a marvelous story of traveling up the Yukon to the portage, traveling over the portage and then down the Kuskokwim to Akiak where the family settled. In those days, Akiak was the hub of the Kuskokwim River. During the years her family lived in Akiak, Gladys boarded with the Schwalbes in Bethel to attend school
Times changed, and Gladys’ family moved to Bethel, where she continued her education at the territorial school. At that time there were two schools in Bethel, the territorial school and the Bureau of Indian Affairs school.
Gladys was an enthusiastic student who loved learning. A self described tomboy, she enjoyed being a part of the Bethel Girls basketball team. Yes, there was basketball back then and it was an important part of Bethel’s life. She also participated in the high school theater group, usually garnering a leading part, as she was a natural born comic and could play any role assigned to her.
Gladys was Bethel’s first high school graduate in a class of 1. She went on to attend the University of Alaska in Fairbanks pursuing an education major. Gladys student taught in Nunachuak, Alaska under the tutorage of an old school marm.
Peoples’ lives in the village still centered around a subsistence lifestyle and Gladys was surprised to find that in the spring, the village emptied out bringing the school year to an abrupt halt as families journeyed to spring camp. It was a different world then. Gladys spent time in Tuluksak, student teaching before marrying Henry Jung.
Gladys’ first independent teaching assignment was in the village of Napaskiak. She and husband Henry opened up the school in Napaskiak where they had to make desks and bookshelves for the one room schoolhouse. Her second assignment was in Kalskag, followed by Kipnuk, Sleetmute and finally, Napakiak, where she taught until the year 1958. Each assignment provided more challenges.
The teacher assisted with most paperwork in the villages. She also was the postmistress. In the fifties it became apparent that something had to be done to provide health care in the villages and the job fell to the teacher. Medicines were few but Gladys did medical traffic nightly with the doctors at the Bethel hospital and dispensed sulfa tablets, aspirin, anti TB drugs, gentian violet, etc. She also learned to give penicillin shots. Henry pulled teeth when he had to.
In all villages, all eight grades were taught in the same room. The pledge of allegiance was said daily. Patriotic songs were sung daily. The BIA provided the food for the hot lunch program. The food was cooked by—yes, you guessed it, the teacher. The schoolroom was warmed by a woodstove made from a 50 gallon drum.
Today, it may seem impossible to imagine teaching all eight grades in one room but kids were respectful and enjoyed learning. In addition to the 3 R’s, home economics was taught. You learned to sew, knit and crochet whether you were a boy or a girl.
Gladys loved the world of education and embraced every chance to learn, even taking a computer class as well as Yup’ik dance class when she was in her eighties.
Gladys was a great promoter of her Yup’ik language and consistently urged young Yup’ik parents to preserve the language and culture by speaking it at home.
One of her last posts was as a volunteer under the “Grandma in the Classroom Program”. She looked forward to being in the classroom at M. E. in Mr. Jennings class helping out with what she could and the children looked forward to having Gramma Gladys come to the school.
An educator to the end, even as late as July 2007, Gladys spoke to a roomful of students at the cultural center about the importance of education. She passed away on September 26, 2007 at home.
It is fitting that this school be named after Gladys Jung, Bethel matriarch, educator and role model for us all.
Quyana!

Bethel Town Hall meeting
Alcohol Beverage Control Board (ABC) answers local option questions

The City of Bethel hosted a town hall meeting on September 24th to provide information to the public about the possible change to the existing Local Option Law in Bethel. The following are the questions submitted to the ABC Board and the answers provided by Inv. Finney during his visit to Bethel.
Q. Please explain the process of applying for a liquor license?
A. The first step in the process is to find out if any licenses are available for the location. The prospective licensee will be required to follow the application process set out by statute.
Q. Confirm the fact that if the Local Government and citizens do not approve of a license application for their city or town, it is the ABC Board’s duty to DENY the application?
A. Not necessarily. The ABC Board shall deny unless the board finds the protest to be arbitrary, capricious, and unreasonable.
Q. Why is the law different for a citizen of Aniak and a citizen of Bethel, both charged with bootlegging?
A. Bootlegging/sale in a local option area is a class C felony; however, it is a class A misdemeanor in an area not under local option.
Q. Is it true that package stores in Anchorage have been keeping their own data base for citizens ordering liquor from local option communities, and is it not true the Alaska State Troopers had access to that information?
A. Any package store in the state that receives written orders is required by statute to follow procedures for sale and shipping. These records are available to law enforcement. In addition, any written order sales to areas with local option that allow importation is kept in a statewide database which contains a monthly record of the alcohol purchased and shipped to a person residing in a local option area. The information in the database is confidential and is not subject to inspection or copying and is purged one year after entry, unless it is needed for a criminal investigation and prosecution.
Q. How many applications for liquor licenses has ABC handled from the City of Aniak in the last 10 years?
A. It is unknown as that information is not kept in the ABC Board database.
Q. Are there statistics reflecting what effect these changes would have on the Police, Troopers or Fire Depts.?
A. No recent statistical data exists; however, according to the North Slope Borough Police Department statistics covering a 6-month period prior to local option and a 6-month period after the 1994 local option vote revealed that drunken driving arrests decreased from 73 cases to 9 cases. Jailing of public inebriants went from 239 cases to 29 cases. Alcohol related hospital visits decreased from 118 to 19. Pregnancies where alcohol abuse was documented decreased from 43% to 9%. Felony assaults decreased by 86%; minors consuming alcohol decreased by 79%; domestic dispute calls decreased by 27%; and misdemeanor assaults decreased by 66%.
Q. What exactly would this vote accomplish?
A. If the local option is removed, sales will be allowed upon successful application. Any licenses that were not renewed in 1977 when Bethel voted to prohibit sale will have the first opportunity and priority. Licenses will be available and anyone who is qualified can apply. Restrictions on importation will be lifted and it will be unlimited. Currently, the maximum amount a person could order in a month is no more then 10 ½ liters of distilled spirits, no more than 24 liters of wine, or no more than 12 gallons of malt beverages.
Q. Would this change allow the sale of alcohol in Bethel?
A. Yes, it would.
Q. If Bethel loses its local option does that mean that the local option provision of having no alcohol sales in Bethel except to a city-run liquor store would be lost?
A. No. A Bethel registered voter can obtain a petition for another election for local option with 35% or more of the number of votes cast in the last regular municipal election. If this is accomplished, the municipality is required to place a separate ballot at the next regular election, for whichever local option was petitioned.
Q. Could the City establish their own provisions by local ordinance, such as restrictions on what kind of alcohol can be sold at restaurants/bars or at liquor stores if the community decides to opt out of local option?
A. No. Without local option, Bethel would be the same as any other community without local option governed by statute. However, under local option communities can make restrictions. For instance, the city can pass ordinances that restrict zoning and hours of operation, and any other ordinances that do not conflict with state statutes or state regulation.
Q. The ABC is the ultimate entity to all the issuance of alcohol licenses. Would they weigh out the input of the entire community when determining if a license should be issued, or would the only body of influence be the City Government?
A. Under statute citizens can object and the local governing body can protest the issuance, renewal, relocation, or transfer. Also, the local governing body may protest the continued operation of a license during the second year of the biennial license period. If a license is issued, the board can have a hearing to listen to concerns of the objecting and protesting parties; however, the reasons can not be arbitrary, capricious and unreasonable.
Q. If the majority of the people vote to opt out of local option at the October 6th election, how long would it be before the City could hold another local option election to change the local option again?
A. The time it takes for a petition to be filed and placed on the next ballot.
Q. How does a restaurant get a liquor license, and what kind of documents are needed to apply?
A. The procedure for a restaurant beer and wine license is the same as any other liquor license. The only exception is that a restaurant eating place is required to serve more food than alcohol.
Q. When does the local option change go into effect if it were to pass on the October 6th ballot?
A. If local option is repealed it becomes effective the first day of the month following the certification of the election results.
Q. When in local option, who decides the limits of alcohol to be enforced?
A. The limits are set by state statute but can be set more restrictive by ordinance under local option.
Q. If the majority of the people voting at the regular election vote in favor of opting out of local option, when would the change go into effect?
A. As previously mentioned, it becomes effective the first day of the month following the certification of the election results.
Q. If the City goes unrestricted how will that affect the City’s fees collected by the liquor stores in Anchorage?
A. No change in fees charged would occur that are regulated by written order statute. There would be no limitation to the amount of alcohol coming into Bethel as there is with local option.
Q. When will be the first opportunity for persons or facilities to apply for a liquor license?
A. The first day of the month following the certification and previous liquor license owners will have priority. It could be as early as November 1, 2009.
Q. Can the City of Bethel establish a City owned liquor store? If so, would the City be able to limit any other establishments from becoming a liquor store?
A. Yes, but only under local option can they limit the kinds or types of licenses.
Q. There are many concerns about members of the surrounding communities coming in and buying alcohol and taking it back to their dry village. Is there any way to restrict who is able to buy within the City?
A. No, and that is a valid concern. The licensees can take it upon themselves to refuse service to anyone and that could include those from a dry village.
Q. Can the ABC issue an alcohol license without the consent of the community?
A. Yes, as long as the community has not voted for local option.
Q. Please explain the changes and additions to the local option law from the actual wording that was on the ballot when the citizens of Bethel last voted on the local option issue. Specifically address A. the database requirements, B. Monthly totals and not store totals, and C. Restrictions of Non Bethel Residents to possess or purchase alcohol for delivery to Bethel.
A. Under the current local option, Bethel only restricted the sale of alcoholic beverages. Importation by written order is limited to the amounts previously mentioned. The database only applies to communities with local option, and it tracks a monthly record of alcohol purchased and shipped to a person who lives in a community with restrictions on the sale of alcoholic beverages. The information is confidential and not subject to inspection or copying and purged after one year unless used in a criminal investigation or prosecution. Information in the database is available only to law enforcement, probation/parole officers, and the ABC Board. The restrictions for those not residing in Bethel are the same as for Bethel residents in an area of local option.
Q. Please explain the local option law in the way that it applies differently to people who are or are not citizens of Bethel, and the constitutionality of a law that applies differently to people based not on where the act or violation takes place, but rather based on a person’s place of residence. Why is a person from a dry village prohibited from ordering alcohol and having it delivered to and consumed in a place where it is legal to do so, just as the citizens of Bethel are legally able to do? Also explain how this law is applied to a resident of an area who has never had a local option vote.
A. Local option allows each community to set their own restrictions. If a community does not place local option into effect, there will not be restrictions outside of statute. The law states the alcohol must be delivered to the person who has placed the order, and can not be at an address other than the address where the person resides.
Q. Please explain how a law that applies to the City of Bethel, and took a vote of the people of Bethel to enact can be so dramatically changed from its initial form and enforcement, to its current form, not by a vote of the citizens of Bethel, but by the Rural Justice Commission (I am guessing Anchorage, Fairbanks and Juneau residents) and the A.B.C. Board. Should not a law that required a vote of the people also require a vote of the people to change so drastically, in the way it has been?
A. The only change was through legislation in the creation of the written order database. This was changed by statute and not a local ordinance.
Q. Do you believe that this is the only law voted on by the people that the government can change without consent of the people who enacted it?
A. Local option can not be changed by government. It can only be changed by a majority vote of the people to change or to repeal the local option.

We heard about the new move planned for the Alaska USA Federal Credit Union in Bethel. We spoke with the bank and here is what we learned:
Where is the Alaska USA Bethel branch moving to?
Alaska USA will be relocating the Bethel branch to a more convenient location inside the Alaska Commercial Company.
When will the new location be open?
The branch will open at its new location on Monday, October 5. The current branch inside the BNC Building will remain open until the normal close of business on Friday, October 2.
What can customers expect from your new branch?
Alaska USA provides a full range of financial services for consumers and businesses, including checking accounts, credit cards, savings and loan programs, and mortgages and real estate loans.
What accommodations will you have for your customers?
Convenience is one of the main factors in deciding to move the branch to the Alaska Commercial Company. This new retail location will allow Alaska USA to extend the hours of operation and increase the ability to provide service to members. Plus, the new location will allow members to get their shopping and financial services done - all in one easy location.
Will the hours be the same?
Alaska USA will now be open on Saturdays! The new location enables the expansion of branch hours to include Saturday service from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. Alaska USA will be the only financial institution in Bethel offering Saturday service.
When was your current location put in place/operational?
The Bethel branch first opened in August, 1992. Elena Pleasant has been the Bethel branch manager for over two years. When asked about the move she responded, “I think the move is great! Everything in the branch will be new and it is a much more convenient location for our members.”
Learn more about Alaska USA at www.alaskausa.org.
Quyana!

In the early morning hours of September 10, 2009, Roderick Phillip was enjoying the moonlit night after a successful moose hunt on the Kuskokwim River with his brother Eric Phillip, Glen Ivon, and Cassius Brown – all of Kongiganak. They had been gathered around their campfire at Uuravik, a place downriver from Kalskag, relishing in the details of their successful moose hunt when Roderick decided to go listen for moose a short distance away from the fire.
They were camped near the river on sand and gravel and it was low tide. He was approximately 50 feet away from the others, listening to a calf moose nearby, and was without his gun when he noticed a ghostly, white shape moving towards the others out of the corner of his right eye.
“Qatellria agiirrluni qaskinani,” he said. “It was white and it was moving very quietly.”
As soon as he recognized that it was a wolf, he began yelling, “Wolf! Wolf!” and began running back towards the camp.
The wolf, who had been heading towards the others near the fire, quickly changed course and charged Roderick. Roderick hadn’t even run approximately 20 feet when the wolf lunged. Roderick dodged the attack but not fast enough – the wolf got him on the upper thigh, but not without a fight.
“It jumped and I dodged but it bit me on the leg,” said Roderick. “I grabbed it by the neck and wrestled it to the ground,” he said. “Qemilluku. I had it in a chokehold and I crushed it to the ground with my shoulder. I didn’t want to let it go, if I let go it would attack again.”
Eric Phillip and Ivon who had been by the campfire with their backs to him rushed to Roderick’s aid. Eric had grabbed his .30-06. Roderick kept yelling “Wolf!” and Eric, who didn’t see the wolf at first yelled back, “Nauwa! (Where!)”
“Waniwa! Right here!” yelled back Roderick.
As soon as Roderick saw the gun, he released the wolf and Eric fired two shots into the wolf, killing it.
After the wolf was dead, the hunters checked on Roderick’s wounds and found a 1-inch long by 1/2 inch wide triangle-shaped piece of flesh missing on his upper right thigh. The wolf’s teeth had gone clear through Roderick’s carharts, his warm-ups, and his boxers.
Using a first aid kit, they cleaned the wound with alcohol, applied antibiotic ointment and bandaged it. They did not find any other injuries.
The next thing they did was go take a look at the wolf. Roderick said he wanted to see if it was foaming at the mouth. What they saw was unexpected.
“Looking at it with a flashlight, the mouth and nose were full of porcupine quills,” he said. “If it weren’t for those quills, it might have done more damage.”
Eric snapped a couple photos on his cell phone before the hunters put the dead carcass into two black garbage sacks. It took two of the men to carry it.
It took them two hours to settle down enough to sleep a little, said Roderick. The next morning the hunters took him straight to the YKHC Hospital’s emergency room in Bethel.
The wolf carcass was sent to Anchorage where it tested positive for rabies and Roderick began a regimen of rabies vaccine shots.
During this ordeal, how was the family?
“My wife Sheila and all my family were scared when they heard about it. The thought of it having rabies made them more scared but I told them I was okay,” he said. “I told them not to be scared and that I wasn’t in any pain.” Sheila got on a plane from Kongiganak right away and flew to Bethel to be with her husband.
While in Bethel, Roderick got online and did some research on rabies.
“I went to the CDC website to check it out,” he said. “If it is not treated rabies is 100% fatal.”
Roderick would like to thank the YKDRH Emergency Room staff, Brek Steele for taking the wolf and making sure it got tested, the doctors and nurses for their care, and his brother Eric, Glen Ivon, and Cassius Brown.
“It didn’t notice me when it was trotting towards my brother,” he said, thinking back. “It could have been a surprise attack.”
We asked if he would go back out there again.
“Of course, but only with a gun, even around the camp,” said Roderick.

Public invited to launch of Early Learning Activity Guides in Yup’ik
Fun, culturally relevant activities to help build babies’ brains

The public is invited to a free reception celebrating publication of early learning activity guides in Yup’ik (Mikelnguut Ayagmek Elluarrluki Anglivkallrat). The event will be held 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 23, at the Lions Club in Bethel. Copies of the activity guides will be available free of charge.
Abbe Hensley, Executive Director of Best Beginnings, will be on hand at the reception to personally launch distribution of the new guides. The book launch event is being coordinated by Dolly Vasquez, Early Childhood Coordinator, Lower Kuskokwim School District.
The activity guides contain fun, culturally relevant activities to help babies’ brains grow in ways that will help them succeed in school and in life. There are three guides, one for each of three age ranges: infant (birth to 18 months), toddler (18 months to 3 years), and preschooler (ages 3 to 5).
The guides were funded by grants from the Alaska Children’s Trust and the Alaska Department of Education and Early Development, with additional support from BP and ConocoPhillips Alaska.
All activities described in the books are based on the State of Alaska’s Early Learning Guidelines, developed by the Alaska Department of Education and Early Development and the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services.
Activities for the Yup’ik version were reviewed by Yup’ik educators for cultural relevance, with many new activities added and others modified or exchanged. All translations were done by Marie Meade, a Yup’ik translator originally from Nunapitchuk, who now lives in Anchorage.
Last year, Best Beginnings published activity books in Spanish, and an English version came out earlier this year.
The guides are designed to assist parents, and other adults who work with babies and young children, in understanding child development and offering fun activities that encourage healthy brain development. The activities are geared to specific developmental stages.
Research shows that children’s brains develop at an incredible rate from birth to age 6 and that the type of learning which takes place in the early years has a profound effect on how children fare later in life.
Suggested activities in multiple languages are posted regularly on Best Beginnings’ Web site (www.BestBeginningsAlaska.org).

The Yup’ik Bible Translation team is making headway towards publishing the New Testament and they hope to have a completed product by the end of 2010.
The project, spearheaded by the Alaska Moravian Church and support members from the United and American Bible Societies, has been ongoing for several years. Most recently, the group met last week to review their work and to update their computers to make it easier to transfer.
They also worked on going down the list of words and phrases that they needed help translating with Bob Bascom of the United Bible Society.
Team members include Elsie Jimmie of Kwigillingok – who has taught Yup’ik for 25 years in Kwigillingok; Alice Fredson – Yup’ik teacher and Oral Historian; Jones Anaver of Kwigillingok, the project’s co-coordinator and also pastor of the Moravian church in Kwigillingok; Peter Green – Pastor of the Bethel Moravian Church and coordinator and the President of the Alaska Moravian church; Bob Bascom of the United Bible Society; and Brian Renes of the American Bible Society.
The new testament was published previously in the old Yup’ik orthography many decades ago. The team has been working on republishing it using the new writing system, which is more consistent than the old orthography, in which one word has been known to be written 5 different times.
Bascom, who speaks and understands Greek and Hebrew, is the bridge between Greek and Hebrew to the English language for the translators. Using Bascom’s vast knowledge of biblical times, they are able to make sense of what the words mean in English so they can accurately make the translation into Yup’ik.
An example the translators were unsure of was the meaning of the phrase “strong drink”.
“Strong drink is anything other than wine,” said Bascom. The translators were able to make an accurate translation into Yup’ik.
“You want to keep it accurate in Yup’ik but still easy to read,” he said.
Each line of translated material is translated back into English – known as “back translating”. Back translating allows Bascom to see if the translation is correct.
“It is important because Yup’ik is an ergative language,” he said. What does that mean? “It means that Yup’ik treats objects like English treats subjects. The word order is different in English than in Yup’ik.”
The team has been using the Revised Standard Version – due to its closeness to Hebrew; and the Good News Bible – due to its readability in English.
Brian Renes is tasked with computer checking of codes. Although he doesn’t speak or read Yup’ik, he makes sure that the words are kept consistent using a spell checker.
“He sees things that other people don’t see,” said Bascom. “Especially with the spell checks using word lists.”
The group still has lots of work ahead of them. Introductions and section headings will be added and also illustrations are a possibility. The team will meet again at a publishing camp next spring.
“We are ever pressing for the goal to see if we can get them ready by 2010,” said the team members.

A Town Hall meeting sponsored by the City of Bethel was held last Wednesday to discuss the petition to opt-out of the current Local Option “damp” status of Bethel.
The City Manager was asked by the Bethel City Council to have two Town Hall Meetings. The Council wanted the State Troopers and the Alcohol Beverage Control Board to be on the panel as well as someone from either side of the issue.
However, the sponsors of the petition and no one else knew how the meeting would be put together as of 2:00PM on the day of the meeting.
“We want to make sure the people of Bethel know that the Petition Sponsors did not set up this meeting,” said Tom Hawkins, one of the sponsors of the petition. “We only attended the meeting as any other citizen could have done.”
The meeting was opened to anyone in the public and was to have representatives from the Alcohol Beverage Control Board, and the Alaska State Troopers in attendance along with the sponsors. However, no one from the opposition or from the State showed up at the meeting.
“I would like to explain some of the misinterpretations I think that some of our citizens have about basically the liquor application,” said Tom Hawkins, one of the main sponsors and resident of Bethel.
“There is a serious misunderstanding in our community about the petition.”
Most of Hawkins’ time at the meeting was spent explaining that the issue is not about the sale of alcohol in Bethel.
“The issue is about the right of the citizens to choose for ourselves here in Bethel how we control alcohol issues,” he said.
The major thrust of his statements had to do with the right of choice.
“I spent very little time on the application to the State for a liquor license,” he said of the meeting. “I did explain the process but it would be better for the ABC Board to fully explain the process.”
Hawkins said that the misinterpretation is that if the petition passes, the town will go “wet”. He said that is not the case.
According to Representative Bob Herron, who was present at the meeting, under the Local Option Law there is “dry” and then there are variations of “damp” under Title 4, but the term “wet” is not part of local option.
“The Executive Director of the Alcohol Beverage Control Board said that there is no such thing as ‘wet’,” said Herron. “The actual term is ‘unrestricted’. That is what it is.”
The reason that Aniak and other communities are not local option is that they’ve never had a local option vote, as Rep. Herron further explained. The minute you take a vote, you fall under some local option.
Rep. Herron furthermore said to ask the ABC Board where that would put them, to see if they are truly no longer local option, if the petition passes.
Hawkins also explained that opting out would mean no more restrictions on importing alcohol into Bethel - such as having to label the packages on booze shipments, the database, and even the limits on how much you can import into Bethel would be eliminated.
“If we vote out of local option, then it will be the citizens that make the choice whether they have alcohol sales or not,” Hawkins said. “The city of Aniak is a prime example. There is no local option status in Aniak and they have been operating on the same level as the city Bethel has forever for 30 years. We can call it damp, there are no sales of alcohol in Aniak, but you can ship it in as we can here in Bethel. But Aniak is not subject to the database or the markings restrictions that I know of because those restrictions come right out of the local option status.”
“Those small things would go away,” he said. “But the large issues would still be under the control of the citizens of Bethel if we were to opt out. It would be our choice as to what we did. We would vote for it, not the State.”
What about bootleggers?
“If there is a problem with bootlegging and we can’t get a handle on it we need to bring in all enforcement necessary,” said Hawkins.
The petitioners of the opt-out ballot initiative are not in support of sales of alcohol in the City of Bethel, Hawkins said.
“We would be in a limbo status, which in our opinion put us right where we want to be,” said Hawkins. “We wouldn’t be under the thumb of the State. And if we decided to make changes, we would make those changes ourselves in the city of Bethel.”
There will be another Town Hall meeting on this issue on September 23, 2009 from 6pm-8pm at the Log Cabin in Bethel and it is free for all citizens to attend. Voters are also encouraged to register and come out and vote on October 6, 2009.

U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gary Locke today approved a plan to prohibit the expansion of commercial fishing in federal Arctic waters until researchers gather sufficient information on fish and the Arctic marine environment to prevent adverse impacts of commercial harvesting activity on the ecosystem.
“As Arctic sea ice recedes due to climate change, there is increasing interest in commercial fishing in Arctic waters,” said Locke. “We are in a position to plan for sustainable fishing that does not damage the overall health of this fragile ecosystem. This plan takes a precautionary approach to any development of commercial fishing in an area where there has been none in the past.”
The Arctic Fishery Management Plan, approved last Thursday, will be implemented through regulations to be published in the Federal Register. Fisheries managers have identified Arctic cod, saffron cod, and snow crab as likely initial target species for commercial fishing in the region.
The plan governs any future commercial fishing for finfish and shellfish in federal waters, except Pacific salmon and Pacific halibut, which are managed under other authorities. It does not affect fisheries for salmon, whitefish and shellfish in Alaskan waters near the Arctic shore. The fishery management plan also does not affect subsistence fishing or hunting in the Arctic.
Under the plan, in any new Arctic fisheries that may be approved in the future:
• Fishermen will be required to keep records that will help determine catch, production, effort, price, and other information necessary for conservation and management
• Fishermen may be required to carry certified fisheries observers on board in order to verify catch quantity and composition, track at-sea discards, and collect biological information on marine resources
The North Pacific Fishery Management Council and NOAA’s Fisheries Service will establish prescribed procedures before authorizing a future fishery, and will monitor and adjust the plan periodically. These adjustments might include annual total allowable catch levels and in-season adjustments through gear modifications, closures, fishing area restrictions, and quota restrictions.
In 2006, the council began considering options for fishery management in the Arctic. The council talked extensively with communities on Alaska's North Slope and other stakeholders to consider management options. The council voted to prohibit commercial fisheries until researchers gather sufficient information on fish and the Arctic marine environment.
NOAA understands and predicts changes in the Earth's environment, from the depths of the ocean to the surface of the sun, and conserves and manages our coastal and marine resources.

Four members of President Obama’s cabinet held a town hall meeting in Bethel last Wednesday as part of the administration’s Rural Tour. Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, Department of Energy Secretary Steven Chu, Department of Education Secretary Arne Duncan, and Housing Secretary Shaun Donovan along with Senator Mark Begich blew through Bethel for a quick stop before heading on to Hooper Bay.
This tour was one of many into America’s rural areas, which began July 1st. After a weather delay, the meeting was shortened and the round table discussions were omitted to allow for more time for questions from the floor.
The Ayaprun Immersion students opened the meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance and the Yuuyaraq plege all in Yup’ik. Paul John of Toksook Bay gave the Invocation and Bethel’s Traditional Chief Peter Jacobs gave a welcome speech to the visitors.
Also welcoming the visitors was Orutsaramiut Chairman Ray Watson who in his welcoming address said the trip reminded him of Senator Ted Kennedy’s visit in 1971, which resulted in improvements to housing in the region.
Each Secretary was given time for opening comments.
“I’ve never been to Alaska. I was so excited I couldn’t sleep, “ said Secretary Vilsack. “I was about to embark on the most incredible days of my life – to see a part of the world I had never seen and to go to Alaska, this incredible country that you have.”
Sec. Vilsack announced to the assembled crowd $132 million in new funding for Native American and Alaskan housing across the country, bringing the total invested to $500 million dollars. The total to Alaska being over 78 million dollars, with 5 million going to the Association of Village Council Presidents, Inc. and $5 million to Mtn. Village. “This help we believe is a new beginning and a new partnership between the Obama Administration and Alaskan natives to improve your housing conditions.”
The audience was given a chance to ask questions and were given a 3 minute time limit. Barb Angaiak, the President of NEA Alaska requested that the No Child Left Behind Act be changed for Alaska.
“The requirements of NCLB include letters to be sent to parents of students whose teachers who do not meet the definition of highly qualified,” she said. “This is punitive and demoralizing for the teacher and destroys the confidence on the part of the community members that those who work with their children can do the job. It is next to impossible in schools for teacher in schools with as few as 10 students to be highly qualified in every subject, we need help.”
“When we reauthorize the new law, it will be the law of the land. We will fix what is broken, and keep what is working,” said Secretary Duncan. “The idea of having more people from the culture from the community into teaching is a very important one - grow your own programs, and being committed to community is hugely important. …We are happy to work with you on that.”
Maryanne Mills, the Kenaitze Indian Tribal Chair expressed concern over the effects of global warming and what it is doing to the beluga whales of Cook Inlet, and that Alaska was being “treated like any other 3rd world country by the mining, oil, and military industrial complexes”.
“Climate change is having a direct impact on the physical and psychological health of our people. As you travel today you will see poverty and conditions comparable to that of third world countries. We are a subsistence people who rely on the earth for sustenance and we can longer hunt and fish,” said Mills. “In some Alaska villages our people pay as much as 15 dollars a gallon for fuel while oil companies make record profits and pour metric tons of gas into the air. These hydrocarbons are causing asthma and other health problems and impacting climate change. We request strong climate legislation with a solid cap on emissions.”
Secretary Chu said that he couldn’t agree with her more. “I’m absolutely with you.”
Matthew Nicolai, President of Calista, the profit corporation for the region made a comment on the importance of funding the Denali Commission for bulk tank repairs, addressing the water/sewer problem, and funding for rural airports.
“The airport issue – it is a lifeline to our people,” said Nicholai. “There is still an need for $238 million dollars, I hope the Obama Administration can address these issues with us. We need that money.”
Myron Naneng, President of AVCP, addressing the fact that the Department of Agriculture is a member of the Federal Subsistence Board, requested that the responsibility of the management of subsistence resources given to the State of Alaska needs to be reviewed.
“I think that too much credence should not be given to State of Alaska because their managements programs are not being condusive and helpful,” he said. “When our people in our villages catch only 100 salmon for food that they provide for our elders, they end up being considered criminals. That is not fair, especially in the United States. There definitely needs to be a review of their assessment.”
Secretary Vilsack replied that these issue are unique to Alaska and that the reason they came was to learn about unique circumstances.
The next comment from the floor came from Nick Tucker Sr. of Emmonak, who brought forth to the nation the plight of his village last winter when folks were faced with choosing between food or fuel to heat their homes.
“We’ve always been natives of strength, courage, stamina, and we don’t want to lose that. We almost did but now we have hope because you have come here that letting us know that you care and if people in our villages shouldn’t have to cry for food and heating fuel and wondering when their next meal is going to be, or if they are going to be warm for the evening,” he said. “We are lucky to have two cultures. And at the same time we do not want to be a burden to our country. We are strong people that can contribute and pay taxes. If we are given the opportunity.”
Other questions were also asked regarding funding from the Environmental Protection Agency to fund projects to help clean villages; addressing the extreme social problems in rural Alaska; reinstating aboriginal hunting and fishing rights for Alaskan Natives; doing something about bringing the price of fuel down in rural Alaska, and improving broadband in rural areas.
“Thank you and all of Alaska for what you give to this great nation,” said the Secretaries during their closing thankyous. “Sometimes those of us who live in the lower 48 fail to recognize the contribution that you make to our economy - culturally, environmentally, and to the economy. We go back to Washington with a greater knowledge and understanding of you hopefully we will be a stronger partner.”

Rural Tour events planned for Bethel on August 12th, 2009 include the arrival of Energy Secretary - Steven Chu, HUD Secretary - Shaun Donovan, Education Secretary - Arne Duncan, Interior Secretary - Ken Salazar (cancelled) and Agriculture Secretary - Tom Vilsack to discuss rural infrastructure, green jobs and a new energy economy, as well as climate change.
Forty staff people are also expected to arrive. The meetings will be held at the Yupiit Piciryarait Cultural Center and the Kuskokwim Community College.
Town Hall Tentative Agenda
9:00-10:30am Meet with Public
10:30-11:00 Press Conference
11:00-12:00 Break-out Sessions (might be invitation only)
The Secretaries are scheduled to fly out for short tour of Hooper Bay. US Senator Mark Begich will also attend the Town Hall Meeting.
Also on Wednesday, Governor Parnell will be the guest speaker for the Chamber of Commerce luncheon at the VIP Restaurant. He will NOT be accepting questions from the floor. Rather, prepared questions will be used. In order to submit a question, please send your question to the Chamber Board.

Our hearts were saddened when we heard of the passing of Lu Young, the loving wife of Alaska’s U.S. Representative Don Young. She passed away in her sleep on August 1st. She was 67. Every time we’ve had the privilege to be around her, her steadfast and devoted support to her husband was constant and commendable. Our condolences and prayers go out to all who feel this great loss.
In honor and memory of Lu Young, Governor Sean Parnell has ordered flags to be lowered to half-staff on Tuesday, August 4. “Lu and Representative Young have been a team for decades,” Governor Parnell said. “Sandy and I have admired their bond of friendship in marriage and the years of volunteer service Lu put into his congressional office. Our thoughts and prayers are with Representative Young and his family during this painful time. Lu will be truly missed.”
Lu and Don Young had been married for more than 46 years. They have two daughters and 14 grandchildren.
Flags will be raised the following day. Tua-i-ngunrituq.

The Bethel Fire Station’s roof is in dire need of repair – it is so bad that a structural engineering assessment done on July 17, 2009 deemed it to be “in a state of imminent danger of collapse, unsafe for occupancy, and (is) a significant threat to life and safety.”
The report was done by Bratslavsky Consulting Engineers, Inc.
The decay is caused by years of water damage to the firehouse’s bearing walls, shear walls, floor joists and plywood, and roof trusses – from moisture trapped by insulating foam applied during construction in the early 1980s.
The City of Bethel currently has an FY 2009 State of Alaska Legislative grant in the amount of $1,200,000.00 for the replacement of the fire station roof. However, a 12,000 square foot facility to replace the existing structure is expected to cost $7,800,120.00.
A resolution supporting a request for necessary funding to assist in the replacement of the current inhabitable situation is on the agenda for the City Council’s July 28, 2009 meeting – and making the replacement project the City of Bethel’s #1 priority. Council member Thor Williams is introducing the resolution.
Newly seated Governor Sean Parnell is aware of the situation having toured the fire station in January 2008 during a visit to speak to the Bethel Chamber of Commerce – even crawling underneath the floor to have a look.
City Manager Lee Foley in a letter to Parnell requesting immediate help from the State of Alaska stated, “You have seen our building, been underneath it, and noted the flooring problems. Coupled with this most recent engineering assessment, the situation is now catastrophic…”
The fire station currently houses training rooms, a berthing area for station personnel, fire engines, water tankers, aerial apparatus, and other equipment. The crew responds to approximately 800 ambulance calls and 130 reported fires per year for the 5,656 population town of Bethel.
The City is hoping that the new administration will consider the plight of the people of Bethel and work with the legislature to see if there is any way to secure funding for this project.

Plastic grocery bags are soon to be banned in Bethel after the City Council voted in favor of an ordinance to prohibit the use of non-biodegradable plastic carry-out bags. Also to be banned under the new ordinance are polystyrene (Styrofoam) take-out containers widely used by Bethel restaurants.
The new ordinance will take effect on September 1st, 2010.
The vote came during the July 14, 2009 regular city council meeting for Ordinance 09-12, which was introduced by Council member Beverly Hoffman. The vote was 4-yes and 2-no. Council member Thor Williams and Vice Mayor Eric Middlebrook cast the dissenting votes – Williams felt that since the community reversed a similar ordinance after the council voted for it in the past, the public should be the ones to make that decision. Middlebrook voted no because of concerns regarding the lower quality of the biodegradable bags, and he also felt it should be a public vote. Council member Dan Leinberger asked to be excused from voting due to a conflict of interest since he owns a business in Bethel that sells supplies to local restaurants.
During the public hearing on the ordinance during the June 9, 2009 meeting, 2 people testified for it. No one from the public testified against it.
Bethel joins Aniak and other delta communities in banning plastic carry-out bags.

Two people in Bethel have tested positive for the H1N1 flu virus, also known as “swine flu”. One of the cases was seen on June 16 and the other on June 23rd and the results just got back.
Southwest Alaska was the last area to get “official” cases of the novel H1N1 Influenza.
The State of Alaska Health & Social Services Department’s newest information on how many new cases in Alaska was released on July 8, 2009. The highest number of cases for swine flu is in the Anchorage/Mat-Su area with 87. There have been no deaths from the H1N1 virus in Alaska.
What about the rumors of quarantined sick people with swine flu?
“There is no quarantine,” said Public Health Nurse Elsie Westman of Bethel. “Even household members of a sick person don’t have to stay home. Just the ones who are sick have to stay home and take care of themselves.”
Any flu that health officials see will be considered H1N1, said Westman, since it is happening off-season. October – March is usually when seasonal flu occurs, and that has not been seen in any of the recent tests.
Health officials have decided to suspend testing for the swine flu virus.
“They don’t think they can stop it, it is too widespread,” Westman said. “But right now it is very mild.”

The new Community Garden, adjacent to Osage Street in Pinky’s Park, is ready for planting. The garden is approximately 150’ x 150’ square with a 6’ tall cyclone fence surrounding it. There are a total of 50 rows in the garden and 15 are available for folks who would like their own row. We met Chef Callahan who is the new cook at YKHC at the garden. He was busy planting lettuce, herbs, potatoes, cabbage, onions and beets. Before coming to Bethel, he cooked for and served troops from 10 different countries in Afghanistan at a NATO base. Welcome to Bethel!
The community garden was made possible with a grant from the YKHC Diabetes Prevention Program and other in-kind support from the City of Bethel Parks and Rec Dept. and the Public Works Dept., the Cooperative Extension Service, and plant starts from Dave Trantham. Quyana!

Bethel residents weigh in on Statewide Energy Plan
Many disappointed by loss of Federal Stimulus Funds for Energy Projects

The fourth in a series of field hearings on a statewide energy plan was held by the House Special Committee on Energy in Bethel last Thursday. A total of ten state representatives took part in the hearing.
The meeting, originally dated for February 28, 2009 was cancelled due to icy runway conditions and bad weather. Before the meeting, the guest legislators took a Blackhawk helicopter ride to Kasigluk to tour the new wind turbines before doing a flyover over the village of Kwethluk, who had experienced flooding during breakup.
The energy hearing commenced at 1pm at Bethel City Council chambers, which was filled to capacity – folks were also sitting out in the lobby area, waiting to testify. The hearing was broadcast on KYUK Radio.
“Rural Alaskans are really enthusiastic that we’re working on a statewide energy plan,” said Energy Co-chair Bryce Edgmon, D-Dillingham. “Energy costs have skyrocketed across the state but in areas like Bethel, it’s a choice between heat and other necessities. Rural Alaskans want a viable energy plan – not a handout.”
“Our field hearings give rural residents the opportunity to participate directly in the legislative process,” said Co-chair Charisse Millett, R-Anchorage. “140 dollar oil brought rural and urban Alaskans together to push for a statewide energy plan.”
Several Bethel residents testified they were dismayed when Governor Sarah Palin vetoed $28.6 million in federal stimulus funds for weatherization and renewable energy projects. They encouraged the committee to work with the governor to accept the energy funds for the good of the entire state.
Those testifying included Calista Corporation’s Bob Charles, YKHC’s CEO Gene Peltola, AVCP President Myron Naneng, AVEC President Meera Kohler, and many community members. Many testified on the high cost of fuel, the recent flooding, the high price of air transportation, and the cost of health care.
The House Special Committee on Energy will travel to Fairbanks next month and more communities throughout the year while it continues to take a leadership role in the legislature on building the framework for a statewide energy plan.
The committee also sponsored legislation to create a new state department of energy last session.
Speaker of the House Mike Chenault, R-Nikiski, and House Finance Co-chair Bill Stoltze, R-Chugiak, attended the hearing. Representative Bob Herron, D-Bethel, also participated and welcomed his colleagues to his hometown.

