Daily Sitka Sentinel from Sitka, Alaska • Page 6

Page 6, SItka Daily Sentinel, Sltka, Alaska, Friday, February 19,1988 Mayors Want State Funds for Fisheries ANCHORAGE (AP)--The mayors of Anchorage, Unalaska and Kodiak have agreed to seek $14.3 million from the state to support the growing bottomfish industry. The plan would seek money for an Anchorage-based information system, and improvements for sewer, water and dock facilities at Unalaska and an industrial technical center in Kodiak, officials said. "The for Alaska to claim its share of the bottomfishing industry and do it in a way that explores the possibilities for all Alaskans, including us in the processing and Anchorage in the service sector," said Unalaska Mayor Paul Fuhs. "The Bering Sea could be perpetual Prudhoe Bay if managed wisely." Each year, 2 million tons of whitefish are harvested in the Bering Sea, a take that dwarfs the rest of the state's combined fish harvest. 'This could benefit pur state, but only if we have the basic infrastructure the people need to operate," Fuhs said.

Unalaska and Kodiak are looking to Anchorage for financing, research, marketing, data processing, repair, storage and transportation support that Seattle now provides to the bot- tomfishing industry. A key element in the mayors' plan would be a computerized fisheries information center. Another major element would be improvements to Unalaska's harbor facilities, Fuhs said. Unalaska has spent $8 million since 1984 to improve its port facilities, but needs outside help to land prizes such as major processing or cold storage plants, Fuhs said. "We've got 12 companies who will invest up to $16 million for processing and service sector facilities if we can put in better water and sewer facilities," Fuhs said.

"These people are chomping at the bit, saying, 'When can we but the state permitting agencies will not permit anything to be built there because you can't deal with the waste and water." Another element of the plan calls for creation of a Fisheries Industrial Technology Center in Kodiak for research and training to add value to the fish through processing smoking, processing into paste or formation of fish cakes or sticks. The plan also would require foreign joint-venture fishing operations to attempt to use U.S. cargo, fuel and other support facilities before turning to foreign operators. In addition, it would require strict monitoring of foreign fishing fleets operating in state waters, and allocation of a percentage of the bot- tomfish harvest revenue to support Alaska coastal communities. It also would extend state investment tax credits to encourage development of onshort processing facilities, and encourage Alaska's self-sufficiency through establishing a port of Alaska authority or an economic development district in south-central Alaska.

Fuhs said he will present the proposal to the state Committee on Economic Recovery and to a panel of the governor's advisers on fishing in the next few weeks. TOP STUDENTS These youths have been selected as Sitka High School students of the month for January. Pictured, from left, are sophomore Susan Hughes, Rovanne Anderson, senior Karen Moore and sophomore Allen Goodman. Not pictured is junior Krista Hartrich. (Sentinel photo) Plans Offered For Students JUNEAU (AP) The state student loan office might want to add more shingles to its front-door sign if two legislative proposals are adopted.

In addition to offering loans, the program would be expanded to handle savings accounts and sell bonds. Both proposals are intended to offer Alaskans new ways of saving money for college. Sen. Bettye Fahrenkamp wants the student loan office to sell bonds to the public, much like U.S. Savings Bonds.

Invest a little now, she proposes, and get back a lot more money later for college. Rep. Max Gruenberg has introduced a bill to allow Alaskans to deposit their Permanent Fund dividends with the student loan office, wait while it accumulates interest, and then draw out the money as needed for school ex- Senate Says No to Pot Bill JUNEAU (AP) Sen. Joe Josephson says if lawmakers want to pass an anti- marijuana bill that will survive legal challenge, they should forget about prison sentences and make possession of marijuana punishable by fine only -a proposal supported by three state law enforcement associations. Josephson on Thursday asked his colleagues to reconsider their passage will 'I" iiiiiiinimmiimniiiniiniii.iiiitii»iiiiiiiii^iiiiiiiniiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii lllllHllll II I II Work and Rugged Gear Store A SAVEL Carhartt Brown Duck Arctic Wear Insulated Work Wear Arctic Jacket Arctic Coat Insulated Bib Reg.

