Turn back the pages — Feb. 18, 1988
Compiled by Julie Rosier
Kuskokwim River salmon users’ ‘working group’ to form soon — All users of Kuskokwim River salmon have an unprecedented opportunity in these next few months to help shape the management of their fishery this 1988 season. The intent of the new Kuskokwim River Salmon Management Plan, sanctioned by the Board of Fisheries in December 1987, is expected to be preliminarily acted upon soon, possibly as early as this weekend. The plan, which replaces state fish biologists’ June King Management Plan of last year, calls for joint venture management of the 1988 Kuskokwim River salmon fishery. Expected to help determine pre-season and in-season management of this year’s fishery here are Kuskokwim River commercial and subsistence fishermen, processors, and representatives of the Western Alaska Salmon Coalition, the local fish advisory committees, the Kuskokwim Fish Co-op, the state Department of Fish and Game, and the state subsistence division. Increased sharing of information among all users of Kuskokim River salmon — especially that information collected in-season — is partly the goal of the new plan. Another large part is to actually put the information to use. The concept of the joint management of the fishery represents a departure from earlier years’ management of the Kuskokwim River. Management in past years has been exerted primarily by state-hired biologists.
Says Councilor Tom Warner: ‘Binkley is interposing his will on the city’ — State Senator, Johne Binkley, R-Bethel is “interposing his will” on the city of Bethel, commented city councilor Tom Warner last week when talking about grants sought by the city of Bethel from the state. At a meeting held Thursday night, Feb. 11, Bethel Mayor Diane Carpenter reported on her trip earlier that week to Juneau on behalf of the city. She noted that Binkley had included in various grant proposals — believed to be in the jobs bill — monies for construction and installation of some dock floats for the city’s small boat harbor. Carpenter said that she had indicated to Binkley that the project was not a state grant priority for the city. To which Warner responded at the council meeting, “He is interposing his will” on the city on the subject. Carpenter stated that she was unable to dissuade Binkley on the subject. “He knows our feeling, but it is very important to him. Present at the Feb. 11 meeting were all councilors: Warner, Carpenter, Ben Dale, Dave Trantham, Clara Kelly, Antone Anvil and Bob Hoffman.
Steps to healing ourselves (Op-Ed, Charles Hunt) — Each of us that have gone through alcoholism and drug abuse treatment know that we have followed certain steps to work our way to sobriety. These steps are simple, but some are difficult because they have to do with facing ourselves and others as to what happened to us in our abuse of alcohol or drugs. I’ll try to explain each of the 12 steps of Alcoholics Anonymous as each of them relate to me. 1) “We admitted we were powerless over alcohol, that our lives had become unmanageable.” For many years during the worst years of my abusing alcohol, I could not admit to anyone, much less to myself that I was having problems with alcohol. During my first treatment for alcoholism at API, I had said that I was an alcoholic. It was only in words. When I said that I was an alcoholic it did not come from deep within myself with meaning, determination and honesty. I did not know that I was powerless over alcohol and other drugs. Many times after having had a real bad hangover, I would vow to myself and other people that I would never touch another drink ever again. No matter how much and how many times I vowed and promised to quit drinking, I would get drunk again and again. The urge to drink became an obsession for me. Many times I would get drunk because of some stupid little problem I could not face. My life had become unmanageable. I had no control over my life anymore; alcohol had control over me.
Postal Service to cutback — There will be some changes made by the U.S. Postal Service in area post offices as the organization “tightens” its belt to save money as directed by the 1987 Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act, announced last week by Nancy Cain Schmidt, spokesperson for the postal service in Anchorage. In the act the Postal Service, nationwide, must save $1,245 billion dollars by the end of FY89 or by Sept. 30, 1989. The savings must be accomplished in ways other than borrowing funds or by raising postal rates. However, the proposed rate increase that could go into effect in early April, is not affected by the act, said Schmidt. Robert J. Opinsky, general manager/postmaster, Anchorage Division, U.S. Postal Service, says that he hopes to “absorb two-thirds of the impact within the Anchorage Division’s Postal Service” with cutbacks in supplies, training and travel. The Postal Service nationwide must save $430 million in operating costs over the next 20 months. “We have been working aggressively to minimize the effect that these cuts will have on our customers,” Opinsky adds.
Lowe appointed to industry council — On Jan. 8, Governor Steve Cowper appointed Marjorie Lowe to a one year term on the Alaska Statewide Private Industry Council. Lowe, owner of World of Hairstyling school in Bethel, will join 15 others from around the state in representing the employment training needs of the PIC’s service delivery area which encompasses all of rural Alaska. The PIC determines policy in distributing federal job training dollars through the Job Training Partnership Act in conjunction with the Department of Community and Regional Affairs. The JTPA provides employment and training services to the economically disadvantaged and others who face barriers to employment including the handicapped, displaced homemakers, older workers and youth. The services provided for by the JTPA range from on the job training and institution skills training to job search and counseling assistance and programs for youth in or out of school. Lowe said she is pleased with the appointment. The PIC’s chairperson, J. Pennelope Goforth, welcomed Lowe to the first meeting of the year in Anchorage on Jan. 13. “I’m pleased to have Marjorie Lowe on board. Her business knowledge and experiences with the special employment needs of rural Alaska will be a real asset to the council.” Lowe serve on the council’s Legislative Affairs Committee.