The Operation Military Kids Camp conducted a flag ceremony at 12:15pm last Saturday at the Log Cabin. Everyone was invited to come and observe putting old Glory to rest. The ceremony can only be conducted by the Boys Scouts and Girl Scouts of America and most people have not seen this done.
Two flags were chosen for retirement. One of the flags had flown over the Bethel Veterans Memorial Cemetery. The other had flown over the Bethel City Offices.
During the Burning Ceremony, Boy Scout members from Bethel Troop #556 – Luke Harrison, Zack Harrison, Bailie McCallson, and Troy McCallson assisted each other in cutting away each stripe before placing it in the fire.
“It was cool,” said Troy McCallson who said he was excited to learn that he was chosen to participate.
The rings from the flags were given in honor to Sam Shields of the American Legion and to Minnie Sallison-Fritts of the American Legion Auxiliary. The ashes from the flags will be buried at the Bethel Veterans Memorial Cemetery. Below is what each strip represents, read by Ronda Sargent, before being placed in the fire:
1st stripe: The 13 stripes stand for the original 13 colonies which are: Massachusetts, Virginia, Pennsylvania, New York, Connecticut, Rhode Island, New Hampshire, Delaware, Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and New Jersey.
2nd stripe: The white stands for purity.
3rd stripe: The red stands for courage.
4th stripe: “Give me liberty or give me death”
5th stripe: “One if by land, two if by sea.”
6th stripe: We the people of the United States, in order to form a more perfect union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution of the United States of America.
7th stripe: We hold these truths to be self evident that all men are created equal. They are endowed by their creator with certain unalienable rights. Among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
8th stripe: Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.
9th stripe: Congress shall make no law abridging the freedom of speech or press.
10th stripe: “Fourscore and seven years ago, our fathers brought forth to this continent a new nation.”
11th stripe: The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any state on account of sex.
12th stripe: “Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country.”
13th stripe: “One small step for man, one giant leap for mankind.”
The Blue and Stars: The symbol of the 50 states and the blue union is never cut reminding us to never let the union be broken.
The ceremony was concluded with the national anthem and "Taps".
Operation Military Kids Camp is a National Guard and 4-H Program for children of deployed National Guard parents and community youth ages 9 to 15 years old. Quyana!

This report is from the State of Alaska DMVA, released on May 10, 2009.
• Flooding continues in Akiak. With assistance from the Alaska Council of Village Presidents and the Kuskokwim River Watch team the community pre-evacuated 37 at-risk individuals to Bethel. Those remaining in the community have taken shelter in the school. On Saturday, Lt. Governor Sean Parnell and Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management (DHS&EM) Director John Madden visited Akiak to meet with villagers and evaluate the State’s response.
• Most residents of Stevens Village pre-evacuated. Twenty people remain in Stevens to perform emergency protective measures.
• Three River Watch teams are conducting aerial observations on the Upper Yukon, Middle Yukon and Kuskokwim rivers. The River Watch teams report active flooding in Stevens on the Yukon River and in Akiak on the Kuskokwim River.
• Akiak requested and received diesel fuel, a diesel transfer pump, potable water, food, and other items. DHS&EM has dispatched a satellite phone for emergency communications in Akiak.
• The Alaska Army National Guard has dispatched four 400 gallon water tanks to Eagle. Two water tanks will depart from Fairbanks and two from Anchorage. The tanks will be filled in Tok.
• Response activities continue in Eagle. State, non-profit and tribal entities are providing assistance to flood victims. Preliminary damage assessments have begun.
• The American Red Cross of Alaska has opened a shelter in Eagle for residents who have been displaced. Red Cross disaster response volunteers have established operations at the Eagle Community School.
• The Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation recommends that all residents boil their water prior to consumption in Aniak, Eagle, Circle, Ft. Yukon, Red Devil, Beaver and Stevens Village.
• New photos and information are available at ready.alaska.gov. Go to 2009 Spring Breakup Flood Event Information web page.
• The State Emergency Coordination Center (SECC) activation status is level 4.
• Those who want to make donations are encouraged to make cash donations to established charities. Cash donations are the most effective way to help those in need. Contact AKVOAD at (907) 351-9455 www.akvoad.com or the American Red Cross at 1-800-RED-CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or 1-800-257-7575 (Spanish).
• The National Weather Service River Forecast Center has issued Flood Warnings and Flood Watches for several areas of the state. For current information go to www.aprfc.arh.noaa.gov.
• The Department of Natural Resources has delivered four porta-potties to the Eagle Community School.
• Flood warnings have been canceled for Beaver, McGrath and Ft. Yukon.

Subsistence hunters to aid Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta’s Avian Flu surveillance effort

The US Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS) and the Yukon-Kuskokwim Health Corporation (YKHC) Office of Environmental Health and Engineering (OEHE) will collaborate for the fourth consecutive year to screen for the Highly Pathogenic H5N1 strain of Avian Influenza in migratory birds arriving on the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta.
The goal is to collect a total of 3,000 samples throughout the spring subsistence-hunting season. Ten villages have been selected for the study: Chefornak, Eek, Emmonak, Hooper Bay, Kipnuk, Kotlik, Kwethluk, Pilot Station, Toksook Bay and Quinhagak. The villages were chosen based on their geographical location and the species of birds typically hunted for subsistence.
The USFWS identified 29 priority species that they are most interested in obtaining samples from. The species were selected based on their migratory patterns traveling through areas known to have Highly Pathogenic H5N1 Avian Influenza detected in domesticated birds.
Hunters in the selected villages are asked to bring subsistence-caught birds to their designated village Testing Manager. Two swabs will be taken from each bird and then returned to the hunter. For participating in the surveillance effort, two twelve-gauge shotgun shells will be given for each bird sampled.
There have been no cases of the Highly Pathogenic H5N1 strain of Avian Influenza virus detected anywhere in Alaska or the United States. In addition, there have been no cases of a person contracting the H5N1 virus from wild birds. The USFWS and OEHE will continue their surveillance for any possibility of the virus surfacing in Alaska.
YKHC will be providing regular updates to the people of the YK Delta about the surveillance efforts, including prompt notification of any positive identification of the H5N1 virus.
When handling wild game, YKHC encourages the following safe handling procedures:
• Do not eat, drink, or smoke while cleaning birds.
• Wash your hands and knife thoroughly with soap after cleaning or handling any birds or eggs.
• Cook wild birds or eggs thoroughly before eating them.

Bethel resident Tomas Israelsson recently completed an overland ski trip from Bethel to Dillingham. His friend Eric Whitney provided snowmachine support. Eric Whitney provided a quick interview with The Delta Discovery to talk about their adventure.
How did this trip come about? Tomas Israelsson’s. It was his idea. He had been building a cabin for Myron on Chuakkaituli (sp) and conceived the idea one night.
How long did it take you to go from Bethel to Dillingham? The trip took 14 days with 4 days of rest.
How were the snow conditions? The snow was about 10 to 12 feet deep and the passage between Chuckuminid Lake to Chuakaktuli was a challenge. The deep snow and trees were tough to get through. The trees had less snow around them (tree wells). Getting the snowmachine stuck into one of them could mean 4 hours with a shovel.
How was the terrain/scenery? To Hart Lake it was mostly tundra and some mountains. Past that the scenery was very impressive with steep mountains and lots of snow.
Did you see any wildlife? We saw moose, caribou, short-eared owls, rabbits, fox, and many many ptarmigan. We also saw golden eye ducks. They stay all winter on the rivers between the Tikchik Lakes, but strange for us to see coming from Bethel.
How many miles per day did you cover? Tomas skied about 20 plus miles a day.
How was the cold? We used an Arctic oven tent with a small stove in it. We could have it 50 degrees inside in about 25 minutes from starting to set it up. It was very nice to get into a warm dry tent especially for Tomas after skiing 7 to 9 hours a day. We had one morning where the temp was -15 to -20 and that was a bit cold and slow for skiing, but we had no problems.
What did you eat? A typical day would start by waking up and starting the fire in the tent, wait for it to warm up, have breakfast, put up camp, and get going by 9 or 10. Of course we had to have coffee before leaving. Swedish tradition is to make coffee very strong but have a smaller cup. We would pack up camp and Tomas would start skiing. I would have usually go in front of him about 5 miles or so, and wait to see how it was going and have tea. While waiting I would go skiing or snowshoeing, or climb up a mountain and sled back down. We would keep doing that ‘til Tomas wanted to set up camp. We had many burritos cooked on the muffler for lunches.
What kind of snowmachine did you use? I drove a Ski Doo Tundra with a 4-stroke V800 engine. The long track (156 inch) and wider skis made it work very well in the deep snow.
Was it challenging to stay on course? We had a satellite phone and a satellite locator device that we could use to send people our location by email at any time. I used Garmin GPS and maps for navigation. We had plotted a course with the GPS before leaving and it turned out to be a good one with some minor changes.
Would you recommend this adventure to anyone? You should be in good shape to do this trip even by snowmachine. Using a rowing machine is a good way to get in shape for a trip like this. Bring a shovel and snowshoes if you go, and a camera.
Would you do it again? This was fantastic trip and I would do it again. However, I would recommend to anyone to make sure that the Milk River was well frozen before going that way.
How was the trail on the trip home? On the way back I went on the coast route. The trails were very good on the way home.
Is there anyone you would like to acknowledge? I’d like to thank my wife for letting me be gone for two weeks. Had some guidance from Chris from Manokotak and Thomas Dock of Togiak to find the local trails. It was a great help. And Robert Sundown met me in Quinhagak on the way back.
Quyana!

The Yukon River Panel, established by the US/Canada Yukon River Salmon Agreement, met in Whitehorse, Yukon Territory from March 25 through 28, 2009. The focus of the meeting was to review the outlook for 2009 salmon returns, establish specific escapement guidelines for the management of the Chinook and fall chum salmon stocks in 2009, and discuss potential fishery management actions to ensure Chinook salmon escapement goals will be achieved during the upcoming season. The Panel also made funding decisions regarding Yukon River restoration and enhancement projects for 2009.
Based on data compiled by the Panel’s Joint Technical Committee, the 2009 Chinook salmon run is anticipated to be below average to poor. The Panel review of the Chinook salmon run outlook found that conservation of these salmon stocks will require very conservative management measures in 2009 to ensure an adequate return of Chinook salmon into Canada. Fishery managers are gathering input from local fishermen regarding salmon management strategies and options to assist in getting adequate numbers of Canadian-origin Chinook salmon to the spawning grounds. The Panel also has initiated an outreach effort to obtain recommendations from resource users prior to the 2009 fishing season on measures that may be used to conserve Chinook salmon while having the least impact on subsistence uses. This is a challenging endeavor which is extremely important for sustaining future runs.
During the March meeting, the Panel discussed the draft environmental impact statement on bycatch of Chinook salmon in the Bering Sea pollock fishery. The Panel will reiterate its concern to the North Pacific Fishery Management Council regarding marine catches of Yukon salmon stocks and urge action by the Council to take all measures necessary to reduce bycatch to low levels at the Council’s meeting in early April.
Since the signing of the Yukon Agreement in 2002, the Yukon River Panel has set an example for cooperation in the sharing and management of international salmon stocks. The Panel, which operates under the umbrella of the Pacific Salmon Treaty, consists of 12 Alaska and Yukon Territory residents throughout the Yukon River system, and is supported by regional advisers and scientists and managers from Canadian and United States agencies. Through a Restoration and Enhancement Fund program, the Panel has allocated over $2 US million since 2002 to community-based projects, including stewardship projects, directly supporting the management and recovery of Yukon River salmon stocks originating in Canada. For 2009, the Panel approved approximately $1 million (US) in projects for salmon and habitat restoration and enhancement in Alaska and Yukon Territory. The community-based projects include a subsistence fishery monitoring project in Ruby, Alaska and projects in communities within the Yukon drainage in the Yukon Territory, both along the Yukon River mainstem and in tributaries such as the Porcupine River. Community projects will take place in Dawson City, Mayo, Old Crow, Teslin, and Whitehorse, Yukon.
Other restoration and enhancement projects involve the application of technologies to support fishery management. Projects include advanced genetic stock identification technology and salmon run counting techniques using sonar stations at the US-Canada border and within the Canadian portion of the system. All of these activities have assisted fisheries management and the monitoring of attainment of salmon population escapement objectives set by the Panel.

Congratulations to the Cama-i 2009 Committees, volunteers, elders, dancers, and craft vendors for putting on another successful festival. We sincerely appreciate all the work that you do for us to have this event.
Visitors from all over attend this festival such as Patricia Bulitt (pronounced Beu-let). Patricia is a dance ethnologist from Berekely, CA who has attended several Cama-i’s throughout the years. She first came to Alaska in 1977 and to Bethel in 1980 to do a dance movement residency at Mikelnguut Elitnaurviat. Throughout the years her work has brought her all over Alaska to wherever she was invited to teach dance.
In 2001, she helped build a project in Hooper Bay called “Their Eyes Have Seen the Old Dances” – an exhibition of photos by James Barker. Kirt Bell, now deceased, was the elder who organized the Eskimo dance for the exhibit. The text for the project was taken from field recordings that Patricia collected from 1981 – 2001.
“It was very important to me that I not curate the photos but that the people in Hooper Bay would vote on which ones they wanted,” she said. “It would be a permanent gift to their Traditional Council.”
Also in 1981, before Cama-i came into existence, Patricia helped the Bethel Council on the Arts discuss envisioning an Eskimo dance festival. She remembers during her travels an absence of native dance activity in some places, but she always believed in the power of dance coming back.
“It is so beautiful to see it thriving,” said Patricia while attending this year’s Cama-i. “It’s a dream come true to see all the dance.”
To preserve her memories, Patricia signed up to be interviewed by StoryCorp where she spoke about her experiences as a dancer in Alaska. Quyana!

Every year since 2002, the Tundra Women’s Coalition has honored special people for their contributions to their families, friends, and to the communities of the YK Delta. This year TWC is honoring three Yukegtaaraat: George Billy of Napakiak, Mary Pete of Bethel, and Lillian Kiunya of Kwigillingok.
TWC hosted the 8th Annual Yukegtaaraat Celebration on Saturday, March 21st, 2009 to recognize the three honorees. The celebration banquet with silent auction was made possible by many generous sponsors and volunteers. The honorees are as follows:
Nacailnguq George Billy
Nacailnguq was born in the spring of 1923 in a settlement known as Nanvarnarrlak, located some miles above the village of Nunapitchuk. Years later he recalls another settlement in the vicinity of Nunapitchuk where his mother and paternal grandfather had relocated. The tiny settlement along the branch of the Johnson River is known as Qurrlurpak, which refers to the slough. While living in this settlement, Nac’ remembers a time where his mother remarried and left him to live with his grandfather along with other young male relatives. Although the loss of his mother has never been forgotten in a discouraging sense, he has many wonderful memories of his grandfather, Kepuqaciq, who cared for him and taught him all of his hunting and survival skills in his elderly age.
Nacailnguq moved to Napakiak in 1949 when he married Elsie, his late wife and mother of his children. Together Elsie and Nac’ raised 8 children and later adopted their granddaughter into their family and raised her as well. In the years passing, Nac’ has lost his wife to a terminal illness and three of children to unforeseen deaths. Despite losses and traumas that Nac’ has experienced, he has stayed sober and has been a role model and mentor for many, many people in the Delta.
He recollects holding odd jobs especially in the summer; unloading merchandise and goods from barges and working at the Jung’s Trading Post as an all around handyman. He was also a commercial fisherman in the Togiak region in the early 60’s and later in the 70’s; he fished commercially in the Kuskokwim area.
The one most important to him that he holds dearly and close to his heart for many, many years is his service to the Lord. He remembers his first calling; he had just moved to Napakiak and during an annual voting period, the congregants voted him to be one of the Young People Leaders and from them on up until today he has held church leader positions.
Nacailnguq is well known in the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta for his constant and unwavering faith in the Lord, as well as his knowledge of the Yup’ik traditions and culture. Many occasions he has been invited to speak on subjects pertaining to the aforementioned areas in this region both in faith and secular organizations. He has been and still is one of the first people to respond to trauma as well as celebrations in the village of Napakiak. His genuine concern and choice of words are of utmost importance to families and individuals he counsels. Just his presence without words is very comforting. It takes a handshake for one to perceive Nacailnguq’s humbleness.
In his spare time, he carves small traditional utensis; ipuun (ladle), passin (pestle), and storyknives. Many of his creations are given as gifts to families and individuals across the Delta. His other pastime passion is reading the Good Book, knowledge and wisdom gained from this is also shared with children and families whenever opportunity arises – school visits, feasts, gatherings, workshops, stores, etc.
Nacailnguq is upheld by his faith in the Lord and hope in people to heal from negative experiences and attain healthy lifestyles both physically and spiritually.
Mary Ciuniq Pete
Mary Ciuniq Pete is a strong leader, an educator, an advocate, and a mother. Since 2003, Mary has been working as the Director of University of Alaska Kuskokwim Campus. She works hard to ensure quality collegiate education is available to students in rural Alaska communities.
Mary served on the board of TWC from 1984-1987. In 1985, she was appointed to the Alaska Women’s Commission. From ’87-’91 she served on the Alaska Council on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault and was reappointed by the governor in ’89 and ’97. Mary has served as an expert witness to several child sexual abuse cases and as the state’s expert in a civil case challenging law governing treatment of domestic violence/sexual assault victims by defense attorneys and investigators.
Mary was elected to the Board of Directors of Stebbins Native Corporation in 2002 and continues to provide her knowledge and time to the corporation. Mary is also on the Board of Yuut Elitnaurviat (The People’s Learning Center). From 1996 to 2005, Mary was the Director of the Division of Subsistence for the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, advocating for the research and protection of subsistence rights. She has a Bachelor’s Degree in Anthropology and a Master’s Degree in Cultural Anthropology. Mary is Yup’ik Eskimo and speaks and writes Central Yup’ik.
Mary has been with her husband Hubert Angaiak for over 30 years. They have 2 children, Conor (age 9) and Chase Fynn (age 5). Mary loves the subsistence lifestyle – cutting fish and picking berries. To her, picking berries is therapy. She loves reading and cooking. Mary has been described as a hard worker and a role model and is known to be humble, generous, and humorous.
Uliggaq Lillian Kiunya
Lillian was born in Bethel but has lived her entire life in Kwigillingok. She is the 6th child in a family of 12 children. After working on her GED, Lillian received her Rural Human Services Certificate in 2004. She completed her AAS in Human Services in 2005 and is currently working on her Bachelor’s in Social Work.
Lillian worked as a health aide for over 15 years. She has also served her community as an ICWA worker and is currently working as the School-Community Advocate for LKSD. Lillian is a Tribal Council member and for many years served on the child protection team – a volunteer duty she recently relinquished in order to fulfill her new duties with the Council. Lillian understands the impact substance abuse, child sexual abuse and domestic violence have on children. The impact of these early life experiences have lasting effects and can break the spirit of a person. Lillian is a strong advocate for healthy children and healthy families. She is also on the steering committee for the YK Delta’s Child Advocacy Center.
Lillian has been married to her husband Andrew for 32 years. They have 4 children: Jennifer, Jonathan, Darlene and Heidi. Lillian is known as “Granny Love” to her 5 grandchildren. She also has a grandchild on the way in June. When Lillian spends time in Bethel, her grandchildren keep her very busy. Lillian spends her free time knitting and in the summer is involved in subsistence activities with her kids and grandkids.
Lillian promotes a positive lifestyle that includes Yup’ik values and traditions. She believes that how we raise kids today will shape the leaders and advocates of the future. She is humbled by this award and is accepting this award in honor of all the children she serves, her mother and her great aunt, and all the teachers, elders and extended family that taught her along the way.
Past TWC Yukegtaaraat:
2008: Blanche Jacobs and Rep. Mary Nelson, Bethel
2007: Bing Santamour and Fr. Chuck Peterson, Bethel
2006: Sally Teeluk, Eek/Kotlik and Earl Samuelson, Napaskiak
2005: Bev Hoffman, Bethel
2004: Joan Hamilton, Bethel
2003: Julia Brown, Kongiganak
2002: Annie Lou Williams, Upper Kalskag

Alaska’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for January was 7.9 percent, according to the Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development. The rates for all 12 months of 2008 were revised as part of normal annual processing and December’s revised rate was 6.8 percent.
The large December to January increase is partly due to the revision process and the fact that revised data from a previous calendar year are not strictly comparable to rates in the current year. The rates are produced in cooperation with the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and the same basic methodology is used for all states.
What January’s rate suggests is that Alaska’s rates are continuing their upward trend and that the U.S. recession and global economic slowdown are affecting the state.
Payroll employment remained well above year-ago levels, however, indicating that the increase in unemployed people is mostly due to something other than job cuts by Alaska companies. January’s employment of 304,200 was up 5,200 from January 2008.
Some of that growth – about 1,200 jobs – is due to the timing of the University of Alaska’s pay schedule and the break between academic semesters. Still, Alaska’s payroll job counts have held up well so far in light of national job losses that reached 3.6 million in January.
One reason that Alaska has fared better than the nation so far is the state’s industry mix. Manufacturing jobs make up over a million of the total U.S. losses and most of those cuts have come from companies that manufacture durable goods – cars and trucks, machinery, and metal products, among other things.
Alaska has never had a significant number of those jobs to lose.
Construction jobs accounted for another 800,000 of the U.S. losses. Alaska has been losing a more modest share of its construction jobs since 2006, but for reasons unrelated to the sub-prime mortgage problems and related housing downturn. January’s estimated construction job count for Alaska was just 100 lower than in January 2008.

We met with Eric Whitney, a home energy rater here in Bethel. His services include Energy Audits, Certified Akwarm Energy Ratings, Blower-door Testing, and Thermal Imaging.
Can you please tell us about what you do? I am an energy rater and I work as an independent private contractor. I have an agreement with the Alaska Housing Finance Corporation and I work under that agreement.
How long have you been doing this? Since September when I became an official energy rater.
How can people benefit from it your services? The biggest demand is from people who want to be in the Home Energy Rebate program. It is administered by the AHFC for the State of Alaska.
How does that work? First of all, there are two big state programs for improving homes. The first is the Weatherization Program which is for people who have 50% of median income or less– there’s charts posted online to see who qualifies. They could eventually get a lot of work done for free. I am not involved with that program, except to let people know about it. The people who administer the weatherization program in the Bethel area is AVCP. They are working on getting together crews to do weatherization - that is fixing up homes, adding insulation, replacing doors, improving ventilation.
The program that I am involved with is he Home Energy Rebate program – anybody who owns a home in Alaska can qualify for it. With that, people need to put up the money to do their own work or do it themselves. You need the “as is” rating and then you get a report that lists several improvement options that you can do to your house. You can pick any of the things to do on that report, as many as you want. Typically things that are on the reports include: add insulation to your walls, floor, ceiling, replace a boiler, windows, or doors. The biggest thing is to get rid of the electric water heater. If you have one now, you want to be in this program. You could change it out to an on-demand oil hot water maker or a boiler system with a boilermate with a heat loop that runs to make hot water. Those are good choices but you want to wait until you get in the program to make those changes.
After you complete the improvements to your house, you need to have a second rating, then you can apply for a reimbursement.
How does blower door testing work? It is part of the energy rating. It determines how leaky or how tightly constructed the house is. If it is too tight, you may need to add a heat recovery ventilation system that brings in fresh air to keep it healthy. It is not good to have a house that is too tight, you need fresh air.
How about thermal imaging? All objects radiate a certain amount of infrared, and depending on how warm they are they radiate more or less. The camera I have works to detect infrared radiation and converts it to a visible picture. It is transferred to an image so you can see the infrared radiation with different colors depending on the temperatures. The camera can be used to find flaws in the construction of houses and missing insulation. It might pick up a glycol leak, depending on what the temperature is outside.
Does the outside temperature matter? Wintertime is the best time to get the greatest results.
Does leveling a house qualify under the program? Leveling a house can qualify under the program if your energy rater makes that recommendation.
How long does it take to rate a house? I am usually there at the house for 2 – 3 hours. And then another 2 – 3 hours to write up the report. The best source of information is the AHFC website: www.ahfc.state.ak.us/energy/energy.cfm If you want to sign up for the program it is: www.akrebate.com.
How much is the rebate for folks who go through the program? $10,000 is that the maximum amount of the rebate. In my opinion, very few homes will get that much. Most customers will see a move between one and three steps – most customers will get a rebate of $4000 - $7000, that would be the most typical, I’d say. To be in the program you need to get on the list thru the AHFC. After I get the names of people from them, I do the rating and then homeowners can make the improvements. At this point, I haven’t done a post-reading yet.
How many energy audits have you done? About 50, most in Bethel, some in Anchorage, and I just got back from Aniak.
Do you enjoy your work? I like it - It is good to see people getting excited about improving their house and spending less on energy. It is not really obvious to many homeowners what they can do to improve thier homes energy usage. This program can show homeowners which improvements are best choice and pay them back some money for doing it.
Are there any other raters in town? Yes, Dan Osentoski is another rater.
Quyana!

The 22nd Annual District Basketball Tournament will take place on March 5-7, 2009 in Bethel, Alaska. The MidCoast League will be sending 3 boys teams to the tournament: Kwigillingok, Tuntutuliak, and Eek. The Island League will also send three: Newtok, Toksook Bay, and Chefornak. The Kusko-Delta League two teams competing in the tournament: Kasigluk-Akiuk and Napaskiak.
For the girls, the MidCoast League has two teams competing: Kwigillingok and Quinhagak. Island League will have Toksook Bay, Chefornak, and Newtok. The Kusko Delta League will send Kasigluk-Akiuk, Napaskiak, and Kwethluk.
The Alaska Coastal Conference will have one berth to State where they will be playing the winners from the Greater Kuskokwim Conference during the first round match-ups at the State Tournament, which is scheduled for March 16-18, 2009 at the Sullivan Arena in Anchorage. Good luck to all our young athletes competing this week - including those at the Greater Kuskokwim and Yukon Conferences! Piurci!

BIA Announces Emergency Funding for Emmonak
News comes during trip to Bethel with Sen. Begich

Traveling to Bethel with U.S. Sen. Mark Begich last Thursday, Bureau of Indian Affair’s (BIA) regional director for Alaska, Niles Cesar, announced the BIA will provide emergency financial assistance to help residents in Emmonak struggling with the price of fuel.
At a video conference arranged with several villages through the Yukon Kuskokwim Health Corporation, Cesar told participants that the BIA has agreed to waive eligibility rules so more people in Emmonak can receive assistance of up to $1,000.
“I am extremely pleased that the BIA has answered Senator Lisa Murkowski and my request for assistance to help these residents get through the winter,” Sen. Begich said. “This is not a long-term solution, but it’s a step in the right direction. I am hopeful the State of Alaska will step in and help solve this for the future.”
Sen. Begich arranged the meeting in Bethel today and asked BIA officials to go with him. Cesar said the assistance may range from $400 to $1,000 depending on a person’s income. He didn’t know how many people would eventually receive the extra help, but said the average person will receive around $500.
Cesar also said his office is requesting the wavier be made available to 56 villages in Western Alaska and to 11 villages in the Northwest Arctic. Sen. Begich endorsed the request to expand the waiver to help more villages.

Bethel’s proposed recreation center/pool now has an official name: the
Bethel Aquatic Training and Health Center or BATHC.
The Bethel City Council voted 6-1 during last week’s Tuesday meeting on the decision. Councilman Williams had the only dissenting vote. The term used for the facility in the Ordinances that put the sales tax increase to a vote (Ord. 07-08 and 07-10) was “multi-use recreation facility”, which was a concern of Williams.
“Other council members felt ‘multi-use recreational facility’ was only a description of the facility and not a specific name," said Councilman Eric Middlebrook. "And some feel that giving it a name that clearly says ‘swimming pool’ will help get funding for the project.”
It is a fact that Governor Sarah Palin vetoed two million dollars in state funding for the project last year, illustrating the difficulty in getting the $15 million construction costs and $20 million total project costs for the facility. These estimates come from a letter from Architects Alaska, the firm currently doing the preliminary designs for the project.

We met with Trooper Perry Barr, an Alaskan Native trooper who is originally from Shishmaref. He spoke to us about the need for more native troopers in rural Alaska.
DD: Can you tell us about what the trooper are wanting to do concerning more natives becoming troopers?
Trooper Barr: The thing that we’re doing now is we’re promoting Alaska Native or Native Alaskan hire and the reason why we’re doing that is because we’ve got about 50 positions that are open right now within the Alaska State Troopers. Traditionally, our numbers are about 250-260 so we’re 1/5th down.
DD: Is that statewide?
Trooper Barr: Statewide – and those are troopers are in rural Alaska and all over the state and there are only so many of us. It is harder for us to recruit now because of a variety of reasons. Anchorage Police Dept. is very attractive and it has some other benefits than we do. One of the drawbacks especially with troopers is when they come out to rural areas they don’t stay for very long. We have within our union contract we only have to stay a mandatory minimum of 2 years. Once their 2 years are up, troopers usually transfer out. We don’t have that longevity of troopers staying in one area, especially in rural areas. We’re pushing this native hire now and we really want more people from rural Alaska to become Alaska State Troopers. We think that if people from rural Alaska are applying to the troopers, 1 - they know about living in rural Alaska already. 2 - they understand the people, 3 - they understand the cultural differences and the cultural lifestyle, and they also know the geography. They know where Tuntutuliak or Scammon Bay is, and all those particular areas. We’re concentrating a lot of our efforts toward the military, the national guard. I gave a presentation to the national guard a couple days ago here in Bethel and those were members from all over the delta. There are some interested people out of that group and I hope that comes to fruition. I hope those guys will actually apply and be interested enough to give it a chance. There have been some things that people don’t really know and understand and apply to the troopers. Maybe they heard some horror stories about the recruitment process, or why does it take so long, and what is involved in that whole process.
DD: How many native trooper are there?
Trooper Barr: There are a number of Alaskan natives that are troopers, but throughout the entire department there are only 5.7% of the entire commissioned trooper group that are Alaskan native. With the population of natives in Alaska, we are at about 24% Alaska Native throughout the entire state. So our demographic group, our group within the troopers is very low. It is uneven, it is not right. So, that is what we’re trying to do.
There are a number of native troopers now that are part of this group, we’re all Alaska Native. Myself, Trooper Jerry Evan, Trooper Joe Widham, Trooper Shanigan out of Bristol Bay, Trooper Charlie Cross out of the Nome area, retired Sgt. Baty is from southeast, and Trooper Anne Sears who is out of the Nome area. There is a total of about 7 of us. I personally think we need to bring those numbers up, we need to.
DD: What are the requirements to become a trooper?
Trooper Barr: The minimum requirements are at the website www.alaskastatetrooper.com. One of the myths that I want to dispel is that you don’t need a college degree or a college education, all you need is a high school diploma. So a lot of these guys that are from these rural communities, if they’ve never gone to college, that does not preclude them from applying. They need to apply, we need more native troopers.
DD: What about trooper housing in rural Alaska? Is it provided?
Trooper Barr: Yes. We have housing currently in Emmonak, St. Mary’s, Aniak, Bethel, Dillingham, and Kotzebue. State housing is provided to us at a reduced cost.
DD: How can interested people get a hold of you?
Trooper Barr: (907) 543-2294, perry.barr@alaska.gov.
DD: Quyana!

An unfortunate incident that took the life of 50-year old Kirk Kousal, of Willow, on January 29th was a grim reminder of how important it is to have a working Carbon Monoxide alarm in your home.
Carbon Monoxide is an odorless, tasteless, invisible poison gas. It is produced when carbon-containing materials, like wood, coal, oil, and natural gas, burn incompletely. This occurs when a fire has a low oxygen supply.
Early signs of Carbon Monoxide exposure are headache, sleepiness, nausea and dizziness. Unfortunately these symptoms are identical to flu symptoms. Carbon Monoxide exposure is accumulative and will get worse the longer you stay in the contaminated atmosphere. It is important to get to fresh air and have your home checked for Carbon Monoxide.
Common sources of Carbon Monoxide are:
Fuel-fired furnaces
Gas water heaters, stoves and dryers
Gas-powered generators
Fireplaces, woodstoves and charcoal grills
Lawnmowers and snowblowers
Cars, trucks, ATV’s, snowmobiles and motorcycles
These machines can produce Carbon Monoxide if they do not have enough fresh air flowing around them. If Carbon Monoxide builds up near you and your family, you can be poisoned, injured or killed.
The first line of defense against Carbon Monoxide poisoning is to have your gas, oil or wood burning appliances checked and serviced regularly by a professional. Secondly, install at least one Carbon Monoxide alarm near the bedrooms in your home. It is recommended to have at least one Carbon Monoxide alarm on every floor. By Alaska statute, all tenable structures that use a gas, oil, coal or wood-fired appliance must have an operating Carbon Monoxide alarm installed inside.
For more information regarding Carbon Monoxide contact Mahlon Greene, Public Education Coordinator for the Alaska Division of Fire and Life Safety, at 907-746-5062.

The long awaited Kuskokwim 300, Bogus Creek 150, and the Akiak Dash are underway! Congratulations to the finishers of the Akiak Dash and 2009 Champion Byron Pasitnak of Akiachak. As of printing time, the K300 and Bogus Creek mushers are still out on the trail. Thanks to my driver Pat, we were able to get some good photos out on the river. Good luck and have a great race! Piurci!

Joe Schmidt, the Commissioner of Corrections for the State of Alaska came to Bethel for yet again another visit last December to continue discussion on the proposed jail expansion for Bethel.
In previous actions, the Bethel City Council voted not to embrace the jail expansion project. But now with a new council with newly seated members, the council is more than willing to proceed.
“The council voted to resolve to support the prison expansion,” he said. “So we came back.”
The Commissioner understands the need to include an inebriate sleep-off center along with the jail expansion. About a third of all Title 47 cases in the state come from Bethel and the jail would be a better place for them to sober up, said Schmidt.
“They don’t belong in the hospital,” he said.
The jail expansion would provide room for the sleep-off center, which would be adjacent to the existing jail structure, which already has a fire suppression system and suicide prevention staff. Schmidt said that the model in Anchorage is working well.
The prison expansion project is under the auspices of Senate Bill 65, which expires in July and is currently being eaten up by inflation. The division is currently working with a contractor on a design and Schmidt is hopeful that other funding will be found to help cover costs.
Schmidt also said that the number of inmates in Alaska’s prisons is down by approximately 240 prisoners compared to last year’s numbers.
“It’s unprecedented,” said Schmidt.
He does not know what to attribute the downturn to but said that it is possible it might be from the utilization of more halfway houses and the increased numbers of field probation officers. Other standards have remained the same.
“It’s excellent, it gives us breathing room,” he said.
The Yukon Kuskokwim Correctional Center currently holds 115 inmates.
The Commissioner had plans to meet with the Alaska Judicial Council, the Alaska Court System, Therapeutic Court, and others involved to discuss the drop in population.
The new sex offender program that has also begun in Bethel, which is housed in the Tundra Center and currently has 6 attendees.
“Everything we do is evidence-based,” Schmidt said. “The numbers on sex offender programs are not cost effective but it will reduce recidivism.”
As for the prison expansion, the plans are still there to renovate the gym and the outside area.
“We’ll be back in January with new numbers,” he said.
Happy New Year to everyone! We are back from our week off and are ready for 2009. Piurci!

Several benefits of having an ice road on the Kuskokwim River connecting other river communities to Bethel is that villagers can drive to Bethel to shop, go to doctors appointments, and to visit friends and family. However, there hasn’t been an ice road on the Kuskokwim for a while.
That is why Bethel Council member Thor Williams had the issue placed on the agenda for the city council meeting on Tuesday, Nov. 18th, 2008 to direct the administration and city attorney to set up a limited liability corporation with the surrounding villages to construct an ice road.
In previous years, the DOT provided the funding to plow the ice road. However, having an ice road is a liability the Department of Transportation does not want.
“Our villages who come to shop have to fly or find other transport. I want to build it so that there’s open transport that helps all of us,” said Williams. “But the issue is liability. If someone gets injured, here’s your lawsuit - so we never continued.”
During debate of the issue, Council member Albertson suggested that the council charge acting City Manager Lee Foley with the task of contacting the river communities about the ice road and to come back to council with a recommendation.
City attorney Michael Gatti also suggested that one way of accomplishing the goal of constructing an ice road was to get together with the other villages to create a cooperative agreement with the various entities to access and build the road, rather than creating an LLC.
As a public improvement project, contractors could put out a bid and part of the bid would be insurance, said Gatti.
“It would require a scope of insurance, consulting with an insurance broker, and putting a bid out with a form of contract with the defense and indemnification clause,” he said. “That is one way. You can have legally imposed protections and also contractually imposed protections.”
“I agree with that,” said Foley. “I would have the legal counsel of our attorney so that we move forward correctly and legally.”
The motion to proceed with the ice road project passed. The City Manager was directed to find out the level of interest from the communities. If the communities agree to work with the City of Bethel, Gatti said that he would prepare the necessary documents.

Senator Lisa Murkowski, a member of the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, held a field hearing in Anchorage on high school graduation rates on Nov. 15th. She hopes to find solutions on how the federal government can help improve our rates and postsecondary success in Alaska. Thank you for your work on this and we hope to see good results - quyana!
Congratulations to the 14 graduates of the Department of Public Safety Training Academy in Sitka. The Alaska Law Enforcement Training Session 0802 held its graduation on Nov. 13, 2008. Among the graduates was Bethel's Jerry Herrod. Thank you for your service!

Happy Thanksgiving to all our readers from The Delta Discovery! We are thankful for you, quyana! We do hope you enjoy your holiday, good food, friends and family.
The following news release came in last week from the Governor's office:
At the direction of Governor Sarah Palin, the Department of Law began an investigation into the pricing of gasoline in Alaska. The investigation was initiated in August, following the decline of gasoline prices across the country as the price of crude oil began to drop from record highs near $150 a barrel in July. Gasoline prices in Alaska, however, did not follow national trends, and soon became the highest in the nation.
The Department’s investigation is focused on explaining the slow decline of gasoline prices in Alaska, and whether the price of gasoline is the result of any illegal conduct, like price fixing or other collusive behavior.
The Department’s investigation is ongoing, and must remain confidential under state law. The Department has gathered significant information from refiners, distributors, and retailers about the pricing of gasoline, and continues to gather additional data and information. The Department has retained Barry Pulliam, a Senior Economist at the Los Angles firm of Econ One, to assist the Department in its investigation. The Department has also attended two House Judiciary Committee hearings convened to discuss gasoline pricing issues.
The following is some useful information about gasoline pricing generally that may help explain some of the pricing for gasoline in Alaska.
1. The State of Alaska (or any state) does not regulate gasoline prices. Refiners, distributors, and retailers can sell gasoline at any price they want so long as those prices are not the result of collusive behavior, like “price fixing.” If the price reached an “unconscionable” level, the price could also violate Alaska’s consumer protection laws.
2. Because gasoline pricing is not regulated, economic forces including the available supply, consumer demand, and competition in the marketplace are the primary factors that determine gasoline prices.
3. Alaska does not have a price gouging law. Sellers of all goods and services (including gasoline) are not required to sell products on a “cost plus” basis. Thus, it does not matter what it costs the seller to acquire the goods or provide a service. Sellers can sell their products for whatever the market will bear. There is no “cap” on the amount of profit any business can make.
4. It does not matter what gasoline prices were when the price of oil was the same as it is today. For example, if refiners sold gasoline for $1.10/gallon when oil was $60 a barrel, this does not require them to sell it for $1.10 every time oil is $60 a barrel.
5. The price of gasoline in the lower 48 is not a good indicator of what prices “should be” in Alaska. The competitive forces that operate to control gasoline prices in the lower 48 are completely different from Alaska. The dynamics of supply, demand, and competition are unique in Alaska.
6. The demand for gasoline is not as “price sensitive” in Alaska as it is in other parts of the country. This means that regardless of the price, the demand does not change by much. This creates less incentive for suppliers to lower their price compared to areas of the country where demand drops significantly when prices rise.
7. Gasoline sold in Southeast Alaska is barged up from the Pacific Northwest and from Cook Inlet. Because fuel is only barged in once a month or every few months, it takes longer for prices to reflect current market conditions. It may take two or three months to exhaust current supply before less (or more) expensive gasoline is available and sold to retailers.
8.Some cities and boroughs charge tax on fuel sales. In the Kenai and Soldotna area, for example, the pump price adds a 6% city and borough tax that is not present in other cities, like Anchorage. Coupled with lower volumes and fewer stations, prices will tend to be higher in these communities.
The Department will complete its investigation to determine if there is any illegal activity among gasoline sellers that may be a cause of the high price of gasoline, and will prepare a summary of its findings when the investigation is done.
For further information, contact Department of Law Assistant Attorney General Clyde (Ed) Sniffen at (907) 269-5200.

