Couple Question Tax Code After Fire

One dollar and fifty cents SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2017 newsminer.com

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Inside Today Gorsuch establishes conservative credentials in first year on Supreme Court. » A6 Couple question tax code after fire

North Star Borough to report rental property but contin- The Their home the fire. ued to use the shop. remains of destroyed, Hunts “I was expecting to get a “I was stunned,” Hunt said. 2180 Shale property tax adjustment,” he “The building wasn’t there. Court, said. We were taxed on something property sought relief but That’s not what happened. that didn’t exist anymore. owned by Hunt learned that he ... Everybody needs to know didn’t get it would be required to pay how unfair it is.” Ron and his full tax bill — $6,977.92 Hunt pressed the Borough Jane Hunt, By Amanda Bohman — on the North Pole prop- Assembly to change the law, after a fire [email protected] erty, even though the but the measure that passed Jan. 8. 2,700-square-foot house, Sept. 28, he said, falls short PHOTO Ron and Jane Hunt lost a a rental and an attached of offering meaningful assis- COURTESY house in a fire Jan. 8. A cou- 3,000-square-foot shop tance. RON HUNT ple days later, Ron Hunt said were reduced to rubble. The he went to the Fairbanks Hunts live next door to the TAXES » A3

GOOD MORNING Blaze destroys Nenana The weather. Mostly clear. Light landmark winds. Tonight: Most- ly clear in the evening By Dorothy Chomicz then becoming mostly [email protected] cloudy. High today ...... -6 A landmark Nenana building that was at vari- Low tonight ...... -9 ous times a courthouse, city WEATHER » A5 office and post office before Aurora forecast. becoming a popular bar was destroyed in a fire Friday Auroral activity will be night. low. Weather permit- Addam Parsons, a vol- ting, displays will be unteer firefighter and visible overhead from EMT with the Nenana Utqiagvik to Fairbanks. Fire Department, said This information is provided the blaze started at about 4:30 p.m. in a cabin by aurora forecasters at The Pioneer Park train offered free rides Saturday at the annual holiday bazaar at the Pioneer the Geophysical Institute attached to Jester’s Palace. Park Civic Center. Below: Products such as locally produced honey were for sale. DOROTHY at the University of Alaska Parsons said he believed Fairbanks. For more infor- CHOMICZ/NEWS-MINER PHOTOS the fire traveled down a mation about the aurora, connecting passageway visit http://www.gi.alaska. and made its way up the edu/AuroraForecast Hundreds attend holiday bazaar wall to the roof, where it quickly became uncontrol- By Dorothy Chomicz gold rushes. lable. DCHOMICZ By this time, Santa • • • FIRE » A6 @NEWSMINER.COM also was in the center, posing for photos with Hundreds of people SOURDOUGH JACK: people of all ages. flocked to the Pioneer All three levels “Too bad it’s Park Civic Center on of the center were not a monorail. Saturday to ride the crammed to capacity train, take photos with about 80 ven- I’d have a good with Santa Claus, see dors selling baked one-liner.” a restored locomo- goods, jewelry, quilts, tive and buy presents honey, decorated bot- from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. tles and just about at the annual holiday everything else one bazaar. could possibly want. Train rides started at cheeked children volunteers served hot All events, includ- noon, and Santa Claus exclaimed, “That was chocolate, hot cider and ing face painting and rode the first lap. Fam- fun!” and “Can we do candy canes as people storytime, were free ilies bundled up for the it again?” as the rid- lined up to take pho- of charge. Jester’s Palace, in frigid ride around the ers disembarked at the tos with the 119-year- Contact staff writer Dorothy Nenana, was destroyed in perimeter of the park, Tanana Valley Railroad old Porter locomo- Chomicz at 459-7582. a fire Friday night. but none seemed to Museum. tive, which served in Follow her on Twitter: PHOTO COURTESY mind the cold. Rosy- Inside the museum, the Yukon and Alaska @FDNMcrime. CHARLOTTE WHITE

