Skagway Assembly members support a colleague after an allegation of verbal abuse. Utility rate increases go to the finance committee for further review and the Recreation Center changes its pricing plans. KHNS reporter Melinda Munson has this wrap-up from last Thursday’s meeting.
The Citizens Present portion of the April 18 Skagway Borough Assembly meeting was tense. Mavis Henricksen accused Assembly member Alex Weddell of inappropriate behavior at the Feb. 29 Civic Affairs Committee meeting.
“And she came at me like a wind and screamed and hollered and carried on,” Henrickson said.
Henricksen then threatened Weddell.
“I think, if she ever attacks me again, I’m going to come and bust her ass.”
Henrickson’s comments were ignored until the end of the meeting during discussion items. Assembly member Deb Potter described Henrickson’s portrayal as “inaccurate” and urged residents to listen to the Civic Affairs meeting.
Assembly member Jay Burnham also commented on the accusations.
“I happened to be in attendance at that meeting,” he said. “And I felt, no – I didn’t feel, I was sitting right there. And the chair conducted herself in the most professional manner, as any of us do when we’re trying to run a committee meeting.”
In legislative news, three resolutions which would have raised waste bills were sent to the Finance Committee for further review. Testimony by resident Kaitlyn Jared pointed out that the increases were based on recommendations from 2015.
…because of both municipal operation changes, and community composition changes, that we need to reevaluate our rates and how we’re charging them,” Jared said. “And not just consistently and continuously blanket rate increasing at 9.5%, 7% and 5%. That will be 11 years of doing that if these resolutions are passed tonight.”
And finally, the assembly approved the proposed Recreation Center rates. Family memberships were discontinued and senior rates were dropped to $50 per year. Children under 14 are now free.
In a memo to the assembly, Recreation Center Director Jason Verhaeghe said one reason for ending family memberships was safety. When a family membership holder checks in, staff has no way to know exactly who is in the building.
Updated rates take effect immediately. All current memberships will be honored until they expire.