Daily Sitka Sentinel from Sitka, Alaska • Page 8

Pages, Daily Sitka Sentinel, Sitka, Alaska, Friday, September 19,1986 Winter Ferry Fares Lowered JUNEAU (AP) Passengers on the Alaska Marine Highway System ferries will get greater-than-normal discounts on off-season fares this winter. The traditional fare reductions made from OCL 1 through April are larger this year for passenger, state room and vehicle rates, said Dick Knapp, commissioner of transportation and public facilities. 'This deeper winter discount recognizes the financial picture Alaskans are facing. Additionally, we hope the cheaper fares will increase passenger loads during the time when traffic is generally down and there is empty space on the vessels," Knapp said in a prepared statement. The discounts will vary with route, destination and points of departure.

Some examples are a Seattle-to- Ketchikan passenger fare of $92, compared to summer fare of $122, and a Skagway-to-Seattle fare of $158, compared to $208 in the summer. Round-trip tickets beginning and ending at the same Alaska port will earn additional discounts, part of an effort to get residents to use the ferries, Knapp said. Information about winter rates is available at local Marine Highway offices, or by calling 1-800-551-7185 in Alaska or 907-465-3941 outside the state. Quake Rattles South Central GOP Sues to Get Metcalfe Off Ballot PALMER, Alaska A A moderate earthquake shook portions of southcentral Alaska on Thursday, but there were no immediate reports of damage or injuries, the Alaska Tsunami Warning Center reported. The 12:56 p.m.

(AST) temblor measured 4.6 on the Richter scale. It was centered 10 miles northwest of Palmer. The quake was felt sharply in Anchorage and Palmer, and also rattled King Mountain, Big Lake and Whittier, said warning center spokesman Dennis Traturyk. There were reports items being shook off bookcases and shelves, he said. The Richter scale is a gauge of energy released by an earthquake, as measured by the ground motion recorded on a seismograph.

The earthquake that devastated Alaska in 1964 and killed at least 114 people measured 8.5 on the scale. ANCHORAGE (AP) --Continuingits battle with legislative candidate Ray Metcalfe, the Republican Party of Alaska has filed suit to stop him from using the label "Republican Moderate" on the November election ballot. In a lawsuit filed Wednesday in Anchorage. Superior Court, the Republicans claim Metcalfe is illegally exploiting their party's name and status. They ask that his name be removed from the Nov.

4 ballot and that he be barred from using the name "Republican" in his party name. "The public will be defrauded, deceived, confused and may vote for (Metcalfe) thinking he is a candidate of the Republican party," the lawsuit reads. The party will be "deprived of the value resulting from years of endeavor and thousands of dollars of investment and extensive advertising and the goodwill they acquired from the use of the name the suit says. Judge Brian Shortell said Wednesday he would not decide on the Republican party's request for a temprorary injunction until Sept. 24, one day before Alaska ballots are scheduled to be sent to a printer in California.

The Republican party's choice for the South Anchorage seat in the state Senate is incumbent Sen. Jan Faiks, who defeated Republican Arndt Von Hippel in the Aug. 26 primary. Faiks has no Democratic opponent. Metcalfe said the Republican Moderate party was his own invention, but said he did not intend it to be deceiving.

"I am a Republican, but I'm a moderate. My party is Republican Moderate. I made it up. It accurately reflects my views." "In the primary, I saw thai whoever campaigned against Jan Faiks would not get fair treatment from the party," Metcalfe said. "The primary is the vehicle to settle differences of opinion within the party, but the party leaders, by supporting Faiks, were influencing the masses that they lead." MEHS Construction Projects are Outlined By Sentinel Staff Mt.

Edgecumbe High School is remaining a busy scene of construction activity, as the school is in the midst of Phase'i of a four-phase refurbishing program. The boarding school, set up in the buildings of a World War II Navy base, was run by the federal government for 37 years. When it was turned over to the State of Alaska two years ago, $22 million was provided for an extensive renovation program. The Mt. Edgecumbe complex will soon become the: site also of Islands Community College, which intends to expand its programs once it moves into one of the two former airplane hangars on Japonski Island.

Metcalfe was elected as a Republican to the state House of Representatives in 1978 and 1960. He said he agrees with the party stance on most issues but rejects its occasional ultraconservative image. "When Phyllis- Schlafly joined the party," he said, "I took a big step to the side." He did not enter the primary race, saying he qualified to be on the general election ballot by submitting signed petitions. Though he acknowledges that to writing Native preference bid proce- the Republicans' lawsuit help dures, to one day of picketing by local bring publicity to his campaign, he also Hepatitis Clinic Set A Hepatitis screening and immunization clinic will be available 1-7 p.m. Monday and 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

Tuesday at SEARHC Mt. Edgecumbe Hospital in the first floor classroom on the east wing. Persons who began the series in March are due to receive their third immunizaton this month. If the hours listed are inconvenient, arrangements can be made by calling 966-2457. This service is offered at no charge to beneficiaries of the Mt.

