Change Is A Constant

August 21, 2020

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

I hope you were able to get out in our brief windows of sun this week! Silvers are running, I picked the currants in the yard this week and made jelly... it's like the summer sogfest is fading into mossy memory.

Canadian Crossings

Travel comes with added restrictions these days, especially at borders. Southeast Alaskans trying to drive through Canada are meeting a very limited definition of “essential." I get where our polite neighbors to the east are coming from. They want to keep their citizens safe. But Southeast Alaskans sometimes need to drive to the rest of the state to see family or conduct business. People also make the drive to fill their freezers during hunting season. So far, they're all getting turned back at the border.

Rep. Hannan, Rep. Story, and I reached out to both the US and Canadian federal governments. I’ve also spoken with the governments of Yukon and British Columbia. They all understand how important meat hunting is for Alaskans. I've heard from individuals, Tribes, and sportsman's groups about it. And both the governor's staff and the Commissioner of Fish & Game have lent their active support.

We’re working with our provincial friends to find a fix Ottawa will accept. Alaskans are happy to stick to designated routes, drive straight through, and even haul their own food and fuel if need be. It’s a short trip and there are ways to do it safely. But some hunting seasons in the Interior are already underway, so time is of the essence. I’ll keep you updated on our progress.

I took this picture as we said so long to Caitlyn Ellis (center, in butterfly mask,) who left Rep. Story's office this week to work at JEDC getting the CARES grants out ASAP. We'll miss her in the Capitol, but we're lucky to have her working for our community!

Giving Grants

Too many Alaska businesses haven’t gotten state CARES grants yet. It’s tough to spin up a brand new program in the middle of a crisis, but it's taking too long to distribute desperately needed help. Thankfully, there’s some good news. The Juneau Economic Development Council is now processing applications. State staff from the Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority and the Department of Commerce are helping, too. This is the kind of all hands on deck approach we've needed for quite a while.

The restrictions are also finally loosening up. Right now, Alaskans with fishing permits (instead of a business license,) 501(c)(6) organizations, and people who received up to $5,000 of federal assistance can apply. The governor submitted a proposal to eliminate the cap on federal assistance entirely, and I hope we can get that into effect soon. If your Alaska business didn't qualify before, get the new, simplified, application here.

Say Your Piece

Remember the AMHS Reshaping Work Group? Remember I said they’re not always clear-eyed about the need to keep our coastal communities connected and our economies running? They're saying their report will make recommendations about the level and frequency of service for our communities, along with reshaping how the ferries are managed. So before they do that, they need to hear from you!

Public testimony details:

Wednesday, Aug. 26 from 3-6pm, and
Wednesday, Sept. 2 from 2-4pm.
If you call from a Juneau number, dial 586-9085.
If you call from a non-Juneau number, dial 844-586-9085.

Expect to get three minutes to comment when you call in. There’s more information here.

Starting School

It's a weird back-to-school season this year. (Like everything else.) Every community in our district is doing something different. I expect there will be a lot of shifts throughout the year, too. Haines students got a jump start on the school year, beginning this week in person, but split in two groups for distancing. Gustavus and Klukwan kids start Tuesday, Aug. 25. Skagway schools start face-to-face classes Thursday, Aug. 27. Juneau students are starting the semester 100% online. Monday, Aug. 24 is the first day for JSD grades 1-12 and the Kindergartners start Thursday, Aug. 27.

Teachers, administrators, and staff are working extensively with public health officials to do the best and safest job possible. It's an impossible balance. Kids won't get a do-over on this year's learning when the pandemic ends. And nobody gets a mulligan on bringing a virus home and infecting a loved one.

At this point I'm pretty sure the contingency plans have their own contingency plans. Spare a moment's pity (and thanks) for your local school board members, who are trying to give our kids the best possible education while keeping them and the community safe.

All my best,

Did someone forward you this newsletter?

Did you fall into it through the series of tubes? Want more?

Events & More Around District Q

Beat the Odds

The Beat the Odds run/walk is going virtual this year. Get out for a walk any time this week and support a great cause! Here’s the registration form.

Nature Books

Bob Armstrong’s nature books are free to download! There’s incredible information, and amazing Southeast photos on everything from marmots to orchids.

Totem Trot

The Haines Sheldon Museum is holding a virtual Totem Trot where you can walk or run the

course any time this week.

You can register here.

Juneau PRIDE

Juneau PRIDE is virtual this year. Check out the schedule of events over the coming week.