By Mark Sherman which conservatives often silver hair, suggesting a time law clerk to Justice ASSOCIATED PRESS seek to distinguish them- long tenure on the bench. Anthony Kennedy, said he selves from more liberal In front of a nonpartisan finds Gorsuch’s style some- WASHINGTON — More judges. audience last month, he times grating, less so the than 2,000 conservatives The 50-year-old justice talked about his teenage substance of his questions in tuxedos and gowns has been almost exactly daughters and the regular, at arguments. recently filled Union Sta- what conservatives hoped early morning 17-mile bike During a high-profile tion’s main hall for a steak for and liberals dreaded rides along the C&O canal argument about politics dinner and the chance to when he joined the court that he does with a friend. in redistricting in October, cheer the man who saved in April. He has consistent- Reviews of Gorsuch’s Gorsuch began a question the Supreme Court from ly, even aggressively, lined time on the court have by suggesting that “maybe liberal control. up with the court’s most varied with the ideological we can just for a second Justice Neil Gorsuch conservative justices. bent of his reviewers. talk about the arcane mat- didn’t disappoint them, During arguments, Gor- While his confirmation ter, the Constitution.” Supreme Court Associate Justice Neil Gorsuch just as he hasn’t in his such has asked repeatedly was pending, the liberal To Epps, the tone was first seven months on the about the original under- speaks at the Federalist Society’s 2017 National Alliance for Justice wor- all wrong,. “I’d love to see Supreme Court. standing of parts of the Lawyers Convention on Nov. 16 in Washington. ried that Gorsuch would a bit more recognition “Tonight I can report Constitution and laws, and AP FILE PHOTO/SAIT SERKAN GURBUZ often embrace the most that the court deals with that a person can be both a he has raised questions conservative outcome on really hard questions that publicly committed origi- about some long-standing judicial actions. He occu- nee, a strategy that paid the high court. many people, including nalist and textualist and be court precedents, includ- pies a seat once held by off when Donald Trump “Our concerns were con- his colleagues, have strug- confirmed to the Supreme ing the civil rights land- Justice Antonin Scalia unexpectedly won the firmed,” said Nan Aron, the gled with for a long time. Court,” Gorsuch said to mark ruling on “one per- that they thought Obama White House. group’s president. If someone thinks he has sustained applause from son, one vote.” would get to fill. But Sen- Gorsuch likes to remind Daniel Epps, a Washing- all the answers, maybe members of the Federal- Liberals’ despair about ate Republicans refused to audiences of his relative ton University law profes- he’s missing something ist Society, using terms by Gorsuch goes beyond his consider Obama’s nomi- youth, despite his head of sor in St. Louis and one- important,” he said.