As of Friday, November 14th, 2008 Mayor Mark Begich’s lead over incumbent Senator Ted Stevens lead widened to 1,022 votes in the race for U.S. Senate. The results were posted on the State of Alaska Division of Elections website after an additional 14,000 absentee and questioned ballots were counted from around the state.
Another approximately 25,000 more ballots will be counted on Tuesday, November 18th. All overseas ballots are due by November 19th, and the election results will be certified on Nov. 25th.

AFN Announces Thirteen Winners with Surprise Announcement to Extend Competition
Winners to Split $300,000 in Seed Money ~ $300,000 More Still Up For Grabs!

Eleven of the 42 Alaskan entrepreneurs competing at the third Alaska Marketplace
Competition in Anchorage will walk away with a share of $300,000 in seed money. The Alaska Marketplace, an initiative of the Alaska Federation of Natives, is sparking grassroots development in rural villages by funding Alaskans’ innovative ideas for new ways to revitalize rural economies from the ground up. Winners hail from a broad range of communities across Alaska.
The 2008 Alaska Marketplace theme, “Innovations for Thriving Communities,” reflects the Alaska Federation of Natives’ ongoing commitment to addressing the most pressing needs of our rural and Alaska Native communities.
“We wanted to capitalize on the excitement generated by this year’s competition at the Convention, so we’re calling for another round of proposals due by January 15, 2009,” said Julie Kitka, President of the Alaska Federation of Natives.
Yesterday, the Year 3 competitors, who spent months honing their innovative ideas, pitched their business plans and innovative concepts to a respected panel of judges. The judges evaluated participants’ concepts according to their innovation, sustainability and profitability, job creation and exemplification of Alaskan cultural heritage. The top vote getters will leave Anchorage with a portion of the seed money to launch their ideas.
The mission of the Alaska Marketplace is to stimulate innovation and economic development in rural Alaskan communities. Managed by AFN, the Alaska Marketplace partners include BP, ConocoPhillips, Denali Commission, Shell, Alyeska, Bristol Bay Native Corporation and NANA Regional Corporation.
For more information about the Alaska Marketplace, please visit www.alaskamarketplace.org.

Alaska Marketplace received over 165 eligible Innovative Idea Applications from across the state. Of the 42 finalists who competed in the final Alaska Marketplace event on October 22, 2008, the following 13 individuals received awards, five of whom are from the YK Delta:
2008 ALASKA MARKETPLACE WINNERS
A Cut Above Quilting ~ Barbara Ramos ~ Bethel ~ $46,575.00
Kvichak Organic Produce ~ AlexAnna Salmon ~ Igiugig ~ $36,900.00
Porcupine River Timber ~ Dacho Alexander ~ Fort Yukon ~ $30,000.00
The Meyers’ Farm: Farming on the Tundra ~ Tim Meyers ~ Bethel ~ $30,000.00
Forest Firewood ~ Mark Leary ~ Bethel ~ $29,060.00
C Side Lumber ~ Fred Sagoonick ~ Shaktoolik ~ $27,945.00
From Shellfish Subsistence to Sustainable Farming ~ Marie Bader ~ Homer ~ $27,945.00
Cup’ik Dance Songs of the Tundra ~ Dr. John F. Pingayak ~ Chevak ~ $25,000.00
The Dugout ~ Louise Walcott ~ Nome ~ $18,630.00
Southeast Alaska Livestock Production & Processing ~ Clint Daniels ~ Sitka ~ $18,630.00
Tundra Woodworks ~ Patrick Hall ~ Chevak ~ $9,315.00
PEOPLES’ CHOICE AWARD WINNERS
Best Display ~ A Cut Above Quilting ~ Barbara Ramos ~ Bethel
Most Innovative ~ Birch Water ~ Martin Kelly ~ Pilot Station
Best Example of Culture & Traditional Values ~ Yupik Arts ~ Cecilia Frenzle, Delta Junction

November is already here and that means that it is time to go to the polls to elect our new president. Please be sure to take advantage of this very great responsibility and vote on Tuesday, November 4th. Tua-i-ngunrituq!

Berkowitz is running for election as U.S. Representative for Alaska’s congressional seat, currently held by Don Young. He defeated Diane Benson in the August 26 Democratic primary by a substantial margin. We met with him to see where he stands on issues.
Let’s talk about high energy costs – in our area, everything is very expensive:
Energy is the most important issue we face today. It is at the intersection of everything we touch as a state and a country. If we do come up with the right energy solutions it’s going to mean lower utility bills, jobs, business opportunities, the right response on climate change, and more energy independence from foreign energy. Right now we import 700 billion dollars in foreign energy. Part of what we need to do in Alaska is to produce our own energy. People talk about oil - we have an oil pipeline going through the middle of the state and we pay the highest price for energy than any state in the country. People talk about a gasline, and I am looking forward to seeing that but that is still 10-20 years away. We need to start to do things for ourselves as much as possible. That means developing our wind – we can put wind in 80 villages for $150 million dollars and the payback time is less than 3 years. We can use geothermal to run turbines, we can do things with instream hydro, and tidal energy. Alaska’s has 90% of the country’s tidal potential. The more we can do with sustainable local energy, the more we help solve the problem of climate change, which touches everything we do in the state.
What about education and the NCLB Act?
You need to have an educational system that allows parents to teach their own children and school districts to make their best decisions. What I don’t like about NCLB is it is based on standardized testing and I’ve never met a standardized kid or been to a standardized district. We need to do more things that are unique to each child and each region. We need to turn things around so that Washington pays attention to what is happening in the lower YK. When we build an educational system we have to start with more preschool and do things like expand headstart. We have teacher turnover problems here. We need to make sure kids learn to think critically, learn to walk in someone else’s shoes, and see the world from different perspectives. We need to do more with vocational and technical training. Only 40% of kids who start high school in rural Alaska finish it. We need to make sure they have opportunities for the rest of their lives. And as a resource development state and region, it seems a little foolish to me that we’re exporting our resources and importing our workforce when we have perfectly capable people here. We need to expand our college opportunities so that we’re starting to grow our own teachers, nurses and doctors and other professionals that our communities need.
What about ensuring the health care of our people?
In Alaska the problem is there is a lot of places that there isn’t any health care. We need to expand the reach of health care, make sure the clinics have the medicines and professionals, expand telemedicine, and we need to more with wellness and prevention programs. The drug and alcohol problems are huge here – the tobacco problem is extremely significant. We need to do more to prevent bad things from happening as much as we are treating people when bad things do happen.
What are your positions on foreign policy and the war?
One of the unfortunate things that happens when you have a $700 billion dollar addiction to foreign oil, is that we now have a foreign policy that is about our dependence on that oil and not about our values. We need to go back to a time when our foreign policy reflects the best of American values. The war in Iraq is drawing to a close, I think we can make the case that we’ve done our job there and it is time for our troops to come home. The president says so, the Iraqis say so. The drawdown is already happening. The problem with a continued presence in Iraq is threefold. First, we are unable commit the troops to other trouble spots around the world. We are unable to compete economically with other countries, which is especially true with the problems the economy is having now. It is costing us $10 billion a month to stay there. Meanwhile, China and India and other countries are having their economies grow. If we are going to remain a global economic power, we have to put our assets where they make the most sense to us. Third, we’ve lost our moral authority in the world. If we want to have the ability to lead in global initiatives and have significant influence in the world, we have to restore our moral authority.
Do you support drilling in ANWR?
Opening ANWR is part of the national energy strategy, it makes sense. But we have to shift the argument if we want to prevail in the argument from it being a question of simply supply and demand because we’re going to have to get off of oil. We’re going to get past the age of oil. But in the meanwhile what is really significant for this country is the trade deficit. When we produce energy in America whether it is through ANWR, the gas pipeline, or renewable resources - we help the trade deficit go down and as the trade deficit goes down, the dollar gets stronger. As the dollar gets stronger, the American economy grows. The more we can do to produce energy, the better it is for the economy.
Will we here in the YK delta benefit from the opening of ANWR?
Yes, jobs and money would flow into the permanent fund and into the state treasury. But in terms of answering Alaska’s energy problems - it keeps coming back to the unfortunate fact that we have oil flowing through the middle of the state right now. Alaska produces a significant amount of America’s energy and yet we have the highest energy costs of any state in the country. Producing oil out of ANWR may or may not help the cost of energy in rural Alaska. It is not a for sure thing. That is why for me the best energy policy is where we are producing energy locally.
What is the key component of your campaign for rural Alaska?
To me one of the critical issues in this campaign is the sustainability of rural Alaska. We need to make sure that our communities have economic opportunities and people have hope. The fastest way to do that is reduce the cost of energy, then we can start to address things like health care, law enforcement and education.
Alaska’s fisheries are a great pride, how can you protect this resource?
I fished a couple seasons in Bristol Bay. Each one of those boats is a small business and we have to protect those small businesses. It is very important for the health of those coastal communities and we have to protect our fish stocks.
What did you do after the 2006 gubernatorial election?
I set up a company called Alaska Alternative Energy. When I was in the state legislature I did a lot with renewable energy. The company was about renewable energy particularly finding low cost energy solutions for rural Alaska. Wind is an easy and obvious thing we can do. We have the technology and there are ways of getting the investments and it give benefits to people in fairly a short period of time.
What about net metering for producing your own energy?
Seventeen states have net metering. There’s aspects of net metering that make a tremendous amount of sense for us. If you want to encourage people to start to become energy self-sufficient and encourage a little competition, then at the very least we have to push on the utilities and say if you don’t implement these steps to reduce costs, to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, then we’re going to let people do it on their own and net metering is a vehicle for that to happen.
How do you deal with negativity?
I ignore it. Politics should be about ideas and values and less about personalities. If we are going to be responsible leaders, we have to campaign the way we govern – with commitment to our values. It is a rare privilege to run for public office.
Quyana!

We met with Congressman Don Young (R), Alaska’s sole representative in the U.S. House of Representatives. He is currently running for a 19th term against Democratic challenger Ethan Berkowitz.
How many years have you been in office? I’ve been in office for 35 years representing the state of Alaska. I’m still excited about it, still want to do it. I have great rapport with my majority party - the Chairman of the committees, served Alaska – Resources, Transportation, and Commerce, and have the full backing of my wife Lu. Some people say that it’s time for new blood, I argue why get new blood when the blood you got is good? You never know what kind of blood you’re going to get when you get new blood. You know what you’ve got when get me, and that is the ability to do the job. In the last 10 years I’ve gotten a little over $53 million for the Bethel area, which is a lot of money. That is not the criteria, but we’ve had a relationship out here for a long time. I’m very confident that we can still continue to do what is right for the people of this region, that’s why I am here.
The high cost of energy is a problem, what can you do to help? Energy is the number one in the state, probably more so out here because we got hooked on diesel fuel. This is not a new problem it is a problem the state should have recognized, we did not. We put new clinics, hospitals, schools, and new homes in all with heating oil and it went sky high. It is not going to go back down like people expected. What we should do is be developing alternate forms of energy within the state. What the federal government can do, like myself, we put windmills in Kotzebue. We don’t have windmills here because no one’s really asked for them. Can we get some money for this, maybe. We put some hydrogeothermal power on the Aleutian chain we have some small hydro sites that we developed on the federal level. It is usually because communities ask for those dollars and we were able to work with them. I can’t make a national program to do it for everyone. When I pass a national law, it affects every state. So what we have to do is look at it as a state. Don’t expect the federal government to solve it because these are Alaskan citizens. We have the money in the bank and we have to invest it in alternative energy. There’s numerous ways to do it. The Bethel region has methane gas it was found 20 years ago. We know it is there but it was too expensive at the time. You don’t have the capital to go out and develop it but the state does. The state ought to go out, drill it, tap it, condense it, and ship it into Bethel. Bethel residents can pay back the state at a reasonable rate, so you’re not using diesel fuel to generate electricity or to heat your homes. All around the state there are different forms of energy, we’ve never developed them. We have to get off of diesel. The state has a serious responsibility to do that. If I was the governor I would declare a state of emergency for the rural areas of Alaska and get the money to the legislature to develop these forms of energy. It will take 5 years. In the meantime, I would take dollars and pay the utilities to keep the rates low for people that are using it. When we get the new power sources online, the utilities that kept their rates low can recover their costs over a period of time from the new sources of energy. That means immediate relief.
Where do we get our oil from and why does it cost so much? You get it from Longbeach, CA. You don’t get Alaskan oil. It’s shipped all the way up here, that’s why you’re paying the high prices. What I would like to see done, is develop the Chukchi Sea or any other oil that is shipped to the pipeline and set up refineries in Alaska. We have local refineries primarily refining jet fuel. About 40,000 barrels a day becomes jet fuel because Anchorage is the largest cargo airport in the world and that is where we send the fuel. It isn’t sent to you, it is sent there. We have to take any new oil and refine it in the state of Alaska so we don’t have to pay the shipping costs, that’s about $2 a gallon.
If individuals were to develop their own alternative energy out here, can they be compensated? Some places have net metering intertie agreements… That is supposed to be here too. I heard that today that they’re not doing that but I thought they had to buy back anything you make. If you put solar panels in and have big surplus energy it goes back to the meter. If you make energy and it goes back to the line, they have to buy it back. That is federal law. I’m looking here and seeing this wind blowing. I just came out of Kotzebue, I put some windmills in 15 years ago. The local native corporation is putting in 25 more. It only takes 6 miles an hour, you should be eligible for wind power.
So summarize your energy ideas for this area. Wind is the not total solution. I would say don’t give up on hydro, there’s no reason not to have that. Methane gas, if we could pipe that in we could have three forms of energy. Every village has its own generator and diesel is expensive. The other thing I would like to see in this region is the pipeline, if we ever get it built, is build a bulletline with gas from the slope that goes down and crosses the Yukon River. I visualize a liquification plant there – either propane or natural gas, barges to bring it down the Yukon River, build a pipeline across to the Kuskokwim, into a second set of barges to storage.
Do you support the financial bailout? I voted no. It was the wrong thing. It was too quick. People don’t understand it. $700 billion dollars for one person to spend - that is not good to give the Secretary of Treasury that kind of power. Under our constitution, the only person to spend that kind of money is the Congress. I was reinforced because I had over 4,000 phone calls and emails from Alaskans. If I am the Congressman, you speak for the people.
What are your thoughts on the Donlin Creek Mine? It is on native land and that is the decision the people have made.
What about NCLB? It was a bill structured to fit everyone and it doesn’t fit anyone. So what I’ve done is introduced 648, it has many cosponsors. It is what teachers and administrators wanted. It is flexible to the state to apply it to different areas but I do believe in testing.
What would you do about the war in Iraq? I believe the President was right, if we hadn’t done that the Axis of Evil would have launched a nuclear warhead probably against Israel. If we had responded we would have been in a nuclear war. What we did wrong is not understand the country – what we did was try to develop a democracy. You have the Sunnis, the Shiites, and the Kurds, which are all Muslims. What I expect will happen is a draw down of our troops but always a presence.
What about the election? I am running very hard and my wife is very supportive. We’re right for the job. It is going to be a difficult race and I would ask people of this region to consider what I’ve been able to do. I’ve delivered and I will continue to do that. It is not about Don Young, it is about who can best do the job.
Quyana!

Mark Begich (D) who is running for the United States Senate against Sen. Ted Stevens during the upcoming General Election came to Bethel during the AVCP Convention last week. He spoke with us concerning several issues.
If you are elected, how will you help people in this area get through this high cost of energy crisis?
A couple things – there is a program called LIHEAP which is energy assistance for low income families that I think should be expanded so more people can have access to energy assistance. The second piece is to expand that program to focus on community. What I mean by that is, right now the way that program works is if you are a low income individual you’ll get some money, but if you’re not you don’t get the benefit but you may still be struggling. So my thought is to add another layer to it and say we’re going to put money into the energy company or the power company for that region or area - Bethel for example. And then what we would do is subsidize and lower all energy costs. That is one quick thing we could do. The second thing, which is a simple issue but yet somewhat complex in how it operates, right now oil and gas speculators are exempt from regulation. What that means is about 30% of the price we pay for fuel is really caused by people in New York and Wall Street just trading oil and gas. It has nothing to do with what we receive except it adds about 30% to the cost of fuel. So take the price of a gallon here which is $6-$7, that’s about $2 in increased price. What I want to do is regulate them and compress the price, which can be done very quickly. The third thing is to put some money into new generation of energy. A lot of the generation plants in Alaska and across this country are old so they are very inefficient. They are not producing at the highest level. For example in Anchorage we are doing a new power plant, which will be 30% more efficient saving ratepayers in Anchorage $40 million a year. Turbines run faster, they have new technology – that’s some things we can do right away. Long term is obviously developing alternative and renewable energy resources.
It all comes down to the price of fuel because everything is flown or barged in…
Fuel energy is the crux of it all. If we can resolve that issue or at least get stability and long term affordability of energy, then the communities of western and interior Alaska can start seeing a positive benefit. Energy is the big issue and it is somewhat appalling to think that here we are, an energy-rich state with an unbelievable amount of oil and gas and renewable energy but yet our people are suffering because we have high cost of energy. We have the highest cost per gallon of gas in the country here in Alaska. It makes no sense. Another thing we could easily do is expand our refinery capacity in the Fairbanks and Kenai areas. More supply means lower cost because you put more product on the market.
How can we here in the YK delta benefit from the proposed gasline?
The gasline that is going to be coming through Alaska from the north slope has no instate use, which makes no sense. That gasline once it’s built should have instate use so we benefit from that gas. If we let it bypass us, then we’re going to be importing it, which makes no sense. I think the theory is - we’ll wait for the economy to determine when to build the instate gasline. My view is absolutely not. We do it at the same time or we can do a bulletline in 3-4 years. If we wait around for the big companies to make these decisions on a $40 billion pipeline, the bulletline from the north slope down would be maybe be $5 billion. We see people who want to do that now. If you increase refinery capacity, you’ll have a utilization for gas. If you upgrade energy and go from diesel to gas, you’ll have utilization of that. There is huge opportunity. I’m not sure we have the leadership to push it forward to be very frank with you. A Senator, even though it is a state issue, needs to participate in that decision because if the villages or rural or urban Alaska is suffering because of energy costs, they’re going to come to the federal government at some point for help so it is in our best interest to make sure we get good inexpensive or at least reliable energy to all the communities.
Do you support drilling ANWR?
I support the drilling of ANWR. ANWR by itself is one piece of our larger energy picture. We have to think of an energy policy that has domestic production of oil and gas, renewable energy, conservation and new technologies. Why we are in this crisis is because we didn’t think of the future, we didn’t diversify our energy base 10-15 years ago. Right now 60% of the gas we import comes from foreign countries. We’re exporting out $700 billion to these foreign countries, which is ridiculous.
What about the Donlin Creek Gold Mine?
There’s a couple concerns – the diesel they have to move up the Kuskokwim. They have to probably move 2 barges a day worth of diesel to make the project work, which is very dangerous in the long term. They are going to build a 160 megawatt power plant to power the mine. I asked a question, why don’t you enlarge that power plant to 260 megawatts and bring gas from Beluga, clean burning fuel through a small pipeline, to energize that and use that to power rural Alaska with power transmission lines? In 20 years when Donlin Creek Mine is done, they have to tear that plant down. But instead, why not use it to provide cheap energy to rural Alaska and not bring those diesel barges up and down the Kuskokwim.
Quyana!

Steve Deaton of the US Postal Service came to Bethel to speak to the Chamber of Commerce about the idea of creating a new postal hub in either Chevak or Hooper Bay. That new hub would affect the amount of mail passing through Bethel and the air carriers that carry the mail to the surrounding villages.
What brings you to Bethel?
Today I was invited to speak at the Chamber of Commerce about the postal service’s proposal project that we started since the last year or so. The idea of the proposal is to go out to the communities where people live and operate businesses and ask their opinions and for their comments and input on the thought of developing an additional hub out of their region. For instance, this being Bethel, the potential hubs that we are considering would be Chevak or Hooper Bay. We wanted to ask the folks in Bethel, Chevak, Hooper Bay, the air industry, the businesses, the air carriers, what their thoughts are of the idea.
So Chevak or Hooper Bay would become a postal hub for the villages surrounding it?
If the consultative process, the public comment period were to show that the infrastructure is there, the communities are in favor of it, and the air carriers find that it is economic viable for them, then to potentially choose the most viable one and make it in additional to Bethel, make it a new hub also.
So what villages would the new hub serve?
Potentially, we’re talking the majority of the coastal villages - the places that are already out on the coast that are within 20-30 miles of either or Chevak or Hooper Bay which traditionally are right now served out of Bethel and is a 100-150 miles to get there. The number of villages that we would reassign would definitely be ones that are in close proximity and would be determined by how close those are.
How would that reduce losses for the Postal Service?
The proposal is to try to find a way to reduce the amount of money that we lose up here. The proposal speaks directly to the difference in rates that we pay between a mainline type equipment which would be your DC6’s, the 737 and so forth… versus the amount of money we pay to move mail on planes, the 208s, the Caravans, the 1900s, the Navajos, those type of aircraft. The smaller bush aircraft are upwards, depending on the rate, 8-10 times more expensive than a DC6 or a Herc or a jet. So anytime we can move volumes of mail direct to a location on a single type mainline aircraft, versus a combination of mainline/bush it reduces the amount of money the postal service has to spend.
So the savings come from flying a shorter distance from a hub?
The DOT rates that they set for mail that the post office pays the air carriers are on what’s called a time/mile rate. It costs more to take a pound of mail 150 miles than it does 25 miles and that is the difference. So if you fly all of those volumes either direct to Chevak and deliver them there, or take those 8-9 bush points to Chevak and then you shuttle them on a high cost aircraft 17-20 miles, it is much less money than flying them to Bethel and shuttling all of those points 100-150 miles on high cost aircraft.
What kind of changes would that make to the amount of bypass mail that might come through a place like Bethel?
So let’s say Chevak or Hooper Bay was determined through the public comment process to be viable. The communities were in favor of it, the air carriers decide we’ll do this, approximately 18-19% of the mail that currently comes into Bethel would be diverted to that hub. The remaining 81-82% would continue to flow into Bethel.
What is the next step at this point?
We’ve finished the consultative process, which is where we’ve gone out to the State of Alaska, all the effective communities and all the effective carriers and briefed them on this proposal and asked them to provide their comments and let us know what they think. I believe that we will probably continue to review that data and try to take a look after the first of the year. We’re heading into winter and that means we’re headed into our Christmas which starts early up here because of the distances – we tend to focus on that kind of stuff this time of year. So we’ll probably sit down after that and finalize reviewing the data and see if there are any potentially viable candidates.
Quyana! Reminder: Cast your votes on October 7th - do not forget. Piurci!

Young Alaskans, ages 16 through 25, have an opportunity to make their voices heard across the vast expanse of the Last Frontier in the real and virtual world during the Forum of Young Alaskans on Oct. 4, 2008, from 1 to 5 p.m.
Using Internet and videoconferencing technologies, the Forum will connect simultaneous mass meetings occurring in Fairbanks, Juneau, Anchorage, as well as smaller communities, and online at youngalaskans.org.
Young people from communities large and small, in both urban and rural Alaska, will discuss, debate, and delve into the issues that are important to them and issues that are affecting the state today. They will share their experiences, knowledge and hopes for the future with each other and Alaska’s opinion leaders.
Bethel will host a Forum of Young Alaskans on October 4. The Bethel Forum will be held in Room 118 at the UAF Kuskokwim Campus.
Please pass on the word to let the young Alaskans ages 16 through 25 know about this conference and encourage them to participate – information and free registration is available online at youngalaskans.org. If outside Anchorage, Fairbanks or Juneau, consider joining or organizing a remote site - find instructions and flyers online at youngalaskans.org. For any questions not answered online, contact Ian-Michael Hebert, Project Coordinator, (907) 978-2925, ian@iialaska.com.
The Forum of Young Alaskans is a University of Alaska Eight Stars of Gold project proudly sponsored by AT&T and is part of Alaska’s 50th Anniversary of Statehood celebration. Quyana!

Alaskan Congressman Don Young has won the Republican primary election.
As of September 18, 2008, the State of Alaska’s Divisions of Election’s website had a official total count of 48,195 votes for Representative Don Young and 47,891 for Lt. Governor Sean Parnell for the spot on the republican ballot for US Representative. Parnell has conceded. The Division of Elections has certified the results.
Alaska Representative Don Young released the following statement last Wednesday regarding the primary election count results in advance of certification by the Alaska Division of Elections. “I cannot express strongly enough my heartfelt gratitude to the people of Alaska. I am humbled by their continued support.
“Needless to say, this was an extremely competitive primary election - the closest Congressional primary campaign in our state that I can remember. This competitive primary is a tribute to the quality of my two capable opponents and their campaigns.
“I congratulate Lt. Gov. Parnell for his campaign and the issues he highlighted of lower taxes and responsible spending. These are important issues and a large percentage of Alaskans supported his perspectives. I fully intend to listen to their goals and concerns.
“Sean will continue to be a key leader in our State for years to come.
“I also congratulate State Rep. Gabrielle LeDoux. I was impressed by her knowledge of State issues and her “bulldog” passion to fight for Alaska. Gabrielle emerged as a new leader in Alaska’s Republican Party and has a future in Alaskan politics.
"I'm also grateful for her strong endorsement and offer to campaign for me in Alaska while I'm in Washington, D.C. until the end of the congressional session. I fully intend to take her up on her gracious offer.
“I am ‘chomping at the bit’ to return home and work hard for re-election. I have much respect for Ethan Berkowitz and am confident that we will focus on issue-oriented campaigns.
"At the same time, I hope Outside special interest groups will stay out of Alaska and allow us campaign on the issues of importance to Alaskans. Alaskans know what our issues are and are a lot smarter about those issues than these special interest groups give us credit for.
"This seat belongs to the people of Alaska. Alaskans will decide who is the most qualified and has the experience needed to represent us in Washington, D.C.
"On November 4th, I hope Alaskans will decide that Don Young is the best person – the right person -- to fight for them in Congress."
Ethan Burkowitz (D) will be facing Rep. Young in the General Election on November 4, 2008 for Alaska’s lone seat in the US House of Representatives.
Also, Happy 9th Birthday (Sept. 1st) to our dear Delta Discovery, and many more! Quyana!

Governor, and Vice Presidential nominee for the Republican Party, Sarah Palin, ordered state flags to be lowered to half-staff on September 11, 2008, which is Patriot Day. Patriot Day was signed into law on December 18, 2001, as a day to remember those who lost their lives in the terrorist attacks against the United States seven years ago.
President George W. Bush issued a proclamation requesting all states lower their flags on Patriot Day.
“America will always remember the tragic events of September 11,” Governor Palin said. “As we take time to remember those who lost their lives that day, let us also remember the service and sacrifice of our men and women in uniform who defend our families and our freedom every day.”
Our Governor has been in the national spotlight these past weeks after she was announced as the Vice Presidential running mate for Presidential hopeful John McCain. Her son Track was deployed to Iraq on Sept. 11th as part of the 4,000 soldier Army 25th Infantry. Currently Gov. Palin is on the campaign trail. Good luck! Piurci.

Lieutenant Governor Sean Parnell announced on September 5, 2008 the amount of the 2008 Permanent Fund Dividend.
According to the Department of Revenue, 610,768 eligible Alaskans will receive a 2008 Permanent Fund Dividend (PFD) in the amount of $2069. Resource rebates of $1,200 will be sent out with the PFD. Eligible Alaskans will receive to total of $3269.
“The Alaska Legislature and the Governor, along with her administration, worked together and passed legislation to distribute a special Resource Rebate this year, before the arrival of winter, to assist with rising energy costs,” Lt. Governor Sean Parnell said. “Governor Palin is sensitive to the fact that high energy prices have had a negative impact on Alaskans’ wallets.”
Half a million (493,000-plus) qualified Alaskans will receive the 2008 dividend directly deposited into their bank accounts on September 12, historically early. The Department of Revenue’s PFD Division will be mailing checks to all remaining eligible Alaskans on September 30, with those checks expected to arrive within two weeks.
Seven out of 10 Alaskans (456,795 out of 641,000) used the internet to file for this year’s dividend. Many Alaskans have said that the dividend itself has allowed them to acquire a computer in their home and to become connected to the rest of the world, whether they live in a city, town or remote village.
$17.2 billion has been distributed to eligible Alaskans since the dividend program began in 1982. The first dividend was $1000, covering three years. Individual Alaskans eligible for all 27 dividends have received more than $30,000.
Dividend Information Offices are located in Anchorage, Fairbanks and Juneau and are responsible for assisting applicants who need help completing their applications or need information about the dividend program.
Please remember that the Alaska PFD and the new Alaska Resource Rebate are taxable income for Federal Tax Returns. Be sure to set aside enough to cover your tax bill, or consider making an Estimated Payment when you get your PFD. For more information on how to report the Alaska PFD and Rebate income on the Federal Tax Return contact the IRS at 1(800)829-1040 or visit the IRS website at www.irs.gov and input the key words Alaska Permanent Fund or Estimated.
For more information, please visit the PFD website @ http://www.pfd.alaska.gov/.

The August 26, 2008 unofficial results are in as follows, courtesy of the Alaska Division of Elections. Congratulations to all the winners, you ran a good race. Please remember to vote on October 7th and November 4th! Piurci!
AUGUST 26, 2008
US SENATOR (ADL) ADL
Begich, Mark DEM 56036 84.53%
Bird, Bob AI 3587 5.41%
Haase, Fredrick D. LIB 1130 1.70%
Metcalfe, Ray DEM 4729 7.13%
Vondersaar, Frank J. DEM 810 1.22%
US SENATOR (R) REP
Corey, Michael D. REP 1283 1.38%
Cuddy, David W. REP 25387 27.27%
Heikes, Gerald L. REP 500 0.54%
Sikma, Roderic H. REP 949 1.02%
Stevens, Ted REP 59138 63.53%
Vickers, Vic REP 5204 5.59%
Wanda, Rich M. REP 621 0.67%
US REPRESENTATIVE (ADL) ADL
Benson, Diane E. DEM 24509 37.42%
Berkowitz, Ethan A. DEM 35267 53.85%
Wright, Don R. AI 5719 8.73%
US REPRESENTATIVE (R) REP
LeDoux, Gabrielle REP 8621 9.21%
Parnell, Sean R. REP 42397 45.31%
Young, Don E. REP 42548 45.47%
HOUSE DISTRICT 38 (ADL) ADL
Herron, Bob DEM 1308 54.55%
Vaska, Tony DEM 664 27.69%
Middlebrook, Eric DEM 426 17.76%
Post Primary Election Information
8/28-9/4: Review of the absentee and questioned ballots at the regional offices
9/5: Absentee and questioned ballots counted
9/8-17: State Review Board begins the primary election review
9/8-12: Hand count verification of one randomly drawn precinct from each district that accounts for at least 5% of the total votes cast in that district
9/11: Counting of absentee overseas ballots
9/18: Target certification primary election certification date
9/23: Deadline for filing a recount request (if election is certified on 9/18). Recount must be requested within 5 days of certification of the election.

U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, will hold a hearing of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs in Bethel, AK to explore the effect that high energy costs have on the vitality of life in the Native communities of rural Alaska.
The hearing will focus on whether high energy costs in rural Alaska is jeopardizing the future of traditional rural lifestyles by forcing migration to Alaska’s urban centers, how energy costs are affecting the Native peoples of the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta and whether the federal government is doing enough to support the development of energy resources in and around Alaska Native villages.
Event Information
Who: Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska)
Panel 1: Ralph Andersen, CEO of the Bristol Bay Native Association and Chair of the Alaska Federation of Natives Energy Committee; Ms. Janie Leask, President and CEO, First Alaskans Institute Board of Trustees; Mr. Chris Mello, Program Manager, Alaska Energy Authority
Panel 2: Mr. Myron Naneng, President, Association of Village Council Presidents; Mr. Matthew Nicolai, President and Chief Executive Officer, Calista Corporation; Mr. Gene Peltola, President and Chief Executive Officer, Yukon-Kuskokwim Health Corporation; Mr. Ron Hoffman, CEO, AVCP Housing Authority and President of the Association of Alaska Housing Authorities
Panel 3: Mr. Bob Middleton, Director of Indian Energy and Economic Development, United States Department of Interior; Mr. Steve Morello, Director of Indian Energy Policy and Programs, United States Department of Energy
What: Senate Committee on Indian Affairs Hearing
When: Thursday, August 28, 2008 at 9:30am
Where: Yupiit Piciryarait Cultural Center, Bethel, AK. The event is open to the public.

As the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, China come to a close and the flag and torch are put to rest, I can't help but sigh - the games were as spectacular as ever and I am a little sad to see them go. However, we are left with the great stories of victory and defeat to relive and remember. And then there's the 2010 Winter Olympics to be held in Vancouver, British Columbia to look forward to.
This Tuesday is Election Day. Good luck to all the candidates for State House 38 and the race for U.S Congress. Please exercise your right to vote! I'll see you at the polls. Also, thank you to Senator Lyman Hoffman for the PCE Report (at right). Takuqerli!

The Delta Discovery met with Joe Schmidt, Commissioner of Corrections for the State of Alaska last week.
Can you talk about the Memorandum of Understanding with the City regarding the proposed jail expansion?
The draft is still circulating between us and the City Manager. We’re scheduled to come back on August 19th for the city council meeting. I believe we are going to be on the agenda to discuss it. If it is still being worked on however, we might have to put it off again. The votes have been 3-4 for it, 3-4 against it, 3-4 for it. Our position, and I am really glad we took this position, is we didn’t come here to say we’re the State we’re going to do this - we said “what do you guys want?” This is a very expensive place to build and work, that is no secret. But as I’ve said, this is the community that had an idea about reformation that is very much like ours.
Bethel is the place that said we need to get these kids back home back to where they live, back to their culture and families and reintegration. We changed our mission statement along those lines. Secure confinement is only part of what we do. Programming and reentry is a very important piece of what we do because that is what we believe is going to stop recidivism. Bethel was the community who said that to us and that seemed where folks seemed to be. So with that we were very excited about coming here.
The resolution was signed right away in 2004. We came to find quite a bit of support. Since then there’s been some changes – the city councils changed, the city manager has changed, the police department went through an up and down here recently, so it’s been going back and forth. We never came and said we’re going to come here and do this, we said, what do you guys want? The community was supportive of this for all the right reasons. There’s a new outlook now. When the community votes in new members, there’s a new vote. We can continue to do exactly what we’ve been doing the whole time – come up here with the same message, answer questions, we’d like to do business here and Senate Bill 65 gives us the way to do that. If the community says there is a better way, then we’ll do it a better way.
Is using bonds a “convoluted” way of doing this?
I don’t know if I would say convoluted, I would say there is an extra layer of bureaucracy for sure. One way to do it is for the state to just give us a capital appropriation and we hire a contractor and build. The way that was chosen in 2004 was to do this bond system whereby the community borrows the money and we sign an agreement that says the state agrees to pay back the money with interest. But it calls for the community to borrow the money and then the state pays it back. And of course now you have the community government and the state government involved, so there’s another layer there. I don’t know if I’d use the word “convoluted”, but I would certainly say it is more complex.
The only way for us to really know if the community wants it is if the community agrees to support it and sells the bonds and borrow the money and we agree to pay it back and get into business together. It is more of a partnership and I think the healthiest way to do business. Convoluted, I wouldn’t say that, I would say complex for sure and it gives us a way to know what the community wants.
How much time do you have to come to an agreement?
The law says that if the agreement is not signed by July 2009, it is done. And then new legislation or an appropriation has to occur. It won’t be quick. Senate Bill 65 happened 4 years ago. The agreement is for 66 new beds, and the contract is ready to go.
Quyana!

My electric bill this month was unbelievable… unbelievably high, that is. Other people I’ve spoken to, neighbors and friends, also have had the same shock – but then with the high fuel prices, it is not hard to believe.
Upon closer examination and careful comparison between the prior month’s bill to this month’s, everything looked the same except for the “Cost of Power Adjustment Surcharge”. The figure from last month was nearly doubled going from .1895/KWH to .3661/KWH! That is a 93.192612137% increase, says my wife. As it is painfully obvious, the cost of diesel fuel used to generate our electricity has gone up. The total kilowatt usage multiplied by the .3661 surcharge rate hits the pocketbook hard.
Thank goodness for Power Cost Equalization, which pays around 25¢ or so of the first 500 kilowatts that we burn in our homes - and the new energy relief legislation that just passed last week. Until that kicks in and for today and tomorrow, let’s find and use different ways to reduce our bottom line, and to all the people in the YK delta, hang in there. Tua-i-ngunrituq!

The Alaska Marketplace is excited to announce the Year 3 Competition of Ideas beginning July 7 2008. The Alaska Federation of Natives’ initiative to stimulate rural economic development - Alaska Marketplace will began accepting Innovative Idea Applications, July 7, 2008 through September 1, 2008.
The 2008 Alaska Marketplace Theme: “Innovations for Thriving Communities” to address the most pressing issues affecting rural Alaska today. The five Sub Themes for the competition have been identified as follows:
Affordable Energy – innovative ways to implement affordable, renewable & alternative energy sources.
Practical Use of New Technology - practical use of new technology to create village enterprises, such as: use of cell phones or digital media.
Innovative Ideas to Reduce the Cost of Living – such as cooperatives or various sharing arrangements that have very practical results and can be replicated in other communities and possibly scaled up.
Investing in People - innovative ideas to encourage life-long learning and enable people to thrive in a rapidly changing world, full of hope and optimism.
Rural Housing of the Future - incorporating energy efficiencies and new cost-effective designs in innovative ways which celebrate traditional cultures and promotes community pride.
The Alaska Marketplace initiative over the past two years was a major economic breakthrough for rural Alaska, bringing fresh ideas and monetary awards to local communities throughout Alaska. This year’s finalists will showcase their Business and Innovative Idea’s at the October 2008 AFN Convention in Anchorage.
The 2008 Alaska Marketplace will have two distinct categories for submissions - the first is the “Business Idea” model-the second is an “Innovative Idea”. The Business Idea will demonstrate how the idea will contribute towards economic stimulation and job creation, the Innovative Idea (not-for-profit) must show how the community or social structure will benefit by the proposed innovation and how the idea can be replicated and/or applied to other communities.
The Alaska Marketplace competition for ideas is modeled after The World Bank Development Marketplace and managed by the Alaska Federation of Natives. Initiated by the Denali Commission, the Alaska Marketplace is also sponsored by BP, ConocoPhillips, Denali Commission, Telecommunications Development Fund and Alyeska Pipeline Service Company.
For more information on the Alaska Marketplace, visit www.alaskamarketplace.org or call (907) 274-3611.

