The Skagway Assembly meets on Thursday night. The highlights are sure to include: a potential pause on the food truck concept as a stop-gap for the school’s kitchen, further discussion of how to use the NCL Holdings $2 million donation, and how to fill a vacant assembly seat. KHNS’ Mike Swasey spoke with Mayor Andrew Cremata on Wednesday for a preview.

Swasey – Let’s start with the school kitchen project. It seemed like they were really close to buying a mobile kitchen, and then the manager sent out a memo saying, “Wait, hold on.” What’s happening with the school kitchen?

Cremata – Well, you know, like many other things, the actual expense of doing the project becomes quite a bit greater than the cost that was initially projected. I think the original thought was that it’s going to be a $200,000 project and it’s moved into $300,000 (project) now. And (it’s) probably going to be more expensive, because how these things kind of go. 

It’s not going to get cheaper to build the new kitchen over the next few years, so why not look into ways to fund that. But you know, I think we all understand the value of having the kitchen for the school, whether it be a mobile one or one that’s constructed. Whatever the assembly decides, I do think it’s vital that we have one of those options in place.

Swasey – Okay, moving on what’s going on with the Norwegian Cruise Lines donation?

Cremata – Well, as you know, there’s a certain amount of the money that’s going toward, the Food Bank and the other items by resolution. So there’s still that larger chunk of money. The manager put a memo out that has some potential suggestions that the assembly could latch on to, including unemployment assistance, and a large chunk of the money going toward a fund very similar to what the STC ran last year so that any business license holder could apply for that money. 

We’re hopeful that cruise ships are going to return in a robust fashion in ‘22. But there’s a lot of variables that we don’t understand. I think it’s good to be optimistic, for sure. But we should be patient and make sure that we are keeping as many people here as we can, and that we’re being prudent in the way we spend the money so that it’s going to keep as many businesses afloat as possible.

Swasey – There’s a trail agreement with the Skagway Traditional Council, and can you tell me a little bit more about that?

Cremata – Well, you know, trail expansion is something that I’ve put a lot of effort into over the past year and a half. And I hope we continue to do that. I foresee over the next four or five years, as the cruise industry rebounds, we’re going to become more reliant on independent tourism, and trails bring independent tourists. And I know that there are people who disagree with that assessment, but there are hard numbers that prove that it brings billions of dollars to the state. And if we have a robust trail system, and we can work with the Traditional Council to put together better trails in town and bring more independent tourists to Skagway. I think that’s a really positive thing.

Swasey – And then finally, the big story is going to be that empty assembly seat. Is the assembly ready to fill it this week?

Cremata – I hope so. I think it’s essential that it is filled. We have three quality locals who have put their names into the hat. And, I’m curious to see what the Assembly decides.

Swasey – You don’t have an inside scoop as to whether or not they’ve picked somebody.

No, you know, I’m trying to stay neutral in this. I know it’s been done differently in the past. But to me, one of the most important roles of the mayor is to make sure we have a cohesive assembly as much as possible. And if they can come to a majority agreement at the table about who they’d like to sit with them for these next five or six meetings until the election, I think that has a lot of value; rather than me telling them who should be there. 

Swasey – Andrew, thank you for the time and we’ll see you on Thursday night. 

Cremata – Hey, thanks, man. Have a good day.