Entries in Dermot Cole for May, 2009
Borough Assembly should have spent more time reviewing Army housing
Tim Cerny and Hank Bartos raised a variety of good questions Thursday. They asked the borough assembly to spend more time reviewing the 50-year deal with the private company that has taken over housing at Fort Wainwright.
The borough assembly should have listened. It didn't.
T-field poplar research plan sparks UAF debate on land rules
A plan to fence about six acres of the T-field on the North Campus of UAF continues to generate debate.
The UAF Master Planning Committee has scheduled a special meeting Friday morning to consider questions raised about the research proposal to grow balsam poplar.
Arctic ship project advances
The National Science Foundation says it approved plans for construction of a 242-foot arctic research vessel that will be operated by UAF.
Kids hope to rebuild vandalized bird houses at Creamer's
•Vandals destroyed a dozen small birdhouses on Creamer’s Refuge Thursday, but the kids who monitor the birds who build nests in the houses want to rebuild them right away. •KJNP Channel 4 went off the air today as the station began moving its digital transmitter from North Pole to Ester Dome. KJNP’s Dick Olson says he hopes the work will be done by Thursday or Friday.
Van Horn nightly closures continue
Great Northwest will close a portion Van Horn Road at the Peger Road intersection tonight to continue grinding the pavement and painting permanent lines.
Fred Knutson back on the road
Fred Knutson called Sunday night to say he planned to start walking the Alaska Highway today. He was hoping for a 34-mile day.
Anchorage Gottschalks on list for purchase
The Gottschalks' store in Anchorage is one of 16 that a company called "Forever 21" wants to take over. The Fairbanks store is not on the list.
Permanent fund overhauls asset allocation and adds new terminology
The Alaska Permanent Fund approved a new asset allocation model that lowers its target for holdings of stocks and adds new investment categories.
But the fund managers have adopted new terms to describe assets that make it difficult to say exactly how the asset allocation is changing.
State ends hiring freeze
The state is ending its hiring freeze as of June 1, according to a memo from Gov. Sarah Palin's chief of staff.
Palin offers new reason for rejecting $28.6 million in federal energy funds
Gov. Sarah Palin rejected $28.6 million in federal energy funds today as part of her budget vetoes, but gave the weakest argument yet as to why she finds them objectionable. She said in a press release she does not want to encourage local governments to adopt energy codes for new buildings.
Missile defense debate
The Obama administration plan to freeze the number of missiles at Fort Greely was based on a risk assessment, not on economics, according to Defense Secretary Robert Gates.
Alaska senators defend Native corporation contract preferences
Alaska's U.S. senators say they are concerned about a Senate investigation targeting Alaska Native contracting preferences.
State agency to pick gas line route soon, Palin says
The Alaska Natural Gas Development Authority will decide on a preferred route for an in-state natural gas pipeline this summer, Gov. Sarah Palin says.
Fort Wainwright prescribed burn sends up smoke
The smoke over Fairbanks is from a prescribed burn on 2,000 acres of grass and brush on the Fort Wainwright Small Arms Range south of the Richardson Highway, the fire dispatch office says. About 1,200 acres had been burned by late afternoon.
Senate panel to investigate Native preferences in federal contracts
•Missouri Sen. Claire McCaskill has asked 20 Native regional and village corporations for details on how those companies have used federal preferences to secure billions in no-bid contracts. •The Presbyterian Hospitality House is holding its 12th Annual 5K Fun Run Sunday at 10 a.m. at UAF. Call 456-6445.
Air Force studies under fire
Borough officials think the Air Force is not listening to their complaints about flaws in $10 million worth of energy studies, Sen. Lisa Murkowski says.
Students complete police academy
Eighteen men and three women working toward a career in police work are to graduate today from the Tanana Valley Campus law enforcement academy.
Chrysler won't close Alaska dealerships
The Detroit News reports that "Every state but Alaska is losing dealerships" in the cutbacks announced today by Chrysler.
Alaska Airlines expects $70 million from new fee on baggage
Alaska Airlines said it expects to collect about $70 million a year on its new $15 fee on the first checked bag. It will not apply to flights solely within Alaska.