U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services Secretary Michael Leavitt was in Bethel on Wednesday, July 23, 2008. He toured the McCann Treatment Center, met with community leaders, and took a boat ride to Kwethluk. In Kwethluk he met with City and Tribal leaders, toured the new clinic, and went to see the sewer system. The Delta Discovery was able to meet with him after his trip to Kwethluk.
What were your first impressions while visiting here? Well I’ve had many impressions today and yesterday having a chance to see firsthand the lives of Alaska residents who live in remote areas. I have seen people living in remote conditions all over our country and all over the world, but I have to say there is some uniqueness to what I’ve seen in Alaska. I also met many people who are working hard to improve conditions. I think that might be the most impressive thing I’ve seen – the number of people trying to make the lives of people in remote Alaska better. And I think of quite effective organization. In some ways I am quite surprised by the quality and quantity of services that they are able to provide to remote Alaska. It does not mean they couldn’t be better and that there aren’t lots of things that need to be done.
I saw the need for water and sewer systems today. It was evident to me. I had a chance to see substance abuse, and huffing - I hadn’t seen that before. Meeting the young men that were there was a poignant thing to me. I had a chance to see some of the dollars that my department deploys in use and I have lots to think about.
What is the one thing that needs the most improvement? I am not sure I’m at the point of saying, “this is the one thing”. What I gained most from this was a chance to see it all at one time. When I say all, I mean that I saw health care and I saw the need for sanitation systems, I had a chance to understand telemedicine in a better way and it will improve my decision making, decisions on how we can best be helped in the future.
If you were asked by the next administration to stay on, would you like to do that? I love what I do, it is privilege to serve in this role, but I don’t contemplate that will happen.
Do you speak Yup’ik? No, I do not but I am impressed with those who can.
Quyana and piurci!

Tony Vaska, a democratic candidate for State House District 38 addressed the Bethel Chamber of Commerce last week during their luncheon.
Vaska is Yupiaq, born and raised in Kalskag on the Kuskokwim and St. Mary’s on the Yukon River. His formal education includes the University of Alaska and Stanford University with degrees in English and Anthropology with specialties in Classic British Literature, Native North American specializing in Arctic and Sub-Arctic people. He is a former college professor, legislator, school board chair, and advocate for the rural preference in subsistence hunting, fishing and gathering in rural Alaska by working on the state and federal legislation on subsistence.
He has worked and traveled extensively in rural Alaska to educate, research, enunciate, negotiate and advocate for the needs by Native people of subsistence resources and other natural resources protection of air, lands and waters. His work included the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, High Seas interception of salmon which spawn in western Alaska anadromous rivers and streams, the Marine Mammal Protection Act, the Endangered Species Act, the Environmental Protection Act and the Alaska National Interest Lands and Conservation Act. Work included extensive contact with the local fish and game advisory boards, Alaska board of Fisheries and Game, the North Pacific Fishery Management Council, many other public and private resource conservation and management organizations locally and nationally.
He is currently employed at the Yukon Kuskokwim Health Corporation as a Professional Trainer. His wife is Sharon.
Opening comments There are a lot of developments going on in the state that we need to keep track of that may not seem to affect us but will. The closest example is Proposition 4 – The Clean Water Act, which will require mining companies to make sure that the water they use and is put back in the same condition that it was when they took it out. You see a lot of ads in the paper about pro mining, or anti mining. How it will affect us is Donlin Creek. Barrick Gold is coming out against Proposition 4. In the Bristol Bay Times you’ll see Bella Hammond coming out in favor of Ballot Measure 4. The whole issue is protection of fisheries. Here we have a different kind of fishery we need to worry about. If something happens in Donlin Creek it flows directly 11 miles to the Kuskokwim River and we all live below the mine. There’s 37 communities that may be affected by that if there is a problem. It will be short term, meaning 4-5 years of a lot of tense activity on the Kuskokwim River, because it’s the only way to bring materials up to the mine site. The proposal I’ve seen says that if the gold mine uses diesel only, it will need 70 million gallons of diesel a year just for the mine. You will need an additional 10 million gallons for all the equipment. That means 200 barges a day going up and down the river. That is something to consider. What about the animals with all the traffic on the river?
When you lobby Lyman or Mary, have them consider this. There’s a proposal to build a spur gasline to Southcentral and Fairbanks. Why not have a gasification plan in Fairbanks or near Fairbanks to ship that gas down the Yukon to this area? We need it. That is one source that is available to this region that would make it easier for us.
Shell is out in the region poking around. In the early 1970’s, they did find gas in the Kuskokwim basin but not in commercial quantities. There is coal in this region near McGrath on the west side of Alaska Range - 3 billion tons of coal sitting there. The projection for Donlin Creek is 32 million ounces and with the price of gold now at a $1000 an ounce, that’s 32 billion dollars - they’re not going to walk away from that. The way to control that is through local government. I’ve said this before but you can’t do that until you have a regional government.
There are transportation issues, we have very little infrastructure we can depend on - it is very expensive. Oil costs. I was happy to see Bethel is finally going to get a bus because I walk everywhere and I will be happy to take the bus when it gets started. We get a lot of our materials from outside of the region by air and we depend on Sen. Stevens pushing the bypass mail process. Why can’t we have the same system to barge things to Bethel? A subsidized transportation system so it’s cheaper to deliver goods from Anchorage or Seattle, we can use the same concept.
The other proposition that I am supporting is Clean Elections. It says anyone can run for public office using public funds but you have to do your work before. You get 200 people to sign their support for you and $5 and the state will pay for the cost of your election. And that is for poor people, because not everyone is rich who wants to run for office. It’s expensive. Want to go to Mekoryuk? It is over $400. Toksook Bay is over $300.
There are wind turbine generators in Toksook Bay and Kasigluk. AVEC has gotten awards for innovation in using them and has reduced the use of diesel in those villages considerably. Look on AVEC’s website to see how much they are saving. We need to think about that here in Bethel. It is something we need to push the state legislature on. Here’s an example: Senator McGuire wants to build a wind farm on Fire Island for Anchorage. Why can’t we do something like that to reduce our electric costs here in Bethel? If we develop these new technologies we need educated people to work them.
What are your thoughts on a state energy plan?
$100 per person is a short term fix, Gov. Palin wants to do something for the short term. If you give every individual $100 a month for the whole year, that is $700 million dollars – imagine what the state could do if it puts the plan together, for more efficient energy systems such as wind energy. And the other is importing gas from Alaska.
A city council member put forth the idea of banning all toxic chemicals going through town that might end up at the mine, what is your position on that? I am as green as you can get. First do no harm. If you are going to harm the way we live and our way of life, I will be opposed to it. If you are going to bring toxic chemicals through this area, do no harm. I have enough experience to see that harm has been done not only in Alaska but also and Canada and other parts of the world. I went down to Butte, Montana to the biggest hole in the world. 10 years ago a flock of geese landed into the bottom of that pit and died of toxic waste. They now have a net over that whole mine in Montana. Barrick Gold takes people from the villages to go look at good mines, good places.
How do you deal with conflict? I get along with everyone and I don’t take politics personally. And if someone disagrees with me, I agree to disagree with them, but I still have an open mind about discussing issues.
Do you speak Yup’ik? I understand it perfectly well and I mostly speak it.
Do you support Proposition 4? I do. The Clean Water Act. First do no harm. If you are going to do harm to the way we live here, then I would be opposing it. The other part is, The Clean Water Act is intended to protect the subsistence resources and I want the subsistence resources protected. Clean water is a very important thing out here for fish and game and birds.
And you have experience already in the legislature? I was in the legislature from 1981-1985 representing the villages from Aniak to Newtok to Goodnews Bay.
Quyana!

Two brand new 14-passenger buses are coming on the next barge to Bethel, complete with wheelchair accessibility and fare boxes, said City of Bethel Grants Development Manager John Sargent, which will be part of Bethel’s new transit system.
The big question is, when will service start?
“As soon as drivers are trained and hired,” said Mike Samuelson, Executive Director of ONC, who helps supervise the project. There is no set date. Applicants will also undergo background checks and drug testing.
The City of Bethel and ONC have been working together to get this started. The drivers will be City employees with benefits and ONC will provide the offices and administration. The transit system is on the City’s budget as a separate enterprise fund as of July 1st – the beginning of the new fiscal year. There is enough money to start and operate the transit system for 2 years.
“This is a great partnership between the City and the Tribe, real great,” Sargent said.
The plan is to provide transportation service to the population centers of Bethel with stops at key spots in town – housing, post office, hospital, Swanson’s and the BNC/AC area during the day. A separate route for the airport/hospital is also in the plan. Fare rates would be $2 a ride, $1 for seniors and youth 5-17, and children under 5 can ride for free.
What about the cab companies?
“There are mixed reviews,” said Sargent. “Some cab drivers want to apply to drive for 40 hour weeks and benefits and are looking forward to it. Other drivers show complete opposition. They say ‘I’ll quit, I’ll leave town, you’ll put me out of business, I’m ruined…’ It’s completely mixed.
“We don’t want to hurt the cab business because there’s a need for cabs. The public transit system will allow people to save a little money who can plan ahead.” Quyana!

Having spent a number of years living in the rural parts of this great state, I have come to love to hear the Yup’ik language spoke, and I love learning the words … although I sometimes wonder if my tongue creates words that might be better off not said.
Although it doesn’t flow with the musical melody of say French, the Yup’ik language is one my She-Who-Must-Not-Be-Made-Mad and I love to listen to even though we haven’t the slight clue what is being said.
I know one of our favorite things to do when we lived in Nome was to have our friend’s uncle (Uncle Johnny) come over. He would always tell us Yup’ik words and then laugh when we butchered the word.
“Maybe you should stick to English,” he would jokingly tell my wife, who (in case you may not remember) has a very thick Texas accent. “We have a hard enough time understanding what you say in English.”
As for me, I learned the basics. The very basics … I can say “Thank you,” “Yes” and “No.”
Never mind that I don’t understand it, I like to hear it. Sometimes when I’m on the phone talking to people from the Y-K, I just let them just talk away to me. Then, when they stop, I tell them I have no idea what they just said but it sounded good.”
Because I love the language, I have been working to expand my knowledge. Every time I come to the Yukon-Kuskokwim I try and learn a new word. For instance, last year when we found out we were going to be grandparents, I made it a point to learn the word for grandpa.
At first when I was told the Yup’ik word for grandpa I was a bit taken aback. How in the heck was I supposed to remember a world that sounded like “A-pow-a-luk” to me, but came out much different.
Thankfully, Miss Sarah told me most people just say “Uppa.” I could handle Uppa … and to this day we teach our granddaughter (Mallorie) to call me Uppa. She can call her grandmother anything she wants, but she can call me “Uppa” because it reminds me of where our hearts are.
This year, I learned a new word … although it is one I have heard for a while. A few summers ago, a friend gave me a nickname he has always called me. Every time we met, he always calls me “AngalKuq.”
Now, let me tell you what I figured this to mean. To me, I figured “Angal” was derived from the English word “Anglo” which generally refers to the white-skinned race. Beings how I was born in Texas to a mother that is Irish and a father who was half English and Cherokee, I figured it fit.
Based on what I new about “Angal,” I figured “Kuq” meant “guy.”
Again, I didn’t have a problem with that as I generally like to consider myself a guy. I find considering myself a guy also makes my wife happy ... which is much better than he not being happy
The other day as I was talking to my friend, he asked me if I knew what “AngalKuq” meant. I told him what I surmised it to mean – and he began laughing.
He assured me, it had nothing to do with my deductions. It was Yup’ik for “medicine man.”
“Medicine man?” I asked “I don’t know anything about medicine.”
“I call you that because every time I read your stories it makes me smile,” he said. “It makes me feel good ... like good medicine.”
I have to admit, I was kind of touched. I also like his nickname much better than the one my wife calls me most of the time.
Thanks Dana ... Now if I could just learn to spell Uppa.

BP awards scholarships
Twenty-five recent Alaska high school graduates were each awarded $4,000 scholarships from the 2008 BP Principals’ and Commissioner’s scholarship program.
In addition to the 25 winners one student, Isaac Kalistook of Bethel Regional High School, was selected by the Alaska Commissioner of Education to receive a $20,000 scholarship. Since the program started 23 years ago, BP has granted more than 600 graduating high school seniors scholarships totaling $2.3 million.
The selections are made by the Alaska Association of Secondary School Principals Board of Directors based on academic achievement, community involvement, leadership skills and financial need. The students are recognized at award ceremonies throughout the state. Quyana!

Last week the road between Tundra Ridge and the BIA road was blocked to traffic. Motorists had to go around the other way around Bethel to be able to get to where they wanted to go.
The portion of the road that was blocked belongs to the Polk family. They blocked the road to prevent it from becoming an impassible mass of mucky mud and deep ruts during wet weather.
“It gets so bad we can’t even go home,” said Earl “Keggulluk” Polk. “We have to move out until we can drive through it.”
The road is built on his mother’s native allotment, which now belongs to him and his brothers. They have heard the complaints on the radio but want people to know that they were born and raised there and that it is their land and that they can block the road if they wish.
Traffic makes the road worse during wet weather, said Polk. They blocked the road so they could keep it passable for their sake in order to have a way out in case something happens.
“My brother has a newborn baby,” said Polk. “We need to be able to use the road in case of an emergency.”
Additionally, the speed limit on the road is 35mph but Polk can testify that sometimes people abuse the speed limit. He asks drivers to slow down and to drive cautiously – there are children who live and play there and he doesn’t want any accidents.
The Polk family of Bethel would like everyone to know that they will continue to block the road to traffic between Tundra Ridge and BIA road every time they need to, however, pedestrians may freely pass through. Piurci!

The old basketball hoop near Trailer Court in Bethel has a new look, having been recently replaced with shiny new equipment.
Known as “Josh’s Court”, after Joshua Palacios who died in a shooting at Bethel Regional High School in 1997, it is a dream fulfilled for Nathan Greydanus.
Greydanus got the idea last year to replace the deteriorating hoop with a new one. The old one was over 10 years old.
“Growing up this was his (Josh’s) playground,” he said. “He was always the type to motivate people to play sports.”
He began saving his loose coins and eventually began asking others to contribute. Greydanus, who works at Swanson’s helping people cash their checks would ask if they would like to donate their change – anywhere from $0.01 to $0.99. He calls his project, “Saving Change to Change the World”.
He filled up a large container shaped like a baby bottle with coins, which reportedly weighed approximately 60 lbs.
Others also gave above and beyond.
“A couple of people were big donaters,” he said thankfully. In all, he raised over $1700 dollars to purchase a new hoop.
Greydanus, his brother Ryan, and friend Travis Mute were putting the final adjustments on the hoop last Friday. They were done that night and kids were already enjoying playing basketball with the new equipment.
He would like to thank Bethel Utilities Corporation for drilling in the pole, Sports Authority for the discounted sale price, Jeff Robson for donating his freight on Northern Air Cargo, Tony Joaquin and Craig Rogers, Conor Burke, John We, Jonathon Friendly, Janet Fox, and all those who donated their change.
“One good thing I can do in my life makes me feel good,” said Greydanus.
The team is also looking for someone to donate gravel to help level out the ground to help eliminate the mud puddles around the playing area. Quyana!

by Greg Lincoln
Alaska’s sole congressman Don Young who has 35 years experience in the U.S. Hose of Representatives visited Bethel last week. He met with officials from YKHC, AVCP RHA, and the Bethel Chamber of Commerce, as well as with The Delta Discovery.
What is the main issue that folks are concerned about out here in this region?
Most of the people asked me about energy. We don’t have cheap energy and down the line we can’t function, we can’t keep going. The cost of fuel is huge. My involvement is putting alternate forms of energy like wind power, solar power, etc. Having said that, the state has to be really involved. It doesn’t do you any good to give you a $100 to buy fuel a month. That’s just temporary. There’s an old biblical saying, if I give you a fish, you eat but then you starve. If I teach you to fish, you feed your family. That’s what I am saying should be done here.
And it’s just not the Bethel region. All around the state every village is hurting. Fort Yukon for instance - $7 a gallon for heating oil. How do you keep warm in –60F? Gasoline is $5 1/2 dollars, which is high enough. We can adjust to that a little bit, but the heating oil is serious. That is the number one problem I think in this area. Where are you going to get the money?
Energy is the most important thing. And then of course you know the challenges of the bush. My big thing is if we don’t address the energy issues - you will lose the villages. Your villages locally will come to Bethel, temporarily, and then they’re going to go to Anchorage or Fairbanks and you lose Alaska. Because you’re never going to go back to the good old days. You’re not going to do it. Live like grandpa did – that is nonsense. You’ve been exposed to television, computers, the airplane – you’re not going to go back. If you’re 16-21 years old, you’re going to go to town because you can’t afford to live here. That’s the sad part. It can be overcome if we get enough involvement of developing other forms of energy.
What ideas do you have about other forms of energy?
You have methane gas here, it should be drilled. You have hydro up at Nyac. That was built in 1938. Six months without burning electricity that’s made from diesel fuel, think how much money you would save. You have wind power. If you had 19 big windmills out here that could generate power, you could cut your diesel down to a quarter. And if you had methane gas, your living costs would go down and your living standards would go up. Methane was discovered out here about 15-20 year ago. They got into a big argument - we don’t want to do it because it might pollute the water. Now how, I don’t know but remember diesel at that time was 19 cents a gallon, so we wanted the diesel.
Diesel is never going to go back down again. No way, because the consumption and the demand is so high in foreign countries. China is burning more barrels of oil a day than we are. Not more per capita, but more barrels. We are still one of the largest consumer, if not the largest consumer in the world, per capita. India is higher than we are. China and India have a billion people, so we’re not the only buyers anymore from the oil countries, so the price will always stay up because we’ve done nothing to produce any oil.
The price of oil is high because of transportation costs, how can we address that problem?
Here it is very high because it comes all the way from Washington State. I want them to build a refinery in Tyonek, a native corporation. They build a refinery there by taking the oil that we are shipping out. We only get 12% percent of the oil we produce. That is our royalty, the rest goes outside. But if the oil companies could refine it here and ship the finished product outside, we’d have access to the diesel fuel and jet fuel here and that would make it cheaper. We wouldn’t have to pay to ship it all the way up here. That’s what drives up the darn price of fuel.
Are there any refineries in Alaska?
They have a small refinery in Kenai. They have one in Valdez for gasoline. The biggest one is in North Pole. Their oil comes from that 12% of the total production of the pipeline. As the pipeline goes down, our 12% becomes less. Right now in North Pole they are thinking of shutting that refinery down. We have to get more in the pipeline, that is what we have to do.
What are your thoughts on climate change?
One is, I am one of the few people that may think that climate change is occurring but does not believe it is your fault. If it is going to happen anyway, it’s happening and happened before. We’re the only animal that God created that doesn’t adapt. The polar bear will adapt. We had 5,000 polar bears in 1970. We have 20,000 today, we did something right, now we put them on the endangered species list. It is an attempt by interest groups to stop any man’s activities globally. The effect of putting that bear on the threatened list affects my Inuits up there big time. They won’t be able to go whaling or fishing if it goes on the endangered species list. Nobody wants to tell anyone about that but that is what will happen because it interferes with their habitat, and anything that interferes with their habitat, you can’t participate.
What about methane?
It was found 15 years ago and I would like to have the state go in and drill. If it is there, then make it a production field for the area.
And I want you to reconsider nuclear – we’re going to do it in Galena. It is a silo concept - in the ground, small, transportable by barge. It will give them power for $0.26 per kilowatt for 7 villages. Now think what can you do with that in Bethel. France has been doing it for the last 45 years. Japan is a huge nuclear producer for power and they have the cheapest power. All we do is burn coal and natural gas - nonrenewable resources, which to me is silly.
Any comments on your upcoming race for re-election?
My Lu says, “If you were to lose, don’t worry about it, that’s God’s next chapter. Go forth and He will make that decision for you. As long as you try the best you can, you’re the best person for the job. If He decides differently, then that’s how it is.” I don’t really lose much sleep over it. But it will be bad for the State right now. As long as I am physically and mentally capable to do what I am doing - when it gets to the point when I can’t do it anymore, then get rid of me. August 26th – don’t forget, it’s very important.
Quyana!

We were pleased to speak with Senator Lyman Hoffman (D) over the Memorial Day weekend. He represents Senate District S.
The Bethel Aquatic Center funding was vetoed by Governor Palin, can you tell us about that?
The Aquatic Center has been on the list for Bethel for over 20 years and Beverly Hoffman has been sponsoring fundraisers, cookie sales and everything. This was started because we’ve been having so many drownings on the Kuskokwim and we wanted to see if we could get the Aquatic Center going so we could teach people in the region how to swim. We’ve been averaging anywhere between 15-17 drownings per year and we felt that a good way to address all these drownings is to teach people how to swim. Everyone around the whole region uses the river for traveling, for fishing, for hunting and we are the only large region in the state without a facility to teach people to swim.
I was really displeased with the Governor with vetoing the 2 million dollars because she also left in 4 million dollars in the capital budget for Anchorage. Anchorage wanted some operating dollars to help them operate their swimming pools so she left the money in the budget for Anchorage swimming pools but then she didn’t leave the 2 million in the Bethel pool. I thought that was a little bit unfair on the Governor’s part selecting one area of the state to receive swimming pool funds and not an area in rural Alaska. People in Anchorage aren’t dependent on the river for transportation - our region is more dependent on the river for transportation, for berry gathering, for hunting, for fishing, for traveling. I think that our project was more worthy and should have been funded. If our project was vetoed I think the Anchorage project should have been vetoed. I think the Governor had double standards when she decided to veto the 2 million dollars for the Aquatic Center.
When you go back for the special session, what is the legislature going to do?
Once we’re called in, we have 5 days to decide whether or not to override the Governor’s vetoes. But it is a very high standard. In order to pass something you need 51%. In order to veto override, you need 3/4s vote so we would have to have 45 out of the 60 legislators agreeing to override the veto. I think there is going to be discussion on whether or not to override all the other vetoes that the Governor had. She has vetoed a little under 300 million dollars worth of projects throughout the state of Alaska. So I feel at least we received a minimal amount of budget cuts but the one that was cut was a critical project.
What do you think about the Governor’s debit card energy plan?
Something has to be done. I’ve heard criticisms of it but we have to come up with something this year. The price of fuel surpassing $6-$8 in villages and approaching $10 is unrealistic. It is putting a very large burden upon people in rural Alaska, specifically those that are not in regional hubs such as Bethel, Dillingham, Kotzebue and Nome. But even in Bethel we are feeling the pinch but not as bad as the villages.
I would support the Governor’s proposal if we can’t come up with something that is more equitable. The problem that I have with her plan is that it gives everyone $100 to buy fuel, but $100 in Anchorage can buy twice as much fuel than $100 can in Bethel and it will even buy less fuel in the villages. But I still think that it’s better than nothing. If we can’t improve upon it, I am going to support that plan. The problem that I have in the legislature is getting the 21 and 11 votes to approve the plan. There’s a lot of concern that once we start the program it’s going to be hard to discontinue. I think that if we look at the clauses that we put into the budget structure where when the price of oil starts rising, we tax at a higher rate and if we take a percentage of that, I think more people will support that plan.
What about the projects approved for funding in the AVCP region?
The projects for the AVCP region - we had received approximately a little under 200 million dollars worth of capital projects. Some of the larger ones are a new school in Chefornak and Marshall, a new airport for Chefornak.
One that the people of the region have been waiting a long time for is the Assisted Living Center for an 8 million dollar appropriation. I think it’s going to be a 20-bed facility that will house individuals. I know the people of our region have been going to Dillingham when they needed assisting living and now with the construction of this much-needed appropriation it will give the people of the region some place where they can stay instead of leaving.
Other projects that are important are energy related. We have 4.8 million dollars for 3 wind generators in Kwigillingok, Kipnuk, and Tuntutuliak. This is going to hopefully reduce their costs. We have three already in our region and these are the only three villages that have asked for wind generators. I hope more villages come up and decide to at least defer some of the expenses.
There are also funds in here to replace three generators for three villages – one in Atmautluak, Napaskiak, Tuntutuliak, and Tuluksak. So there’s 1.8 million dollars and these are important because the new generators now operate at 30% more efficiency so they use 30% less fuel so that means the electricity generated will be more cheap. Hopefully we can look at more generators in the region in upcoming years to upgrade them. Every little bit helps to reduce the energy costs for the region.
Another one that is important is in Newtok. There is 3.3 million dollars to build a staging area and access road. Everyone is well aware that Newtok is eroding. They are going to set up a staging area and access road so they can start working on that project.
The gamut of projects is varied. We tried to look at the regional aspect. A lot of the ones that are under Bethel are not really for Bethel, like the YK Emergency Response Detox Wing for the new jail facility so that we can hopefully take the burden off the nurses. We have another 1.5 million for the Tundra Womens’ Coalition new facility. We also have money in here for Search and Rescue so they can purchase more equipment. So there are a lot of projects and I am very pleased. In past years the whole state’s budget used to be a 100 million dollars and this year the whole AVCP region is getting a little under 200 million dollars in much-needed projects.
Do you have any comments on the upcoming race for Rep. Mary Nelson’s seat?
I think the two that have filed right now are Bob Herron and Eric Middlebrook and both of them are democrats. I don’t think a republican is going to win. They just need to get their message out and see what they plan on saying what they are going to be doing for our region. They have to convince the people that one of them is going to address the concerns of the AVCP region.
Next year I am starting my 23rd year serving the AVCP region and I am the senior member in the legislature. I think the success is from going out listening to the people and following through with what we feel are the needs of the region. It’s going to be interesting to listen to their debates.
Quyana!

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) announced its decision last week to list the polar bear as threatened under the Endangered Species Act. U.S. Department of Interior Secretary Dirk Kempthorne called Governor Sarah Palin to inform her of the USFWS decision, and assured her that oil and gas developments are not to blame.
The state will work with the USFWS on the designation of critical habitat and development of any conservation actions that may be necessary to ensure the continued viability of the species.
While the state is disappointed with this decision, Governor Palin said, the state stands ready to assist the USFWS to ensure that polar bear populations remain viable for decades to come. “We offer the substantial expertise of the Alaska Department of Fish and Game to assist in the protection of polar bears, and in minimizing negative impacts on the people of Alaska and on important activities elsewhere in the country,” she said.
“Alaskans take our public trust responsibilities for our resources very seriously, and we welcome the opportunity to work with the federal agencies to address the conservation needs of these magnificent animals,” Governor Palin said. “We will continue to take the steps necessary to ensure that polar bears continue to thrive for generations to come.”
The Governor expressed her hope that federal agencies will continue to provide for customary and traditional uses of polar bears. She also remains concerned that federal actions do not threaten the viable, productive and environmentally responsible oil and gas industry along Alaska’s North Slope. Attorney General Talis Colberg will review the USFWS decision and the accompanying administrative record to determine whether there are significant defects that merit judicial scrutiny.
Governor Palin’s comments on the listing can be found at the following link: www.gov.state.ak.us/audio/GovPalinPolarBearsEdit.mp3.

Saying it needed to take a lead in an effort to reduce drug and alcohol use by students, the Alaska School Activities Association announced recently it would be implementing a tough “four strikes” citizenship policy this coming fall for students that participate in high school-related activities.
Under the new rule, students found using alcohol or drugs will face varying degrees of punishment until they reach a fourth offense. At that point, they would lose their eligibility to participate any in school-related extracurricular activities. The new rules will go into effect with the start of the 2008-2009 school year.
“We’re not going to change the world,” admitted ASAA Executive Director Gary Matthews, noting the plan will help the state battle federal reports that showed Alaska students ranked at the top in drug and alcohol use. “Alaska leads the nation in teenage drug use. It’s a bad statistic that we don’t want to see.”
According to a 2006 report from the U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, 11.8 percent of the students over the age of 12 admitted to having used an illegal drug during 2004 to 2006. New Mexico had the second-highest rate, at 11.3 percent.
The national average for teen use of illegal drugs is 8.1 percent.
According the Matthews, students found in violation of the new ASAA policy will be liable to penalties that grow progressively stricter as each incident occurs. A first-offense brings a mandatory 10-day ban from all activities.
According to the ASAA, 70 percent of all students that attend high school in the state participate in extracurricular activities and would be subject to the new policy.
The rules are a bit different for students caught using tobacco. Matthews said a student caught using tobacco products would be subject to a 10-day suspension from all activities. The penalty will be effect each time a student violates the policy.
“We realize there is a tremendous use of tobacco by young people in rural Alaska especially,” Matthews said. “We’re not trying to get kids out of activities, we are trying to change attitudes and lifestyles and behaviors.”
Matthews said school officials will report incidents to the ASAA, which will then hand out punishments. That process, he said, would take school administrators out of a situation where they would be responsible for disciplining a star athlete or the child of an influential parent.
Matthews also said students who may be banned for a fourth offense can appeal to the ASAA board for re-instatement. With the start of the policy, Alaska joins Nevada as the only states to use a “citizenship” provision. Piurci.

Congratulations to all graduates of 2008 - we are proud of your accomplishments! Well done!
Also, Happy Mothers Day (May 11th) to my wife Kelly, grandmas Alice and Adeline, and all the wonderful mothers in the YK Delta. You are everything to your children and families. We hope that you will have a great day!
Bethel will be celebrating the Bike Rodeo on May 10, The Rodeo will take place on Saturday, May 10, 2008 from Noon to 2pm at Pinky’s Park. There will be a helmet trade and bike maintenance by Scout Troop #557, along with a barbeque. The Bike Rodeo is sponsored by the City of Bethel. Call 543-7711 for more information or to volunteer.
Enjoy the spring weather, piurci!

On March 28, 2008, Governor Sarah Palin announced that she is calling the Legislature into a 30-day special session beginning on June 3. The Executive Proclamation calls for legislators to review “any action taken by the commissioner of natural resources and the commissioner of revenue” under AGIA.
Palin is planning to present AGIA findings to lawmakers the week of May 19. “This schedule is extremely aggressive,” Palin said.
“Our plan is to complete the findings by the week of May 19, allow legislators time to read and absorb the materials, provide public gasline team briefings in Anchorage, and then move to special session in Juneau where they have requested to meet.”
The commissioners would give notice of their findings to the legislature during the week of May 19, and if they recommend awarding the proposed license, the legislature would then have 60 days to approve issuance of the license.
The gasline team’s schedule includes briefings in Anchorage – May 28, 29 and 30 – on the commissioners’ findings for legislators and the public.
Lawmakers passed AGIA legislation with a 59-1 vote on May 11, 2007, which began the AGIA application process. The commissioners received proposals on November 30, 2007, and reviewed them to determine whether they met the conditions required under AGIA.
On January 4, 2008, it was announced that the application from TransCanada Alaska Company, LLC/Foothills Pipelines, Ltd. (TransCanada) satisfied all of the mandatory requirements set out in AGIA, allowing TransCanada’s application to move to the evaluation phase of the AGIA process.
The 60-day public review and comment period on TransCanada’s application ended March 6, 2008. Palin’s administration is continuing to analyze and evaluate the benefits of TransCanada’s proposal, including a comparative analysis of the benefits of an all-Alaska route for liquefied natural gas (LNG) projects.
Palin said calling the special session is not an indication that the commissioners have yet made a determination regarding whether to recommend TransCanada’s AGIA application.
“The gasline team faces a truly monumental effort in comprehensively analyzing TransCanada’s application, considering the public comments received and reviewing the all-Alaska LNG options for comparison purposes,” Palin said.
Quyana!

The Commission of Corrections, Joe Schmidt, was in Bethel on April 9, 2008 with an update on the proposed jail expansion for Bethel.
JS: Some questions still existed from the community so I came up to talk to the council to answer any questions they may have.
DD: Did the city council support continuing the jail expansion project?
JS: Yes. The council voted 4-3 to continue with the process. Of course, it’s not over yet, there are some questions that need to be answered that we will be happy to work with the community and answer. But they did vote to continue the process.
The next step is going to be to continue to draft an operating agreement between the state and the city. And what the operating agreement does is ensures the community that the state is going to pay the bill - that the state is going to assume any liability if something happens. Even though it’s technically a city project, the state is going to assume it and run it.
DD: What concerns did the city council have?
JS: One had a concern with how much money the city was going to get from the project. In other words, when we borrow money to build, we’re going to borrow the money first so that way there’s money sitting there to use for design and engineering and all those kinds of things before we start construction and then therefore, the city will not have to put up any money.
One of the folks was concerned that the city should get some money for that, like an administrative fee. I know in the Anchorage project there was an administrative fee. I don’t know how much it was exactly, and it was not appropriate for me to promise any kind of an administrative fee, that has to be negotiated.
Another concern from another member was that we were going to lease a piece of land from YKHC and expand onto that piece of land and that is not actually the case. There was some talk early in the project about a unit that jutted over into the next piece of land and YKHC was going to deed it to us. Then it turned into a situation where they were going to do a 20 year lease. But then when a separate project came along and began to gain steam - an inebriate sleep off center - it would be on that very piece of land. We pulled our plans back on our own land so we’re not going to use any land except the land we’re sitting on.
DD: So the inebriate sleep off center is not part of your jail expansion project?
JS: I ensured the community at the meeting that the inebriate sleep off center is not part of our prison expansion project. It’s a

On April 8, 2008,Governor Sarah Palin signed into law bills that will provide revenue to local communities and address the $8 billion unfunded liability in the state’s retirements.
Under the municipal revenue sharing bill, Senate Bill 72, the state is to sets up a structure for distributing $60 million each year to local governments or municipalities for the next three years.
Local entities, which receive the revenue, have discretionary use of the funds, which can be used for a variety of purposes. For instance, larger communities can offer tax relief to its residents and smaller communities can help support basic municipal services.
“Local government is the most responsive and responsible,” Palin said. “I support the state’s wealth being shared with that most effective level of government.”
Another bill signed by Palin, Senate Bill 125, locks in the contribution rate for the Public Employees Retirement System at 22 percent to address the system’s unfunded liability. The bill streamlines plan administration and eliminates liability and asset accounting for each PERS employer.
“This bill signifies a substantial commitment on behalf of the state to ensure our solution will help local communities and not redirect critical dollars from our classrooms,” Palin said.
The bill will benefit public employees and teachers regarding their retirement programs.

AVCP Region Revenue Sharing
Alakanuk 130,634
Chefornak 120,030
Kalskag, Lower 110,052
Kalskag, Upper 110,157
Kongiganak 55,027
Kotlik 127,918
Napakiak 115,328
Nunam Iqua 106,500
Nunapitchuk 124,575
Oscarville 35,586
Pilot Station 125,985
Red Devil 33,625
Scammon Bay 123,164
Stony River 34,969
Tuntutuliak 54,802
Akiak 115,172
Chevak 143,433
Eek 110,993
Goodnews Bay 108,642
Hooper Bay 156,440
Kipnuk 69,425
Kwigillingiok 53,178
Napaskiak 120,239
Newtok 50,096
Pitka's Point 38,107
Sleetmute 37,098
Akiachak 67,464
Aniak 122,746
Atmauthluak 49,032
Bethel 399,613 2,707,534
Chuathbaluk 101,172
Crooked Creek 38,835
Emmonak 137,582
Kasigluk 62,366
Kwethluk 133,664
Lime Village 33,401
Marshall 116,216
Mekoryuk 107,336
Mountain Village 137,582
Nightmute 108,381
Platinum 97,985
Quinhagak 139,851
Russian Mission 113,187
Toksook Bay 127,239
Tuluksak 59,621
Tununak 50,657
Total: 4,615,105

Millie Bentley, the owner and operator of Bentley’s Bed & Breakfast in Bethel first came to Bethel in 1980. She worked as an auditor for the state and came out to do an audit of the City.
“We had one person who worked for the City who called me the “Gestapo”, said Millie. “And if anybody had told me in 1980 that ten years later I’d be living in Bethel, I would tell them their crystal ball was broken because I thought I would never live in Bethel.”
Back in 1980 the only place to stay was the Kuskokwim Inn.
“There were drunks running up and down the hall all night long,” she said. “And there was nothing to do if you didn’t go to work. If you needed two tomatoes you went to the store twice just to have something to do.”
In 1987 Millie was called out to do a special audit. She had only been in Bethel during the really bad weather months, but this time she came out in July. Vicki Malone asked her if she was going to stay with Rosie Porter who had opened a B&B.
Millie came and stayed there in July of 1987, which changed her entire outlook about Bethel. There weren’t drunks running around and she had a nice pleasant place to stay. She loved it so much that, a year later, she bought Rosie’s B&B.
For the next three years Millie’s sister ran the business. In 1990 Millie took an early retirement from the state and moved to Bethel where she worked for Bethel Community Services and also took over running the business. That was in 1992.
Millie had help from Suz Monfort who was her manager since 1994 until she opened Curves in 2006. Currently George Estrala is the property manager.
Every morning you will find Millie cooking up a big breakfast for her guests including the “best coffee in town” and who taught her how to cook?
“Well, my mother didn’t. She was beans and cornbread and her idea of pork chops was having it crisp and she was busy raising 5 kids,” she said. “I can read and that is how I learned how to cook - by reading books and just experimenting.”
Every morning she serves a full breakfast with a casserole, toast, oatmeal, dried cereal, fruit, juice, and homemade rolls.
Millie is also a Certified Public Accountant, and was she good in math?
“I didn’t even know what a CPA was and no, I wasn’t,” she said. In high school Millie studied foreign languages and science. After she got married she decided to do bookkeeping at home. She got a course from the LaSalle Institute, “Accounting up to CPA” but she stopped after five lessons.
“It helped me a little bit. I knew what a debit and credit was.”
She went back to school and majored in accounting and found she was the only woman in that major, taking 15-19 units each semester and enrolling in summer school. Millie graduated on Friday and went to work for a CPA firm on Monday. She passed the CPA test and worked 2 years to get her license. Afterwards she went into public accounting and then went to work for the government.
Millie also writes a weekly recipe column for The Delta Discovery.
She is currently looking for a buyer for her B&B.
“Right now we need to sell the place. We can’t find anybody to work and it is just getting to be pretty exhausting so we decided to sell it,” she said. “I want to go watch my grandson play baseball. How often do you get a kid that’s on a baseball card?”
She is looking for a Mom & Pop operation to take over her B&B. “That is what I would like, a family.”
As soon as everything is sold, Millie plans to head out. “I’ll miss everyone in Bethel.”

Cama-i, the Delta’s best dance festival
How was this year’s Cama-i Festival? Spectacular.
There was something for everyone at last weekend’s Cama-i Festival – local, regional, Statewide, National, and international dancers performed at this world class dance exhibition.
Clearly the crowd favorite were the Te Wananga Maori. This group from New Zealand/Hawaii rocked the festival with their exciting performances, the crowd bursting forth with thunderous applause and appreciation for the mesmerizing beauty and grace of the women and the fierce, sometimes terrifying performance of the Maori Warriors.
And the regalia – the feathered dresses, painted faces, and pukana – the intimidation or attitude shown by the expressions by the dancers was indescribable.
“We love Bethel, the people are so friendly, thank you very much for inviting us,” said Shannon Galeai, one the group’s coordinator/dancers.
Many thanks to Cama-i Coordinator Linda Curda and her crew of many volunteers. Quyana cakneq for all your hard work for making this event possible. Quyana!

Welcome to Cama-i 2008! I hope everyone has a great time during this wonderful yearly event! Quyana Tailuci!

On March 18, 2008, the Food & Agriculture Organization of the United Nations warned the prevalence of avian influenza in Indonesia remains serious despite containment efforts undertaken by national authorities and the international community.
Indonesia is the country worst hit by avian influenza, which has become deeply entrenched in 31 out of its 33 provinces.
“The human mortality rate from bird flu in Indonesia is the highest in the world and there will be more human cases if we do not focus more on containing the disease at source in animals,” said FAO Chief Veterinary Officer Joseph Domenech.
Domenech said he was deeply concerned that the high level of virus circulation in birds in the country could create conditions for the virus to mutate and to finally cause a human influenza pandemic.
“The avian influenza situation in Indonesia is grave – all international partners and national authorities need to step up their efforts for halting the spread of the disease in animals and making the fight against the virus a top priority,” he said.
About 20 percent of the chicken population of 1.4 billion is Indonesia scattered in around 30 million backyards, where people raise them for food or income. Despite major control efforts, Indonesia has not succeeded in containing the spread of avian influenza in poultry, Domenech said.
“Indonesia is facing an uphill battle against a virus that is difficult to contain. Major human and financial resources, stronger political commitment and strengthened coordination between the central, province and district authorities are required to improve surveillance and control measures.”
Domenech said they have also observed that new H5N1 avian influenza virus strains have recently emerged, creating the possibility that vaccines currently in use may not be fully protecting poultry against the disease, and that more investigations and the development of better poultry vaccines are required.
“The major challenge is to immediately apply the main components of a successful national avian influenza control strategy, based on effective surveillance, emergency culling and compensation, vaccination, improved biosecurity, effective laboratory and quarantine procedures, and movement controls of poultry and poultry products,” Domenech added.