Edgecumbe Hospital. AFL-CIO Votes To Back Cowper ANCHORAGE (AP)--TheAFL-CIO, Alaska's largest labor organization, Thursday endorsed Democrat Steve Cowper's bid for governor. The announcement came a day after 150 union 'delegates met in Anchorage with Cowper and Republican Arliss Sturgulewski. "There was a great deal of debate this morning on which way to go, and for unity's sake, it was a unanimous decision," said Mano Frey, the labor organization's exe'cutive director. "But that doesn't mean there wasn't a good deal of discussion before we got to that point." Delegates felt that "both candidates are pro-labor," Frey said.

The AFL-CIO represents more than 30,000 members in 80 affiliated unions statewide. The organization endorsed Gov. Bill Sheffield before he lost the Aug. 26 primary, citing his support of the local hire law and his administration's strict enforcement of health and safety regulations in the workplace. Cowper and Sturgulewski were questioned on those issues during a one- hour debate before the AFL-CIO delegates.

Both candidates pledged to promote local hire, entrepreneurial projects, and trade between Alaska and Pacific Rim nations. Magic Mirror Sftka's Family Hair Care Salon Presents Sculptured Nails 45 included in this price: 2 Free Suntans! Offer Ends Sept. 30, 1986. Wolff Tanning Special Continues: 10 Wolff Suntan Sessions Vicki Tammee Seward Mall Gracia Erin 747-8677 Phase 1, which included bringing all buildings in use up to minimum code requirements and replacement of water and power systems at a cost of $10 million, is now "99 percent complete," reported Superintendent Larry Rocheleau. Much of that work was done a year ago, before the school reopened in September of 1985 after a two-year closure.

Phase 2 includes upgrading of buildings to be used as a maintenance shop and warehouse, along with replacement of siding on the hangars, one of which serves as the Mt. Edgecumbe Fieldhouse. Phase 3 will be construction of a new 25,000 square foot classroom building at an estimated cost of $3.95 million, said Rocheleau. Advertisement for bids is expected about October 30, with construction to begin at the end of December, he said. Phase 4 will be transfer of $3 million of the federal funds to ICC to help fund remodeling costs inside the hangar which it will occupy.

"By the end of 1986, we will reevaluate where we are and what projects still need to be completed," said Rocheleau in a written outline of school building programs. "We need to replace some fire escapes, take care of handicapped access, complete more asbestos removal, etc. "Overall, this has been a very complicated and involved expenditure of the federal $22 million appropriation. Multiple federal, local, private and state agencies have been involved in everything from Native hire issues to city codes, to federal 7b requirements, Researcher (Continued from page 1) will die soon," he said. The key cause While many factors are involved, the greatest may be a group of mosses of the genus sphagnum, which kill trees as they advance into new areas, according to Klinger's theory.

After the retreat of the glaciers that once covered Southeast Alaska, he explained, there was a natural succession of plant life forms, each giving way to other forms, eventually resulting in a forest. That theory has been documented by scientists who have observed plant growth following the retreat of glaciers at Glacier Bay, said Klinger. The climax forest has long been believed to be the end of the succession, he said. However, he said, his research now indicates that the conversion of forest into muskeg may be the final step. Sphagnum mosses, which give the sensation of sponginess underfoot in muskeg areas, are the operative agents, Klinger said.

"These mosses invade into old growth forests and are responsible for killing trees," he continued. He said he cannot prove his theory with precise measurements of areas in which trees have died and muskeg taken over. But, he continued, "there is lots of circumstantial evidence that supports that theory." Acid rain Klinger said that by using state-of- the-art equipment, he was able to detect levels of acidity in Southeast electricians, to being designated a national historic landmark. All of this in a very tight timeline. "As our students were coming in one door in September of 1985, the contractors were just going out another door.

It took a real team effort to get to where we are." The superintendent then went on to express appreciation to the Alaska Board of Education and state commissioner of education "for giving us the flexibility and latitude to complete our job." Following is a listing of different projects within Phase 2, as outlined by Rocheleau. At completion, all maintenance operations will move from Charcoal Island to the ground shop building, and the old laundry building will be remodeled to become the warehouse facility. Asbestos and PCB removal -Contractor should complete asbestos removal from ground shop and laundry building by end of September, and removal PCBs stored in cement bunker by end of October. Cost is $177,000. Mechanical system A bid has been let and a new mechanical system should be installed in the grounds shop and laundry building by end of December.

Cost is approximately $365,000. Electrical upgrade This improvement of the grounds shop and laundry building is estimated at $25,000. Price is for materials only, with two Mt. Edgecumbe High School electricians to do installation. Painting Five buildings are now 90 percent finished.

Two painters and two helpers were hired this summer, and the school purchased its own paint, to do the project at an estimated cost of $40,000. Siding and roof--The gym hangar and ground shop will receive new siding, and the grounds shop will get a new roof. This will provide insulation and save enough fuel to heat the new classroom building, said Rocheleau. Bid opening is Thursday. The project has been combined with exterior renovation of the ICC hangar, which is anticipated to reduce both architectural and construction costs for both schools.