society,” Boldrini said, er brothers mowed festival: 582 cellphones, IN BRIEF addressing a special down by gunfire or 570 backpacks and 529 FIRE gathering in which all shredded by the blasts. IDs. Continued from A1 the 630 seats, usually Some marveled at their Still missing are a France, Italy Fire crews from Clear Air Station and Ander- occupied by lawmakers narrow escape from a marching band hat with son Volunteer Fire Department responded. About in Parliament’s lower certain death. Some gold mirror tiles, a furry tackle violence 50,000 gallons of water was used during the sev- house, were filled by families lost all or most cheetah vest with orange en hour battle. The roof eventually collapsed and on women guests who came to male members in the lining, a headdress with the outer walls started to burn, prompting the city PARIS — French speak of their rebellion massacre. horns and a chainmail mayor and one of the building’s owners to push President Emmanuel against being victims of So composed were loincloth skirt. the walls down with a city tractor. This allowed fire Macron on Saturday men. the militants that they As of mid-November, crews to enter the building and fully extinguish the launched methodically checked Burning Man’s Terry fire, Parsons said. an ini- their victims for any Schoop says they’ve The cabin was saved but probably not salvage- tiative to Survivors recall sign of life after the recovered 2,479 items able. combat initial round of blaz- mosque attack; and returned 1,279. He “The tops are black by the ceiling, the windows violence ing gunfire. Those still says they average about are all broken out and we had to break both doors and moving or breathing 305 dead a 60 percent return down. The inside is burned very badly. Between harass- received a bullet to the ISMAILIA, EGYPT — They rate. water damage and the fire damage, there’s proba- ment head or the chest, the arrived in five SUVs, Other stuff lost but bly nothing useful in it,” Parsons said. against witnesses said. When Macron took positions across not-yet-found include Nenana resident Marilyn Duggar said Jester’s women in the ambulances arrived from the mosque’s door a wedding ring, a flute, Palace was built in the early 1900s and was used France, aiming to erase they shot at them, and windows, and just some “fire nun chucks” by mushers as a meeting place after the post office a sense of shame that repelling them as they as the imam was about and Dutch and Austra- moved out of it. The building was empty until it breeds silence among got back into their vehi- to deliver his Friday lian driver’s licenses. was purchased by the Royal Order of Jesters, an victims and changing cles and fled. sermon from atop the Articles waiting to offshoot of the Shriners Club, about six or seven what he said is the Friday’s assault was pulpit, they opened fire be claimed on Burning years ago. The organization remodeled the build- country’s sexist culture. Egypt’s deadliest attack and tossed grenades at Man’s website include ing and turned it into “a really fun bar,” Duggar In a nearly hourlong by Islamic extremists in the estimated 500 wor- 200 shirts, 100 jackets, said. speech at the Elysee the country’s modern shippers inside. When 80 hydration backpacks Parsons said Nenana residents are disappointed Presidential Palace, history, a grim mile- the violence finally and 50 pairs of eye- over the loss. Macron noted that 123 stone in a long-running stopped, more than glasses. “It really had a lot of value to the community,” she women died in attacks fight against an insur- 300 people, including There’s also dozens of said. “It was really old, but it looked nice. It wasn’t against them in France gency led by a local 27 children, had been sets of keys whose own- a dirty bar. It was a classy place.” last year. Holding a affiliate of the Islamic killed and 128 injured. ers probably have good The cause of the fire is under investigation. moment of silence for State group. As the gunfire rang stories to tell. Contact staff writer Dorothy Chomicz at 459-7582. Follow them, he declared: “It out and the blasts shook From wire reports her on Twitter: @FDNMcrime. is time for shame to the mosque, worship- Found after change camps.” pers screamed and cried In neighboring Italy, out in pain. A stampede Burning Man the head of the Cham- broke out in the rush Golden Heart Christian School ber of Deputies marked toward a door leading festival: shoes, International Day for to the washrooms. Oth- the Elimination of Vio- ers tried desperately to dentures FLORIDAFRUIT SALE lence Against Women force their way out of RENO, NEV. — The Hand-picked &hand-packed fruit from by noting with dismay the windows. usual suspects top this that the “Weinstein Those who survived year’s list of the most Indian River CountryinFlorida case” hasn’t inspired spoke of children frequently lost items in women to speak out on screaming as they the Nevada desert at the Weights are approximate workplace harassment saw parents and old- annual Burning Man or assault like it has in NAVEL ORANGES SMALL BOX TANGERINES the United States and Full case (40 lbs.) $50.00 (10 lbs.) $22.00 other parts of Europe. 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Win!! pogominealaska.com F40516171 Sunday, November 26, 2017 Fairbanks Daily News-Miner A3 INTERIOR/NATION Crush of business awaits Congress