On Feb. 28, 2008, the Senate Finance Committee in Juneau passed House Bill 273, an historic bill to increase school funding and implement the recommendations of the Joint Legislative Education Funding Task Force.
The bill is considered on one of the most significant education plans to come before the legislature. If passed, the bill would fully fund education for the first time ever.
“I can’t think of a better use of the surplus funds than to implement a sustainable education funding plan,” said Stedman. “This proposal offers major changes and collaboration of educational professionals across Alaska.”
As chair and member of the task force, Stedman worked to address long-standing issues facing school districts such as the disproportionate costs in rural districts.
“Education funding is at the heart of our state budget. I have been working hard with my colleagues in both the House and Senate to ensure an equitable funding for remote school districts,” Stedman said. “Provisions such as fixing the district cost factor help level the playing field for small community school districts.”
The bill implements the recommendations advocated by the Institute of Social & Economic Research, also known as ISER. The provisions of the bill include:
•Fully forward fund education for the first time ever •Increase the Base Student Allocation by $300 over three years •Implementing a hold-harmless clause for districts with sharp drops in enrollment •Adjusting the District Cost Factor and Transportation Cost funding
The Joint Legislative Education Funding Task Force consists of Rep. Mike Hawker, R-Anch., as Chair, and members Sen. Johnny Ellis, D-Anch.; Sen. Lyman Hoffman, D-Bethel; Rep. Reggie Joule, D-Kotzebue; Rep. Mike Kelly, R-Fairbanks; Rep. Bob Roses, R- Fairbanks; Rep. Paul Seaton, R-Homer; Sen. Bert Steadman; Sen. Gary Stevens, R-Kodiak; and Sen. Gary Wilken, R-Fairbanks.
Carl Rose, Executive Director of the Assn. of Alaska School Boards, is also a member of the task force, by appointment of Gov. Sarah Palin. The next step for the bill is to go before the Senate for consideration.
*Congratulations to the winners of this year's 1A Tournament - the games were tough but you did it! Good luck at State! Also, Newtok Girls win the Perseverance Award for shoveling their runway so their plane could land - keep up the determination. Piurci!

Midcoast League Girls Basketball Results
1st: Kwigillingok
2nd: Eek
3rd: Goodnews Bay
Sportsmanship–Kwig Eagles
Kwigillingok and Eek will represent the Mid-Coast league at the district tourney in Bethel.
Island League (both Boys/Girls)
1st: Toksook Bay
2nd: Chefornak
3rd: Newtok
Sportsmanship: Newtok
All Tourney Boys: Joey Lincoln OOK, Thomas Albert TNK, Bosco Waska WWT, Tim Kinegak CYF, Bosco Julius OOK
All Tourney Girls: Shannon Tulik OOK, Vanessa George WWT, Alicia Chagluak OOK, Abby Moses OOK, Marilyn Billy CYF.
Kusko League Boys Results
1st Place - Akula
2nd Place - Napaskiak
3rd Place- Kwethluk
Sportsmanship: Napaskiak
All Tourney: Michael Andrew, Travis Andrew, Harry Berlin, Jerome Paul, Ryan White, Martin Jackson, Daniel Alexie, Josh Sergie, Herman Evan, Jeremiah Jackson
Kusko League Girls:
1st: Kwethluk Lady Kings
2nd: Napaskiak Lady Hawks
3rd: Akiuk Lady Grizzlies
Sportsmanship: Atmautluak Lady Falcons
All Stars: Katya McDalton-Kwt., Kelly Ayapan-Kwt., Crystal Michael-Kwt., Jaclyn Nelson-PKA, Ashley Evan-PKA, Francine Larson-PKA, Anastasia Brink - Akiuk, Renae Keene - Akiuk, Jamie Nicholas - Akula, Nicole Alexie - Atmautluak.
Congratulations to all the teams in their home districts for their outstanding academic and athletic effort to make it this far! Good luck!

The Alaska Board of Game will meet February 29 - March 10, 2008, in Fairbanks at Pike’s Waterfront Lodge to consider over 100 proposals concerning changes to hunting and trapping regulations in the Interior Region.
Some of those will include proposals concerning caribou and Proposals have been submitted by the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, state advisory committees, and the general public seeking adjustments to hunting and trapping regulations in the Interior region, including subsistence hunting, methods and means for hunting and trapping, intensive management programs, restricted areas, and miscellaneous statewide regulations.
The board will also address a number of deferred proposals from previous board meetings that are from other regions of the state. For more detailed information on the subject matter, members of the public are encouraged to read the meeting notice that can be viewed on-line at: http://www.boards.adfg.state.ak.us/gameinfo/meetinfo/gnote.php.
The board will take oral public testimony beginning Friday, February 29. Anyone wishing to testify before the board must sign up at the meeting site before 1:30 pm on Saturday, March 1st. Public testimony will continue until everyone who has signed up has been given the opportunity to be heard.
The deadline to ensure written comments on proposals are included in the Board of Game members’ meeting binders is 5:00 pm this Friday, February 15. Written comments on specific proposals that are received after 5:00 pm this Friday will be accepted and distributed to members during the meeting up until they begin deliberation on the proposal.
Written comments can be mailed to: Alaska Board of Game, Boards Support Section, P.O. Box 115526, Juneau, AK 99811-5526, or faxed to (907) 465-6094.
Deliberations on the proposals will begin following public testimony and continue through the remainder of the meeting. Copies of the proposals and the agenda can be viewed online at: http://www.boards.adfg.state.ak.us/gameinfo/meetinfo/gcal.php. Quyanaqvaall'!

Here is an interesting piece on training and education written by Robert Bernstein from the US Census Bureau: The field of training can sometimes have as dramatic an effect on earnings as the level of education, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.
Workers who held vocational certificates in engineering averaged about $3,880 a month, which is nearly the same as those with bachelor’s degrees in natural science. Likewise, those with associate’s degrees in computers averaged about $3,760 a month, which is close to those with bachelor’s degrees in education or social science.
A survey, called “What’s It Worth: Field of Training and Economic Status in 2004,” examines the relationship between field of training for post-secondary degree holders and monthly earnings. It also presents data on the average years taken to start and complete various degrees and on occupation of workers by educational attainment and field of degree.
Other highlights:
•Business was a popular field of training in 2004, as 8.6 million people held bachelor’s degrees, 3.9 million earned associate’s degrees and 2.7 million received advanced degrees in this field. Those with bachelor’s degrees in engineering earned an average of $5,992 a month.
•People who pursued higher degrees often spent more than the minimum number of years to complete the degree or certificate. On average, students took more than a year to complete vocational programs, more than four years to complete associate’s degrees and more than five years to complete bachelor’s degrees.
•Women earned less than men at every degree level. The female-to-male average monthly earnings ratio for full-time workers 18 and older in 2004 was 0.71 for women who held bachelor’s degrees and 0.67 for women with a master’s, doctorate or professional degrees. The ratios were not statistically different from one another at these levels of education.

Welcome home to the soldiers who were deployed to Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. The celebration banquet prepared by the American Legion George H. Hohman Post 10, the VFW Post 10041, and the Bethel Family Readiness Group was very well done this past Sunday.
For the opening, the BRHS JROTC Honor Guard posted the colors. The Pledge of Allegiance, the American Anthem, and the Alaska State Song were performed by the students from the Ayaprun Elitnaurvik Immersion School in Yup'ik. Aina Niellson sang the National Anthem beautifully.
Those in attendance were touched by the solemn remembrance of their missing comrades during the POW MIA Ceremony.
Featured guest speakers included American Legion Post Commander Sam Shields, General Thomas Katkas, General Julio Benez, LTC David Osbourne, and LTC Michael Thompson.
"These soldiers postponed their lives to honor their country," said Shields. "To preserve our world from acts of terror for peace through their volunteering and sacrifice."
The soldiers also went through tarvaq, a purification of the spirit led by Chief Paul Kangrilnguq John of Toksook Bay and Chief Peter Paniguaq Jacob of Bethel with burning sage, with the purification song performed by Myron Naneng.
For the Freedom Salute, led by LTC Bill Luce, soldiers were presented with an American Flag, a limited edition coin, a Defender of Freedom Certificate, a lapel pin, and a future soldier kit.
Mike Martz of KYUK productions was presented with an award for superb effort to record and capture the events of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom from 2005 to 2008 for the soldiers and their families.
Soldiers from the communities of Bethel, Chefornak, Chevak, Hooper Bay, Kasigluk, Kipnuk, Kwigillingok, Mekoryuk, Newtok, Nightmute, Pilot Station, Quinhagak, Scammon Bay, Toksook Bay, Tuntutuliak, and Anchorage were asked to stand and be honored for a job well done and for coming home safely to their communities and families. The event closed with a banquet and Eskimo Dancing. Quyana!

Orutsararmiut Native Council is pleased to announce that CITGO, through the Alaska Inter-Tribal Council, is again offering up to 100 gallons of free residential heating fuel to the residents of Bethel.
This year, the first go-round will be in two (2) phases. Those considered as seniors, defined as head of households 60 years or over, will be able to claim their free oil vouchers starting February 6 through February 15, 2008. The rest of the general public will then be able to claim their free oil vouchers starting on February 18, 2008.
Free oil must be delivered to the residence no later than March 31, 2008. Like last year, the vendors will make only one delivery to the residence, and will not return to deliver the remaining balance if you received less than the 100 gallons on the first delivery.
Therefore, it is important that the residence heating fuel tank can accommodate at least 100 gallons. Also, the free oil vouchers will be issued only once. Lost vouchers will not be replaced.
Unless notified of a change, the vouchers can be picked up at the same location as last year. Any questions about this program, contact ONC at 543-2608. Quyana cakneq!

This just in from a trusted source:
All Democrats are invited to nominate their favorite candidates for President of the United States on February 5, 2008 at the Catholic Social Hall from 6:00 p.m. Doors will open at 5:00 p.m.
You can also register to vote at the door that night; or change your party affiliation.
All you have to do is show up, stand or sit in the corner where your candidate's signs are while we count how many each candidate gets. The process usually takes less than an hour. We will join 21 other states in the Super Tuesday caucusing.
Any questions, call the Alaska Headquarters: 907-258-3020. Quyana!

Congratulations to the mushers who ran the Kuskokwim 300, the Bogus Creek 150, and the Akiak Dash! Thank you to K300 Race Committee Manager Staci Gillilan and her hardworking staff, the K300 Board, KYUK news coverage staff, and all the volunteers and visitors who made it possible for our wonderful community to host such a world-class event - the highlight of our winter season. You did a great job and I am honored to be able to share in a part of the history of this great race. Enduring such hardship during these races is more than what most people can bear or even imagine - you and your dogs are amazing athletes, especially with this year's race conditions - wet and soggy. We stand in awe of you! Quyana and we hope that everyone finishes in grand style - you are all winners in my book. Piurci!

The 2008 PFD application period opens January 1, 2008, at 12:01 a.m. To encourage more Alaskans to apply online, the PFD Division is continuing its Early Direct Deposit option. Applicants who apply online in January and select and qualify for direct deposit will be paid on October 2, 2008. All other eligible applicants who select and qualify for direct deposit will be paid on October 16, 2008. The PFD Division will begin mailing checks to all other eligible applicants November 14, 2008.
Every Alaskan can apply online for their 2008 PFD. Alaskans who register for a myAlaska account can electronically sign their PFD application through the state’s myAlaska program. Visit www.pfd.alaska.gov to learn more about the electronic signature option or to set up a myAlaska account now.
Any adult who received a 2007 PFD can set up a myAlaska account to eSign their application with an Alaska driver’s license or an Alaska ID. Adults with a myAlaska account can also apply online and electronically sign their children’s’ PFD applications. Alaskans who already have a myAlaska account do not need to set up another account. Applicants who do not wish to use an electronic signature can still apply online and mail a printed signature page to the PFD Division.
PFD Division Director Debbie Richter said, “The online application process is a “win” in every way for applicants. It is more secure than mail, provides immediate confirmation of filing, and allows January filers with direct deposit to receive their dividends earlier. We are hoping for at least 470,000 online filers this year.”
According to PFD Division Manager Amy Skow, in 2007 the Division received 420,596 online applications, two thirds of the total 629,000 valid applications received for the 2007 PFD. Skow estimates that the Division will receive more online applications during 2008, and she encourages Alaskans to discover for themselves the convenience of signing electronically.
Division staff in the Anchorage, Fairbanks and Juneau Offices can assist those wanting to set up a myAlaska electronic signature account. Alaskans without computer access may apply online using public computers available in the PFD Offices, at public libraries and at Legislative Information Offices.
The 2008 PFD application period runs from January 1 through March 31, 2008. The online application will be available at 12:01 am on January 1, 2008. The 2008 dividend amount will be announced mid-September, 2008.

The popular Tundra Teacher columnist Kipling Layton of Atmautluak was in an accident where he fell while hunting during Christmas Break and will be unable to write for a while.
On December 27, 2007 he suffered a broken right foot and heel in 10 different places and has to wear a brace on his right knee. His left femur also broke in several areas and doctors had to perform surgery to insert a metal rod in it. Some of his cartilage was also mangled. One of Kip’s vertebrae was compressed during the accident and he is now wearing a back brace.
Kip was able to call his wife Irene on his cell phone for help. He was medevaced via helicopter to University Hospital in San Antonio. He is now recovering with a cast on his foot and a knee and back brace in a wheelchair. He is going to heal for a couple of months before going into physical therapy to walk and requests everyone’s prayers. Quyana!

The Bethel Regional Wind Development Workshop will be held next week on Thursday and Friday at the Bethel Cultural Center (January 10th and 11th). This two day event will be spent exploring Regional Wind Development in the Y-K Delta. Thursday’s events will be focused on providing an introduction to wind power and Friday’s will address more specific topics for regional wind systems.
The workshop, sponsored by Renewable Energy Alaska Project and the Alaska Energy Authority, has scholarships available to help cover travel costs for those in villages who wish to attend.
This meeting will bring together leaders from across the YK delta to discuss approaches that can be initiated to expand the use of wind energy throughout our region. Rising diesel fuel prices, strong community interest, and the successful wind-diesel projects in Toksook Bay and Kasigluk will be discussed as well as the steps to be undertaken to develop a wind energy deployment plan for the YK delta area. Other topics include:
Introduction to Wind Energy
•Wind Resource Basics
•Wind Characteristics
•Operation of Wind Turbines
•Small Wind Turbines
•Wind-Diesel System Basics
•YK Delta Wind Resources Summary
•Successful Project Development
Regional Wind Development
•How regional wind development could affect the local business environment and educational community
•Examples of other successful regional approaches
•Potential public-private partnerships to implement projects
If you have any questions about the workshop, please contact REAP or the Alaska Energy Authority. If you have not yet registered, please do so at http://www.eere.energy.gov/windandhydro/windpoweringamerica/registration_bethel.asp if you have any questions or problems, please contact REAP at (907) 929-7770. Quyana!

According to the Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development, Alaska’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate rose three-tenths of a percentage point to 6.4 percent in November. The comparable national rate was unchanged at 4.7 percent.
After consistent declines in the early part of 2007, the state’s unemployment rate has bounced around in the second half of the year and not revealed any clear trend. The 6.4 percent rate is below last November’s 6.6 percent, but the gap isn’t wide enough to be statistically significant.
At the regional level, Anchorage/Mat-Su had the lowest unemployment rate at 5.4 percent and Southwest had the highest at 11 percent (not seasonally adjusted).
Payroll employment estimates for November show a typical seasonal decline of 7,400 jobs, the majority in construction and seafood processing. Over-the-year growth has slowed slightly to just below 1 percent.
The largest gains were in natural resources and mining, led by continued strong growth in the oil and gas industry. Construction was the only category to show signifi cant losses, with an over-the-year decline of 800 jobs.
According to Dan Robinson, a Department of Labor economist, the latest numbers indicate that the economy is relatively stable and not making any sudden shifts either up or down.
“A 6.4 percent unemployment rate is low by historical standards and 2007 will be the 20th consecutive year of job growth, so the overall picture is mostly positive,” Robinson said. “Construction jobs have been falling, but strong growth in the oil and gas industry has compensated for those losses.”
To our readership far and wide - Happy New Year! Welcome to 2008! Thank you for a great 2007! Piurci!

Merry Christmas to everyone in the YK Delta, our subscribers, and internet readers from The Delta Discovery. Angniq Alussistuaq to all of our contributers and advertisers! Thank you for all your help and your many words of encouragement and wisdom. We appreciate every one of you. Please know that we will not publish a paper on December 26, 2007. That is our week off and we are looking forward to spending a few days of rest and relaxation with loved ones. We will pick up again on January 2, 2008 - we are looking forward to what the New Year will bring! Quyana for another great and memorable year, piurci!

To help make the decision to keep village armories open, the Alaska Army National Guard is actively seeking new recruits to enlist.
“If there is no participation, it becomes a financially unsound decision to keep an armory open,” said Sgt. Msg. Hildreth, a Recruiter for the Guard.
Hildreth wishes to keep as many armories functional – to serve as viable options for people to take shelter in if there are disasters such as floods, power outages, or cold spells in the winter.
“The armory could be the sole remaining place in any of these villages that is operational,” he said. “The Guard is there to provide help during such emergencies.”
The National Guard is also keen on making sure to honor their departed fellow comrades.
“We want local guards to best honor a fellow servicemember, rather than someone from the outside who doesn’t know anything about the person,” said Hildreth. “To have a local group, that would be the better option for us to have those honor them.”
What can a new recruit expect after enlisting?
A new recruit once enlisted is under contract with the National Guard. They are checked – medically and morally. Medically to make sure they are healthy and morally to make sure they do not have any violations or trouble with the law.
“We look into their background to make sure there is nothing we have to worry about,” Hildreth said.
After that, they are sent to Anchorage to take the ASVAB – an aptitude test, and a physical. At this time, it is also decided what job they are going to take, how long they want to serve, which bonuses to pursue, and when and where they are going to attend basic training.
Each base is specialized. New recruits attend boot camp in one of several places. Infantrymen are sent to Fort Benning, Georgia. For clerks and supply positions, new recruits are shipped to Fort Jackson, South Carolina. Fort Knox is for armor. MPs, combat engineers and chemical go to Fort Leonard Wood in Missouri. There is also Fort Sill in Lawton, Oklahoma.
“What job they are going to do dictates what location they are going to for basic and advanced trainig,” said Hildreth.
The Army National Guard Recruiters are planning to go to Akiak on their next mission. They can be reached at: 1-800-483-5296 for more information. Quyana!

Attention all Bethel Bakers/Cookie Makers, this just in from Bev Hoffman:
Bakers needed for
Christmas Cookie Extravaganza
The 15th annual Christmas Cookie Extra-vaganza will be held Sunday December 16 from 1 to 3pm at the Cultural Center. The event is sponsored by the Y/K Delta Lifesavers. All proceeds go to the swimming pool fund at Wells Fargo Bank. Please join the Y/K Delta Lifesavers! Add to the pool fund by baking 4-6 dozen of your favorite Christmas Cookie (include recipe). Please contact any of the following individuals as soon as possible: Nancy Elliott, Bev Hoffman, and Kathy Baldwin. We would like the cookies brought to the Cultural Center between 11a.m. and 12:30 that day. Happy Holidays and Quyana!

Bethel is getting help with its problems caused by alcohol according to a report published by Rider Consulting in conjunction with the Yukon Kuskokwim Health Corporation.
In 2007, the Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority and the state Division of Behavioral Health began a project to help communities that have significant public safety and emergency room problems with alcoholism to identify solutions that they can pursue.
YKHC received a grant from the Trust through the State in August to help address this problem.
In late September 2007, YKHC entered a contract with Rider Consulting to help the community assess its current status and options. Rider plans to interview key informants, conduct a literature review, identify and review data from YKHC, the Yukon Kuskokwim Correctional Center, and the Bethel Police Department about inebriated people, facilitate some meetings within the community and between the community and the state, and prepare a report detailing a plan of action including factors that affect the community’s preferences.
On October 29 and 30, 2007, the consulting team interviewed approximately 25 key people who deal with the issue of inebriated people, their safety, their health care, and their families to help understanding the problem and how it affects the community. When the team couldn’t meet with an individual in person, interviews were pursued by telephone. Additional people were interviewed at the state level, and more is expected.
The report states that police are the first line of response in alcohol related incidents. Police are mandated to address the problem under Title 47.37 but don?t have the staffing necessary and they get burned out. It takes ½ hour to 4.5 hours for an officer to get someone admitted to the Emergency Department and the need for protective custody holds is huge.
The Emergency Department at the Yukon Kuskokwim Health Corporation hospital in Bethel has 9 beds. It takes all youth, many women and fewer men. The ED generally admits 3-4 people for protective custody each day—and as many as 13 per day, totaling over 1000 last year.
Additionally, most protective custody cases have another problem aside from alcohol such as being suicidal or injured and require special attention.
As for inebriate youth, it became illegal in 2004 to take youth to Bethel Youth Facility for sleep-off, so all youth go to the ED instead: 300 or so times each year.
The Yukon Kuskokwim Correctional Center in Bethel also does 12-hour protective custody holds in two rooms, 5 per room for inebriates. Those who are severely intoxicated must go to the ER for medical clearance. Often the women’s room at the jail is filled with men, which forces women to be referred to the ER.
A call to action: On November 13, 2007, a group of 30 residents gathered to talk about the situation of inebriated people in Bethel. They declared a crisis in emergency response, substance abuse treatment, and community health.
The plan is to research certain issues and responses, and convene a second community meeting with key policymakers in state government, local governments, and regional agencies and with the Alaska Mental Health Trust. That meeting will be held December 14, 2007 in Bethel. Quyana, there is much more to this report – this is just the tip!

Nationwide, home fire losses increase during the Thanksgiving Holiday. The number one cause for this increase is unattended cooking. The Alaska Division of Fire and Life Safety recommends the following safety tips to make sure your holiday is safe.
*Never leave cooking unattended.
*When leaving the kitchen, take a timer to remind you that there is food cooking on the stove.
*When leaving the home, turn the stove off.
*Keep young children away from the stove while cooking.
*Turkey deep fat fryers should be used outside on a concrete surface. Never indoors!
*Follow the instructions on what type of oil, & how much oil to put in the fryer.
*Completely thaw the turkey before putting it in the fryer.
*Make sure that candles are kept at least 12 inches away from anything that can burn
*Keep candles in sturdy, nonflammable holders
*Do not leave children or pets unsupervised around burning candles.
*Blow out all candles when leaving the home.
Thank you to Mahlon Greene, Public Education Coordinator for Fire and Life Safety who provided these tips. For more, you can reach him at (907) 269-5052, mahlon.greene@alaska.gov or visit the www.akburny.com. Quyanaqvaall'!

The results are in for the 61 rural Alaskan entrepreneurs who competed for $700,000 in seed money at the Alaska Marketplace Competition in Fairbanks! The Alaska Marketplace, an initiative of the Alaska Federation of Natives, is sparking grassroots development in rural villages by inviting Alaskans to submit their ideas for new ways of revitalizing their communities.
“The Marketplace is a rich resource for economic development in Alaska, and is creating a bright future for the next generation in our state,” said Al Bolea, Co-Chair of the Alaska Marketplace judges committee.
The competitors, who spent months developing their business ideas, were given the opportunity to pitch their business plans to top executives from around the world. The judges evaluated the business plans according to their innovation, sustainability and profitability, job creation and exemplification of Alaskan cultural heritage.
While the judges are experts and business leaders in their respective fields, they were impressed by the competitors’ enthusiasm, originality and commitment to their communities.
“When you talk to people with so much passion, all you see is endless potential,” said Carla Beam, the Director of Community Affairs for BP Alaska’s Community Support Program.
The mission of the Alaska Marketplace is to stimulate economic development in rural Alaskan communities. Managed by AFN, the Alaska Marketplace partners are BP; ConocoPhillips; Denali Commission; Rasmuson Foundation; Telecommunications Development Fund; GCI; Alyeska Pipeline Service Company; Chugach Alaska Corporation; Doyon, Limited; National Cooperative Bank; Bristol Bay Native Corporation; Shell Exploration and Production and Wells Fargo Bank. For more information about the Alaska Marketplace, please visit www.alaskamarketplace.org.
Winners from the YK Delta include Joseph A. Afcan of St. Mary’s and Michelle Maacuar Sparck of Bethel. Congratulations to you both! Here is a summary of their projects:
One Man’s Trash is Another Man’s Treasure: Award Amount: $50,000; Project Representative: Joseph A. Afcan, St. Mary’s, Yukon/Kuskokwim Region. Almost every yard in rural communities have broken-down ATVs, outboards, snowmachines and cars. One Man’s Trash is Another Man’s Treasure will purchase these machines at low prices to rebuild or salvage, and resell at a higher price. Alaska Native values stress to take care of the lands that we hunt and occupy. There is no better place to start than the villages in which we live.
ArXotica, Inc., Award Amount: $60,000, Project Representative: Michelle (Maacuar) Sparck, Bethel, Yukon/Kuskokwim Region. In Year 1, ArXotica financed the harvesting, shipping, drying and extraction of their first generation of tundra materials and awaiting analysis of the actives in tundra botanicals. The project objective for Year 2 is to finalize product formulation of the line of skin care to launch in the luxury consumer market. As well as deciding the product formula and private label contract manufacturing and forecast the volume of plants and berries needed each year to produce for market. ArXotica has a 5-year strategy to hire gatherers and agents in order to build the infrastructure within the region to avoid outsourcing manufacturers.
Quyana for your hard work! Tua-i-ngunrituq!

The Delta Discovery met Roger Morrison and Sgt. Msg. Hildreth of the Army National Guard to discuss their plans for the next “buddy platoon”. The National Guard of Alaska is eager to get the word out to help boost declining enlistment numbers.
DD: So what’s up?
National Guardsmen: The Alaska National Guard is offering a “buddy platoon”. In a buddy platoon, everyone from the State of Alaska would be going to basic training together. We’re looking for young men up to the age of 42. They would be doing basic training and their advance individual training together. So everyone from the region would be together.
DD: What about the enlistment requirements?
NG: They have to meet the requirements to get into the military, pass the ASVAB test, go up to Anchorage and do their full physical, and pass all their requirements to get in. But instead of them going by themselves, they’d be going with a friend or with the other people from the state so they wouldn’t be the only ones from Alaska.
DD: How many can you take?
NG: I would love to have like 15 or 20. I’ll take all 45 of them if I can get that. We’ll take as many as we can get. If we get more than 45, we’ll make room for them.
DD: What is it that makes a buddy platoon successful?
NG: Your readers who have been former members of previous buddy platoons, they know what the concept means. They’ve all been down there together. Previously we’ve sent onesies and twosies and when they get down there they’re away from home, they don’t have the support network with someone they know. When we send them down in big groups they come back a lot more successful, they get a lot more qualified and they seem to enjoy it quite a bit. Ft. Benning is a real blast.
Over the years we’ve done quite a few buddy platoons but it’s been a number of years since one has taken place. We’re trying to get the word out that we’re doing another buddy platoon. Probably a lot of guys in the villages know the term because they were members of one in years past. We’ll actually physically take them all the way down to Benning, get them through the first couple of weeks, hand them off to the drill sergeant, and when they graduate we’ll escort them back up. It’s a good trip, a lot of people have a good time with it.
DD: What about the training schedule and their duty status?
NG: While they’re down there, they’re on full time active duty status so they’ll be making a lot more. But when the training is done, they will come back to their homes and do one week out of the month, 2 weeks out of the year. The average is about 39 days total. The Guard is trying a new concept where they’re going 4-5 days at a time to do drills where we fly everybody into Fairbanks or Anchorage or wherever. We’re trying that concept as well. But traditionally, the guard is one week in a month and two weeks out of the year.
DD: Anything else that’s new?
NG: I wanted to talk about Active First, which the guard is just now starting. What it is is young men or women that join up into the National Guard, but they do active duty first. So they would be coming and talking to me and I would be doing all the paperwork to get them in. They could do up to 30, 36 or 48 months of active duty. Instead of coming back home when the training is over, they’d go off to Ft. Benning or someplace like that and do 30, 36, or 48 months. And for the 36 or 48 they get a $20,000 bonus for the active duty part, and then when they finish up their, for example, 48 months of active duty status, they come back and join the National Guard again, they’ll sign a different deal, releasing them from active duty giving them back to us, and they’ll get another $20,000 bonus for doing that. They’ll actually get a full $40,000 bonus.
DD: What other benefits does that give young recruits?
NG: A lot of training and a lot of experience. They can put on their résumé that they've have four years working as a mechanic, clerk, medic, or whatever. It is a good résumé builder. They get a lot of benefits to come back and continue their education and get their degrees and become involved in the community at some point.
DD: That sounds excellent.
NG: It’s pretty good. I (Hildreth) grew up here as a kid. I was looking for a way to get out of town. A lot of kids need that change at that critical age when they’re growing. There are a lot of distractions at that age and they can get into trouble a lot real quick around here. It’s a good option to get away from town for a while to clear your distance from a lot of things you know and understand and get to a new place and learn. It helps you get the skills and maturity and to grow emotionally and come back with the intent to go into school. It’s a good way to get going in life.
DD: Is there a decline in enlistment from this area?
NG: Yes, western Alaska used to be one of the biggest in the state for the National Guard, it was huge. 500 people used to participate from here. That outshadowed any other unit in the state by a couple hundred people. Nobody else could muster the number of people that participated like this region could. Through the 90s it slowly declined and in 2000 it plummeted. We’re trying to get it going again, trying to get that participation level up again.
If you walk around in the houses in the village, you see the photos of every one that was in the service. You see all these pictures of every able bodied male and female that had participated at some point through the 70s, 80s, and end of the mid 90s. We want to continue to get more people in the process. There are a lot of good people out here. We need to get that back.
Sgt. Msg. Hildreth and Roger Morrison are scheduled to be in Holy Cross on November 13, 2007. To reach them or to learn more, you can call the Army National Guard in Bethel at 543-5296. People in the villages can call 1-800-483-5296. Email is roger.Morrison@us.army.gov. Quyana!

It won’t be long before the rumble of heavy equipment signals the beginning of a training program unlike any other in the country. Students will soon have the opportunity for hands-on experience in building the kind of pipeline that will someday transport natural gas from Alaska’s North Slope. The sixth annual Pipeline Training event will be held in Fairbanks, October 22-November 1.
Along with the skills students gain in their respective trades, trainees will practice all phases of pipeline construction as a combined workforce. From fabricating support members, installing road crossings, welding, and heavy equipment operation, workers learn the teamwork it takes to build a pipeline across the Last Frontier. Thanks to past pipeline training events, hundreds of workers now have what it takes to work on pipeline projects around Alaska. Many past participants are already at work on jobs in the oil patch.
The pipeline training is hosted by Alaska Works Partnership, the Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development, the Denali Commission, local contractors and Alaska’s four pipeline unions – Plumbers and Pipefitters Local 375, Laborers Local 942, Operating Engineers Local 302, and Teamsters Local 959. The training will take place on 20 acres of Great Northwest, Inc.’s yard.
AWP will be providing training site visits Oct 25th – Oct 31st; November 1st, 3:30 p.m. - 4:30 pm: Training site demonstration; 5:00 p.m. - 6:00 pm: Graduation at Pioneer Park Civic Center. For more information about the Pipeline Training, contact Randy Cheap, Alaska Works Partnership at 907-457-2597.
Here are some highlights from the 2006 Pipeline Academy:
•Ninety-seven apprentices and beginning pipeline workers were trained to go to work on Alaska’s North Slope. Pioneer Natural Resources Oooguruk Project and the replacement of 17 miles of Trans-Alaska Pipeline were two projects that required trained workers.
•Nearly 20 percent of participants were Alaska Native.
•Rural students came from as far away as Kiana, Napakiak, Amber and Dillingham.
•Twenty percent of participants were female.
•More than 60 percent of participants were between the ages of 18-29.
•As part of the training, students constructed a 2,000 foot, 12-inch diameter pipeline.
Trainees will practice all phases of pipeline construction as a combined workforce, including driving heavy equipment such as a "rollinger". Good luck! Piurci.

Joe Schmidt, the Commissioner for the State of Alaska’s Department of Corrections made another visit to Bethel to continue with the plan to expand the Yukon Kuskokwim Correctional Center as part of Alaska’s jail expansion program. The visit is the second of two recent trips to Bethel.
During the first trip, Schmidt was met with overwhelming support for expanding the Bethel Jail, which is part of a four part expansion plan. The other parts include expansions to the jails in the Matanuska Valley, Seward, and Fairbanks.
According to Schmidt, after new jails were built in the 80’s and when any new beds weren’t built throughout the 90s, the State jails ran out of room and became crowded. Alaska started using an out of state vendor for overflow and the problem got worse.
It is well known that prisoners in the Arizona jail want to come home to Alaska and be closer to home.
“That’s what this expansion in Bethel is all about, it’s what all the expansions are all about to a degree but particularly Bethel because of the cultural issue. It is particularly the young people that are getting removed from their culture. The culture from a rural village is wildly different from a desert in Arizona.
“Classification tells me that there’s a 100 throughout the system – Arizona, Anchorage, and all around the system - that belong here (in Bethel) and will reintegrate through here. This expansion will give us 68 new beds and that is better than what we’ve got now,” said Schmidt.
A report released by the judicial council last January says that 66% of the people that are arrested have been back in custody within three years.
“In the state, the police arrest and we process 33,000 per year,” Schmidt said. “That means 20,000 have been in custody within three years. We need the resource, we need the jail beds.”
One of the major issues that came up during the visit was Title 47 that pertains to the protective custody inebriates. Drunks are overwhelming the jail, hospital, and City of Bethel Police with their numbers and need a safe place to sleep off their intoxication.
“We do more than a 1000 (protective custody cases) a year that we book in,” said Schmidt. “There is even more than that are dealt with by the hospital or by the police that we don’t book in so it was identified to us as a substantial problem here needing to be dealt with.”
Title 47 is a non-criminal commitment and are really not a corrections prisoner per se, said Schmidt. However, they need a place to go. Part of the expansion plan is to a little more than double the inebriate cells that are available. Currently at the Bethel jail there is enough room to put 10 inebriates if they are all of one gender. Otherwise 5 can go in one cell, and 5 in the other.
Discussion which occurred between the Commissioner and Yukon Kuskokwim Health Corporation administration during the visit also turned towards the need for a nurse to monitor the incapacitated drunks at night to help with staffing.
“We’re talking with YKHC asking for some help in staffing. We don’t have a nurse at night to monitor these people when they come in so we’re asking for some help there and we’re talking back and forth about that,” said Schmidt.
It is very expensive to build in Bethel, especially hardened prison buildings with steel, metal, concrete, and electric doors, said Schmidt. So it was decided that a prefabricated building like an office type structure to house the superintendent, the administrative manager, the clerk, and storage for the kitchen could be built instead.
“The part of this building that is already inside the hardened structure, the expensive piece is already built, let’s just use it. Instead of having the superintendent inside this, we can put the superintendent outside along with the administrative manager and support staff and keep the prisoners in here,” he said.
Additionally, on the other side of the jail, the Commissioner wants to build a little side building that would serve as a small dormitory area. The gymnasium, which is already in the hardened structure of the building, would be converted into a dorm area with 48 beds.
“That is kind of a picture of how we’re going to do it now when we couldn’t do it before,” said the Commissioner. “We couldn’t afford to build a big hardened structure, we don’t have enough land anywhere and it wasn’t going to work out. But if we use what we already have and just add some softer buildings next to it…that’s what the visit brings.”
The next step is to get the operating agreements all signed in the next 60 days, get the bonds out for sale by next spring, design and engineer, and the following spring start breaking ground, said Schmidt. The jail expansion project will be completed by 2011.

Twenty-eight young Alaska Native leaders (18-35 years old) from around the state of Alaska were selected and completed the first week-long gathering of the Arctic Institute for Indigenous Leadership (AIIL), held in Fairbanks.
The goal of the AIIL is to support the personal and professional growth of young leaders while providing an opportunity to build a statewide network. The Institute was effective in building trust, common understanding, and mutual support among the community.
According to Karlin Itchoak, AIIL participant and owner of Itchoak Tribal Services, “(The) AIIL is amazing! What an important group of young and inspiring leaders. The group is well balanced, intuitive, intelligent, and rooted in the retaining and maintaining of Native cultures, and traditions all with a passion and commitment toward leadership. These young leaders are free-thinking visionaries with creative and unique ideas for problem-solving and consensus building.”
Indigenous communities in Alaska, while diverse in their geographic and cultural heritage, face similar challenges in the process of decolonization. This unique Institute has been a timely opportunity for the next generation of leaders to build a foundation of history and knowledge that is often not obtained in mainstream curriculums.
Pearl Brower, who works for the President of Ilisagvik College, states: “This institute was an experience of a lifetime. It was amazing to interact with so many passionate, brilliant Native young adults. I think bonds have been made that will last a lifetime. I think these relations will cover time, distance, and culture.”
The Leadership Institute has created a community among young Alaskan Native leaders who are committed to personal and community healing. These young Alaska Native people seek creative and innovative approaches to revitalizing our cultures, languages, and ways of living utilizing traditional knowledge and modern technology.
“This has been the best growing and learning experiences I have ever had. It was absolutely amazing to sit with other young Alaska Native leaders and share food, songs, dances and similar challenges that we all face today,” states Shawna Larson of Alaska Community Action on Toxics and Indigenous Environmental Network.
Norman Ayagalria, John Chase, Teresa Flores, Julien Jacobs, and Carl Wassillie who are from the YK Delta area were participants in the institute. A complete list of participants and more information can be found at: www.nativemovement.org/alaska/aiil.html. Piurci!

Senator Ted Stevens (R-Alaska) and Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) today praised the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) for releasing $1.7 million to Alaska for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). This nationwide program is designed to help low-income families and senior citizens pay home energy costs. Today’s allocation represents a $320,000 increase over the total funding distributed to Alaska last year.
“Last winter, some Alaskans were paying over $10 a gallon for heating oil,” said Senator Stevens. “To address this growing concern, I have worked with my Senate colleagues on both sides of the aisle to ensure LIHEAP is adequately funded. This allocation will have an immediate impact in Alaska, but it is imperative that we look beyond the short term. Congress and the State must continue to explore new and innovative ways to get rural Alaskans access to affordable energy.”
“The cost of energy is having a detrimental impact across the State, particularly in rural areas,” said Senator Murkowski. “This increase to LIHEAP will help the state provide assistance to more Alaskans during the critical winter months; however, I recognize we must find a more secure, long-term solution to this problem. Senator Stevens and I will continue to promote increasing energy supplies throughout the state through traditional and renewable sources.”
As the prices of natural gas, heating oil, propane, and electricity continue to rise, home energy costs are increasingly unaffordable for millions of Americans, especially those living in rural areas. LIHEAP provides a vital safety net for low-income households, disabled individuals, and senior citizens in Alaska and throughout the nation. The program also helps low-income homeowners weatherize their homes to save energy and lower their energy expenses. Senators Stevens and Murkowski have been staunch supporters of increasing funds available for the LIHEAP program.
In Alaska, LIHEAP is administered through the State Department of Health and Social Services. Additional information can be found by calling 1-888-804-6330 or visiting www.hss.state.ak.us/dpa/programs/hap/. Quyana!

