SPILL DRILL
Last Wednesday and Thursday, the Coast Guard, Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation, Alyeska Pipeline Service Company, and the City of Valdez conducted a joint oil spill response area exercise. The exercise was based around a simulated worst-case oil discharge at the Valdez Marine Terminal. Over 300 people across multiple agencies and organizations participated in the drill. LT Allie Ferko, of the USCG, called the drill a success, explaining that it gave responders a chance to practice many skills from start to finish and incorporate new agencies such as the Bureau of Land Management into the exercise. Photo provided by Petty Officer 1 st Class Shawn Eggert.
|
BBC ARIZONA DEPARTS
.jpg)
THE USCG reports that the BBC Arizona left Valdez Harbor on Friday evening after being cleared by the Captain of the Port for Prince William Sound. Decontamination procedures on the BBC Arizona commenced on Friday after the last of the ships oil filled containers were moved shoreside, cleaned and returned to the ship. According to Cmdr. Benjamin Hawkins, “Coast Guard personnel inspected the ship and its’ cargo to verify all requirements of the Captain of the Port Order were met,” he added, “Due to the diligence and collaborative efforts of all those involved in the response, I was satisfied that the ship did not pose a safety or environmental hazard.” The BCC Arizona had been undergoing cleaning and decontamination since a spark ignited some oil that had leaked onto the ship’s deck on May 31 st. Photo courtesy of the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation.
|
|
PROPERTY TAX INCREASE
The City of Valdez voted to raise the property tax mil rate at a Special meeting last Thursday. The value of TAPS came in at 11.8 billion, way up from last year's valuation of roughly 8.3 billion said CIty Manager John Hozey. The revenue from 20 mil taxation will mean a windfall of 58.7 million in revenue for the City of Valdez this year. "We can only use 40 million for our operations”, said Hozey. “The remaining 18 million needs to be used for debt service. Last year we didn't have debt. This year, we plan to set this money aside and use it to pay down the debt for the building of the Middle School". While the increase in mil rate from 18.3 to 20 means roughly an additional 18.7 million TAPS has to pay to the City rather than the State, for citizens and businesses it means an increase of roughly $170 dollars in property tax each year for every $100,000 in property value they have. Donna Schantz and Karen Ables both voted down the tax increase citing the burden it would place on individuals and businesses. Mike Wells, Dorothy Moore, Jeremy Miner, and Dave Cobb were in support of the increase in an effort to pay down debt and have the ability to acquire more debt. Chris Moulton was absent.
|
|
POOL CLOSURE BEGINS
The closure at the Valdez Pool, expected for several weeks, began on Friday, June 14th. The closure is a result of the Middle School construction project. Pool will remain closed until June 28th. For more information contact the Parks and Recreation office at 835-2531.
|
|
CVEA UNDERGROUND CABLE
REPLACEMENT PROJECT
Year three of the Project is anticipated to begin Monday, June 17, 2013
• The project will replace aging cable with cable in conduit to improve CVEA system reliability
• Affected areas include Black Gold and Mineral Creek Subdivisions, and areas East and West of Hazelet
• Project stages will vary by location
• Project activities in your area can be found by visiting www.cvea.org or stopping by the CVEA office at 367 Fairbanks Dr., located on the corner of Fairbanks and Hazelet
• Dedicated utility easements and rights of way will be utilized
• Property owners are responsible for removing obstructions from the rights of way
• As crews work through the area, affected residents will be notified
For detailed information on this project visit www.cvea.org or stop by your local office
|
|
EMERGENCY ROOM ENTRANCE CLOSED DURING CONSTRUCTION,
USE MAIN ENTRANCE
Repairs will take place around the Providence Valdez Hospital Emergency Entrance starting June 20th at 1pm through July 6th. Please be aware that the normal ER entrance will be closed during the construction project. Everyone please use the main entrance to the hospital to access the emergency room. Please contact the hospital for more information at 835-2249.