By Andrew Taylor ASSOCIATED PRESS

WASHINGTON — The crush of unfinished business facing lawmakers Monday when they return to the Capitol would be daunting even if Washington were func- tioning at peak efficiency. It’s an agenda whose The North Pole home of Ron and Jane Hunt is core items — tax cuts, shown prior to Jan. 8, when a fire destroyed it. a potential government PHOTO COURTESY RON HUNT shutdown, lots of leftover spending bills — could unravel just as easily as TAXES “It feels like advance in factionalism, Continued from A1 gamesmanship and a tox- we are adding ic political environment. State law allows There’s only a four- municipalities to offer insult to inju- week window until a The Capitol, seen Oct. 30, will be open for business Monday when disaster tax relief, but ry, or injury Christmas deadline, Congress returns from its Thanksgiving break. AP FILE PHOTO/J. SCOTT the borough had no barely enough time for APPLEWHITE mechanism to offer the to injury, to complicated negotiations tax relief until recent- ask (people) even if December stays they hold leverage over round out the quartet of remains dead set on his ly after Assemblymen on the rails. And that’s a mix of budget-related top negotiators. $1.6 billion request for Lance Roberts and Guy to pay taxes hardly a sure bet in Pres- issues. “Everybody’s got com- a down payment on the Sattley proposed it. on something ident Donald Trump’s First, there’s the need to plicated politics. The project. “I had no idea until capital. avert a government shut- chance of short-term Those same Democrats a constituent wrote that isn’t Trump and congressio- down after a temporary failure is pretty high — also insist that Congress us,” Roberts said as he there.” nal leaders plan a meet- spending bill expires on short-term failure being must act by year’s end to explained his disaster ing Tuesday to discuss Dec. 8. The most likely a shutdown,” said Steve John Davies, former protect immigrants who tax relief proposal at an how to sidestep a shut- scenario, congressional Elmendorf, a Democrat- were brought to the U.S. assembly committee assemblyman down and work though aides say, is for an addi- ic lobbyist. “But the four illegally as children and meeting in September. “I the legislative to-do list. tional extension until of them, assuming they whose protected status immediately jumped on an amendment to allow For the optimistic, it’s Christmas. On a parallel don’t want to shut the is set to lapse next year. this. Government should relief for insured proper- plain that Democrats track are talks to raise government down for Trump backs the idea always have some flexibil- ties failed. and Republicans have spending limits that are a long time, are going despite issuing an exec- ity and be merciful to its “If they are getting reasons to cooperate, keeping agency budgets to have to come to an utive order reversing the citizens, especially those reimbursed from their particularly on spending essentially frozen unless accommodation.” Obama administration in extremely bad circum- insurance company, we increases for the Penta- those caps are raised. Talks on the spending protections, starting next stances.” wouldn’t want to double gon and domestic agen- If that happens, then caps are stuck, however, spring. Conservatives Roberts and Sattley reimburse them,” Kassel cies whose budgets oth- negotiations could begin aides say. A GOP offer to oppose drawing in the proposed a simple fix, said. erwise would be frozen. in earnest on a massive lift the Pentagon budget immigration issue to leg- they said. After a disaster, Sattley, whose term also An additional round of catchall spending mea- by more than $54 billion islation to keep the gov- such as a fire, the borough expired in October, voted hurricane aid should be sure in hopes of having it next year and nondefense ernment running. reassesses the property against Kassel’s propos- bipartisan, and efforts signed into law by year’s limits by $37 billion was Hurricane relief is add- and “we kick back the tax- al, saying it “wipes out to reauthorize a popular end. rejected by Democrats ing one more wrinkle. es,” Roberts said. the entire ordinance and health care program for Taxes have gotten all demanding balance Congress has The idea drew support. overly complicates it.” children seem to be on the attention so far, but between the two sides of approved more than “It feels like we are Roberts also had track. the showdown over a the ledger. $50 billion in aid in adding insult to inju- doubts, though he voted Republicans are potential shutdown right Long-delayed battles response to a series of ry, or injury to injury, to for the measure. advancing their cher- before Christmas could over immigration and devastating hurricanes. ask (people) to pay taxes “I am not sure it’s going ished tax cut measure soon take center stage. Trump’s promised wall The most recent request on something that isn’t to end up helping any- under special rules that Democrats are counting along the U.S.