To all eligible voters - please remember to go to the polls on October 2, 2007 and show your support for your favorite candidates.
This year's vote includes school board hopefuls. For the Bethel ASB, the following candidates have submitted their names for two open Bethel Advisory School Board seats: Greg McIntyre (incumbent), Bob Herron, and Ed Pironti. The two seats were previously held by Greg McIntyre, who is running as an incumbent, and Mary Thompson, who has recently moved out of town. Good luck to all those running for office, piurci!

On August 30, 2007, the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, under a delegation of authority from the Board of Game, adopted as emergency regulations changes in Title 5 of the Alaska Administrative Code dealing with bag limits for dark geese, including the following:
The changes were made in several areas in Alaska. In Units 9, 10, 17 and 18, the daily limit of dark increased from 4 per day, 8 in possession to 6 per day, 12 in possession.
However, in Units 9 (A-C) and 17 the dark goose limit includes no more than 4 Canada geese, and in Units 9 (E) and 18, the limit for dark geese includes no more than 2 Canada geese.
The reason for the proposed action is for compliance with federal law and to establish a public hunting opportunity that cannot be adopted within a normal regulatory meeting schedule of the Alaska Board of Game.
In addition, most Alaskans have a very short window of goose hunting opportunities as all goose species begin leaving their summer breeding grounds and head for warmer climates in the Lower ‘48 by late August.
The emergency regulations take effect August 31, 2007 and will expire December 28, 2007. The Alaska Department of Fish and Game intends to make the emergency regulations permanent.
People are invited to comment on the regulation changes, including the potential costs to private persons of complying with the changes, by submitting written comments to: Tom Rothe, Waterfowl Coordinator, at Alaska Department of Fish and Game, 525 W. 67th Avenue, Anchorage, Alaska 99518.
The comments must be received no later than 5:00 p.m. on October 19, 2007. Written comments received are public records and are subject to public inspection.
If you are a person with a disability who needs a special accommodation in order to participate in this process, please contact Olivia Orsborn at (907) 465-4110 no later than October 5, 2007, to ensure that any necessary accommodations can be provided.

Spirit of Youth (SOY) is a state wide non-profit organization that recognizes youth for good things they are doing in their community. SOY began in 1997 as a media-based project to address the growing negative image of teens. Since then, hundreds of stories have spread through television, radio and local newspapers.
The Spirit of Youth campaign salutes Alaska teens who make positive contributions to their communities. This campaign recognizes youth on several levels: from certificates of appreciation and award mementos, to media coverage on local radio, TV or newspapers, to the prestigious awards at the annual Spirit of Youth banquet.
Recognition Campaign
Nominations are made by anyone who wishes to recognize a hard-working, inspiring young person or youth group. Recommendations come from school staff and board members, youth clubs and organizations, the business and faith community, or other teenagers.
A nomination can be submitted via mail; through our website (www.spiritofyouth.org) or faxed by anyone who wishes to recognize a special and unique teen. SOY's teen action council reviews and makes recommendations on stories across Alaska in the following eleven award categories:
Environmental Activism, Fine Arts (dance, theater, music, art), Cultural Activities, Overcoming Challenges, Participation in Government or Business, Science & Environment, Technology & Media, Life saver (crisis response) & Prevention, Service (to children, peers or community), and Faith-based Service.
Eligibility: SOY wants to recognize Alaska youth (ages 12-19) statewide. Nominations may be submitted for an individual or group. Spirit of Youth encourages nominations about:
•Youth-initiated or youth-led projects.
•Youth who help others and improve the quality of life in their community.
•Youth who do interesting, creative activities that typically don’t get noticed.
•Youth that are an inspiration to others.
Every teenager nominated receives a letter of congratulations, a CD case, key chain and a special recognition pin to give to someone special in their life. A school board member or local official also recognizes them in a public forum and presents them with an official certificate of achievement signed by the Lt. Governor of Alaska. Once a year, the Teen Action Council selects the two finalists in each category to be honored at SOY's Annual Awards Banquet.
Through its programs, Spirit of Youth reinforces the following Developmental Assets: positive values and skills, adult and peer support, constructive use of time, and positive identity. Spirit of Youth is governed by a Board of Directors; one fourth of its members are youth! The driving force behind the organization is the Teen Action Council. SOYTAC as it’s known, is involved in phases of all programs and most all of its decisions. For more information contact: (907) 566-7676 www.spiritofyouth.org. Nominate a teen, Anytime, Anywhere in Alaska! Quyana!

After thousands and thousands of comments, Alaskans have chosen a winner for the Alaska quarter design. “The Great Land” Alaska quarter depicts a bear emerging from a stream with a salmon.
The coin selection process began in January 2006 where Alaskans submitted their narrative designs for the quarter. Of the 851 submissions, 19 were from the YK Delta region. The choices were narrowed down to four – a polar bear, a miner, a grizzly bear, and a musher. Alaskans were asked to comment on each design at Governor Palin’s website. The United States Mint will produce the coin with the new design.
“The design chosen for the Alaska Quarter is important because it shows the world how we view our State and will be collected by many for at least 30 years,” said the Alaska Commemorative Coin Commission.
Alaska’s new state quarter will be released in August 2008.

Happy 8th Birthday to The Delta Discovery
On September 1, 1999, the very first issue of The Delta Discovery rolled off the presses and into our hearts and homes, courtesy of founding fathers Ted Horner and Carle Grille. We thank all of our supporters and our contributors for your generosity and understanding that you have shown us throughout the years and hope that we will always be a part of your lives here in the YK Delta! Angniq Anutiiq!

Governor Sarah Palin announced on August 24, 2007, the sale of the state’s Westwind II jet. The aircraft was sold to Valdez businessman Larry Reynolds for $2,100,000. Several attempts to sell the jet on eBay were unsuccessful.
“From the beginning of my administration, no state agencies have ever used or requested use of the jet,” said Governor Palin. “If the Department of Public Safety decides at a future date that it needs another aircraft, we will invest in something more sensible that can land on Alaska’s rural airstrips. Any purchase, if deemed necessary, will go through the normal legislative budget process.”
The jet is currently parked in a hangar in Anchorage. Reynolds is expected to take custody of the aircraft this week.
The jet was purchased for $2,692,600 in November 2005 by the Murkowski administration. Since then, the state has been paying it off at a rate of $62,492.79 per quarter. Governor Palin has never used the jet.

Thank you to Mikelnguut Elitnaurviat Volunteer Coordinator Bev Hoffman for sharing this with our readers on this first week of school:
When parents are involved in their children’s education, kids do better in school. Want to learn how to help your child achieve and succeed? Read on!
•Why Is Parental Involvement Important?
*When parents are involved in their children’s education at home, they do better in school. And when parents are involved in school, children go farther in school — and the schools they go to are better.
*The family makes critical contributions to student achievement from preschool through high school. A home environment that encourages learning is more important to student achievement than income, education level or cultural background.
*Reading achievement is more dependent on learning activities in the home than is math or science. Reading aloud to children is the most important activity that parents can do to increase their child’s chance of reading success. Talking to children about books and stories read to them also supports reading achievement.
*When children and parents talk regularly about school, children perform better academically.
*Three kinds of parental involvement at home are consistently associated with higher student achievement: actively organizing and monitoring a child’s time, helping with homework and discussing school matters.
*The earlier that parent involvement begins in a child’s educational process, the more powerful the effects.
*Positive results of parental involvement include improved student achievement, reduced absenteeism, improved behavior, and restored confidence among parents in their children’s schooling.
How Can Parents Get Involved?
Involvement in your child’s education can mean:
*Reading to your Child *Checking homework every night *Discussing your children’s progress with teachers *Limiting TV viewing on school nights *Make sure they get a good nights rest. (At least 10 hours of sleep a night) *Start off the day with something nutritious to eat *Ask your children every day, “How was school today?” That will send a clear message that their schoolwork is important to you and that you expect them to learn. *Volunteer in the classroom.
Check out nea.org & other parent resources on the internet for more tips! Quyana!

In an effort to prevent injuries related to bike accidents, YKHC Injury Control & EMS is partnering with the Bethel Police Department and the Bethel Fire Department to promote and reward bicycle helmet usage and safe riding behaviors in the community.
Beginning Monday, August 13th, children who are observed wearing a helmet that fits properly and practicing safe biking behaviors will receive a $2.00 ice-cream coupon. Coupons are redeemable at QFC I, II, or Swanson’s Store and can be used towards a popsicle or ice-cream cone. A total of 150 coupons will be given out to children and teens.
What is safe biking?
•Wear a helmet that fits properly
-Must fit comfortably
-Touch all sides of the head
-Level and stable
-Held with the strap comfortably snug
What are safe biking behaviors?
•Stop before crossing the street. Practice looking Left, Right, Left
•Obey the Stop signs
•Check behind before turning, swerving, or changing lanes.
•Ride with traffic
•Utilize hand signals
If you are following someone, remember to look both ways before crossing and use hand signals.
“We can avoid any possible injury, especially head injury, related to bike accidents,” said Brian Lefferts, Injury Prevention Manager for YKHC. “This is why we are working together to promote bike safety in our community.”
For more information about this initiative, contact Teresa Markham with Injury Prevention at 543-6085.

The Art Guild is committed to keeping the Arts alive and vibrant by encouraging young artists to explore educational and career possibilities. The Art Guild is open to accepting applications for the 2007-2008 academic school year. This year two $1,000 scholarships will be awarded.
To be eligible for the scholarship, applicants must be:
•Yukon-Kuskokwim delta resident
•High School senior to graduate spring 2007 or freshman student currently enrolled in a post-secondary school
•Applied to or accepted for admission as a full-time student at a college, university or art school fall 2007
•Art Guild family members are not eligible
To apply, please provide:
•Name, address, and telephone number
•Current transcript with GPA
•Name of college you plan to attend and proof of registration
•Estimated cost of education for one year (tuition, room & board, books, etc.)
•Letter from art teacher or person knowledgeable of your talents
•Three examples of your art (slides or photos or original pieces)
•An essay describing your future plans and goals
Students awarded scholarships will receive payment upon official proof of admission/registration to university, college, or art school by Sept. 2007. Apply by mail or drop off at the Art Gallery, 291 Third Ave. P.O. Box 1250, Bethel AK 99559. Applications must be received by August 20, 2007.

This very old photograph is on display at the Kuskokwim Community College in Bethel and the staff and administration would like to invite the public to help identify the children in the picture. The donated photo is a very large copy and shows eight children with their puppies. It is an excellent old photo which belonged to the Library of Congress and was probably taken in the early 1900's by an unknown photographer. One of the staff members at KuC found it on a website and it was able to get a copy. For more information about the photograph or to help identify, you can call Martha Glore or Mary Pete at 543-4501. Good luck! Takuqerli!

Alaska’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was unchanged in June at 5.9 percent, according to the Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development.
The comparable national rate was also unchanged at 4.5 percent.
Alaska’s unemployment rates tend to be between one and two percentage points higher than the nation’s, but not necessarily because the state’s economy is consistently less healthy. Alaska’s very seasonal employment patterns create more short-term unemployment as job seekers and employers match themselves up every year for seasonal work.
The Denali Borough had the state’s lowest unemployment rate in June at 2.3 percent (rates for boroughs and census areas are not seasonally adjusted). The Wade Hampton Census Area had the highest at 22.8 percent.
Anchorage, Fairbanks and Juneau all registered unemployment rates for June that were about half a percentage point lower than in June 2006.
Among the state’s six economic regions, Southeast had the lowest aggregate unemployment rate, although the region has seen little employment growth. The lower rates are being caused instead by a decline in unemployment that is likely due to a combination of economic factors including the migration of workers and the aging of the work force.
Payroll employment rose by 15,400 in June, led by seasonal hires in construction, seafood processing and tourism-related businesses. Over-the-year comparisons show growth of 2,500 jobs, a little lower than in recent months.
The oil and gas industry continued to lead the way, adding 800 jobs from June 2006 to June 2007. Seafood processing, construction and government all had over-the-year declines.
Quyana cakneq Tommy Wells for taking care of The Delta Discovery in our absence and to all those who contributed. It is great to be back home!

For those of you who don’t know, I’m not really here at the moment. I writing to you from beyond.
Relax! Take a deep breath! I know for a moment you thought you were having a serious eye-popping moment. I know you were about to run screaming to who knows whom that you were getting a message from “beyond.”
Reellllaxxx. Although the idea of me speaking in a deep, Godly manner with everyone worshipping me is quite nice … I have to tell you, this isn’t that kind of message because, well, I’m still alive and no one but my wife worships me (I know this because she is always saying “Oh God!” every time I tell her something.)
Look, I’m writing to you from beyond the Canadian border. Way beyond.
Now that you know this message isn’t one telling you to have yourself measured for wings or to see if you would like to be fried or deep-roasted maybe we can move on … because, in reality, this column is about hell.
Wait! Wait! Not the fire and brimstone Hell. It’s about the hell a man has to withstand when he can’t cook; when he’s battling the heat, and he’s fighting mosquitoes.
First of all, let me tell you a simple fact: for some strange genetically-based reason I cannot cook. Not even water.
I kid you not. At our home, I am not even allowed to operate the toaster. If I need anything when my wife is gone, the standing order is for me to ask my 12-year-old son to get it – or for me to wait until she gets back.
My wife isn’t the only one who knows I can’t cook. A few years ago, a coal miner’s union in West Virginia sent me a letter asking me to stop grilling because it was fouling up their air quality.
Knowing that, you can now relate to the dilemma I faced this year in my visit to Bethel. My wife was not able to come this year because our oldest daughter is due to give us a grandchild any day. With that being said, did you know, you can eat peanut better about a billion different ways?
Peanut butter on top of the jelly …
Jelly on top of the peanut butter …
Peanut butter and jelly mixed …
Peanut butter without jelly …
Jelly without peanut butter …
I think whoever discovered the peanut should be smeared with jelly and forced to walk through a school of hungry children.
To make matters worse, Not only have I primarily lived off peanut butter, I have also came to think I’m was the Furr’s Cafeteria of the Kuskokwim River for mosquitoes. Every time I went outside, there must have been be a huge “Eat at Tommy’s” sign that started blinking in Mosquitoville.
We’re not talking about normal mosquitoes that you guys live with here, either. Most of those little devils could be classified as small birds in many countries. I am also fairly sure some of them are actually Japanese Kamikaze pilots who have not found out the war is over.
And they are thick. The other day, before I left, I was going into the post office when a man I have know for a few years stopped me and he said “I didn’t know you had surgery to implant hair on your widow’s peak.”
I didn’t. It was my new mosquito 'do.
The biggest problem I have with the mosquito -- even those here in Texas -- is the fact he isn’t a symbiotic creature. Some species of fish that hang around the shark help him and feed with him. Not the mosquito. He wants to eat well even though its host hadn’t. It just isn’t fair … they should have had to eat peanut butter and jelly, too.
The biggest hardship wasn't disguising myself to look like an Iraqi camel-tender to avoid the mozzies. It’s was the dad-gummed sun.
Do you know how hard it is to disguise a peanut butter sandwich as a hamburger at midnight when you can still see its peanut butter?
Seriously though, I want to thank everyone -- especially the people at the Family Restaurant and Shoguns who saved me from a peanut butter overdose. I had a great time and look forward to seeing everyone again next year.
I now turn the keys back over to Greg and Kelly, knowing full well they're going to continue to give you the one thing Ol' Ted Horner envisioned when he started this thing some nine years ago -- a real quality newspaper that is about you, for you and by you.
Welcome home guys .. and you can have my leftover peanut butter.

It is that time of the year again for us to go on a short vacation to visit our dear relatives and friends who live elsewhere in the great state of Alaska. Each year brings us new memories to cherish and we hope this trip will be just as great. The Delta Discovery will be left in the capable hands of Tommy Wells, our award winning sportswriter. We appreciate any assistance you may show him while he is here. Quyana and tua-i-ngunrituq!

Happy Fathers Day to all the dads out there. We hope you had a nice weekend. Piurci!

The Bethel Bike Rodeo on Saturday was a great event to promote bike safety. Hats off to the hardworking sponsors and volunteers of this fun family activity: City of Bethel Parks and Recreation, the Bethel Police Dept., Bethel Boy Scouts Troop 557 who did a great job with the bike auction and repair stations, YKHC Village Operations, the Alaska State Troopers, the Bethel Volunteer Emergency Services Association, and the Bethel Fire Department. If you are out and about and feel hungry for something quick, stop by The Roadside Grill across from GCI. The smoothies are exceptionally de-lish, especially on a hot sunny day. Work hard, play hard, and have fun! Piurci.

The return of the king salmon to the Kuskokwim River is cause to celebrate. This year's first king was caught by Frank Matthews Sr. of Quinhagak on May 15, 2007. Last year in 2006, Timothy Beebe, also of Quinhagak, caught the delta's first king on May 25. In 2004, another Quinhagak fisherman - Thomas Brown, Jr. - caught the first one on May 14, 2004. Carl Noes, a Kwethluk fisherman caught the first king on May 10th, 2003. In 2001, Jimmy Nagyuk Anaver of Quinhagak/Kipnuk caught the first king. We hope that everyone will have a successful fishing season this summer. Good luck and good fishing to you all! Quyana!

Noah “Ike” Andrew of Kwigillingok, the son of the late Frank Andrew, a master kayak builder, has built an intricate miniature kayak, perfectly proportioned and like the full sized models in every way. If it were covered with sealskin, it would be seaworthy.
All the parts of this kayak – the ukinqucuk, amuvik, the pai, and the numerous other parts are all painstakingly carved from carefully selected driftwood. It is virtually identical to the kayak built last fall at the Yupiit Piciryarait Museum by Noah Andrew and the Wilkinson family, which were featured in an October issue of The Delta Discovery.
The finished product is stained with uiteraq, or red ochre, and measures about 3 feet and weighs less than 8 oz. The pai has little wooden pegs holding it together. This trial model is the first miniature ever built and is going on its way to Anchorage where it will be shown to Yup’ik Ethnographer Ann Fienup-Riordan who is currently working on a book about Frank Andrew.
“This model is not really a model, it is the real deal,” said Bill Wilkinson, the brother-in-law of Noah. The kayak even has the grooves that are built into the wood to allow water in the kayak to drain when stored upside down. The structural integrity of this prototype is flawless. It is only lacking a sealskin covering. Sealskin when placed on the kayak frame is translucent, allowing in light for those traveling within the kayak.
“This is like 2000 years of engineering in your culture, the culmination of it, the final blueprint,” he said. “We’re as about as close to getting it mastered as we’re going to get.”
The Andrew and Wilkinson Family reside in Kwigillingok and are the owners of Qayanek, the place where traditional kayaks are built and preserved.

In this television commercial, a teenaged girl is riding an ATV while drinking and kills an innocent person walking along a trail. She is then ostracized by her peers.
This video production is a commercial about underage drinking. The campaign is called “Our Reality - Underage Drinking Campaign” and is sponsored by the Communities In Schools of Alaska and the Lower Kuskokwim School District. The Communities In Schools is a community-based organization helping kids stay in school and prepare for life.
Filming was done at the Bethel Regional High School hallways and classrooms and behind the YKHC Admin building and was completed in one day.
Kerri Fox, local Coordinator for Communities In Schools of Alaska, assisted Bethel Alternative Boarding School students and long distance educator, Christina Hum, with the background knowledge and storyboarding necessary for them to create this commercial. BABS was given the opportunity when another school had to back out and a spot opened up. Videographer Larry Bottjen of Palmer did the filming.
The commercial is 30 seconds long and will be shown on MTV, on all Alaska channels, and other channels, said Fox. However, it is unknown when the piece will be aired.
The actors and actresses include Sephora Berlin, Reid Jennings (who is also the narrator), Mariann David, Yvonne Jackson, Kyle Jimmie, Michael Rapoza, and Natasha Alexie, Christopher Olrun, and Stephanie Watson. The younger stars who participated in one of the alternate endings of the commercial are Zachary Guest and Marissa Crow, an M.E. 1st grader.
“The kids are really excited about it,” said Fox. “They worked for four weeks on this and were able to complete a lot of reading and writing standards.” Piurci!

The Alaska State Flag that flew so proudly upon the quadpod during the 2007 Kuskokwim Ice Classic will be making its way halfway around the world to be presented to the Alaska Army National Guard soldiers in Kuwait.
The flag was rescued by Bethel residents and veterans Willy Keppel and Buck Bukowski right before the ice went out during break up. They navigated the dangerous needle ice with a skiff and were able to reach the quodpod to retrieve the flag.
“That’s our state flag,” he said. “We can’t just leave it out there. You need 50 states to make our nation.”
Keppel thought it would be a nice gesture of support to send the flag to Kuwait. It is also Keppel’s and Bukowski’s wish that the flag be flown in formation by the YK soldiers.
Mike Martz of Bethel is the honorary flagbearer.
Martz, who is the Senior Producer of KYUK TV, began traveling to Kuwait on Sunday, May 13th with the flag. He will arrive into Kuwait in the early morning of May 16th and will be embedded with the Bravo Company 3rd Battalion 297th Infantry Alaska Army National guard. That is the company with most of the soldiers from the YK Delta.
For the past year and a half, Martz has been working on a documentary of the deployment of the soldiers from the YK Delta. Last December he spent 10 days with the soldiers at Camp Shelby in Mississippi towards the end of their training period. This trip will be a continuation of his project.
“I’ll get the flag to the company and they, Buck and Willie, asked if the flag could be flow in a formation by the soldiers in the battalion,” said Martz.
Martz will be feeding back radio stories to KYUK and the Alaska Public Radio Network while embedded with the soldiers in Kuwait. He will also set up a web log on the KYUK website with photos that can be accessed at www.kyuk.org.

Beloved elder Gladys Jung of Bethel celebrated her 90th birthday last week. Many friends and loved ones came to wish her a happy birthday at her comfortable home near the Kuskokwim River.
Gladys was born on April 30, 1917 in St. Michael to parents Oscar and Annie Hall. Her mother was from St. Michael and her father was from West Virginia. Gladys grew up in St. Michael until she was 11, then her and her family moved to the Kuskokwim village of Akiak. She attended school in Akiak for 2 years before moving to Bethel. In Bethel she attended the Territorial School and then the Bethel High School, which she graduated from. Gladys is a University of Alaska Fairbanks Alumna, graduating from college with a teaching degree. She returned home where she taught in the old village of Nunacuaq, which has long been gone.
In Nunacuaq she worked as an apprentice teacher. She remembers burning coal in the stove for heat. The teacher she worked with had the main school and she would send the little ones to Gladys, who was learning how to teach.
“There were no chairs and the kids would stand at the table and do their work,” she said.
Back then, there was a shortage of teachers. Gladys taught for one year at Nunacuaq then taught at Tuluksak for 1/2 year. Shortly after, she married Henry Jung and together they had nine children. The couple was asked to open the school in Napaskiak, which had not had a school before.
“My husband made little tables, there were no desks,” she recalls. “We traveled by dog team and by boat.”
She and her husband also lived and taught in Kipnuk where at the time very little English was spoken.
“I had the quietest classroom there ever could be,” she said.
After that they were transferred to Kalskag where they taught for four years, traveling the whole upriver area.
The family then moved to Sleetmute where they taught for 4 years.
“My children were growing up and they were starting to go to school and they played with the other children in the village and had a wonderful time,” she said. “It was one of the happiest times because they found friends that were the same age as them.”
The Jungs then moved down to Napakiak and taught school there for another four years, enjoying the closeness to Bethel and family.
“That was the best part,” she said.
Gladys soon resigned from her teaching and together with her husband they started a trading post, which they ran for many years. The store is now owned by her son, Richard.
Since then, Gladys has been living in Bethel where she enjoys all the sights and sounds on the Kuskokwim River.
Reminder: Teacher & Staff Appreciation Week starts on May 8. This would be a great time to thank educators for all that they do. Quyana!

Fr. Charles Peterson, S.J. and Bing Santamour are the 2007 Yukegtaaraak. They were honored at a banquet last Saturday, which featured guest speakers, a presentation by Teens Acting Against Violence, and a silent auction to raise funds in support of TWC.
The Yukegtaaraak award honors individuals who are leaders in their communities through work or volunteerism, who are role models for others, and who are devoted to their families.
For several years TWC has selected only one Yukegtaar – a word that in English means “good person”. This year as well as last year TWC selected two Yukegtaaraak. Since two people are receiving the award again this year, the name has been changed to “Yukegtaaraak”.
Bing Santamour was born the ninth of eleventh children to Cecilia Vaska Pete and William E. Pete. She was raised and educated in Bethel, attending the Bethel Territorial School and graduating from the Bethel High School in 1967. In 1984, Bing married Art Santamour; they have been married for almost 27 years. Bing and Art have one son, Seth, 26; and one daughter, Tyrene; 13 and three-quarters. They are proud grandparents of Ariel.
Bing has been dedicated to many worthy causes and organizations in Bethel throughout her life, including: many years at AVCP Inc. as a Higher Education Administrative Secretary; Assistant to the President and Higher Education Coordinator/Specialist/Director, and Director of EET & C; the City of Bethel from Feb. 2004 to July 2004 as Administrative Assistant and Senior Center Director; and the ONC Employment & Training Director from May 2005 to June 2006. Currently, she is a Tribal Court Administrator, working for the native village of Bethel.
The thing that Bing enjoys most about her work is the people – working for and with them. She has kept people, especially young people and their education, the center of her focus throughout all her career. She was instrumental in gathering information for the creation of the Bethel Alternative Boarding School and still serves on its advisory council.
Bing is also on the advisory council for KuC that is headed by Mary Pete; Mary said that Bing is completely student focused and always asks if “this is something that would help students and make their lives easier.” They share the commitment to the concept that “it takes a whole village to raise a child,” and even if that isn’t possible sometimes, Bing commits herself to constructive criticism. She is never one to say that anything will be too hard to tackle. She is always willing to take on causes and always has a willingness to get things done.
Besides giving her ideas to the education systems in Bethel, she more importantly helps individual students by mentoring, mothering, and counseling those who have committed themselves to education. James Berlin said that if it weren’t for Bing, his younger brother Matthew would have given up on his education. Bing knew what students go through in school, with the homesickness, loneliness, and studies, and helped support him through his hard times. She also pushed relentlessly for him to finish. He eventually graduated with Honors with a double major in English and Yup’ik from UAF and is now a certified teacher. James says that Bing is “an inspiration to his generation and younger generations and will always be ready to help make a better tomorrow for people in Bethel.”
Fr. Charles Jon “Chuck” Peterson, S.J. was born the younger of two boys to Gustave F. Peterson Jr., and Margaret Leppert Peterson in Missoula, Montana. He attended the St. Francis Xavier Grade School and Loyola High School, which he graduated from in 1956. He entered the Jesuit novitiate in Sheridan, Oregon straight our of high school, because he was “drawn to the Jesuit vocation by the example of all the Jesuits staffing the St. Francis Xavier parish.” From then on he was dedicated to the service of others.
Jesuit priests commit themselves to the rigors of education as well as to service, and so Fr. Chuck was asked to study the classics and humanities early in his career. He received a degree in the Classics from Loyola University, Chicago and studied philosophy for three years in West Baden, Indiana. In 1965 he received his Master’s degree in the Classics from the University of San Francisco, and in 1969 he completed his four years of theological studies at Regis College in Ontario, Canada. On June 1, 1969 he was ordained a priest in Missoula.
After he was ordained, he was sent to Bethel to help develop the Alaska Native diaconate program and also to serve as co-pastor to the Bethel, Marshall, and Russian Mission communities. This was not Fr. Chuck’s first trip to Alaska, having taught at Copper Valley School for two years starting in 1963. From the time he saw a film about missionary priests in Alaska he had the desire to do the same. In his 50 years as a priest he has fed that desire by serving in Copper Valley, St. Mary’s, Fairbanks, Nome, Hooper Bay, Scammon Bay, and Bethel.
Fr. Chuck strongly believes that “Native ministry training must take place in the social context of the candidates and of the people whom they serve,” and his dedication to this belief and the program helped make the Alaska Native diaconate program such a success in the YK delta. There are 3 native deacons in Bethel and 19 deacons in the Fairbanks Diocese.
Fr. Chuck has been a mentor and friend to many people in Bethel and the villages, especially to young people. Susan Murphy, a full-time volunteer at the Immaculate Conception Church, says that “young people can relate to him, he makes God touchable and loving.” Once, when he was at St. Mary’s, the nuns went to him to stop the students from dancing a new fangled dance called the “Twist”, and Fr. Chuck said, “What’s the problem? All it looks like they’re doing is putting out a cigarette with their foot and rubbing their bottoms with a towel!”
Bethel was Fr. Chuck’s first post as a priest and, as Susan said, “We’ve always thought of him as ours. He’s loved by the Yup’ik people and very good with them. He’s the first priest you want with you when someone is dying or sick. He’s very generous with his time.”
Fr. Charles Peterson and Bing Santamour join other honored Yukegtaaraat Annie Lou Williams, Julia Brown, Joan Hamilton, Earl Samuelson, and Sally Teeluk.

Four students from the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta were among the 24 winners in the state-wide Alaska Migratory Bird Calendar contest.
On April 10, judges in Anchorage selected two poems and two posters submitted by regional winners from the YKD. The theme for the 2008 calendar is “Healthy Birds, Healthy Families.” From Toksook Bay, Christine Francis, a member of Katie Curtis’ 7th grade class at Nelson Island School, was one of three statewide poster winners in the Grade 6–8 category. Christine’s colorful poster used a unique ground-level view of a hatching goose nest to illustrate the theme.
The YKD’s other poster winner was from Bethel, Ayaprun Elitnaurvik first-grader, Kingukaq Lowe. Along with several other students in Abby Augustine’s class who entered the local contest in February, Kingukaq used a novel 3-dimensional collage style to portray a birds’-eye view of a goose nest.
Another Ayaprun Elitnaurvik student won in the Literature competition. Izayah Narull’aq Liu, one of Karen Phillips’ students, was one of three state winners for Grades K–2. Finally, a third Bethel student was selected as the YKD region’s fourth state winner. Kilbuck Elementary teacher Sue Unin has sponsored winning entries in the Migratory Bird Calendar contest in the past, and she continued that tradition this year when 5th grader Auna Springer was selected as a state winner for Literature in the Grade 3–5 category. The poems written by Auna and Narull’aq, and the posters crafted by Kingukaq and Christine, will appear in the 2008 Alaska Migratory Bird Calendar.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service would like to congratulate the statewide winners and their teachers. The Service also thanks all of the other students, teachers, schools and communities that participated in this year’s contest for the 2008 calendar. A limited number of 2007 Alaska Migratory Bird Calendars are still available upon request at Yukon Delta National Wildlife Refuge headquarters at 807 Chief Eddie Hoffman Highway.

The Community Diversion Panel with the support of Bethel judges helps first time Minor Consuming Alcohol offenders by offering them a chance to receive help and eventually have their records wiped clean.
The youth who choose this option are required to go through counseling with elders and a youth support group, help the community through work service, and write essays to help give them self-insight about alcohol.
The idea for the CDP came out of an MCA workgroup that started meeting in December 2005. That group was comprised of every agency in town that had to do with kids, said Sally Russell who works with the Bethel Therapeutic Court.
“This whole big group of people who were concerned with MCAs just hashed everything out to make a difference in Bethel,” she said. “When kids would get an MCA, they weren’t getting anybody to sit down and talk with them. Nothing was happening to them.”
The group discovered in the law that if you have a community diversion panel that was accepted by the judge, this program could be used.
“Our judges were excited to use this process so that is how this started,” Russell said. “And the elders are the best part of it - Mary Evon and Freda Japhet - they are the heart of the whole process.”
The Community Diversion Panel began helping the MCA first offenders in January 2007. If the participants meet all the panel’s requirements, the Bethel District Attorney will completely dismiss their first time MCA charge. They will not be on probation and the MCA charge is taken completely off their record.
“It gives kids the chance to go away with a clean record and we are really glad,” said Sally Russell.
Since January, the panel has had 55 referrals to the program and are nearly ready to graduate the first participant who completed all the requirements.
It is overwhelming though, she said. The numbers are staggering.
“We have more than 370 kids coming through the Bethel District Court for MCA violations that are on probation. That is so striking. That is more kids than are in our high school,” said Russell. “The enrollment is 220 at BRHS and we have 370 youth in this town that have an MCA conviction.”
The Community Diversion Panel needs your help to form a panel of community volunteers who are interested in helping youth. The panel meets every two weeks on Monday at the Bethel Courthouse. The next meeting is on April 23, 2007 at 3pm.
“We are overwhelmed,” said Russell. “We are getting way more kids than we can handle and we would like the help of community volunteers who are interested in helping our youth.”
If anyone has questions about the Community Diversion Panel, you can call Sally Russell at 543-1121 or Bing Santamour at 543-2608. Quyana!

Five Bethel Regional High School students were honored for their achievements during their participation of the annual Voice of Democracy Essay contest.
Each year the Bethel Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 10041 sponsors the Voice of Democracy program for high school seniors. It is endorsed by the National Association of Secondary School Principals and is designed to foster patriotism by allowing students the opportunity to voice their opinion in a three to five minute essay based on an annual theme.
This year’s theme was “Freedom’s Challenges”. The winners are:
1st: Tommi Pollock
2nd: Chase Powers
3rd: Kyle Emery
4th: Melody Hoffman
5th: Sean Glasheen
All winners receive monetary prizes from the VFW and Ladies Auxiliary. Additionally, a scholarship of $1500 is also awarded to the first place winner the first year they are enrolled in college, and $1000 the next three years. The second through fifth place winners receive $1000 scholarships a year for up to four years.
The VFW also honored BRHS teacher Judy Waseirski for her help in piloting and driving the Voice of Democracy contest at her school. Also according to the Bethel VFW, last year’s Voice of Democracy winner went all the way to nationals and took 4th in the nation.

I hope everyone had a wonderful Easter last Sunday. Spring is in the air and travelers, please be careful while out on the river or while traveling between villages. See you at break up! Piurci.

City Mayor Dan Leinberger talks about community rec center and a city-owned liquor store, part 5

Quyana cakneq to all the volunteers, dancers, sponsors, artists, and visitors who made this year's Cama-i Festival one of the best we have ever seen. The spirit and beauty of Cama-i was very apparent in the hospitality and generousity of the folks of Bethel and in the excellen display of dancing from all the different dance groups. We hope to see you all again next year. Tua-i-ngunrituq!

DD: Do you have any closing comments?
Mayor DL: I think the knee-jerk reaction for people on this alcohol issue is they’ve already made up their minds without knowing what the facts are. For people to go in and vote and not know the facts I think is dangerous. A good citizen gets all the facts related to any issue and then votes accordingly. If a person on this issue ends up voting no and they’ve done all their study to try to educate themselves but still doesn’t like it - okay, sure enough, you don’t like it. But for a person to say “liquor store” – bad, and checks the ‘no’ box, that person is an idiot and they haven’t taken the time to understand the facts. Maybe if they sat down and looked at it and say yeah, I like the limitations on it, I like the restrictions and I like the rehab CSOs that we don’t have now… yeah, I’ll check ‘yes’. The same thing if a person if they say “liquor store, yeah!” and think it’s just going to be hog wild and open whenever they feel like it and they can buy as much as they want, if that person checks yes - no, that person is an idiot too because they should look on those restrictions and maybe if they don’t like the restrictions, they should vote no.
DD: If a city-owned liquor store opens and people don’t like it, they still have the option of changing it, but how soon after can they change it?
Mayor DL: Theoretically you can vote to change your damp status within I’m guessing approximately 6 months. There’s a danger in that. Barrow, I’m aware of (I’m from Barrow so I have somewhat of a unique perspective on this), during the course of about 2 or 3 years changed it’s status at least three times in 1984 from damp to dry to wet and back to damp because the vote was like 51% to 49%. Whoever lost got another petition and sure enough they won. Well then the people who lost wanted to do the same thing so it changed three of four different times in about three years. So who’s ever on the losing side should try to understand why it lost. This is a long term vision. This isn’t something that six months down the road…you don’t like it - give it a chance, 2 or 3 years. Fort Yukon said initially they had a higher crime rate related to alcohol, but after the first few months it fell back down below to of where it was prior to that and has stayed below. So give it a chance.
This concludes our discussion with Bethel City Mayor Dan Leinberger, quyana!

City Mayor Dan Leinberger talks about community rec center and a city-owned liquor store, part 4

DD: How about all those people who are opposed to a liquor store in Bethel who say that it will create more social problems, more people dying?
Mayor DL: Is that going to happen if we go to a city-owned liquor store? Sure, it still has the same possibility of happening. Will alcohol related crimes increase? I do think so in the short run. But again, over the long run - and in my opinion that is what you have to look towards - in the long run is this going to be better on alcohol related crimes, and I think it will be. After that initial euphoria, people will learn how to socially drink and not commit some of these crimes that occur when people drink far too much.
DD: But don’t you want people to not drink at all?
Mayor DL: No.
DD: Wouldn’t you rather teach people not to drink at all and have no need for alcohol?
Mayor DL: The short answer is no. I like certain types of alcohol. I like a cold beer on a hot day. I like scotch not because of the alcohol aspect of it, I like the flavor of scotch. I can’t stand gin at all (although) it’s got alcohol in it. I know there are people who don’t care what kind of alcohol it is because they’re looking for the alcohol side of it rather than the flavor side of it. Those type of people…yeah, you want to encourage not drinking at all or at least in moderation. But the only way to encourage people to not drink at all is to go dry because you’re not going to stop people from drinking now. We’ve been damp for years and years and years. There is a large portion of the community that drinks responsibly. There’s a small portion of the community that does not drink responsibly. And it’s that class of people who cannot drink responsibly who you want to educate and either teach them how to drink responsibly or teach them how to not to drink at all. But either way, that class of people won’t change because of changing the status from wet to dry. Now with the additional revenue - again it’s all kind of a guessing game until the study is finished - if there’s enough revenue then we can say, well let’s hire some Community Service Officers (CSO) who have a large responsibility. When somebody is picked up on the streets and are taken for protective custody for their own protective good, before they can take them to the jail they have to take them to the hospital and have medical doctors there say, yup they’re okay to go to the jail. Or, no they’re too drunk they need to stay here so they don’t slip into a coma or choke on their own vomit or something like that. An officer has to stay there the entire time they’re there unless they get called on a more serious call. In which case that happens then a hospital staff person has to sit with that person. So we’re talking about right now a police officer babysitting a person who is too drunk to take to the jail. We don’t want that, we want our police officers out on the streets. A CSO could take that position of babysitting that person until they were well enough to go over to the jail. We have hundreds of protective custody cases a year that the Bethel Police department has to deal with. The money from the liquor store would go into one big pot of the City and out of that pot you’ll pay for that CSO. There’s a lot of restrictions that I would put on the liquor store and the ability to hire the CSOs. It’s a package deal, that’s how I see it.
DD: What other comparative studies information is there?
Mayor DL: The only city-owned liquor store that I know is in existence is in Ft. Yukon and we have some figures from them from 1997 and 2004. That is somewhat of where we are getting some of our preliminary numbers from. But we’re also looking to the Alcohol Control Board on how much alcohol is specifically brought into Bethel. The reason why I like the idea of a delivery site is then you would have specific knowledge of how much alcohol is brought in each year so you know where your demand is. It’s all part of the sale aspect of it. I personally view the delivery site as a stepping-stone to a liquor store.
Quyana! Coming in next week’s issue will be the final conclusion of our conversation with Bethel City Mayor Dan Leinberger.

