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North Pole is a city of traditions, which shouldn’t be a surprise considering the town is wallowing in the traditions of Christmas.

It is touching, and quite appropriate, that the annual “state of the city” address, traditionally given in March, is presented at an appreciation luncheon for North Pole area senior citizens. Many of these folks have lived here for decades and some of them are the original homesteaders, so it is fitting that they are the first to hear about how we are faring as a city.

During his speech to the seniors, North Pole Mayor Doug Isaacson spoke about North Pole’s population, sales tax, budget, activities and business development. Here’s what he reported:

Population: The official population of North Pole is 1,946, up from 1,710 in 2005.

“However, we believe the population is over 2,000 and have hired Information Insights to help us survey the city,” Isaacson said.

He reiterated the big news that the North Pole zip code, 99705, is used by more people than the primary Fairbanks zip code, 99701. Isaacson said more people in the city limits means that more resources need to be used to provide for them.

Business: On the business front, Isaacson feels North Pole is in the midst of an exciting transformation and said overall sales tax revenue was higher in 2007 than in 2006. This was a pleasant surprise, given that the entire summer season was disrupted by the Santa Claus Lane roundabout project and the resurfacing project on the Richardson Highway.

The roundabouts have not only served to bring additional safety for the more than 12,000 travelers who utilize them daily, but also have strengthened the core area of North Pole and given it more of a “Main Street” feeling, Isaacson said.

Budget and sales tax: Isaacson reported that the city’s budget makes possible cost savings and efficiency while delivering serves. He said the city was able to meet the demands of a growing population, reduce employee overtime and increase employee morale in 2007.

Isaacson credited the high cost of gasoline for helping increase business and sales tax revenue in North Pole.

“With the cost of gasoline rising, area residents are finding it even more convenient to shop in North Pole and major retailers will find it necessary to locate here to maximize their ability to serve the growing population,” he said.

In 2007, the final revenue was almost $300,000 more than expected, he said, which showed that sales tax is not detrimental to business.

Activities: The year 2007 was a banner year for North Pole residents.

At least two new events were started and proved to be very successful: the privately funded Mayor’s Labor Day picnic and the North Pole Christmas in Ice.

Overall, Isaacson’s report revealed that North Pole is faring very well.

Doyon scholarships

The deadline is April 15 for Doyon’s 2008-2009 competitive scholarships, which include 64 awards totaling $257,000. Students may apply online at www.doyonfoundation.com/CreateAccount.aspx, or view the list at www.doyonfoundation.com/static/Scholarships. Information: Doris Miller at 459-2050 or email her at millerd@doyon.com.

Hurry up and wait

Last week, I left North Pole before 7 a.m. to head for work. I almost got to the Badger Road overpass when traffic sputtered to a stop. Thanks to The Cruiser, who entertains me along with Pete and Katherine on KIAK 102.5, I learned there was a rollover ahead.

I was joined in the lengthy sit-out by a majority of the work force that lives in North Pole and works in the “city.”

Frequent reports from The Cruiser kept me apprised as to what was happening, and before long I learned inbound traffic was backed up past North Pole.

For the most part, this wasn’t a situation where you inched along slowly, which at least gives you the impression that you are gaining ground. Instead, we sat endless minutes and watched as, on the other side of the median, southbound travelers merrily zipped by.

While I was sitting there, I did some pondering about these traffic standstill episodes that happen periodically. First of all, if you consider the width of the fattest vehicle and then consider the width of the road — including the aprons — there is enough room for three, probably four, lanes. Unless there are several cars involved in an accident in the middle of the highway I see no reason why at least one “lane” can’t be kept moving.

Secondly, of course an ambulance needs to respond immediately, but can’t the wrecker be delayed until after the morning or evening traffic rush? Instead of 7:30 a.m., maybe 10 a.m. would have been a better time to clog the roadway and remove the vehicle.

I’m not a mathematician (without spell check I can barely spell the word) but I figure a seven-mile traffic jam would equal more than 2,500 vehicles. Let’s say 2,000 of them hold people headed to work and they make, in a conservative estimate, $10 an hour. By my math, that’s $20,000 in lost wages and lost productivity in the Fairbanks business arena.

It would be interesting to learn how they handle an incident of a single-vehicle accident in someplace like San Diego. Maybe we could adopt their methods.

Food drive

Hooray for the 102 students at North Pole Christian School, who set a fine example for the rest of us. Earlier this month, they donated 1,572 pounds of food to the Fairbanks Food Bank.

According to Amber White of the school, the annual food drive has been going on for at least 12 years. Every year they collect cans for the entire month of February.

“I think the reason we chose the month of February is because the food bank pantry is pretty low after all the holidays,” she said, adding that the drive started as way for students to do a local mission in which they could give back to the community.

White said that for the past several years Samantha Castle from the Fairbanks Food Bank has visited the school to get the kids excited with a campaign kick-off pep talk. Castle brings empty boxes and at the end of the month collects the filled boxes. Students preschool through grade 12 participate in the annual food drive.  NPHS online

The new activities Web site at North Pole High School makes it easy to check out activities, get information and contact numbers and even find out what clothing they sell with the North Pole logo. Access the Web site by visiting www.northstar.k12.ak.us/.

PTA convention

The Alaska Parent-Teacher Association will host its annual statewide convention in Fairbanks on April 17-19 at the Fairbanks Westmark Hotel and Convention Center. Activities will include workshops, speakers, exhibitors and celebrations. Adults and teenage students may attend. All members of the community are welcome to attend the kick-off reception April 17.

PTA members and interested parties can register by contacting the state office at 1-888-822-1699 (akpta@alaska.net) or the convention coordinator at 488-6185.

Tax joke

A visitor from Holland was chatting with his American friend and was jokingly explaining about the red, white and blue in the Netherlands flag.

“Our flag symbolizes our taxes,” the man said. “We get red when we talk about them, white when we get our tax bill, and blue after we pay them.”

“That’s the same with us,” the American said, “only we see stars, too.”