55480 55450 Insulated Pant 5 38 S1 Five Brother's Black Reg. Frisco Style Jean $24 Sale 95 Xtra Tuff Rubber Boots SALE $3995 All Printed Sweatshirts and T-SlUrts off Selected Raingear off Selected Footwear off In The Bayview Trading Company niiumMiiiiiiiiiniMiimromifflOTfflmiiifflniiH of a bill making marijuana illegal again, in Alaska. The Anchorage Democrat suggested they drop a potential jail sentence of up to 90 days for possession of small amounts of marijuana, and instead make it a violation punishable by a fine of up to $1,000. "This amendment says if you've never been charged with possession of marijuana before and you're caught in your home with less than an ounce, you stay out of the corrections system. You pay a fine," Josephson said.

Jail still would be possible for repeat offenders or people possessing more than an ounce. In support, Sen. Bettye Fahrenkamp, D-Fairbanks, cited the position of the Alaska Chiefs of Police Association, Peace Officers Association and FBI National Academy "Our three organizations know of no police department that would un dertake an intensive enforcement effOEL jagainst "persons possessing smalT 1 amounts of marijuana, if possession would be recriminalized. Frankly, there are more urgent needs to be addressed," the associations wrote in a report released last month. "Therefore, we would support a citation, mail-in bail approach, as is now used for most traffic infractions The APOA is more interested in consistency of our laws, and sending a clear message about marijuana to our youth, rather than a harsh enforcement program." Josephson argued that dropping the first-time prison sentence would give the proposed law a better chance if it's challenged in court.

Justices do not get too concerned about measures unless they affect someone's personal liberty, he said. The marijuana bill, if it passes the House, is almost certain to be challenged. In 1975, the Alaska Supreme Court ruled against a law making it a crime to use small amounts of marijuana on private property. The law violated the right to privacy specified in the Alaska Constitution, the court said. After debate, the Senate turned down Josephson's proposal upholding its Wednesday vote in favor of the, bill (CSSB32) toamend itt The prime sponsor, "Sen.

Paul Fischer, R-Soldotna, said judges won't send many people to jail if it becomes law Josephson had argued that judges, when granted such flexibility, give some people a slap on the wrist and throw others in prison for the same offense. penses. "Although we have an excellent student loan program, as the cost of higher education continues to rise students finishing their studies face an increasingly large total loan debt," said Fahrenkamp, a Fairbanks Democrat. The senator Tuesday introduced a resolution (SCR51) asking the loan office to establish the Alaska Student Savings Bond program. The legislature last year set up the Alaska Student Loan Corp.

and instructed it to sell bonds to raise money for student loans, instead of funding the program out of the state general fund. The corporation plans to sell its first bonds in May, said Kerry Romesburg, executive director of the student loan program. He said the bond sale will total between $75 million and $80 million to repay the general fund for this year's loan money and to cover next year's student loans. Such bonds usually are purchased in large blocks by mutual funds, insurance companies, retirement accounts and investment funds. Romesburg said there is nothing in state law to prevent the student loan corporation from holding back a small part of the bond offering and making it available for individual Alaska investors.

"This is not an idea the corporation came up with," he said, crediting Fahrenkamp with raising the issue. There still is time to establish a student savings bond program for the May bond sale, he that' perhaps $2 million could be separated from the sale and offered in small denominations. Sitka Community Hospital Panel OKs By-Laws Change By Sentinel Staff The Sitka Community Hospital board filled some vacant officer positions at its meeting this week, after first amending its bylaws on the subject. Ed Bahrt, who was president, resigned from the board in December and last month the remaining members named the board vice president, Frank Richards, to take over as president. In the absence of a clear policy on filling the vacant vice president position, the board postponed action until it could amend the bylaws to set a procedure.

Reed Reynolds as secretary, "We are assuming they will be tax- exempt," he said, making the bonds attractive to people looking for a college savings plan. Illinois recently became the first state to offer such savings bonds and sold out its $20 million offering within three hours, Romesburg said. North Carolina also has set up a similar program. The bonds would have a set rate, he said, and varying maturity dates, allowing people to buy bonds to meet The municipal assembly has ap- their educational financing needs. For pointed Lois Jund to complete Sato's example, at 8 percent interest, $3,377 term on the board.

Other board members are Carolyn Evans, Don Brown and Jack Parrish. Dr. John Totten is medical staff liaison, and Peter Hallgren is assembly liaison. In other discussion at the board meeting, the hospital administrator said a budget for the year that starts There would be marketing and ad- July 1 is being drafted, and be ministrative costs for running the presented to the board in March. savings bond program, but Romesburg said he does not know those costs yet.

