Glacier Valley Transit needs our contributions, and we need GVT
To the Editor:
Glacier Valley Transit is asking for funds for public transportation. In 2007 of the $25,000 which GVT received the Girdwood Chamber of Commerce and The Ice Cream Shop contributed $3000 each. Both donors were hoping that they would act as catalysts to spark others in the community to make contributions. GVT makes it possible for many employees of local businesses to get to & from their places of employment. GVT takes guests from Hotel Alyeska to local restaurants & shops where these visitors drop dollars on meals & merchandise. Girdwood needs GTV for various reasons, several of which were stated by Ms. Hiibner at the GBOS meeting. The article in the Turnagain Time has made it common knowledge in the Girdwood community that GVT is in need of funding. Perhaps now is the time that both businesses and private individuals could find some contribution, regardless of size, to support this badly needed transportation system.
Carol Makar, The Ice Cream Shop
Girdwood
Bud Gibbs
President, Girdwood Chamber of Commerce
Activity Bus Provides Safe Rides
To the Editor:
On Sept. 14, the Anchorage School Board voted to approve funding for an Activity Bus for all students attending South Anchorage High School (SAHS).
After a 14-year hiatus from transporting Girdwood, Bird and Indian students home, the Activity Bus has been leaving SAHS between 4:45 p.m. and 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday since Sept. 17.
This bus has provided a safe ride home for those teens wishing to participate in after school activities, and opens up the opportunity to join a club or sport that the student(s) might not otherwise have. With the change in seasons and activities offered at South, the ridership has recently dropped off.
This was not unexpected.
Superintendent Comeau, however, has expressed concern about the level of current ridership levels, and how that is perceived with respect to funding. While the ASD administration and school board fully support the Activities Bus, it is clear that ridership must be maintained, and/or increased to insure funding for next year and beyond.
In the spirit of fostering a culture of participation, there are plans in place to inform Turnagain Arm families about all the after school activities offered at South (clubs, sports, academic / credit recovery classes and other extracurricular events).
Look for meeting(s) to be held in January with Activities Principal Patrick Henry; notices in the SAHS “Summit” newsletter, and/or email and phone updates. We will be helping to publicize events and inform current and future SAHS students about activities that are available.
Please help us get involved. Support those students who wish to participate, and encourage your SAHS student to check out the many options available.
Julie Jonas and Sam E. Daniel
Girdwood
Best wishes to resigning Whittier City Manager and Administrator of Whittier
To the Editor:
It is with sadness and concern that I am offering many thanks to the departing Administrative Managers of the City of Whittier. City Manager Mark Earnest and Director of Administration Matt Abbey have both resigned to accept other employment. Mark has worked for the City since 2005 bringing a productive administration the City and although Matt was here for less than a year, he made great strides in forwarding the goals of the City and its Council. They will be sorely missed here.
When Mark took over as City Manager, the City was technically insolvent ($250,000 in the bank with a $250,000 balance in accounts payable). The City's credit rating was very poor (due to previous mismanagement) and most vendors working with the City were insisting on cash on delivery. Today, the City has rectified a $1,000,.000 cumulative deficit and has $3,000,000 cash on hand (most of these funds are restricted and targeted for the Capital Improvement Program). During Mark's tenure, financial credibility has been reestablished with federal, state, and banking entities.
There is currently (approx,) $18,000,000 invested by these entities in Whittier's wide range of capital projects. Approximately $100,000,000 in additional funding will be needed to complete the work that Mark has begun.
These capital projects, in varying stages of planning, design, and construction include: Whittier Small Boat Harbor, float replacement, sheet pile expansion, dredging and harbor basin reclamation, Marine Center development, East boat ramp replacement, Armor rock replacement, Cruise Vessel Passenger Tax Project, Visitor Center and Museum, Harbor upland pedestrian improvements, Head of Passage Canal, Uplands development, Navigation improvements, Fishing lagoon, Recreational access, Billings Pass trail, Shakespeare Creek environmental restoration, Shotgun Cove Road (Phase 1 and Phase 2), Area land development, Whittier Creek, Hydroelectric reconnaissance, Levee emergency protection, Levee rehabilitation, Public Works building roof repair, DOD tank farm redevelopment and Glacier Avenue west development.
As well as effectively administrating a very aggressive capital improvement program, a complete revision of Whittier Municipal Code and development of comprehensive policies are virtually complete. The expanded tunnel service to Whittier is evidence of renewed productivity with State agencies.
I am concerned and hopeful that our current elected officials and future management team(s) can and will carry forth the work that has begun.
I offer farewell and best wishes to our departing managers and their families. They have served the City well.
Peter Denmark
Whittier
