Aerial view of Skagway (Source: Wikimedia)
Now for reaction from Skagway officials that helped bring the legal challenge to the redistricting board’s political map linking upper Lynn Canal with Juneau’s Mendenhall Valley.
The lawsuit questioned the Republican-majority board’s decision to sever Haines, Skagway and Klukwan’s House district from Juneau’s downtown and Douglas Island. The heavily Democratic district is held by Rep. Sarah Hannan of Juneau.
Skagway Mayor Andrew Cremata called the court’s decision a partial win and says it’s prepared to appeal to the state’s highest court. KHNS’ Corinne Smith also talked with Mayor Cremata about what’s coming up at this week’s assembly meeting.
KHNS: So first, what is your response to the court’s ruling on the legislative district map?
Andrew Cremata: Well, we’re celebrating a victory in that court case today. But it’ll be a short lived celebration, because there’s still the (Alaska) Supreme Court. And we will be bringing an appeal to the Supreme Court focused on the portions of the decision that weren’t favorable. But as far as the judge, I was really impressed by the fact that he heard exactly what we were stating, during our case, and during the trial. Which was that the voice of the people who live here in Skagway, the voice of our voters was not heard. And I think he was very clear in his decision about that. I think he almost had a tone of reprimand to the board that they ignored the voices here in Skagway, and obviously that is ruling in our favor. So we’re happy about that.
KHNS: Right. It was a pretty scathing ruling saying that public testimony was not properly heard, and public comment was not considered. So you said that you will be bringing this, appealing this to the Alaska Supreme Court?
Cremata: Absolutely. So one of the other portions of our case that we felt was relevant was that we have a very strong socio-economic integration with downtown Juneau. And it is a key part of our case. Another key part of the case, obviously, was the part that was ruled on favorably. And it also ties into some of the other districts that had the same complaint, that the Board did not take into consideration these socio-economic integration factors. So that’s worth bringing up to the Supreme Court to get a ruling from them as well, on that issue. What we don’t want to do is get into a scenario where we rest on our laurels, and then end up back at square one. So we’re going to continue to pursue the interests of the voters of this community and do everything we can possibly do to come up with a favorable ruling when all is said and done with the Supreme Court.
KHNS: So turning to this week’s upcoming Assembly meeting, a big ticket item before the Skagway assembly is this resolution to accept federal COVID relief funding of over $9 million. How will this federal assistance be spent?
Cremata: Well, for the federal assistance, the goal here is to replenish funds that were lost during the pandemic… We went through a really difficult time with a pandemic. And now that we’re emerging from it, I feel like one of our greatest triumphs here in Skagway was being able to retain our entire municipal staff. Ensure that they didn’t have to take pay cuts, ensure that they are here. Because the big fear is that if you lose these quality people that we have working for the municipality, that they go on to work somewhere else. If we had lost during the pandemic, trying to fill those seats now, where it’s virtually impossible to find employees, for many businesses and government agencies, that would put us at a severe disadvantage when we’re trying to tackle all of these issues that we deal with on a daily basis. So I feel like it was a big triumph for us. This money obviously goes into making sure that we can continue on with our port independence projects, infrastructure development, capital projects, and all of the other things that we do as a municipality. So it’s just getting us back to where we need to be.
KHNS: Another agenda item before the assembly is the awarding of the management contract for the Garden City RV Park. Can you talk about that?
Cremata: This was tabled at the previous assembly meeting. I imagine that a couple or a few of the assembly members wanted to do a little bit more research on perhaps what the intent is for Garden City use this year. But I don’t foresee this as being any issue. There was a bid process, somebody made a bid, and so it’s just a matter of approving it.
KHNS: And that’s also the site of the former residential school for Native children. And so what’s the latest on the archeological assessment of that site?
Cremata: It’s timely that you asked me, I was just talking to manager (Brad) Ryan about this yesterday trying to figure out the timeline. So first of all, we have to go through the process of either getting this contract approved at the table. Or if the assembly decides that a different direction is warranted, and they do that, and we can’t really move on that next phase until that particular issue gets dealt with. Then it’s a matter of figuring out who’s going to do the work and scheduling the work. I think that it has to be done, if I’m not mistaken, before the third week of June. But obviously, we want to be able to use the RV park for RV’s especially if we’re gonna see a massive influx of independent travelers. So the sooner the better. I don’t know how ground penetrating radar works. Does the ground need to be the odd? Can it be done tomorrow? I really don’t know the answer to that, because I don’t know the science behind it. But I do know that it’s a high priority. And something that we need to get done sooner than later.
KHNS: Yeah we’ll definitely be following that. Another item on the agenda is a grant to this radio station. So in the spirit of transparency, it’s a community funding grant that our nonprofit owner, Lynn Canal Broadcasting applied for from the municipality of Skagway for $30,000. And that’s to fund KHNS’ Skagway bureau with equipment to support coverage there. And, of course, our newsroom will still be maintaining our independence and impartiality. What is the assembly considering with that one?
Cremata: Well, so much like in previous years, the assembly needs to consider whether or not this is a good use of municipal funds. I mean, that’s really what it comes down to. For me personally, as somebody who lives in the upper Lynn Canal, not as mayor as just a person, especially during the pandemic, I was impressed by the quality of the work being done by KHNS. And also recognize it as one of our most vital links to get emergency information out. Think about during the pandemic, and it’s easy to forget now that we’re coming out of it, but you go back, when you focus on how that real time news coverage was essential for us when we were dealing with a significant crisis. And I feel like both Haines and Skagway the leadership in both communities was exceptional. The communication was exceptional, but being able to get that voice out to the communities is difficult, especially for a government entity living in a small town it’s essential. So you know, it’s always gonna have my support, but really comes down to the assembly, but that’s what the assembly is supposed to do is to figure out what it is that they believe the government should be funding and then make those choices.
KHNS: Well we appreciate that. Thank you Mayor Cremata, thanks for your time.
Cremata: Thank you. Have a great day.