Attitude is nearly everything
Some of the most important words of advice Jennifer Williams gave fellow UAF grads Sunday dealt with attitude.
UAF to recognize 1,121 graduates Sunday in Carlson Center
UAF is expected to award a record number of doctorates, 37, at commencement ceremonies Sunday afternoon in the Carlson Center. This reflects the substantial growth in research at the Fairbanks campus in recent years and increased opportunities for graduate study.
A dynamite solution to ice jam flooding?
My column today is about how military aircraft used to drop 500-pound bombs on major rivers in Alaska to remove ice jams and ease the flood threat in spring.
Obama wants freeze on Fort Greely missile deployment
The Obama administration says that about 30 anti-missile missiles, most of them in the ground at Fort Greely, are enough for the time being. The White House also says that it wants to cut or eliminate federal funding for Alaska earmarks such as the Denali Commission, rural water projects and the Denali National Park improved access plan.
UAF to grant emeritus status to 11
Eleven retiring faculty and staff members at UAF have been granted emeritus status for their service to the institution.
Those recognized in this manner are granted the same access to UAF facilities as employees in their category and other benefits, such as a free parking permit.
State reopens Fox watering hole
The water is flowing in Fox again. The state reopened the watering hole today after fixing a path that had been washed out by runoff and testing the water to make sure it is safe.
If swine flu shows up, Fairbanks schools would remain open
•If a case of swine flu shows up in a Fairbanks school before summer vacation, the school should stay open and the sick person should stay home for at least seven days. That's the latest recommendation from federal and state health officials. They say this is because the latest information is that the swine flu is "not causing unusually severe flu at this time." •The school board added Martin Luther King Jr. Day as a paid holiday Tuesday for all district employees. It will cost about $110,000 to pay for the classified staff who are on nine or 10-month contracts. For teachers, it will be a paid holiday and the school year will be extended by one day.
Parks Highway 'lake' drains fast
•The state Department of Transportation cleared the Parks Highway culvert near Ester, which means Alaska will have one less lake.
Parks Highway 'lake' drops to 28 feet as crews strive to thaw culvert
•The temporary lake off the Parks Highway near Ester, which was reported to be 30 feet deep at its maximum, has dropped by a couple of feet, the Department of Transportation reports. •The Chena Bend Golf Course on Fort Wainwright hopes to open the driving range Thursday and the full 18 holes by the weekend of May 15. The North Star Golf Club is hoping to open by May 15, weather permitting. •Thirty-two employees of the Catholic chancery in Fairbanks have had their hours and pay cut by 20 percent. •Passengers flying on Frontier Flying, ERA Aviation and 40 Mile Air will need to use the new airport terminal starting Wednesday. •The Rev. Tim Sander is back in town after a trip to Oregon. He said he's feeling great and he's here to stay. Fantastic news.
Top UAF staff members honored for teaching, research and service
•Three key staff members at UAF won the 2009 Usibelli Awards for teaching, research and public service. •Veteran Fairbanks photographer Bud Nelson, founder of Nelson's Photography, died Sunday at 84. •Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney had this to say about Gov. Sarah Palin making the Time Magazine list of the world's most influential people, according to a story on www.politico.com: "But was that the issue on the most beautiful people or the most influential people?”
Horse owned by family of former Veco boss Bill Allen wins Derby
"Mine That Bird," a 50-1 longshot owned by the family of Bill Allen, the former head of Veco, won the Kentucky Derby today. The immediate question is whether Allen, who has been convicted in the Alaska corruption investigation, but is not in jail, was in attendance. "If Bill Allen was at the Kentucky Derby today there ought to be an outcry by Alaskans for the feds to put him in jail," said Fairbanks Rep. Jay Ramras.
HOPS Hallmark marks 30th anniversary at Shoppers' Forum
•The HOPS Hallmark store in the Shoppers Forum opened its doors 30 years ago today. "As I recall, most of our customers were curious shoppers making their way between Lamonts Apparel and Market Basket," says Cynthia Henry.
