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P E N I N S U L A
Vol. 50, Issue 58
In the news
Dunleavy appoints judges to vacancies Gov. Mike Dunleavy last week appointed judges to the Homer Superior Court and the Kenai District Court. Dunleavy appointed Martin C. Fallon to the Kenai District Court and Bride Seifert to the Homer Superior Court on Dec. 6. The two were chosen from a list of applicants put forward by the Alaska Judicial Council, which nominates the most qualified applicants for each vacancy. Dunleavy had 45 days to choose from nominated applicants and make appointments. The judicial council, a citizens commission created by the Alaska Constitution to investigate and evaluate judicial applicants, met in November to interview applicants for positions on the Palmer and Kenai District Courts and the Homer and Valdez Superior Courts. The other nominated applicants for the Kenai District Court vacancy were Amanda Browning, Craig S. Condie and Kelly J. Lawson, the council announced in a Nov. 12 press release. Nominated applicants for the Homer Superior Court vacancy include Craig S. Condie and Kelly J. Lawson. Fallon is currently serving as a magistrate judge in Kenai. He’s been a resident for 11 and a half years and has practiced law for 20 years. Seifert has lived in Alaska for almost nine years. She’s been practicing law for a decade and graduated from William Mitchell College of Law in Minnesota. She is currently serving as an assistant district attorney in Kotzebue. The Alaska Judicial Council is composed of three attorneys, three non-attorneys and the Chief Justice of the Alaska Supreme Court.
Thursday, December 12, 2019 • Kenai Peninsula, Alaska
Alaska State and Wildlife Troopers will be conducting increased enforcement efforts on the highways this holiday season. From Dec. 11 to Jan. 1, See news, Page A3
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Dunleavy backs off on budget cuts The governor looks to the Legislature to rework state spending. By Peter Segall Juneau Empire
In his budget released Wednesday afternoon, Gov. Mike Dunleavy signalled fiscal year 2021 would be far less about state spending cuts than 2020. Dunleavy said his administration will continue to look for efficiencies in the budget, but that he wants the Legislature to pass laws changing how much programs are funded and an amendment for a constitutional spending limit. He said he was going to follow the law and allocate a full Permanent Fund Dividend of $3,170. “We’re going to honor the law, the (PFD) still has its calculation in statute, and there are a lot of programs (whose funding) are formula driven,” Dunleavy said, unveiling his budget surrounded by cabinet members at the Capitol. See budget, Page A14
Michael Penn / juneau empire
Gov. Mike Dunleavy, surrounded by his cabinet members, announces his state budget during a press conference Wednesday at the Capitol.
People who make Soldotna great honored By Brian Mazurek Peninsula Clarion
The Soldotna Chamber of Commerce took a break from its typical luncheon presentations this week to recognize local businesses and community members for their achievements. The chamber’s 61st annual Awards Luncheon took place at the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex on Wednesday. The awards were presented by incoming Chamber President Pamela Parker. “On behalf of the Soldotna Chamber I would like to thank you for sharing in this celebration of a few of the people that make Soldotna the great place it is,” Parker said during the awards ceremony. Before giving out individual awards, the chamber recognized its community sponsors at all levels, which range from silver to diamond depending on
the amount of cash and in-kind donations given. “These sponsors are instrumental in making our organization successful,” Parker said. “From $19,000 annually in scholarships, to events such as Peninsula Winter Games, the Frozen River Fest, Progress Days and of course Music in the Park, our sponsors let us do our job for all of you.”
Honorary Lifetime Soldotna Chamber Membership — Dan and Kathy Gensel “The Honorary Lifetime Membership is not an award that we hand out lightly or even every year,” Parker said. “It is only awarded when the chamber board sees fit to honor a long-time member of the chamber family.” Dan and Kathy Gensel have been See chamber, Page A3
Brian Mazurek / Peninsula Clarion
Chamber President Jim Stogsdill and Person of the Year Brenda Ahlberg pose at the Soldotna Chamber of Commerce Awards Luncheon at the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex on Wednesday.
Tustumena Elementary recognized nationally By Victoria Petersen Peninsula Clarion
Troopers on alert for dangerous driving
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Two Alaska schools, including one on the peninsula, were nationally recognized this week. Evergreen Elementary School in Juneau and Tustumena Elementary School in Kasilof were recognized by the National Elementary and Secondary Education Act Distinguished Schools Program. Previously known as the National Title I Schools Program, the program publicly recognizes schools for positive educational services. Every year, two schools are chosen to represent each state.
Tustumena Elementary School was recognized for exceptional student performance for two or more consecutive years, a Dec. 9 press release from the state Department of Education and Early Development said. Tustumena Elementary School has always been the heart of the community where locals come together for community building activities, the release said. “Tustumena Elementary School provides the best education possible where students learn in a positive atmosphere,” the state’s release said. “Data driven decision making has been an important part of the
overall school planning. Increased student success is a result of the positive relationships between teachers and parents at Tustumena Elementary School.” Alaska identifies eligible schools for the award based on their students’ performance on the Performance Evaluation for Alaska’s Schools assessment in English language arts and mathematics. Identified schools chose to apply for the honor. Schools provided evidence on their effectiveness in evidence-based instructional strategies, how they provided opportunities for all children to achieve, how
they coordinated Title I with other programs, their professional development of staff, and partnerships with parents, families, and communities. “It is an honor to recognize these two outstanding schools in our state,” Alaska Department of Education and Early Development Commissioner Michael Johnson said. “Both Tustumena Elementary and Evergreen Elementary have demonstrated effective strategies to ensure student success. I am proud to congratulate the educators, students, and families of these communities on the recognition of their hard work and dedication to Alaska’s students.”
Weigh in on watercraft proposal until Jan. 6 The Alaska Deparment of Fish and Game proposes repeal of ban on personal watercraft in areas of Kachemak Bay. A 30-day public comment window is now open. By Megan Pacer Homer News
An old fight over public access, recreational use and the protection of critical habitats is playing out anew in Kachemak Bay. The Alaska Department of Fish and Game announced Thursday
that it aims to change state regulation to repeal an existing prohibition on personal watercraft being used in critical habitat areas of Kachemak Bay and the Fox River Flats. The ban on the use of personal watercraft, often referred to as jet skis, has been in place since 2001. There is a 30-day public comment
period open until 5 p.m. on Jan. 6, 2020, before Fish and Game will decide to either adopt the change or take no action. According to the section of the Alaska Administrative Code that prohibits their use, personal watercraft are defined as “a vessel that is less than 16 feet in length; propelled by a water-jet pump or other machinery as its primary source of motor propulsion; and designed to be operated by a person sitting, standing, or kneeling on the vessel, rather than by a person
sitting or standing inside it.” The proposed repeal of the personal watercraft ban is being done as a “stand-alone” regulation change. It is being conducted separately from the current ongoing revision to the management plan that governs the two critical habitat areas, according to a Nov. 19 memo from a Fish and Game biologist to members of the planning team working on that management plan revision. See repeal, Page A2