Fahrenkamp wants a statewide marketing program to allow all Alaskans equal access to the tax- would buy a bond that would be worth $5,000 in five years. It would cost $2,281 to buy a $5,000 bond that would mature in 10 years. A 15-year $5,000 bond would cost $1,541 at 8 interest. COME TO WHITE'S PHARMACY'S ONE OF A KIND White's PHARMACY PLUSH TOYS NO WON SALE! Inflatable Dinos, All other plush toys Rocky Monkey, Pete 'n Repeat off Puzzles off Selected Toys off All Speidel Watch Bands off! PLUS OTHER IN-STORE SPECIALS AND GOODIES HOURS: 10am-9pm; Sat. 10am-7pm; Sun.

12pm to 3pm Located In the Lakeside Shopping Plata to move up a notch when a vacancy occurs. When the president position is vacated during the year, the vice president becomes president, the board secretary becomes vice president and a new secretary is elected by the Following their new rules, the board named former board secretary Mike Snowden as vice president and elected (HB497) would WwWsdav I asuonp anrt Alaskans would be allowed to deposit Wednesday. Lasagne, salad and heir Permanent Fund divjdends or TU other money into savings accounts at Thursday: Deer stew, com bread, the Joan o( jce They uid withdraw salad and dessert, the money when it came time to pay Fnday: Pork chops, mashed pota- 0 i 5 toes, gravy, salad and dessert. Anchorage Man Files for Young's Seat ANCHORAGE (AP) Former 1 prosecutor Peter Gruenstein on Thursday said he will challenge 1 Republican Rep. Don Young for Alaska's lone seat in the U.S.

House of Representatives. Gruenstein, a Democrat, declared candidacy in Fairbanks. He said'lie hopes to build a broad-based coalition of Democrats, Independents arid' Republicans." 'i He has supported lifting the oil export' ban on North Slope crude: oil aridi' opening the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to exploration and development positions adopted by Alaska's man congressional delegation. But Gruenstein says Young gives service to the concept of lifting the export ban, but does not work aggressively toward its abolition because he receives substantial contributions from the maritime which supports the prohibition. Gruenstein, 40, is an Anchorage resident who successfully prosecuted several high-profile cases.

He is graduate of Beloit College, and, at 23,, was one of the youngest aides in Congress when he worked for Hep. Les Aspin, D-Wisconsin. Exports Set Record JUNEAU (AP) Sales of Alaska goods to foreign countries jut an all- time high in 1987, totaling $1.67 billion. "These figures show that Alaska is finally beginning to diversify its economy by participating in in- ternational markets with our neighbors in the Orient," Gov. Steve Cowper said in a statement announcing the increase.

According to U.S. Commerce Department figures released Wed-, nesday, Alaska exports increased by $400 million and 1987. The 1987 total topped the previous high billion worth of exports in 1982 by 24 percent. The statistics show Alaska remains the only state that has a trade surplus with Japan and Korea. Alaska exports to Taiwan jumped 154 percent in 1987, to $50 million, primarily because of the first-time export of Cook Inlet crude oil to that country.

Other major trading partners their Alaska imports are: --Japan, $1.2 billion, up 27 percent: m'iiiibn, up 31 jier.cent. China, $48 million, up 47 percent. --Canada, $40 million, up 20 percent. The state Office of Trade attributes the Japan crease partly to the decline in the. of the dollar, which increases the total for the same amount of goods.

Increases to Korea, China and Canada are believed to represent new sales because the dollar remained'relatively stable compared to the currencies of those countries. The totals do' not include goods shipped first to Seattle, Tacoina or Portland and then exported, nor do they cover tourism revenues or investments in Alaska by foreign companies. Families Homeless FAIRBANKS (AP) Two families have been unable to return to their homes since a Feb. 10 fire at the Fred Ipalook Elementary School in Barrow, destroyed 12 classrooms and 30 apartments connected to the school, causing up to $11 million damage. North Slope Borough School District, public information officer Beverly Patkotak Grinage said the two families have been assigned temporary quarters by the borough housing ment.

Smoke damage to the remaining apartments was not as severe as of- ficials first believed, Grinage said, and 28 families were able to return to their homes earlier this week, she said. The fire destroyed the oldest portion of school, and left 235 Barrow students temporarily without classrooms. ta Movie Blow Out Sale! With the Now More You Need HR Block Our tax preparers have been carefully trained to understand income tax laws related to fishermen. We want to make sure you pay the lowest legitimate tax. Hours: 9-6 9-5 Sal.

or by appointment 118 Lincoln, Room 126 747-5633 or call Toll Free: 1-800-478-1041.