The ML Edgecumbe portion of the project is estimated at $1.3 million. says he is the victim of a party that owes a great deal to Faiks and her fundraising abilities. Troopers Warn Mushroom Pickers ANCHORAGE (AP) A group of Korean women who picked mushrooms in an Anchorage yard are in danger of being poisoned if they eat them, the Alaska State Troopers reported. The mushrooms were sprayed with Thiram, a highly toxic fungicide that can cause illness, troopers said. The poison can cause additional problems if consumed with alcohol, the Poison Control Center at Providence Hospital said.

Troopers issued an alert for the group of eight to 10 women after they were seen picking mushrooms in the yard of a Wonder Park home. The yard's owners, preparing their property for winter, earlier had sprayed the mushrooms with Thiram to kill them. Thiram will cause weakness, numbness, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea, said troopers spokesman Paul Edscorn. Manager Quits ANCHORAGE (AP) The a a a i a Borough's manager has resigned his post, saying he wants to begin writing a book on state local politics of the West. Gary Thurlow told the borough Assembly late Tuesday that he plans to leave his job Jan.

15 to begin the project. Thurlow, who joined the borough in 1981, said his leaving has nothing to do with occasional campaigns against him by some borough residents who felt he wielded too much influence ovr the Assembly. Priest Blames Bombing on Racists COEUR D'ALENE, Idaho (AP) -An activist priest whose home was the target of a bombing has blamed the followers of a white supremacist organization and state officials say they'll join the investigation of the attack. The Rev. Bill Wassmuth, chairman of the Kootenai County Task Force on Human Relations and a leader of a counter-demonstration in July during the Aryan Nations' "World Aryan ongress," was shaken but not hurt after the bomb exploded Monday night, causing an estimated $4,000 damage to the St.

Pius parish rectory- The Roman Catholic priest has been the leader of the community's effort to combat the presence of the white supremacist Aryan Nations, which operates from a military-style compound north of nearby Hayden Lake. The Aryan Nations was the group from which the more militant organization, The Order, sprang. Members of The Order were accused of bank and armored car robberies, murders, bombings and counterfeiting in late 1983 and 1984. Ten were convicted of racketeering last year in Seattle and 12 pleaded guilty. State Attorney General Jim Jones said Wednesday he is sending investigators to assist Coeur d'Alene police in the investigation.

Authorities said the blast was apparently caused by a pipe bomb. Although police say they have no suspects, some in this town of 20,000 people are pointing the finger at the Aryan Nations and its leader, the Rev. Richard Butler. "I feel very strongly that he's responsible for the kind of people who come here and do these kinds of things," said Sandy Emerson, executive vice president of the Coeur d'A- lene Chamber of Commerce. "He's responsible directly or indirectly." Said Wassmuth: "We're? dealing with a very violent people hereX; Butler has denied -any Aryan Nations has offered to join Wassmuth arid the Chamber of Commerce in posting a reward.

Emerson and Wassmuth have declined. For Life insurance, check with State Farm. Create Your Own Original! Classic designs from The Bench On Lincoln Street Next to the Post Office Alaska rain that were higher than what is considered normal (see related story). The significance of acid rain in the dying forest theory, he explained, is that it helps create the acidic conditions in which sphagnum mosses thrive. While there is not enough evidence yet to tell whether acid rain is killing trees outright in Southeast Alaska, said Klinger, "I do have evidence to suggest the acid rain is accelerating the natural rate of forest turning into Theory's ramifications Klinger said it is too early to formulate any definite opinons about the ramifications of his findings, but that he does not see the need for any immediate changes in forest management policy based on them.

The U.S. Forest Service bases its management on the assumption that trees will grow back after an area is logged, and this is probably what will happen, at least initially, Klinger said. "But if this (his theory) is right," he said, "we don't really know then what the forests will do after we log them." Another ice age? Forests also appear to be dying in other parts of the world, continued Klinger, naming New Zealand and southern Chile. "The whole theory that I am proposing does involve a possible mechanism by which ice ages begin," he said. Klinger suggested two factors regarding the forest-to-bog theory that could trigger an ice age.

Such a change could result in a cooling of the Earth, since bogs reflect light, whereas forests turn light into heat, he said. He added that bogs and muskeg areas would provide moisture that could result in ice caps. Data collection Klinger said he collected his data the past two summers from Kruzof and Baranof islands. He added that he also spent two other summers in Southeast Alaska. In addition, he has been involved with other research projects throughout Alaska, including extensive stays in the Brooks Range, North Slope and other remote regions.

He said he emphasized his many stays in Alaska's wilds to counter the tendency of Alaskans to scoff at the observations of "outsiders." "When I'm there (in Alaska), I'm not in towns," he said. "I'm out in the field looking at things." Permanent Life. Term Life. Universal Life Dennis Wallin, Agent 407 Halibut Pt.Rd. (across from Swan Lake) P.O.

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