-Mexico by the White House is there,” said Assemblyman body,” he said. mean Senate Democrats on GOP fears of a holiday border are huge obsta- the largest yet at $44 John Davies, whose term Hunt agreed. Under cannot use delaying tac- season closure to ensure cles. Many Democrats billion, but it’s not near- has since expired. the new law, he would not tics. The measure passed Republican concessions whose votes are need- ly enough to satisfy the The measure adopt- qualify for tax relief for the House just before the during December talks. ed on the spending bills powerful Texas delega- ed by the assembly was his destroyed rental prop- Thanksgiving break and Both sides would have insist they won’t vote tion, which is pressing a substitute by Borough erty and shop. Hunt said moves to the Senate floor to make concessions that for any legislation that behind the scenes for Mayor Karl Kassel, who the fire was caused by a this coming week. may upset partisans in includes the wall. Trump more. said he was concerned woodstove mishap. After the Senate GOP’s either party. Just as about the borough being He said the tools in his failure on health care this House Speaker Paul hit by a massive disaster shop were not insured — summer, the majority Ryan, R-Wis., fears and going bankrupt pro- a mistake on his part — party is under enormous a revolt on the right, viding property owners and that the check from pressure to produce a House Democratic with tax relief. the insurance company victory on taxes. Still, leader Nancy Pelosi “If we had a large disas- for the house and shop GOP deficit hawks such of California risks an ter in our community and didn’t completely cover as Sens. Bob Corker of uprising on her left. had to refund millions his loss. Tennessee and Jeff Flake Senate Majority Lead- upon millions of dollars,” Hunt said he plans of Arizona remain uneasy er Mitch McConnell, Kassel said, “we wouldn’t to wait a year until he about the overhaul. R-Ky., and Senate be able to provide the ser- rebuilds to avoid a year While Democrats are Minority leader Chuck vices that the people in of property taxes as largely sidelined on taxes, Schumer, D-N.Y., the disaster needed.” a way to compensate His proposal, which himself for paying tax- eventually was adopt- es on the property that ed, added requirements Gold in NaturalQuartz! burned. NORTH WIND BEHAVIORAL HEALTH including that the disas- “They wasted a bunch ter tax relief would apply 456-8369 of money and time in “For Jewelryas fine as you are” only to uninsured prop- passing something that Individual, couples and erty and that it would doesn’t help the majority family therapies, teen exclude major disasters of the borough residents,” issues, and medication 1867 AIRPORT WAY declared by the president, he said. SUITE 215 the governor or the bor- Contact staff writer Amanda management. FAIRBANKS,ALASKA ough mayor. Bohman at 459-7587. Follow her Open Mon-Sat, 9a.m.–7 p.m.

The tax relief, which on Twitter: @FDNMborough. Hours: Monday-Thursday 9a.m.– 6p.m. (907) 456-1434 F11524904 Corner of Airport Way&University Avenue would be prorated from Most Insurances Accepted Fax(907) 456-1481 Fairbanks, Alaska 99709 the date of the disaster, F11524347 is capped at $10,000 and the loss to the taxpay- er must exceed $30,000. When the measure Give From theHeart went before the assembly for approval, Roberts Fairbanksisacommunity that helps those amended it so that com- in need.Duringthisseasonofgiving, please mercial and rental prop- rememberthose whorelyonfoodassistance erties could qualify. But to feed theirfamilies. DuringDecember, Fort Knox goldmineis matching your gift to thelocal food bank, up to $15,000.Every donationthrough our Gene HolidayHeartsofGoldfundraising effort DuVa l goes furtherinfeeding the hungry. 452-4363 Gene DuVal Real Estate, Inc.

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