Questions persist in Skagway about how to spend the $2 million donation from Norwegian Cruise Lines Holdings, how close the municipality is to an agreement with SEARHC to manage the local clinic, and how to move forward with the Garden City RV Park. KHNS’ Mike Swasey spoke with Mayor Andrew Cremata about the issues that are on the agenda for this Thursday’s Borough Assembly meeting.
Swasey – What’s happening with the NCL donation?
Cremata – It looks as though $150,000 will go toward a supplemental unemployment-type program for residents of Skagway during the winter months. I think this was a really good idea. I believe it has the support of the Assembly. And it still leaves $1.5 million that the assembly can figure out how to distribute, or disseminate.
Swasey – Anything happening with SEARHC, possibly managing the (Dahl Memorial) clinic?
Cremata – I do think that there is really great progress being made on this issue. These are difficult decisions, and the MOU may need to go through a refinement process. But I do think we’re heading down a path where we’re going to be able to refine that document and find out the answers to some of the questions that are being posed by community members, and concerns about what this type of agreement may mean for us in the future; the management of the clinic, the health of the community…
Swasey – I guess, I’m wondering, what’s the timeline with this? You know, it seems like this could be something that needs immediate attention.
Cremata – It definitely needs immediate attention. We need to have providers here, especially when we’re still dealing with a global pandemic. But at the same time, we can’t just jump into an agreement without thoroughly vetting it through the community. The municipality is the residents of this community, we’re just elected to represent them. So while it’s really important that we have staff, not only at the (Dahl Memorial) clinic but in all of our departments, it’s also important that if we’re going to make a major change like this, we have the investment from the majority of the community. So that they’re confident that we’re making the right choices.
Swasey – The Dyea Advisory Board has made some suggestions about a survey for only Dyea residents. What do you see happening this week about that survey? Because it looks like it’s coming in front of the assembly to either go ahead with it or cancel it.
Cremata – I have concerns about the survey. My take on it is I would like to see the assembly perhaps consider the notion that if we’re going to conduct surveys, that we: A). Hire somebody professional to create the survey. And that B). It goes to a municipal committee, like, say like civic affairs, so that the elected officials in the community can make an educated decision as to whether or not this is a good idea.
Swasey – And finally, the Garden City RV park’s future use, which is brought up by Assemblyperson Bass. Are we discussing future plans for that area again?
Cremata – I actually don’t know what the intent is behind it. So I’m curious to see what he’s bringing forward. You know, there are multiple issues here to address. Are we going to sell off some of the land? Are we going to build a structure there? Are we going to turn it into a trailer park? Is it going to be an RV park?
If we’re going to encourage more independent tourism as the cruise industry rebounds, and as we’re seeing right now, the cruise ship industry rebound is not going as seamlessly as many had anticipated, then I believe that we need to have as much opportunity to encourage independent travelers to come here when our border opens up as possible. So this is a difficult one, and I appreciate Assemblyman Bass bringing it forward. I’m just not exactly sure what we’re going to be talking about at the table because it is a heavily nuanced issue.
Swasey – All right. Mr. Mayor, thank you so much for your time, and have a wonderful week. I’ll see you on Thursday night.
Cremata – Alright, sounds good.
The meeting can be streamed live at www.khns.org at 7 p.m. Thursday, July 15, 2021.