|
|
RECORD HIGH TEMPERATURES
Record temperatures soaring into the 80’s could be reached today says the National Weather Service. According to Steve at the Local Office of the National Weather Service, last week’s high temperature of 76 degrees happened on Tuesday, but it didn’t break any records. However, Wednesday’s high temp of 74 degrees broke the previous record for that day, which was 72. Sunshine and warm temperatures should continue on through mid-week; record highs for the beginning of the week could be in jeopardy.
|
VALDEZ POOL CLOSURE UPDATE
Recent reports from the Valdez Pool say to expect the pool closure to take place from Friday, June 14 th to Friday, June 28 th. The closure is a result of the middle school construction that started in May. For more information CLICK HERE for the pool schedule.
|
NEARBY REGIONS EXPERIENCING FLOODING
Runoff from snowmelt in the Alaska Range is keeping water levels high around Tok. Some areas report the water to be two to three feet deep affecting a number of house and buildings. In addition, the BLM Glennallen Field Office reports that the Sourdough Creek Campground on the Richardson Highway experienced the highest flooding event in its recorded history when the Gulkana River broke up over Memorial Day. On Saturday the Copper River was so high that it tore fish wheels loose up river.
|
|
.67 ACRE DOG PARK
According to information in tonight's City Council packet, the City plans to build a dog park using existing supplies (4x4 timbers and standard fence wire - approximately 4 ft. high and 800 linear feet). Park & Recreation estimates the annual labor for set-up, tear down and storage needs to be $1,118.75. The dog park will be on Meals Ave and accessible to the Valdez Animal Shelter.
|
FISH DERBIES LOOKING FOR HELP
Valdez Fish Derbies is looking for volunteers to help weigh fish for the summer season. Fish Derby Weigh-In Coordinator Bonnie Woods said, “If I can’t be fishing, I want to be talking to someone who’s fishing”. Woods said that volunteers receive incentives for working and can work a couple hours at the weigh-in shack or as many hours as they would like. The job is not physically demanding as the anglers and captains are very helpful about hanging the fish for weighing. If you’re interested in finding out more about being a Valdez Fish Derbies weigh-in volunteer – call the weigh-in station at 255-5680 or call Bonnie Woods at 831-0456. The Weigh-In station is open 3pm to 8pm if you want to stop by to see how it works or ask questions.
CLICK HERE for Weigh-In Volunteer Incentive Sheet
|
CITY OF VALDEZ ADOPTING NEW TRASH PROTOCOLS
The City of Valdez residential trash pick-up will now take place in the morning. All trash cans must be curbside no later than 9:00am on your trash day said City Manager, John Hozey. The city asks that trash cans should not be put out the night before and cautions that ALL trash must be fully enclosed in an appropriate trash receptacle and dumpsters must be used appropriately, with lids being closed and locked after trash is inserted. The City of Valdez said they will begin enforcing these requirements. Trash of any kind found outside of a fully enclosed receptacle will result in immediate issuance of a citation, Hozey said. CLICK HERE for more details.
|
RELAY FOR LIFE RAISE OVER $38,000
The weekend’s Relay for Life events brought Valdez citizens together to raise money for cancer research and honor cancer patients and caregivers. “This year 11 teams, with the help of many generous sponsors, have raised over $38,000, so far (funds can still be turned in until the end of August to count towards this year)” said Wendy Goldstein, “The annual event takes a committee of dedicated volunteers to organize and is a work of heart.”
|
Larry Weaver, Lea Cockerham and John Hozey were honored for their service during Valdez’s Military Appreciation Weekend festivities.