City Mayor Dan Leinberger talks about community rec center and a city-owned liquor store, part 3

DD: The increase in sales tax. A lot of people are in support of that if it were to go towards the multiuse rec center.
Mayor DL: I have heard many people say that they would support a sales tax increase. In my opinion, the problem there is anytime you increase a sales tax, economic theory says that that depresses an economy. For every dollar you now have to spend on tax, you don’t have to spend on goods and services, it depresses the economy in a bubble. Now, Bethel businesses are 5% right out of the gate at a disadvantage from the businesses in Anchorage just because of the tax, now you’re going to increase that disadvantage. So people who order from Sam’s or Costco will now have more of a reason to do that. Businesses in Bethel will suffer because of that. If the liquor store can equate that same revenue increase, why not do that? I heard people talk, “Remember when we had a bar and liquor store here there was one guy who drank a whole bottle and drowned.” You’re still going to have those same tragic and sad stories of people not handling alcohol well. However, my pet theory is, over time you will enable people who currently binge drink because of (people thinking) “How much alcohol can I bring in at one time to get to the limit to save on freight?” It costs almost the same amount to fly in a case of beer as it does to fly in five cases of beer. Well, you known, “Let’s just get all 5 1/2 cases now!” Now you’re sitting on 5 1/2 cases of beer – party! - instead of going to the liquor store, getting a six pack, or getting a case. Over the long term - and we’re talking years, a generation or two - you will change peoples’ drinking habits from binge drinking to more social drinking.
DD: Would you ban people from buying who are ordered by the court not to buy alcohol?
Mayor DL: Yes, there should be a mechanism that puts a suspension on their privileges.
DD: What about the airlines, wouldn’t they be hurt by this?
Mayor DL: They would lose on the freight side of it but at the same time in my opinion - and I’ve not seen the financials for any company other than Alaska Airlines because they are the only ones that are public, certainly Alaska Airlines could absorb that kind of loss - I have no idea what kind of revenue is created from alcohol among those various sources. But at the same time the beneficiaries are going to be the barge companies. Basically you’re going to be paying that revenue to the barge companies. So while it hurts one class of business it helps another kind and the end result is a benefit to the customer theoretically through lower prices.
DD: So a city-owned liquor store would be different from an alcohol delivery site?
Mayor DL: In most ways it would be different and in some ways it’s not. A delivery site is where you would pick it up at one site, one city-controlled site. That would be the different part of it. The similar part of it would be the control and the record keeping. That part would be the same.
DD: Some people don’t want to pick up at a delivery site because in their opinion it is very humiliating.
Mayor DL: I have a hard time believing that argument. Because, let’s say I ordered some alcohol from Brown Jug and they ship it Goldstreak on Alaska Airlines and on the side of that package in big, black letters is ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE. I don’t really understand the stigma attached to a delivery site. It’s legal, we’re not talking about some illegal activity. Alcohol in some ways is like soda. In moderation it’s fine. While alcohol has a stigma attached to it, this argument that people would find it humiliating is as if they’re trying to hide something. Alcohol should be part of mainstream society because it is already. But that part of, in my opinion, getting alcohol out in the open rather than try to hide it will get more mainstream, more social drinking rather than hiding and binge drinking.
We will continue our conversation with Mayor Dan Leinberger in next week’s issue of The Delta Discovery. Quyana!

City Mayor Dan Leinberger talks about community rec center and city-owned liquor store, part 2

DD: Did you have people say to you that they support a City-owned liquor store and purchase their alcohol from there?
Mayor DL: Yes, I’ve had people that have stopped me and said, “This town needs a liquor store.” There are many benefits a liquor store could have that we don’t presently enjoy. One is convenience. Right now, if I or anybody else wants to order alcohol, we have to wait at least a day and pay an exorbitant amount for the freight on it because it has to be flown in, as opposed to running down to your friendly neighborhood liquor store and buying. Now, my vision of this liquor store, and we have to make sure it fits within state law, is no person could buy during a month more than what the current importation limits are. So for example, I think it’s 5 1/2 cases of beer, 12 gallons that I could import into Bethel in a month. That is under state statute. We’re damp and for a damp community, the state has set limitations.
DD: So the people would have to vote it wet for the City liquor store to open.
Mayor DL: Yes.
DD: Would the importation laws still apply?
Mayor DL: Well, that is what we’re studying right now. Again, my vision, if I had control over everything I would not allow importation but I would have a city liquor store with the limitations on it that are currently with importation. So a person couldn’t buy more than 12 gallons of beer in a calendar month and you couldn’t import it. So you’re not changing how much somebody could consume, you’re just changing the point of where you’re getting it. Instead of picking it up at the airport, now you’re picking it up at this one site and it’s owned by the City. And all that income is now not going to Anchorage, it’s not going to Brown Jug, or to the various airlines, it’s going to the City of Bethel. The key point it would be wet so now you’re allowing the sale of alcohol in Bethel.
Mayor DL: If we had the City-owned liquor store, we wouldn’t allow importation. You could not call up Brown Jug and say send me out three cases of Heineken. You would have to buy at the City-owned liquor store. By not allowing importation, that cuts out the illegal aspect of it. The way I would envision it, you have a city-issued permit card and when you bring your goods to the counter, you swipe the card along the same time you ring it up.
DD: So do you think the prices at the City-owned liquor store be less than ordering?
Mayor DL: Theoretically, yes. That is part of the whole feasibility thing. If nothing else, we have two things working for us with the city-owned liquor store. All your wines and distilled spirits can be barged up, an entire winter’s worth because there’s no shelf life issues with wine or hard liquors. So now your freight rate is 15 cents a pound as opposed to right now when you fly it in, you’re paying 50-75 cents a pound, plus you’re paying retail rate at Brown Jug. The city would be paying a wholesale rate. So you’d have those things in the consumers’ benefit. You would have to offset that with the overhead costs of running a building, and personnel costs. It should not be more expensive than what customers have right now. And a point would be also that alcohol can be brought in your luggage, just like you can now. That is kind of a gray area currently in the importation issues. I would allow people to bring stuff back in their luggage and not count to the monthly limit.
We will continue the interview with Mayor Dan Leinberger in next week’s issue of The Delta Discovery. Quyana!

City Mayor Dan Leinberger talks about community rec center and city-owned liquor store

DD: An ordinance was introduced at the (meeting date) that would set aside $500K per year to go towards a multiuse complex beginning in 2008. There was a comment you made that the City would have a hard time finding funds to cover operating expenses.
Mayor DL: The last two years our General Fund has had basically a breakeven situation. There is no great surplus of cash that we would be able to tap the $500K for. So standing by itself, you would have to say, we’re going to have to cut $500K from the budget somewhere, which is a monumental number. For example, that is 1/3 of the police department, that is all and plus more of the Parks and Rec. Dept. It is a substantial amount of money. I think it is a well intentioned, but somewhat ill conceived ordinance. The flipside to it is, if it had tied into it something of a revenue source, for example, if the ordinance said ‘if a sales tax increase is passed by the voters next fall, or a liquor store passes by the voters next fall’, then we will put $500K towards this. Otherwise it really hamstrings what the City could do.
DD: So $500K per year until…
Mayor DL: I believe the ordinance called for two years for the $500K. The facility is a few million dollars to build depending on the size. There were three different sizes and scopes of the facilities and I just don’t recall what those estimates were for construction. It is my belief that we could get at least 90%, and possibly even 100% of it funded by somebody other than the City of Bethel through the state legislature or the Denali Commission. There are various sources, many sources for construction money, but to my knowledge there is almost zero sources for operating expenses.
DD: Do you know how much it would cost to operate it each year and can community use cover operating expenses?
Mayor DL: A year ago there was a group of people here in town that worked very hard along with a consultant to put together three different sizes of rec facilities. Off the top of my head, after all revenue was accounted for such as user fees and stuff like that, there still would have been I think about $300,000 (approx.) shortage of expenses over revenues, and on the largest facility I want to say it was $700,000 a year. So, $500,000 would cover the medium-sized facility and it is a difficult proposition by itself. Like I said, we can get all the money necessary to build it, we’d have a beautiful facility but we won’t have the money to run it.
DD: If a City run liquor store were to be started it would need a vote from whom?
Mayor DL: The citizens of Bethel - because you’re changing your status from damp to wet and that requires a vote of the people.
DD: What does it mean to repeal an ordinance, and could this ordinance be repealed if necessary?
Mayor DL: Any ordinance, any section of the Bethel Municipal Code can be changed at anytime. We passed Ordinance 07-01 a month or two ago. Next meeting, we could simply repeal it. The same can be true of this ordinance. Councilwoman Jorgenson had made a comment (last two meetings ago) that if we pass it and we don’t get the revenue increase that would be necessary in the fall, then we can simply repeal this ordinance. But, the way I see it, there is simultaneously an initiative proposition that is moving through the community, which has the exact same language as this Ordinance 07-07 and there is a very distinct difference between the two. One is, if the ordinance is passed, it automatically stops the initiative process because we passed the ordinance that says the exact same thing. If we don’t pass the ordinance and the people get enough signatures to put it on the ballot, which would then require a special election and that special election passes then we are, under state law, locked into the language of that ordinance for two years. Nobody can change it unless you take another vote of the people to override it. Peoples’ initiatives should never be taken lightly because of the fact that you are locked into whatever passes for two years. If you pass the ordinance, it basically quells the initiative. But, if the revenue initiative doesn’t go through in the fall, then we could simply repeal the ordinance, which is not I think what the people who are sponsoring the initiative want. So, it’s somewhat kind of placating and in my opinion undermining the initiative process. If the initiative or this ordinance had tied to it some type of clause that if we get the revenue increase, then we go ahead and do the $500,000.
DD: Going back to the City liquor store, do you think there is enough community support to bring in the needed revenue?
Mayor DL: I personally think so. However, that’s the point of the Finance Committee doing a feasibility study on a liquor store. I have lots of ideas, some of them are good some of them are bad. This is an idea that I have as a means to pay for the Rec Center and other services. The Finance Committee is working on a feasibility study which in the end will say, ‘we would anticipating this liquor store to make X amount of dollars’. So if it’s several hundred thousand dollars or a million dollars or more, then it is enough of a good idea financially to take it to the people. If the feasibility study comes back and says, ‘we think it’s only going to make $50,000 a year,’ the risk to reward ratio just isn’t there.
We will continue the interview with Mayor Dan Leinberger in next week’s issue of The Delta Discovery.

It's always nice to get a call from my Dad in Toksook Bay.
This time he called and said that he had some news that I may be interested in. Apparently there was a red fox that roamed around town that had no fear of humans. "It looks like it was really angry at something. Its' tail had no fur." He added "The night before the dogs in town were making lots of noise, barking and sounded really restless. Later the next day we heard that it had mauled our neighbor's small dog that was chained and killed it! We heard that the poor dog made a whimpering sound."
Apparently they thought it was bitten in the neck area, possibly the throat.
It was later reported that the red fox was shot and killed under the village church building. The body of the fox was later sent for testing for rabbies. "We have not heard back if the fox was sick or anthing yet." Takuqerli!

What do the Seminoles in Florida, the Mashantucket Pequot in Connecticut, the Blackfeet and Chippewa Cree in Montana, and the Navajo Nation in the Four Corners have in common with the Association of Village Council Presidents? They are all owners of the Native American Bank (NAB), which hopes to provide banking services to the villages in the AVCP region and strengthen native groups financially.
AVCP last week helped set up a local office for John Panamaroff who represents NAB. Panamaroff, who is Alutiiq from Kodiak, will be spending a week each month working with tribes, businesses, or individuals with their banking needs and is available upon request for village visits.
NAB, being native-owned, seeks to empower and instill a sense of ownership into the native organizations and people it wishes to serve, said Panamaroff.
“We want the villages, the tribes, the people to feel they have ownership in this because they do already through AVCP,” he said.
NAB, which is only five years old, invests heavily in Indian country. 85% of the loans are made to native Americans – about 65-75 million dollars worth.
“What we’re doing is taking that money and re-pooling it back into those communities,” he said.
To date, NAB has made 21 straight months of profit.
“When I first learned about it, I was pretty skeptical. How can we compete against all the other big players?” said Andy Stemp of AVCP. “The difference is really an understanding of what is going on in the community.”
According to Panamaroff, NAB has a normal default rate on loans and it is an FDIC national bank approved member.
“We can do what a bank does,” he said.
AVCP is inviting anyone to call if they want a visit from John Panamaroff to talk about banking.
“We’re willing to come and share our story,” said Stemp. “If we come together, pool our money, we’re a whole lot stronger and more successful than trying to do things in an isolated way.”
Last month NAB opened an ATM machine in the AVCP-owned Allanivik Hotel, formerly Pacifica. There is also a NAB loan production office in Anchorage. To learn more about NAB, check out their link at the AVCP website: www.avcp.org.

In last week's issue there was a letter requesting donations to go towards funding a new full-sized gym for the Kilbuck replacement school. Let us support our volunteers and encourage them so that a full-sized gym for our children may become a reality. The efforts of the volunteers are commendable and your caring is one of the things that makes Bethel special.
Manaq Report: Last week we took a ride out on the ice road on the river - the manaqing was in full swing and fishers were catching lots of pike. Thanks to all who paused to chat with us & good fishing! Piurci!

Feb. 16th is Elizabeth Peratrovich Day. Elizabeth Peratrovich was a Tlingit woman from southeast Alaska who stood up for the rights of her people and fought against discrimination against Alaskan Natives. In 1941, while living in Juneau, it shocked her to see segregation signs on shops and other businesses that did not welcome natives. Together with her husband Roy, they wrote a letter to Territorial Governor Ernest Gruening about the signs and about the fact that natives paid taxes to the territory, even though the tax money was spent on schools that native children could not attend. They worked very hard lobbying the passage of an anti-discrimination law.
By 1943, the bill promoting her cause made its way into the legislature, but it failed to pass. Again in 1945, another bill was set. At this time, Elizabeth stood before the Alaska Territorial Legislature and gave her testimony. Her powerful words were enough to cause a 11-5 vote – making it unlawful to discriminate in housing, public accommodations, and restaurants. She was 34 years old and the mother of three children.
This year marks the 62nd anniversary of the passage of the first anti-discrimination law in Alaska. In 1988, the Alaska Legislature proclaimed Feb. 16th as Elizabeth Peratrovich Day to commemorate her service to her people as a voice for all Alaskan Natives. Quyana.

We received this press release last week from TAAV:
Members of Teens Acting Against Violence are launching a t-shirt design contest as part of their new teen dating violence prevention campaign in conjunction with National Teen Dating Violence Week. TAAV’s slogan for the campaign and the t-shirt design contest, “Don’t Keep in Silence, Teen Dating Violence” is meant to stimulate discussion and raise awareness among local youth. Students in grades 7-12 throughout the YK Delta are eligible to participate in this exciting contest where the winner will receive an iPod Shuffle with a $30 itunes gift certificate and the distinction of their design featuring on the new TAAV t-shirts.
This contest is an opportunity for community members and youth, in particular, to learn about teen dating violence and the dynamics of abuse. Designs for the contest are encouraged to creatively include healthy relationship values such as equality, respect, nonviolence, open communications, etc. as well as the understanding that teen dating violence is about power and control.
While the issue of violence in teen relationships is a national issue that cuts across race, gender, and socioeconomic lines, unfortunately, it is not irrelevant to our Delta youth. TAAV members themselves chose the focus of this youth-led campaign because they see that teen dating violence is a problem that affects people they know – their friends, relatives and classmates. One TAAV member agreed that, “I hear a lot about [teen dating violence]. I have cousins who’ve been in violent relationships.”
This TAAV campaign is kicking off during National Teen Dating Violence Week, recognizing across the United States from February 5-9th. In addition to the t-shirt design contest, the campaign, which will include radio PSAs, classroom presentations in village schools and various promotional materials, is a unified approach to raising awareness. TAAV member Maya Morris commented that TAAV created this campaign “to get our voices heard [by] teens who are abused or might be abused and by teens who are abusers so that we can have a safer community.”
Aina Nilsson, a recent addition to TAAV, asserted that, “People have become so comfortable… it’s not right for someone to be abused. People need to open up their eyes and really look at what’s going on.”
Since 1996, TAAV has worked to prevent violence and abuse in teen and adult relationships through peer education skits, healthy activities, and various other events. “I think it’s important to remember that there are youth in our community who care about violence and are committed to making a difference,” says Kristy Newell, TAAV Coordinator at TWC.
TAAV members first started working on this teen dating violence prevention campaign last fall after receiving a grant designed to raise awareness about youth victimization. More than 170 organizations applied to participate in the Youth Outreach for Victim Assistance (YOVA) program, sponsored by the National Crime Prevention Council and the National Center for Victims of Crime, and TAAV through Tundra Women’s Coalition was selected as one the 32 sites nationwide to receive funding and training.
Eligible youth throughout the Delta can submit their unfolded hand-drawn or computer generated designs for TAAV’s t-shirt design contest by mailing them or ropping them off at TWC. Electronic copies can also be emailed to Kristy_Newell@twcpeace.org. Entries must be received by March 20, 2007. For more information about contest guidelines, please contact Kristy at 543-3444.
YOVA receives support from the Office for Victims of Crime, a component of the U.S. Department of Justice’s Office of Justice Program (OJP). For more information about OJP, consult its website at www.ojp.usdoj.gov. For more information about the National Center for Victims of Crime, visit www.ncvc.org. For more information about Tundra Women’s Coalition, visit www.twcpeace.org or call 543-3444. Quyana!

Thank you to the K300 Committee for all their work in making sure the races ran smoothly and congratulations to all the finishers. We really appreciate the hard work the folks do at headquarters and for the K300 website and also to KYUK for the excellent race coverage. There were some excitingly close finishes this year, especially the one between 10th and 11th place finishers Aliy Zirkle and Paul Gebhardt in the K300 who came in just a second apart! Also quyana to the sponsors for the spectacular show of fireworks after the start – the kids really enjoyed that. We hope to see you again at the next K300, Bogus Creek 150, and Akiak Dash – piurci!

There is a new ATM machine at the AVCP Allanivik Hotel (formerly Pacifica) that is now available for people to use. The new ATM machine came online last Thursday and is operated through the Native American Bank. The Native American Bank is owned by tribes across the nation including AVCP, Artic Slope Regional Corporation, as well as the SeaLion Corporation of Hooper Bay. Altogether, there are 16-18 tribes across the nation who are members.
People can now come to the Allanivik to get cash. It is the 4th location in Bethel that has an ATM besides the hospital, Swanson’s, and BNC. To use the ATM, there is a $2 service charge and is available for use 24 hours, as long as there is someone at the front desk.

The McNaught Comet, which was just discovered last summer, was visible to the naked eye to folks in Alaska last week up until Thursday during the early morning and evening twilight hours. To the delight of many skygazers, this comet was very bright and visible even without magnification or telescopic aids. For those of you who missed it, here is a nice photo from our friend Allen, taken on January 11, 2007 - quyana cakneq!
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Good luck and safe mushing to the participants in the Akiak Dash, Bogus Creek, and K300 Dog Races and we'll see you at the finish line, piurci!

The 2007 New Year Baby was born to proud parents Joel Andrews of Togiak and Anna Evon of Kasigluk at the YKDRH in Bethel on January 2, 2007 at 9:39am weighing 8lbs .5oz and 22". His name is Jason Andrews. His big brother is Jacob. Congratulations!

With school starting back up again this week, we are ready to switch gears out of holiday vacation mode and back into the busy schedule of life in Bethel, the Jewel of the Kuskokwim. In the very near future our community will be hosting the highly anticipated world class sled dog events - the K300, the Bogus Creek 150, and the Akiak Dash. Good luck to all the mushers in preparing for these exciting races. Also, thank you to Golga Jacob and Nora Horn for inviting me to their home on opening night of Slaaviq, quyana!

While visiting in Hooper Bay last month, I was pleased to meet Steven Stone, the Community Liaison for Coastal Villages Region Fund. Steven has been recruiting for the upcoming ‘A' Season, but kindly took some time to show me around town. Quyana Steven for the privilege and opportunity for me to see what is new in Hooper Bay.
I am also pleased to say that the new Hooper Bay School will be celebrating its Grand Opening on January 29, 2007 at 4pm with a ribbon cutting ceremony, potluck, and activities. Congratulations!
We wish you a prosperous and wonderful 2007. Piurci!

About CVRF in our communities
CVRF's community liaisons are responsible to communicate opportunities to CVRF region residents, and to help communicate community infrastructure ideas and needs to CVRF. Each community liaison participates in recruiting activities for all CVRF programs and employment opportunities, assisting with on-going projects, and helping manage the fisheries support centers. They participate in Marine Safety Training, conduct surveys, coordinate youth leadership activities, and represent Coastal Villages at organized community events.
Through the Western Alaska CDQ Program, CVRF receives fishing allocations of State and federally managed Bering Sea fisheries, including pollock, crab, halibut, and cod fisheries.
CVRF uses these CDQ fish allocations to build sustainable fisheries related operations and infrastructure within the CVRF region so that fishermen will have markets for their catch, and residents of our 20 member communities will have opportunities for local jobs, careers in the fishing industry, scholarships, economic development, and other economic benefits....enabling residents to share in the bounty of the vast fisheries off our shores.
Coastal Villages Region Fund (CVRF) has been serving 20 coastal villages (Scammon Bay, Hooper Bay, Chevak, Newtok, Tununak, Mekoryuk, Toksook Bay, Nightmute, Chefornak, Kipnuk, Kwigillingok, Kongiganak, Tuntutuliak, Napakiak, Oscarville, Napaskiak, Eek, Quinhagak, Goodnews Bay, and Platinum) since 1992 in the Western Alaska Community Development Quota (CDQ) Program. An elected representative from each of these villages serves on the Board of Directors that is responsible for charting the course at CVRF.

The friends of Joung Ju Young, the Taxi Cab Co. driver who was shot and killed on December 9, 2006 spoke with The Delta Discovery last week about their feelings and views about the tragic death of their friend and coworker, Joung Ju Young, also known as J.J.
DD: What are your names and occupations?
PK: Peter Kim, driver of Taxi Cab and close friend of Joung Ju Young and Young Back, owner of the Taxi Cab Company.
DD: How long have you known JJ?
PK: I've known him since I came here 15 months ago. He was my trainer. He's the one who trained me how to work and we worked the same shift.
DD: Can you tell us more about JJ?
PK: He was a very nice guy, a little sensitive and shy, and he was nice to everybody. He also worked very hard - he worked 12 hour shifts. He was a regular guy and to me he was like a brother.
DD: Does he have family?
PK: He has a 13 yr. old son, a brother and sister in Korea, and also his mother who is 80 years old. He always worried about his mom. He was the main supporter of his mother. He sent her money, he worked to help her.
DD: We were very sad to hear of your loss. How have you been doing?
PK: This is very serious. I was very angry and frustrated. We are exposed and are easy targets. It is very frustrating. For the first few days, I would get mad and I felt very sad. I couldn't think of anything. I was talking to people and I realized it is not a one-time problem. I knew this was a safe place with no major crime, only minor things. At the beginning, I was just thinking, it was kids playing. But right now we look at it and it is totally different.
We try to report offenses to the police and we ask them to educate the kids on how to behave. Most schools have programs where officers come to school to speak on what's good and bad. They are involved. Kids know if you do something wrong, you get punished. When you do something right you get rewarded. Bethel seemed like a safe place, I thought.
The kids could grow up to be very violent. It is our job to raise our kids and help them to grow up. For the kids around here I think, "Where are their parents? Isn't there a curfew?" The kids are just abandoned, that is my feeling.
I drive at night, all night and I see the kids - they're riding a bike and I look at them - they're about 9, 10, 11, 12 years old - young little ones. On Friday night get out and drive in town, you're going to see lots of them. When you drive at night you're going to see them everywhere. They are always in places that are unexposed, in the dark - the places we don't want them to be. The kids do whatever they see, they do whatever they learn when they are younger. This is all related and I am very concerned.
Maybe it's our fault, your fault, my fault. Maybe we ignore our problems. We think, "It's okay, we're safe, safe." Not anymore.
When I drive at night I see a lot of kids doing drugs, hanging out, a lot of then drunk. It is a trend thing, they have to do it to be cool. It is everyone's fault by ignoring it. I really want to ask the City and the people if they would consider working out some kind of program and get involved together.
We also get a lot of prank calls and about half of them are related to racism. A lot of the drivers don't speak English very well but they understand the bad words when someone calls cursing and swearing. We hang up but our customers can hear it, it is very public. I feel sorry for the older drivers, their customers will swear at them but they don't want to lose their customers so they don't say anything. It is harassment.
Our job is to bring you wherever you want to go, it is a service to the community. If someone has a problem with a driver, it is between you and them, not between races. We get tired of it.
We also get vandalism, punctured tires, eggs thrown at us - they do it for fun. If we park in a certain area all the windows will be cracked. It costs $600 to fix a broken window. What if I lose my control? Boom. When we drive we always concentrate and then when something happens we freak out. It could lead us to lose control very easily and cause a big accident.
Sometimes we'll get a call and ten kids will be throwing eggs. A few times we caught those kids and brought them to the police. They don't do anything about it, they just let the kid go because is it a minor thing. It's time consuming, it is wasteful, so most drivers stopped doing it and they just drive off. Even they catch the guy and bring them to police, nothing happens, it is just a waste of time. I think that is wrong. We want to teach them how to be member of society.
DD: What would you like to ask of the community?
PK: We need to ask everyone's help, most importantly to catch the person. We really have to catch the guy. It will make it safer. If they have any kind of information, we want them to give it to the police.
DD: Can you tell us how you felt at the candlelight vigil ceremony on Sunday after the shooting?
PK: A lot of Koreans feel like, "If I do something or if something happens to me, nobody will care." We feel excluded. But when I saw that we were all together, marching and crying together - we felt like one, like one family. More than 100 people were there, more than we thought would come. It was very nice to see people come. We were not excluded anymore, everyone had the same feelings, we weren't different. We all felt the same inside. Everyone was showing their emotions for JJ. It was a good thing.
DD: Quyana.
Funeral services are pending for Joung Ju Young. If you wish to make a donation, please contact the City of Bethel.

To the YK Delta region residents and to our readers afar off - we wish you a very Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year. We have completed our 3rd year of working at The Delta Discovery and are very pleased. It is a great accomplishment that we would not have been able to do without your help and generousity. We will not be publishing a paper next Wednesday, that is our week. Kelly and I are looking forward to a few days of rest and to spend time with our family. The next issue of The Delta Discovery will be published on January 3rd, 2007 - the first issue of the New Year. We hope that 2007 will bring us much good news and we will strive to continue our service to you - the people of the YK delta. Quyana and Alussistuaqegcikici!

Quyana to Senator Lisa Murkowski for her work in the passage in US Senate for approving H.R. 4766, the Esther Martinez Native American Languages Act of 2006. The legislation passed the Senate earlier this week and now heads to the President's desk.
The bill extends grant funding for Native language preservation and education activities through 2012. It also creates a new focus for Native American language activities by directing federal resources to help language immersion programs, which are gaining popularity in Western Alaska. The legislation also encourages the funding of language preservation and enrichment programs.
HR 4766, a House Bill, was introduced by Representative Heather Wilson (R-NM). Senator Murkowski was one of nine Senators credited by the National Indian Education Association for moving the legislation through the Senate.
Sen. Murkowski said that the Act will give Alaska school districts and Native organizations an additional funding source to pass traditional languages down to our Native youth and ensure the survival of Native languages for generations to come. Congratulations to our immersion and first language schools who will benefit from this funding. Quyana!
At right: Rebecca Flynn walks in her school's Thank-you March for Sponsors parade with The Delta Discovery at the Ayaprun Immersion Winter Pageant.

On Monday, December 4, 2006, Sarah Palin will be sworn in as the new Governor of Alaska in Fairbanks where the signing of the Alaska State Constitution took place 50 years ago. She will be the first woman governor, and the youngest in the history of the State. She is 42. In the history of the United States, there have been 25 women governors Eight of the current governors are women, 9 including Sarah. The Lieutenant Governor will be Sean Parnell. We look forward to her governorship in the coming years, good luck!
Congratulations to the Lady Warriors on making it to State for volleyball - from what I hear, you did your best, have a great tournament at State! Tua-i-ngunrituq!

According to the Alaska State Fire Marshall's office, there have been 14 deaths caused by fire this year in Alaska. In 2005, there were 20 deaths. We were saddened to hear the news of another fire that resulted in the loss of an elder in Newtok. Please be fire safe this Christmas season.
Thank you to the Bethel Search and Rescue members for taking time to raise funds for the upcoming winter season's rescues. The service that you provide is invaluable to the people living in our rural and remote areas. I hope everyone had lots of turkey and fun this Thanksgiving. Piurci!

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone in the YK Delta, our website readers, and to our many subscribers all over the world. Thank you to all the teachers who had their students write their Thanksgiving Poems, Letters, Stories, and thoughts - they are excellent and on such short notice. Your words are the very representation of life here on the YK delta, and they are now recorded in the pages of The Delta Discovery. Have a great Thanskgiving weekend - especially to all our teachers, have a relaxing and restful break! Quyayaraqegcikici!

Thank you to Mr. Bob Herron for his comments regarding Power Cost Equalization, which he shared with The Delta Discovery. This very important piece of legislation was brought about through the hard work of our Senator Lyman Hoffman. Here is why you should urge your power company to apply for PCE and who in Alaska benefits from it:
Bob Herron: In 1979-1980 the state was getting wealthy, and so they started building a lot of the things the state needed over the years. In the urban areas they started building dams for electric energy. They built the Four Dams, Kodiak and down in southeast, and they built a big dam down by Homer that powered southcentral. The urban areas were getting a lot of big, big money projects in the early 80's for electricity, for energy, alternative energy, so their electricity was being subsidized.
The Bush Caucus came up with Power Cost Equalization. They were getting cash so people could get reduced electricity bills. But over time, especially when the state was getting poor again - it wasn't getting as much money from the oil companies - they were still subsidizing the urban areas of the state, the PCE cash money was getting smaller and smaller. So that was why Senator Hoffman and others came up with their own permanent fund that could pay for PCE without going back to the legislature all the time.
So who benefits from PCE? It is people that live in areas that are not already being subsidized by dams or other subsidies that help out the urban areas. The power companies need to know to apply for it. Hopefully every power company is applying for PCE on behalf of their customers. But literally, everyone that is not connected to the power grid in southcentral or connected to a dam benefits from PCE.
Quyana!

Election week is finally here after many long weeks of debates, political ads, and deciding who to vote for. I hope to see you at the polls on Tuesday! Good luck to all the candidates. Piurci!

Last Saturday during a mass dispensing clinic exercise, residents of Bethel were able to get a free flu shot, courtesy of the Department of Health and Social Services, Bethel Public Health Service, and YKHC. People getting their shots were able to go in and out in 10 minutes. As of 1:30pm that afternoon, my family and I were a few of the approximately 300 patients that were seen according to the volunteer staff overseeing the operation.
Why do we need to get our flu shots? Influenza is a contagious disease that can be spread from person to person through coughing or sneezing. Influenza kills about 36,000 people each year. After receiving a flu shot, it takes about 2 weeks to develop protection from influenza. That protection can last up to a year. How do I feel? Other than a slightly sore arm, I feel great knowing that we will be ready for the upcoming flu season which can peak anywhere between November and May.
November is already here. Please remember to get the rural vote out - it is very important because it closely concerns our future. Allakartairutuq!

Preserving and utilizing the knowledge of our elders as demonstrated by the Qayanek builders leaves me standing in awe. The cultural significance of your work and the depth of your understanding of this ancient artform of qayaq building is incredible. We are honored to be able to document your project in the pages of The Delta Discovery, quyana!
On a different note, a village school is one of the most important institutions in a community. It is where your children go to learn each day. It is where community events occur and where people can gather. It is where people go to enjoy themselves and watch sporting events. I am thankful to say that the school I grew up in and worked in was spared from an untimely end as you will read in the next column. Quyana!

Toksook Bay school nearly burns down in accidental fire Heroic staff worked fast to contain blaze

Last Wednesday on October 18, a small fire broke out underneath the boiler room in the crawl space of the Nelson Island School in Toksook Bay. Teachers and maintenance workers rushed to put it out, saving the village from a potentially devastating loss.
The fire began around 6pm right before a community school improvement meeting. School staff and community members in the building started noticing a smell like burning candle wax, then saw the black smoke.
Quickly, Site Administrator TJ Bentley and his staff figured out where the smoke was coming from. Marty Smith, the school's 6th grade teacher, and Joseph Bill, the maintenance man, went into the crawl space with fire extinguishers to put out the flames. Other staff assisted by evacuating the building and making sure the men had everything they needed to fight the fire.
"The school would have burned down if it had burned for five more minutes," said Smith.
Those helping put out the fire wore paper masks to protect themselves from smoke inhalation.
"It was pretty stinky," said Kevin Barnett, one of the teachers helping at the scene.
What caused the fire?
Investigation revealed that a plumber working on the school's fire suppression water tank was using a fusion coupling on some pipes that overheated, resulting in the accidental fire. The fire suppression system is not yet operational.
Undaunted, the community held their site improvement meeting, although short, after the fire was put out. The meeting ended with a spaghetti dinner that was served from the gym. School resumed the next day and students helped clean the residue left by the smoke.
Nelson Island School was built in the 1970's and the present enrollment is approximately 200 students. Valuable additions to the school are currently being built to provide more classroom space. The project is scheduled for completion in January 2007.
The village of Hooper Bay recently lost its school and several homes to a fire that was started by kids playing with matches last August. The loss was devastating.
"We're just glad to still have a school," said Barnett.

Recently it dawned on me that we forgot to wish The Delta Discovery a Happy 7th Birthday last September. We would like to thank all our contributors, past and present for their wonderful service to the people of the YK Delta, we love you all. Allakartairutuq!

The Army National Guard soldiers of the 3rd Battalion, 279th Infantry have been given 10 days of leave before they head to the Iraq/Kuwait region where they will be deployed for one year. One of the soldiers also coming home was Allen Alirkar who had been stationed in Afghanistan. I was fortunate to have been able to be there when he arrived at the airport last week where he was greeted by family and friends. Many others have come through and have no doubt have had joyous reunions with their loved ones. Allen and the others are some of the 600 Alaska National Guard soldiers from 81 communities across Alaska - we wish you the best and will pray for your safe return home. Piurci!

Approximately 600 soldiers from the 3rd Battalion, 297th Infantry of the Alaska Army National Guard will attend a farewell ceremony on Tuesday, Oct. 3, 2006, to celebrate the completion of "theater immersion training" at Camp Shelby, Miss. Following the ceremony, most soldiers will take a week of leave to see family and friends before deploying to Iraq and Kuwait later in October. The deployment is the largest for the Alaska National Guard since World War II. The ceremony will be attended by Gov. Frank Murkowski, U.S. Sen. Stevens, U.S. Sen. Murkowski. Lt. Col. Duff Mitchell, 3rd Battalion commander, said his Soldiers have spent the last three months conducting rigorous, tough and realistic training in weather conditions rivaling what they will face in Iraq and Kuwait. The battalion"s mission is to provide security for coalition forces.Most of the Soldiers in Headquarters Company are from Southeast and Southcentral Alaska. Alpha Company soldiers hail from Nome, Barrow and Fairbanks. Bravo Company Soldiers are mostly from the Bethel region and Charlie Company Soldiers are from costal communities stretching from Ketchikan to Anchorage to Kenai and Kodiak. Delta Company Soldiers are mostly from the Anchorage and Mat-Su Valley areas. The 297th regimental crest is the only crest of any activated Army unit with a Native American language motto. The Southeast Alaska Tlingit motto, Yuh Yek, translates to "Be on Watch. Ready to Fire."

Last week the Governor announced the amount for this year's PFD. For some Alaskans, especially those living in the rural areas, this income is a welcome relief. Some families put their dividends together and purchase a much needed outboard, or a snowmachine, 4-wheeler, etc. Others go Christmas shopping in Anchorage for this winter's clothing. Many will pay off bills or purchase stove oil for the approaching cold winter months. Some choose to put it safely away for a rainy day. One thing I would say is that it couldn't come at a better time. Congratulations to our runners from the YK delta who did a good job at Regions and good luck at State! Quyana and piurci.

Here is the latest list of candidates for the upcoming Regional Educational Attendance Area (REAA) district school boards elections and also the Coastal Resource Service Area (CRSA) election. Good luck to all candidates!
2006 REAA/CRSA unofficial candidate List:
REAA 22 - KASHUNAMIUT SCHOOL DISTRICT
Seat C - 3 year term
*Mary L. Jones, Chevak
Seat D - 3 year term
*Ignatius J. "Iggy" Chayalkun, Chevak
Seat E - 2 years to complete the term
*Leo X. Moses Jr., Chevak
REAA 23 - YUPIIT SCHOOL DISTRICT
Section I, Seat B - 3 year term
*Lillian M."Ayak'aq" Alexie, Akiachak
*Samuel J. George, Akiachak
*George "Nangaq" Pasitnak, Akiachak
Section II, Seat E - 3 year term
*Noah M. "Mick" Andrew, Tuluksak
*Peter J. "Uraq" Andrew, Tuluksak
*Mike Williams, Akiak
Section II, Seat F - 3 year term
*Olga E. "Aanaq" Kinegak, Tuluksak
REAA 3 - LOWER YUKON SCHOOL DISTRICT
Section I, Seat D - 3 year term
*Edward J. "Kalikurta" Adams Sr., Nunam Iqua
*Darlene A. Andrews, Emmonak
*Michael "Mike" Prince, Emmonak
*Aloysius B. "Al" Unok, Kotlik
*Mary M. Unok, Kotlik
Section II, Seat F - 2 years to complete the term
*Edgar P. Hoelscher, Hooper Bay
*George H. Smith, Scammon Bay
Section III, Seat G - 3 year term
*Vincent T. Beans, Mt. Village
*Joyce A. Brown-Rivers, Mt. Village
*Art Heckman, Pilot Station
*James C. Landlord, Mt. Village
*Andrew N. Makaily Jr., Pilot Station
*Susie V. Makaily, Pilot Station
Section III, Seat H - 3 year term
*Andrew Brown Sr., Mountain Village
*John J. "Joseph" Evan, Pilot Station
*Moses Gabrieloff, Russian Mission (awaiting certification)
*Fred P. Lamont Sr., Mountain Village
REAA 4 - LOWER KUSKOKWIM SCHOOL DISTRICT
Section I, Seat A - 3 year term
*Richard Curtis, Toksook Bay
*George J. "Dorge" Earviak Sr., Newtok
*James T. Sipary Sr., Toksook Bay
Section III, Seat C - 3 year term
*Richard L. Long, Kwethluk
*Robert "Yukaq" Nick, Bethel
Section III, Seat D - 1 year to complete the term
*Max P. Angellan, Kwethluk
Section IV, Seat F - 3 year term
*Lucy Crow, Bethel
*Nastasia K. "Nus" Markham-Wahlberg, Bethel
Section IV, Seat G - 3 year term
*Will Updegrove, Bethel
*Gary R. Vanasse, Bethel
CRSA 3 - YUKON-KUSKOKWIM (Cenaliulriit)
Section I, Seat 1 - 3 year term
*Andrew Brown Sr.
*Michael "Mike" Prince
Section III, Seat 5 - 3 year term
*John P. Andrew Sr., Kongiganak
*Mark C. Moyle, Platinum
Section III, Seat 7 - 3 year term
*Moses A. Chanar, Toksook Bay
*Pius F. Imgalrea, Chevak
*Jobe "Jobie" Weston, Mekoryuk
Elections are held annually on the first Tuesday in October. This year's election day is on October 3, 2006. This list was last updated on September 1, 2006. Takuqerli!

Last weekend, the Bethel Art Guild Steel Salmon and Raven auction raised funds to go towards renovation costs for the Art Guild building. Led by auctioneer Shane Iverson and coordinator Reyne Athanas, the event brought in $4,800.
Reyne would like to send a big thank you to the people who played music - Vince Chmielarczyk, Jesse Buchwalter, Kevin Morgan and Byron Dull - and to all the volunteers, artists and all the people who spent their money to support the arts.
There were 17 entries. Craig Updegrove's salmon entry "I am The River", the highest bid winner, brought in $650. His art piece was decorated with a multitude of smaller fish swimming up river.
Also as a reminder from Reyne, there is still time to turn in the disposable cameras to the Art Guild that were used to take photographs of the Moving Wall exhibit. Those photos will be developed and chosen pieces will be enlarged and displayed at art shows at the Yupiit Piciryarait Museum and the Art Guild in November. Of the 20 cameras that were distributed, only 13 have been returned.
Other upcoming events for the Bethel Art Guild include First Fridays and "Perfect Pie" on December 23rd. Quyanaqvaall'!

