Southeast Spotlight: Interim Events

Dear Neighbors,

With special sessions concluded, I have been busy visiting communities, settling in to new temporary office space, and catching up with constituents.  I have also hired Crystal Koeneman, who will be working in my Juneau office this interim with Bianca.  Please say hello to her when you call my office.

Mayor’s Awards for the Arts

Congratulations are in order for winners of the Mayors Awards for the Arts.  This year awards will be given to Vera Starbard-Bedard, Jim Fowler, Scarlett Adam, Alaska Music One (Keith Giles), Mark Kelley, Jeff Duvernay, and R.T. “Skip” Wallen.  On August 19, from 5:30–7:30 p.m. at the Juneau Arts and Culture Center, there will be a celebration to honor the recipients featuring live music and an awards presentation.

July 26, 2016: Shakespeare’s First Folio exhibited at the new Father Andrew P. Kashevaroff State Library, Archives & Museum.

Ferry Summit

In May, Governor Walker signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the State of Alaska and Southeast Conference.  The MOU established an agreement to develop a 25-year strategic plan for the Marine Highway System that will include a long-term, comprehensive operational and business plan that is financially stable and meets the needs of those it serves.

This effort begins on August 20, with a summit in Anchorage.  It will be first of many meetings for the 12-member steering committee established to oversee the effort.  Coordinating the summit for Southeast Conference is Robert Venables and the first phase will focus on management changes.  Further work will consider route and vessel changes, partnerships, and new revenue sources.  The statewide ferry summit will be from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 20, at the Atwood Building.  More information linked here.

Don’t forget Southeast Conference will be holding its annual meeting this year in Petersburg, September 20-22, where they will also be discussing the future of AMHS.

August 7, 2016: Canoes, drums, and friends at the Community Wellness Event.  Thank you to sisters Laura Sheldon, Myrna Brown, and Maureen Brown for organizing.

Community Events

This fall will be an interesting one with many activities and events to attend.  Check out some of the happenings around the district:

GUSTAVUS

•         August 25-26 - Huna Tribal House celebration

HAINES

•         August, 2016 - Celebration of Bears 
•         August, 2016 - Raven's Bowl Disc Golf Tournament, Glacier Point & Haines Courses
•         September 2, 2016 - 22nd Annual Mardi Gras Party 
•         September 3, 10, 2016 - Farmer's Market, Southeast Alaska State Fair Grounds 

JUNEAU

•         August 17, 2016 - Energy Forum - AELP Presentation on Power System and Industrial Blvd Emergency Generator Project (5:30 pm, Juneau Assembly Chambers)
•         August 20, 2016 - [alaskansafield.adfg.alaska.gov]Alaskans Afield: Step into Shotgun  10am - 1pm
•         August 20, 2016 - Beat the Odds 9am - noon
•         August 20, 2016 - Community Garden Harvest Fair 11am
•         August 20-21, 2016 - Summer Writers’ Retreat
•         August 26, 2016 - Jensen-Olson Arboretum Wine Tasting 6pm - 8:30pm
•         August 27, 2016 - 9th Annual Juneau Food Festival  9am - 1pm
•         September 04, 2016 - An Evening of Beethoven  7pm - 9pm
•         September 17, 2016 - Discover Eaglecrest Day 10am - 3pm
•         September 17, 2016 - Capital Brewfest 1pm - 5pm

July 10, 2016: Chief Johnson and I took to the Dunk Tank for the 6th Annual Rotary Day at the Pool, at Dimond Park Aquatic Center. Big thanks to the event sponsors: the Glacier Valley Rotary Club, the Glacier Swim Club, and Juneau Parks & Recreation.

KLUKWAN

•         OPPORTUNITY FOR PUBLIC PARTICIPATION: The Department of Environmental Conservation is seeking comment regarding the existing landfill that has not been previously permitted. Comments due: 5:00 p.m. on August 29, 2016.  Click here for more information.

SKAGWAY

•         September 9-10: Klondike Road Relay  
•         October 14-16: Skagway Fall Festival  

While I am disappointed that we were not able to reach an agreement on our fiscal plan before the untimely end of the last special session, I am still hopeful that a reasonable and sustainable fiscal plan can be achieved if we act definitively during this next legislative session.  I encourage all Alaskans to reach out to legislators and share your perspective on our state’s future.  I value your input, and look forward to seeing you around town and hearing from you by phone, email, Facebook, or Twitter.

With Regards,

Sam Kito III