|
SOLSTICE BARBERSHOP FESTIVAL RETURNS TO VALDEZ
Members of the Barbershop Harmony Society will return to Valdez this weekend for the Solstice Barbershop Festival. The Solstice Festival has been held in Valdez on multiple occasions in the past and Curt Harris of the Midnight Sons Chorus reports that the groups are looking forward to returning for the event. “I think one of the most enjoyable things about Valdez, from a performer’s viewpoint, was how the community supported us by taking time out of their schedules to attend our shows.” Harris adds that for the 75 th anniversary of the Barbershop Harmony Society, the festival is hosting President of the Evergreen District Barbershop Harmony Society, Ken Galloway and vocal coach Eddie Martinez. “We are looking forward to showing these gentlemen the real Alaska, away from the big cities, and hopefully encourage them to return sometime in the future,” says Harris. Festival workshops and coaching sessions are open to the public and a free performance by BHS members will be offered at the Civic Center on Saturday, June 8 th at 7:00pm.
|
NEW SUPERINTENDENT ANNOUNCED
The Valdez City School Board announced Thursday night that Dr. Lisa Stroh will be the new superintendent staring July 1st. Dr. Stroh accepted a two-year contract with the district.
Press Release from the VCSD:
Dr. Lisa Stroh is currently the superintendent of Blaine County in Montana. She was a professor of education at Fort Belknap College prior to being elected county superintendent. Dr. Stroh also has worked as a principal in Montana and Alaska. She holds an Ed.D. in School Administration, with and emphasis in curriculum and instruction and a M.Ed in Special Education from Montana State University.
Dr. Stroh commented that she “is honored to be offered the contract as superintendent of Valdez City Schools. Valdez is an awesome district and I will work as hard as I can to move the district forward. My family and I look forward to moving here and calling Valdez home.”
The Board elected to conduct a nationwide search and secured the services of the Association of Alaska School Boards to assist with the search. The position was advertised beginning in early March and closed on April 4, 2013. Three finalists, including Dr. Stroh were in Valdez on April 17th and 18th and spent time with staff, community members, toured the community and had formal interviews with the Board.
|
RESULTS OF THE BITE BACK RUN
Best Overall time winners Aaron Brown and Tina Fifarek took home two of the coveted metal mosquito trophies in the June 1 st Bite Back Run. All proceeds from the event went to Compassion International’s Anti-Malaria Fund. Other race winners include:
Kids’ Run – 12 & Under, 1 Mile
Girls: Reese King
Boys: Warren Williams
5K Race
12 & Under
Girls: Emma Childs
Boys: Warren Williams
Age 13-19
Women: Kirsten Mond
Men: Keefe McIntosh
Age 20-29
Women: Amanda Hatton
Men: Ben Stolen
Age 30-39
Women: Tina Fifarek
Men: Aaron Brown
Age 40-49
Women: Julie Haltness
Men: Lee Knowles
Age 50-59
Women: Bonnie Cudnohufsky
Men: Bob Smith
Age 60 – and up
Women: Sandra Warren
Men: --
|
NEW WILSON BROTHERS PARTNERSHIP
Wilson Brothers has partnered with Lynden Transport and moved to a new facility on Loop Road. Wilson Brothers will still be handling food and beverage service, but have added transport of Lynden freight as part of their daily routine.
|
|
UNEXPECTED POOL CLOSURE
The Valdez Pool is expected to close Monday June 3rd and remain closed for several weeks. The closure is a result of interruptions in electricity and hot water to the pool caused by the Middle School construction project. Pool Director Wendy Clubb said, “We will do our very best to keep the pool open whenever possible and to keep the public informed.
|
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE WILL NOT RECONSIDER CUTS TO VALDEZ OFFICE
In response to a letter sent by Valdez Mayor Dave Cobb, Aimee Devaris of the National Weather Service said that while NWS is committed to providing quality products and services to Alaskans, "the reality is the WSO staff (in Valdez) are mostly transient and the specialized training and expertise regarding Alaska's unique weather and climate challenges rests with the meteorologists in Anchorage, Juneau and Fairbanks.
CLICK HERE to read the letter.
|