To those of us living in Bethel, here's some information about the upcoming election from the City offices:
The regular City Election will be held in the City of Bethel on Tuesday, October 3, 2006, for the purpose of electing the following: City Council - Three (3) 3-Year Council Seats. Candidates for the election are: Yolonda L. Jorgensen, Dan Leinberger, Eric Middlebrook, and R. Thor Williams. A voter may apply for an absentee ballot in person on any day beginning September 18 (9a-5p), up to Election Day. A voter who is unable to go to the polls because of physical disability may apply through a personal representative on the day of or before the date of the election. Good luck and piurci!

On the democratic ticket in the primary race for governor, Tony Knowles won 68.98% of the votes. He will be running against Sarah Palin in the General Election in November. Palin got 50.77% of the votes on the Republican ticket, while John Binkley received 29.94%. Incumbent Governor Frank Murkowski received 18.82% of the votes. For Lieutenant Governor, Ethan Burkowitz got 56.78% of the votes for the democrats and Sean Parnell received 57.42% for the republicans. In Senate District S, Lyman Hoffman (D) ran unopposed. On the republican side in a close race, Willie Keppel received 502 votes, and Norman Ayagalria 496. In House District 6, Woodie Salmon (D) ran unopposed. For the republicans, Ward Sattler received 583 votes and Carl Morgan Jr. received 965 votes. In House District 38, Mary Kapsner was unopposed.
Ballot measure 1 passed with 73.31% of voters voting yes and 26.69% voting no. Ballot measure 2 also passed with 52.0% voting yes, and 47.91% voting no.
All results are unofficial until absentee and questioned ballots are counted. Those ballots must arrive by September 6 to be counted and were postmarked by election day. Takuqerli!

This Tuesday voters will go to the polls to vote in the primary election to determine who is going to make it to the General Election this November. Voters will choose one of three ballots. Be ready for the two initiatives that you may vote on. The first one is Primary Ballot Measure #1-Campaign Contribution Limits, Lobbying, and Disclosure Initiative. The other is Primary Ballot Measure #2 - Cruise Ship Taxation, Regulation and Disclosure Initiative. The polls will be open from 7am - 8pm so be sure to go and vote! Tua-i-ngunrituq!

by K.J. Lincoln

August 3, 2006 will be remembered by residents of the YK delta as the day a part of Hooper Bay burned to the ground, making homeless the residents who lived on the hill in the older section of Hooper Bay.
The inferno took out 35 structures, including the homes of approximately 55 people. The buildings that were lost include the elementary and high school, an outbuilding, the teacher housing triplex, the Anica store, and 12 homes. The damages are estimated between $30-$35 million.
Dennis O'Brien, the school janitor got a call at his home early Thursday morning about the fire.
"I got a call to my home that there was a lot of smoke coming out of the elementary. I thought of going into my office for the water pump but there was so much smoke," he said. "I noticed it was coming from under the elementary. I wanted to go in and get all the pumps out, but there was no way I could go in."
Alberta Mann, another Hooper Bay resident, had just turned off her alarm clock snooze at 7 o'clock in the morning when she was heard pounding on her window on Thursday morning.
"I knew that something was going on because the pounding was too loud and too consistent so I opened my window and my sister-in-law and her daughter were there telling me that the school was on fire. I couldn't comprehend it in my head so I asked them again, 'What?' They said, 'Schools on fire!' and they were pointing up to the sky. There was this big black billow of smoke coming from the school."
Mann, who is the school secretary, recalled the images from the World Trade Center bombings during the evacuation.
"Alingnarqellruuq. I watched the World Trade Center on TV when it was hit by the planes and watched it go down and I saw everything else that went there and the debris after it fell. It was just like the image of the World Trade Center - boy, it was so scary. You could hear sheet metal all the way down by the river that was just making noise, explosions. We watched one building after another catch on fire and we're all so helpless. There was nothing nobody could do. They couldn't get close to the houses because there was too much stove oil and motor gas and everything else that could explode so they kept people away from up here. They tried to contain certain parts of it, but it was scary. Boy, was it scary. I've never experienced anything like this, never in my dreams did I ever thought of going through such a thing like this. I still can't believe it. I still think I am going to wake up pretty soon and it's just a big nightmare."
Myron Naneng, President of the Association of Village Council Presidents was in Hooper Bay to coordinate help and support for the community. "AVCP is gathering information on homes and will coordinate with all the different agencies statewide," he said. "We've also established a donation account at Wells Fargo for the fire relief fund."
A 24 hour relief center was established at the TC building where cooks Brenda Long and Irene Tall worked nonstop, feeding people and the many volunteer firefighters and workers from out of town who came to help.
"Yesterday when it first happened, people were flooding in here," said Lincoln Green, an employee at the TC building. What was the mood like? "People were down, homeless, hurting, no place to go, but later on they started going to their families, slowly."
Fuel tanks separated from the fire by a road survived and no one was hurt in the blaze. Residents were relieved that the wind did not shift during the blaze.
"If the wind had come from the south, half the town would have been destroyed," said Helen Seton, another resident. "We were lucky the tanks didn't have any fuel in them, if they had fuel qagellrukuneng, it would have probably be worse."
Hooper Bay has about 1,100 residents and approximately 400 are students. Over the noise of a bulldozer, Alberta Mann spoke of the needs of the student body.
"Our school capacity is about 400 kids. There's nowhere else, no other big building to place all 400 of the kids, plus we have 30-35 teachers and administration and about 30 classified employees. There's nowhere else, no housing for teachers, no big building that could take the capacity of the 400 kids. The school district is doing all they can for the community and the people. It's been tough, it's been very tough," she said.
A new school is currently being built but won't be completed in time for the new school year. Several teenagers commented on the loss of the school and where they would go to school.
"We don't really know. It's probably up to our parents which village to go to school at," said one.
"I'm going to Anchorage or Bethel," said another.
"Probably going on to Chevak or Scammon, we don't know," said a third. "I feel like going out of town 'cause there is no school here, no place to go to school to have fun at."
David Bunyan was another resident who fled the fire.
"My niece told me the elementary was burning," he said. "Already from one end to the other there were flames coming out. We had time then to grab a few things...but things can be replaced. Human lives cannot be replaced and are a greater loss. Uqamaicaaquq tua-i waniwa. Cat cimituut, yuk taugaam piaqami qivrunarqetuuq."
"Everybody is fine," said Fred Joseph who was one of those who lost his home. "That's what we're glad about."
Those who escaped the fire with only their lives expressed gratefulness for the clothing, shoes, and supplies that started pouring in from the surrounding villages and organizations. Additionally, Governor Frank Murkowski cancelled his trip to Kodiak to tour the fire devastation last Sunday.
Fire Marshals and Alaska State Troopers are investigating into the cause of the fire and returned to Anchorage late on Friday night from Hooper Bay. Initial investigation into the fire confirms that the fire originated under the elementary school. The cause of the fire was still undetermined as of last Friday.

Oil revenues are declining in Alaska and the time is now to get the gasline going to replenish the state's coffers, said Governor Frank Murkowski during a press conference in Bethel last week.
According to Murkowski, in the proposed gasline contract, which the legislature is currently working on during a second special session, the double increase in tax would generate revenue to fund the Power Cost Equalization Program to help bring down the high costs of energy in rural Alaska. He also stated that those funds could also be used to help communities pay for public services and urges the legislature to take action.
"In this contract we've negotiated, they've (gas companies) agreed to double the tax from 800 million dollars to 1.6 million and that agreement was made Feb. 20th, and by the legislature not acting since then, we've lost about 3.2 million dollars a day or about 400 million dollars since Feb. 20. If the legislature acts on it, that billion dollars of revenue will come in as of April 1st of this year. That is what will fund the Power Cost Equalization and that's what we'll use to set up a concept to fund local governments," he said.
Would that be revenue sharing?
"That's what its all about," he said.
While in Bethel, the Governor also spent some time at the McCann Inhalant Treatment Center, which was built through his efforts while in the U.S. Senate. He also spoke at the Chamber of Commerce luncheon at the Cultural Center.
Governor Frank Murkowski and First Lady Nancy Murkowski were en route to a ribbon-cutting ceremony in Nome for the grand opening of a new mine when they stopped in Bethel for a couple hours. They flew in the State's new jet.

Hey folks, sorry about our website which has not been up for the past three weeks or so. Ever since we moved to a different computer, our website capabilities have suffered. But do not despair, I am working on getting it up soon. We have been receiving many emails about this issue and our website has logged over ten thousand hits from our internet readers. Please bear with us as we try to get over this hurdle!
It is great to be back in the YK delta after being gone and it sounds like you had a good time at the Fourth of July with the festivities and the Moving Wall visit. Thank you Tommie and Pattie Wells for all your hard work while we were gone - I'm glad you had fun!
From speaking with some of you berry pickers, it sounds like the blueberries are ready to be picked. I guess we will soon find out.Thank you for your support and have a great week. Piurci!

It is that time of the year again – time for us to take a much-needed vacation to visit our family and friends who live elsewhere in the great state of Alaska. While we are away, Tommy and Pattie Wells will be keeping shop for us. Please take care of them and make them feel welcome! Thank you so much Tommy and Pattie. Piurci!

John Swanson and Mark Ireland, representatives of ConocoPhillips, came to Bethel two weeks ago. They shared their statements regarding the Alaska Gasline project with us.
What brings you to Bethel? We're here because the entire state has an opportunity to take part in the decision about this project and even though Bethel is not directly impacted with the subsequent business the project would generate, people have the opportunity to benefit by jobs and the community will benefit from tax revenues that the projects will bring. Revenue will come into the state. That flow of revenue will help and increase funding in all areas of the state and give strong stability and lots of training dollars that will be available to people, job opportunities and contracting opportunities for some corporations - so we think it is very important for people to get in touch with their legislators about this project and to make a public comment.
Which areas of the state would be directly impacted by the gasline project? The North Slope – there will be significant production and where the pipeline will be constructed.
Can you talk about the steps that would lead to a signed pipeline agreement from your point of view?
1) Satisfactory resolution of fiscal predictability on oil taxes: To develop this project, the producers began in 2001 to re-look at the project again and they recognized the cost of the project was so high so they had to reduce the risk. So working with the federal government in 2003 and 2004, loan guarantees, expedited regulatory process and to reduce the risk in terms of the project, we came to discussions with the state. The producers wanted out of this a window of time where things would remain stable and risk the investment that we are talking about here, and a stable economic project for the state. We wanted to reduce the risk of the project. It is the state's initiative to be an owner in the project to subsequently reduce the producers' investment.
2) Legislative and public review of fiscal contract: That is what is going on right now. We are hoping to get the word out across the state and encourage them to give that public input through the website, and hearings that are going on in some communities. That is the process in that we are in now. The legislature has to complete their review and get the feedback. We want people to help support the contract that we move ahead with the project and build the line and receive the proceeds, and for the explorers. This contract enables the sale of gas and thus, creates the need for the project. The long term benefit is opening up a gas industry in Alaska. In general, the oil rates have been declining and that revenue stream is getting less and less, and the gasline will reverse that trend.
The plan for the preliminary design is for $4.5 billion cubic feet of gas a day. To develop gas is much more costly in terms of the cost per unit you have to invest. That is one reason how quickly we have to move the project ahead. We are careful how we execute the project in terms of cost.
How does the state feel about it? The Governor feels strongly about it. In general, people want the project to happen. Some do not like the contract. It represents a step-out for the state. Some people feel it is not the state's role. I say it is favorable to the opportunities the gas project represents. People are interested.
3) Address public comments: These are basically the steps we are in to get the contract signed. Address the public comments - the state is out there. Once all those comments are in, the administration who negotiated with the producers will come back to the producers and make changes from what we heard from the public. The administration will come back to talk with the producers based on the needs and desires of Alaskans. Once that happens, the contract will be reissued and the legislature will authorize the contract to be signed by the Governor. The Governor and the producers will sign and it will go into effect. Once those steps are completed, within 90 days, the project team will be set up and they will start working.
What are the greatest benefits of the gasline project? The greatest benefit is opening up the natural gas industry in Alaska and to replace the declining oil. The gas might last 50 years plus. Based on the initial design it will be full for 30 years. And then we have to see how successful additional exploration is for gas. The federal government thinks there is a lot more gas to be found.
What about ANWR? ANWR is not open for exploration and that is a government decision that has to be made. We feel confident that we will reduce the impact on the environment and we are confident that a balance will be achieved.
What about the oil leak up on the North Slope this winter? It has been completely cleaned up. The problem of that sort is never good. The best part of it was that it was in the middle of winter - snow cover, frozen tundra, much easier to clean up. That area will be tracked.
What about workers with families? The pipeline project will have schedules where people are on several weeks on and several weeks off. For the development it will be like a normal commute back and forth to the house. It might be a rotation, like it is today. The remote location causes the rotation.
Do you offer counseling for addictions for your workers and drug testing? Yes, we do. Counseling is available. We do drug testing on all our employees and our contractors do also.
Quyana!

Last week the Governor's gasline advisor, Chuck Logsdon, visited Bethel to speak to citizens about the Alaska gas pipeline project. He spoke at the Bethel Chamber of Commerce's Thursday luncheon to talk about and explain this very immense and historical project. He called it the "biggest construction project in the history of the United States". Here is some information that he distributed to the public about the gasline project.
What is the Alaska gas pipeline project? The Alaska gas pipeline project involves the construction of a 2,140 mile large-diameter, large volume natural gas pipeline and related facilities that would stretch from Prudhoe Bay on Alaska's North Slope south to Alberta, Canada where it will connect to an existing pipeline system. The contract between the State of Alaska and the North Slope producers (ExxonMobil, BP and ConocoPhillips) also provides for possible state participation in an eventual Alberta to Chicago pipeline. The pipeline would have a design capacity enabling it to transport more than four billion cubic feet to North Slope natural gas per day to the North American market, where it would be used to heat homes and power industry.
Alaskans are given the opportunity to make comments regarding this project until June 23, 2006, although Mr. Logsdon thought that they may extend it until July 15th, 2006. The Governor urges people to participate in the public process and to call our legislators. Ak'akiika!

First barge in Bethel

After experiencing some unforeseen technical difficulties, we are pleased with this new issue of The Delta Discovery and are more pleased to be able to share it with all of you. It was a challenge – thank you for your help and patience.
As for our website (www.deltadiscovery.com) we apologize for the delay in keeping it up and running. I know many of our readers depend on it each week to learn about what is going on our homeland - the YK delta and in the rest of Alaska. We are still working out the details and I hope that in a few days I will have it all figured out. Having worked a lot with websites, I am confident that we will get through this one.
To all the villages, we will be switching over soon to our summer distribution list. If you have any questions about receiving The Delta Discovery, please call or email us. We love to hear from you. Takuqerli!

This report is from the National Weather Service website. As of May 21, 2006, there were flood warnings for the Kuskokwim River at Tuluksak and Kwethluk and a flood warning for the Kuskokwim River at Kwethluk and a flood watch for the Kuskokwim River at Akiak.

The current flood potential for ice jam flooding is moderate to high for the Yukon River delta villages. It is also moderate to high for the Kuskokwim River from Tuluksak downstream.

The Yukon River is open above Beaver and mostly open from Beaver to Kaltag. The ice jams below Koyukuk and Nulato released on Friday and the breakup front was reported to be 15 miles below Kaltag on Saturday. At Grayling, the ice moved for about an hour at 11 pm last night. At Russian Mission, the ice was reported to be rotten and unsafe though no movement was noted. Further downstream the ice was solid and in place.

The Kuskokwim River is mostly open above Kalskag. An ice jam above Tuluksak moved to a few miles below the village and water was backing up and was reported covering the extreme southern portion of the runway. There was also a plug of chunk ice in the mouth of the Tuluksak River. From about 8 miles upstream of Akiak through the village the ice was relatively solid. Below Akiachak the ice is still solid.

The following table gives an estimation of flood potential for various locations around the state and basin runoff volumes.

Last week on Friday, May 12th, the river ice on the Kuskokwim began moving near Aniak around 2:20pm. The movement lasted approximately 20 minutes, said residents, but has not moved since as of Sunday, (See page 5). Also on Sunday, it was reported that there was flooding occurring in Red Devil, upriver from Aniak.

At exactly 11:40:51 a.m. on May 8, 2005 winter finally relinquished its icy grip on the mighty Kuskokwim River. The famous ?quad-pod? moved the requisite 100 yards atop flowing ice, triggering clocks inside the Front Street Ice Classic booth that recorded the exact moment of Break-up 2005. Bethel and area residents purchased over 2,000 Ice Classic tickets this year. Contestants observed weather patterns, ice-thickness, snow-pack and tide tables to formulate their most-educated guesses as to when the river would break. Others merely guessed, hoping that luck and that fickle gal called Mother Nature would win them some easy money. With a documented five dollar guess of 11:36 AM on May 8, only 4 minutes from the actual time of break-up, Golga Jacobs Jr. a resident of Bethel, is this year?s Ice Classic winner. Jacobs will take home half of the ticket sales revenue. The other half of the pot will go to an assortment of Bethel Regional High School extracurricular programs. Several groups and teams from the high school participated in ticket sales. Each group will receive an individual donation according to how many tickets they sold.

Alaskan Senator Lisa Murkowski praised the decision of the nation?s leading beverage distributors to suspend nearly all soda sales to public schools last week. Coca-Cola, PepsiCo, the American Beverage Industry and Cadbury Schweppes have all agreed to sell only water, unsweetened juice and low-fat milk to elementary and middle schools.

Last month, Senator Murkowski joined Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA) to introduce the Child Nutrition Promotion and School Lunch Protection Act. This legislation would update the definition of ?food of minimal nutritional value? and ensure that all foods that are sold in schools ? including foods and beverages sold in vending machines ? will meet new nutritional standards.

Based on current national estimates, obesity kills nearly 500 Alaskans each year. Overweight and obesity are already taking a grave toll on the health and economy of the United States and Alaska. To combat this growing epidemic, many school districts throughout the country and Alaska have already begun to take unhealthy foods out of their schools. The Mat-Su School District has already taken steps to remove junk food and the Anchorage School District recently announced that it too will begin to phase out unhealthy foods and beverages from its vending machines. Good job.

Also Mothers? Day and graduation are coming up for all you wonderful folks out there, piuci!

Starting on Tuesday this week and going until Thursday, the Subsistence and Environmental Summit will begin at the Yupiit Piciryarait Cultural Center. Topics will be centered around environmental and natural resource issues and community planning. The conference is sponsored by Cenaliulriit and the Coastal Impact Assistance Program under the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

Congratulations to the Academic Pentathlon and NYO medal and trophy winners in this week?s issue - Quyana!

Returning waterfowl have been sighted in certain areas of our great YK delta region ? and more and more will be coming as spring progresses. Last week we got a report from a wise and knowledgeable elder that swans were sighted from his village. We welcome the return of the birds as it is a sure sign of the seasons change. With the arrival of the birds comes the promise of hot and rich soups and fresh eggs. King Eiders qengallget, should be almost home soon for ocean hunters. There is also Avian Influenza to be aware of ? please be careful. Piurci!

If you are going to be in town next week, check out the Festival of Arts and Academics at the Cultural Center. It is the most fantastic display of talent, skills, and academics from students in the Lower Kuskokwim School District. It is a culmination of all those great projects that children have created throughout the school year with the guidance and patience of their hardworking teachers. Quyana!

Now that it is April and springtime, it is a good time to make plans to eat the food stored in your freezers to make room for the fresh stuff. Pretty soon we will have fresh smelt and salmon. Great job to the coordinators of the Bethel Day of Dance last Saturday and to all the performers for the quality entertainment, the photogenic quality of the dancers was excellent. Have a Happy Easter! Piurci.

Forty-two years ago on Good Friday - March 27, 1964 - Alaska experienced the most powerful earthquake ever recorded in North America. Its epicenter was in Prince William Sound, 80 miles east of Anchorage. The quake struck at 5:36 p.m. and measured 9.2 on the Richter Scale. Many homes and businesses were destroyed and the coastal communities of Valdez, Seward, and Kodiak were affected by the tsunami triggered by the quake. Of the 131 people who died, 119 died from the tsunami.

The Alaska Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management conducted a contest to promote individual and family emergency preparedness. Participants in grades K-6 were asked to draw or paint a picture of how to prepare for, or react to disasters or emergencies. The contest was in recognition of the anniversary of the 1964 earthquake. The Governor?s Office announced the winners of the contest and three students from Mekoryuk are winners. Isabel David won 1st place in the First Grade category and Sophia Baker won 2nd place. Rueben Richards, a second grader, won 1st place in his division. Over 150 students from 13 schools participated in the contest. Congratulations to the winners and their teachers ? piurci tamarpeci!

During last week?s Bird Flu presentation at the Cultural Center with the US Fish & Wildlife Service, AK Dept. of Fish & Game, and others, a list of birds was announced that would be tested for the H5N1 strain of Avian Influenza. Subsistence hunters will be an important link between the migratory birds and the rest of the world in that they will be the ones bringing in the birds to be tested. In this issue you can read about the recommendations from the meeting - quyana cakneq Shane for doing a great job! Some of the birds on the list are subsistence birds, and many all of the eggs of these birds are also harvested for food.

Last week ONC celebrated the grand opening of their new multipurpose facility that was once the old bowling alley. It has a 300 person capacity with a stage, a meeting area, restroom facilities and a concession room. It is a very nice building. I remember bowling in that alley in high school during a school trip. Part of the floor in the building is made from those old lanes. Nice work!

This last weekend the snow has been really piling up. Shoveling snow is great exercise if you are careful not to hurt yourself. Qanikciuqing the area in front of your house or maqivik for 30 minutes raises your heart rate and enables you to burn off many calories. It is a rhythmic exercise that works the large muscle groups on your body but can be strenuous, so if you do not exercise regularly or have cardiovascular concerns, be careful when you?re out there. Also be careful not to strain your back. With the clean and fresh winter air and the vigorous activity, your whole body will feel the results after a good workout. Tua-i-ngunrituq!

The Iditarod is known as the ?Last Great Race on Earth? and indeed it is. The first Iditarod ?race? occurred in 1925 as a result of the need to deliver medicine to the people suffering from diphtheria in Nome. Diphtheria is a seriously infectious disease caused by bacteria that attacks the membranes of the throat and releases a toxin that damages the heart and the nervous system. It can be prevented with a safe and effective vaccine. The first race was a relay that tested the courage and determination of the dogs and mushers as they did their best to deliver the lifesaving serum to the people in Nome. The dogs and drivers of the Iditarod commemorate the spirit of the Iditarod each year as they make the 1,100 mile trek. As of this morning (Monday), the first mushers made it in to the Shaktoolik checkpoint ? Jeff King and Doug Swingley.

Congratulations to the teams that participated in the 3A basketball tournament last week and good luck at State! Piurci!

We received this report on how much it costs the state when alcohol is a factor. The amounts are appalling ? and this was only in 2003.

At their February 22, 2006 board meeting, the Governor?s Advisory Board on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse (ABADA) released a 2005 update of the 2001 report Economic Costs of Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse in Alaska. Prepared for ABADA by the McDowell Group, a Juneau-based consulting and research firm, the report details the impact of alcohol and other drug abuse on Alaska?s economy.

The total cost of this dependence to the Alaska economy was estimated to be $738 million during 2003. The report chronicles the costs of alcohol and drug abuse and dependency in the areas of lost productivity, criminal justice and protective services, health care, traffic accidents and public assistance.

Lost productivity, with an estimated cost of $367 million in 2003, occurs when alcohol and other drug abuse results in premature death, reduced efficiency of workers, incarceration for criminal offense and impatient treatment or hospitalization.

Alcohol and other drug abuse are a major cause of traffic crashes in Alaska. The estimated costs including legal fees, property damage, injuries, fatalities and workplace costs is estimated to be $35 million.

In 2003, an estimated 17,400 arrests were attributed to alcohol and other drug abuse. During this same period, 15,800 Alaska residents were victims of drug abuse-related crimes. Costs for associated law enforcement, corrections, legal costs and property damage were nearly $154 million. An additional $59 million was spent on alcohol and drug-related adult and child protective services.

Health care costs attributed to alcohol and other drug abuse result from injury and illness such as cirrhosis of the liver, hypertension and diabetes. Costs including hospital care, residential and outpatient treatment, and pharmaceutical costs are estimated to be $178 million in 2003.

A portion of public assistance expenditures can be attributed to alcohol and other drug abuse. Drug-dependent persons may qualify for public assistance because of reduced income, inability to hold a job, or disability caused by substance abuse. Administrative costs to these programs were an estimated $4.1 million in 2003.

We would like to congratulate the Kwigillingok Eagles boys and the Kapaskia kHawks for winning the 19th Annual Coastal Conference-1A Basketball tournament that was held here in Bethel last week. We wish you all the best of luck!

One of the best parts of my work is that I get to meet new people from all over and everyone has a story to tell. Last week I was honored to meet and visit with Francis Harpak and his family. I am glad that he is here to share with us his story and I hope that it will help others who may find themselves in a similar situation. Lessons learned run deep in our memories.

Secondly, I got a call from Senator Lyman Hoffman and he had some good news to share with us. According to his report, last week the Governor released amendments to his FY 07? capital budget that include projects in Senate District S. Regional. Included in the list was a 4 million dollar appropriation for the Department of Transportation to pave the Chief Eddie Hoffman Highway from the airport to Watson?s Corner this summer. This was a direct result of the work Sen. Hoffman does for us. Thank you! We hope to hear more.

Also upcoming is the 19th Annual 1A Basketball District tournament featuring the best of the best in LKSD basketball. With the challenge of making the grades, turning in those homework assignments, and passing those indicator tests and summative assessments, we commend you for working so hard. Sports are a motivator. This tournament is one of the most exciting events in the YK delta. Who will it be this year? Come and cheer for your favorite hometown teams, exercise great sportsmanship, and have a good time.

One last thing. Without the help of individuals, this paper would not be what it is today. Thank you Sarah L. for being there for us at our most desperate hour. Quyana!

I talked with Scott Bailie, Station Manager for Hageland Aviation in Bethel, to learn more about the airline industry and how things are going for Hageland Aviation in general. Scott is very knowledgeable and understands how prices affect the passenger?s bottom line.

I came here in 1988, and at that time, the fare to Hooper Bay was 75 or 85 dollars, I think it was 65 to go to the Nelson Island villages. And at that time, fuel was half the cost that it is now, labor was half the cost that it is now, and insurance was easily less than half the price it is now.

The stabilizing factor that?s kind of helped our industry, and we talked about this several times in the last couple of years, is the way that the bypass mail is structured. And because of the way the bypass mail is structured, where it favors passenger carrying airlines, the more passengers that the airline serves, the more bypass we get.

In raw numbers that means that we have to carry at least 20% of any city pair market. That?s technical mumbo jumbo. What it means is that between here and Toksook Bay, for us to get our equal share of the bypass mail going to Toksook bay, we have to carry at least 20% of the passengers going to Toksook Bay. So if I miss that target, and I haul only 18%, and my competitors split the rest, it means that I don?t get the bypass mail for Toksook, it doesn?t affect my performance in Tununak or at Nightmute or at Newtok. So what it means is that all the airlines are very competitive for each and every village. This is good for the villagers, since smaller villages don?t get overlooked.

Instead of saying Hooper Bay is the biggest village in that group and we?re going to only focus on Hooper Bay (disregarding Chevak and Scammon Bay), it forces us to service each and every village equally if we want our equal share of bypass mail.

Bypass mail regulations were set up by Sen. Stevens who very astutely recognized that the proliferation of ?cargo-only airlines? were harming the traveling public. Airfares were at all time highs. Passenger service was spotty, and so changes were instituted, this was three years ago. Hageland shares the benefit of those changes with the traveling public.

Hageland?s is very well aware, because we live here too, and all of the officers of our company live in the bush - we all know what stove oil prices have done to us, and to the people that fly on us. We all know what a lower PFD meant in terms of pocket change for people.

Most of the people that travel on airlines are traveling with their own money. Some people have a TR from the hospital or the school district for training or whatever, but most people that travel are traveling because they?re taking money from their hip pocket and laying it down on the airlines? desk to pay for transportation.

If the PFD is lower or if stove oil prices are higher, either one, it affects the airlines by decreasing demand for transportation. We decided as the fall wore on, that it?s better for us to haul a full plane load of people at $50 a head to Hooper Bay or Tununak or Toksook, than it is for us to haul a half loaded airplane with people that are paying $100 or $125 or $150 or whatever the market was bearing last year.

Market conditions have changed. This is going benefit the villagers immensely because if they can go to and from Hooper Bay for $90, which is what our price currently is, all the remaining money in their wallet gets to be spent at Swanson?s or AC to buy cheaper groceries. This helps the villagers because they get more bang for their buck. And so a smaller percentage of their limited budget is going to transportation and a larger portion goes to foodstuff or stove oil or whatever. It helps the airline and it helps the traveling public, too. Everybody wins.

Yeah, our airline is busy. This is normally a real flat time of the year for us but our airline is busy now. Our passengers are happy, we laid off nobody this year. First quarter ? in our business they call it the ?killer quarter?, or the ?bloody quarter? because everybody bleeds during the first quarter. But we didn?t lay off anybody, in fact we?re hiring. Our airplanes are busy. It is good.

Our business is between us and our customers and our employers. If we can take care of those three groups, the Hageland people, the employees of Hageland, and our customers, success is guaranteed to us, so we?re having a good quarter. It is going to be a good year.

We?ll hold the price for it at least through the first quarter through March. We guarantee that in writing to you to all our village customers. We put up flyers guaranteeing that we?ll hold it all least through the first quarter, we may hold it through second, we don?t know. What we want is full airplanes and we?ll do what we have to do to make sure that our airplanes are full. As long as we have to use price as a method to accomplish this, the villagers will benefit, and so will our employees. Everybody?s happy. We decided to give this as a Christmas present. We instituted it the day after Christmas and we?ll hold it for as long as we feel like it.

Is Hageland Aviation open to ideas regarding consolidation, buying, selling?

There?s a huge incentive in our industry to consolidate. If we look back 4 years ago, I lamented that our industry was undercapitalized with passenger carrying aircraft. This was before the bypass came in. Most of the capacity or half of the capacity out here used to be cargo airplanes because they?re cheaper to operate.

Four years ago there wasn?t enough passenger seats, that?s why the airfares were so high. Now there?s an abundance of passenger seats chasing a fewer number of passengers. This is part of the reason why the pricing is going the way that it is. There are a lot of open seats chasing a fewer number of passengers.

Hageland?s response to that was to initiate vigorous price competition. If there were some consolidation in our industry, which resulted in two airlines becoming one, in this market or in any other major hub market, it would have the effect of improving the efficiency of our industry. The more efficient our industry runs, obviously the more profit there is for the participants in the industry.

So, Hageland?s has since the beginning of the new bypass legislation, entertained all sorts of different combinations of thoughts that might end up in a more efficient airline. This may or may not have included us picking up another airline, or merging with one, a smaller one. It has at times included people making overtures to purchase us and break us up.

The airline is not for sale, because this is what we do. However, we are business people and always open to new ideas that will make our operation run more efficiently, and if someone wants to buy us to make their operation run more efficiently, fine.

Mike Hageland and Jim Tweto. Both of the owners participate in the business everyday all day, no one takes a day off. Mike is the founder of the airline. He lived in Mt. Village for 15 or 20 years. That?s where we started - one airplane in Mt. Village, a Cessna 180, we still own it and it still flies everyday.

Hageland?s is a very well run company. They take very good care of their employees. It?s all one big family. Anyone can go to Mike or Jim anytime. There?s never been a time ever when they?ve haven?t been receptive to any employee, whether it be a brand new ramper or the senior pilot. Any one of us can call them at home or work anytime and they?ll take our phone call. They have plenty of time for us, very supportive.

What a relief it was to hear that the missing men were safely found last week. I know how it feels to be waiting for a loved one to return from a trip when they are overdue, it is not a good feeling. Good job to all the Search and Rescue teams who participated in the missions! Support your SAR teams ? you might need their help someday.

This last month has been very hard on people. Keeping up with the heating bill and dealing with frozen pipes and the thought of not having enough fuel to last the night has driven some folks to resorting to desperate measures. My family was telling me of how some people have been going around at night taking heating fuel from other people?s fuel tanks in the village. It is an unfortunate situation when people go down that road. You can imagine the chain reaction of negative effects following the incident. It is bad for everybody. The house freezes including the water pipes (if you live in a village with running water), you wake up cold and would rather stay in bed, and you are faced with double the heating bill. I am sure it is not the first time that has happened.

Who can help? There is funding assistance out there and it is called the Low Income Heating Energy Assistance Program (LiHEAP) run by the State to help with the nearly 30% increases in diesel heating fuel. It is meant to help Alaskans pay for their heating fuel bills during these cold winter months. The program was announced last month by our congressional delegation and I think giving them a call would not hurt.

Before I sign off, I want to congratulate our Jr. NYO team and Coaches Tommy and Linda for winning at State. Great job athletes, you make us proud. Piurci!

Congratulations to our race winners Jeff King of Denali Park, Mike Williams Jr. of Akiak, and Ryan Housler of Russian Mission. Congratulations also to Mike Williams Sr. for winning the ?Best in the West? award. And congratulations to the hard working K300 staff of volunteers, you did a great job!

Stay warm. Already I have seen several people with the mark of frostbite on their cheeks. Frostbite is literally frozen skin. Looking at the weather for this week, it looks like it should warm up a little soon, let?s hope so. Piurci.

Due to the extreme cold weather, the K300 has been postponed to tomorrow (Monday) noon. As of Sunday according to the K300 website, four K300 mushers have withdrawn from the race ? Dee Dee Jonrowe, Doug Swingley, Kelly Williams, and Rick Swenson. We are sad to see them go but wish them luck and hope to see them again hopefully next year. Take care everyone and stay warm! Piurci.

Welcome to all mushers, dogs, fans, and volunteers to the 27th Kuskokwim 300 Sled Dog Race! Things are looking very exciting this year with all the festivities and the impressive field of mushers this event has drawn this year. We are privileged to live in a community where a world-class event such as the K300 is hosted. I am looking forward to seeing who will be our new 2006 champions, but then, everyone is a winner in my book who runs these races. Good luck to all Akiak Dash, Bogus Creek and K300 mushers and their hard working teams (dogs, handlers, and hosts) and thank you to all the volunteers who make this race possible. We?ll be rooting for you! Tua-i-ngunrituq!

Starting on Sunday, Jan. 8, 2006 it will cost 39? to mail a 1-ounce first class letter. Why the increase?

According to the United States Postal Service, the Governors of the U.S. Postal Service voted November 14 to accept the Postal Rate Commission?s recommendation to increase most rates and fees by approximately 5.4 percent. This price increase is needed to meet a federal law passed in 2003 that requires the Postal Service to place $3.1 billion in an escrow account by October 1, 2006. Without this federal mandate, it would not have been necessary to raise prices in 2006.

An 11-member Board of Governors is the governing body of the postal service. It is made up of nine governors appointed by the President with the advice and consent of the Senate. The other two members of the Board are the Postmaster General and the Deputy Postmaster General. The Governors appoint the Postmaster General and the Governors, together with the Postmaster General, appoint the Deputy Postmaster General.

The Board of Governors set Sunday, January 8, 2006, as the effective date for the new rates and fees. Following are selected rate and fee changes:

The post office will also have the new Navajo Jewelry 2? stamps for those who still have some 37s left. Allrakukegcikici!

Looking back at our old issues from 2005, I am proud to say that your stories, lessons, cherished events, and a significant piece of our history and lives can now be forever preserved for all time in the pages of The Delta Discovery. To commemorate the past year I would like to recognize our excellent writers. Their dedication and concern for our people and environment and local issues are powerful. Their articles inform and educate. I stand in awe of them. Quyana.

Here are a some memorable events from 2005 that were reported in The Delta Discovery:

In January, Ira Jackson won the 43 mile K300 Holiday Classic Dog Race. Jonah Fabian Kaganak is born to Herbert and Karen Kaganak on January 3, the first baby of the year. Gwen Drake becomes the first Yup?ik woman to serve on the Bethel Police force. Robert Nick writes on climate changes. Mitch Seavey of Sterling wins the K300. Paul Basile wins the Red Lantern award in the Akiak Dash. Tomas Israelsson wins the Bogus 150. $17,020 in cash is seized during a drug bust in Quinhagak, which resulted in several arrests. Translation of the Old Testament into Yup?ik continues. BRHS basketball girls win in overtime against Dillingham 38-36. Local soldiers are honored for their service during operations Noble Eagle, Enduring Freedom, Iraqi Freedom, and for their service in Kosovo.

In February, a hospital housing fire claims the life of a beloved nurse. Triplets are born to Allen Dock and Katherine Steven. An ERA twin otter skids of the runway in Toksook. A bill to reinstate the Longevity Program is co-introduced by Rep. Mary Kapsner. A study begins in Kwethluk to research how traditional lifestyle, culture, and diet may prevent chronic diseases. Chefornak elder Dennis Panruk celebrates 95th birthday. Scammon Bay rappers Jaye Ulak and Jimmy Walker return after performing in Savoonga. NASA astronauts visit LKSD students at BRHS. ONC celebrates its new tribal offices in grand fashion. Chevak Search and Rescue is reorganized. Eleven Chevak families are displaced after their power is shut off. The Pilot Station Boys basketball squad travels to Nome where they beat the Nome Nanooks during their first game. AVCP RHA moves in 11 families into their new homes in 4 villages. Bev Hoffman wins the 1st Annual Larry Chase Memorial Dog Race. Bob Herron is chosen to head congressional delegation office in Bethel. Alakanuk hosts a potlatch with Eskimo dancing and gift giving. To combat high food prices, the WIC program adopts a ?least expensive brand? policy for some foods. Bethel holds its first ever Dog Show. Native author Velma Wallace visits Bethel. A late night computer hacker breaks into the Bethel Senior Center.

In March the Bethel American Legion begins plans to build a veterans cemetery in Bethel. Magistrate Ana Hoffman steps down and becomes the new Chief Operating Officer for BNC. The Western Alaska Sport Riders successfully complete their Anchorage to Bethel snowmachine run. Panay Orr, an 8th grader at BRHS wins the Spelling Bee. Bethel wrestler Mick Davis qualifies for college national championship. YKHC begins campaign to better serve patients and reduce wait time. The Alaska State Senate Transportation Committee holds two public hearings for Senate Bill 40, which proposes the creation of a Kuskokwim Port Authority. Irene Reed, a linguist of the Yup?ik language passes away. Elders and youth gather in St. Mary?s for Ayagyuat Yuraat ? Eskimo Dancing and Yup?ik spirituality. The Kwig Eagles and Kwethluk Lady Kings win the 1A basketball tournament. The Yukon River Panel finds Yukon salmon stocks improving. Musher Mike Williams of Akiak completes his 12th Iditarod. Frank Charles of Bethel passes away. Kipnuk?s first ever laundromat is under construction. Bethel firefighters discover elaborate marijuana operation on Front Street after responding to a small fire. United Utilities builds ?DeltaNet? for internet and telecommunications services for the YK delta. Gary Samuelson wins the Bill Bivin Volunteer Award. Russian Mission students travel to Japan for World Expo 2005.

Wow! That was only from January to March ? there is still so much more. Congratulations to the winners and the organizers in the Christmas Basketball tournament, you all did great. Have a wonderful New Year. Piurci!

by Greg Lincoln

First barge in Bethel

by Greg Lincoln