THE SKAGWAY NEWSTHE August 14, 2020 SKAGWAY NEWS. Page 1 August 14, 2020 Skagway, Alaska $1.50 Meet the new chamber president The line that separates us Fish This Floridian transplant found home PAGE 14 Yukoners,Skagwegians foiled at borders PAGE 5 Understanding anglers PAGE 6 Assembly considers mask requirement By Melinda Munson On Aug. 6, the Municipal- ity of Skagway Assembly proposed Ordinance 20-16, which would require cloth face coverings in all munic- ipal facilities, including the school, when social distanc- ing of six feet is not possi- ble. If passed, the ordinance would continue as long as the March 16 declaration of emergency, a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, is in effect. “The way that this ordi- nance is written is to cover one thing and one thing only and that is liability,” said Mayor Andrew Cremata, who put forth the ordinance. “...Very clear mandates were coming down from multiple sources including the CDC, the World Health Organization, the state gover- A grizzly bear enjoys a fat humpy (pink salmon) in Nelson’s Slough on the Dyea tidal flats. Photo by Jeff Brady nance, the governor, Dr. Zink and even the president of the Business grant program passed, some owners disappointed United States -- all saying the same thing which was to By Melinda Munson apply. Kaitlyn Jared, exec- Glacial Coffeehouse owner or left behind, it’s not incor- wear masks,” Cremata said. After more than two months utive director of SDC, esti- Shelly O’Boyle was also per- rect because we should have According to Cremata, of discussion and planning, mated 250-300 businesses turbed. had all of this all at once. In- neither the municipality nor Skagway’s business grant will meet the municipality’s “It’s extremely upsetting stead, it’s second when we’ve the school have insurance plan, Resolution 20-32R, criteria. to hear that this per employ- already committed money to to cover claims related to was passed unanimously by Initially, the Finance Com- ee (payment) was removed something else,” said Steve COVID-19. the assembly on Aug. 6. The mittee discussed giving ... It’s something to say that Burnham, finance chair. Cremata said he started program, administered by the businesses that employed I recognize that not only are The $1 million for business working on the ordinance be- Skagway Development Corp. residents year-round an addi- you here for 12 months out of grants, originally expected fore the school board’s Aug. (SDC), will distribute $1 mil- tional $250 for each part-time the year but you employ peo- to be funded from the $7.4 4 vote which encourages but lion in funds to local business- worker and $500 for each ple who are also here,” she million Skagway received in does not require masks in es. full-time worker. That plan said. CARES money, was taken school as long as social dis- SDC initially requested $2.5 was dropped when it no lon- Brad Ryan, borough man- from the municipality’s sales tancing can be maintained million for Skagway’s busi- ger seemed supported by the ager, asked the citizens pres- tax fund. Ordinances 20-14 and there are no cases of ness owners. After the munic- amount of funding. Most of ent if they would consider an and 20-15 allowed the mu- COVID-19 in the communi- ipality received a high volume Skagway’s year-round busi- abatement of water, sewer nicipality to put $1 million ty. of applications for the $1,000 ness owners testified at the and trash as compensation for of CARES funding towards In a letter to the assem- monthly CARES payments, continuation of the finance the loss of the proposed em- public safety, freeing $1 mil- bly on behalf of the school they decided to grant $1 mil- meeting, held Aug. 6. ployee payment. Most agreed lion in sales tax so business- board, Superintendent Josh lion to the business program. Assemblymember Ori- and the committee voted to es don’t have to abide by Coughran wrote, “When it Each qualified business can on Hanson, owner of Han- direct Ryan to present a pro- CARES rules. comes to governance of the expect to receive between son General Contracting, posal at the next meeting. “One of the reasons this has school and any claims of li- $1,000 to $6,000, depending described the decision as “When you say small busi- taken us too long is trying see page two on the number of owners who “heartless.” nesses were forgotten about see page two For the latest news and updates, follow us on BLOTTER PAGE 10 FREE personal classifieds up to 25 words. Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. CLASSIFIED PAGE 13 CALL (907)983-2354 for more information. Page 2 August 14, 2020 THE SKAGWAY NEWS The Skagway News. Skagway’s First Newspaper Considering masks for Christened in 1897, buried Letters alive in 1904 and resurrected Dear Editor, in 1978, The Skagway News is allcontinued municipal from page one buildings currently celebrating 43 years I was so sad to read today of the passing in 2019 of of reporting in Skagway and ability therein, we are a sov- nity so that the assembly has Dyea, Alaska, recording our Buckwheat Donohue. He left a lasting impression on Centennial years and beyond. me when I visited Skagway in 2005 as a member of The ereign entity. The Skagway every weapon at their dispos- Philadelphia Boys Choir and Chorale. My wife and I had School Board respectfully al to make an informed deci- ADVERTISING & visited Alaska in a 2004 cruise and Skagway was one of asks the assembly to remove sion,” Cremata said. NEWS COPY our stops. However, in 2005 the “Philly” Boys Choir (90 the inclusion of the school Community member Kel- DEADLINES boys and 25 men) made their first visit to Alaska (also a building from this ordi- lie Curtin started a petition Next issue will be published cruise.) nance.” on change.org requesting that AUGUST 28 We were all so impressed with the spirit and friendli- He added that “expecting an the municipality include pri- AD DEADLINE: ness of your own ambassador of goodwill, Buckwheat athlete to complete a practice vate businesses in the mask Please email Donohue. While there, we took a short hike to a quaint in a mask is both untenable ordinance. As of deadline, 332 [email protected] quiet location by the river where Buckwheat mesmer- and potentially dangerous.” residents had signed the peti- All ads and classifieds ized us with his excellent dramatic recitation of several “This is not a school board tion and many wrote to the as- by Sunday Aug. 23 adventure poems about fictional Alaskan characters. He related issue,” Cremata told sembly in support of the plan. the chambers. “The school Casey Sheridan disagreed COPY, LETTERS, had us all in the palm of his hands. We also had a terrif- board is autonomous, we re- with the petition, saying a CALENDAR DEADLINE: ic spaghetti lunch in the local Presbyterian Church and then did something I do not believe the choir had ever spect that autonomy and will mask mandate would “rob Please email continue to do so.” the citizens of their right to [email protected] done before-- we marched down the main street and sang All news copy, letters a few patriotic songs as we headed to the main square. The assembly voted unani- choose whether or not to wear and calendar events mously to move the ordinance a mask and also businesses By Monday, Aug. 24 There we sang a few more songs, exchanged pleasantries with Buckwheat and presented him with a small souvenir to a second reading with no of their right to enforce their Liberty Bell, sent with us from the mayor of Philadel- discussion or amendments. own policies for their own Vol. XLIII, No. 9 (885) phia. Buckwheat promised to put it on his mantel next to The ordinance’s second read- stores.” August 14, 2020 ing is scheduled for the next Sheridan said he started his Published biweekly The Holy Bible. I heard later that he was planning a walking trip from assembly meeting, Aug. 20 at own petition and collected 51 Phone: (907) 983-2354 Florida all the way to Alaska to raise funds for a clinic 7 p.m. signatures. www.skagwaynews.com in Skagway, and I often wondered if that ever happened. “We wanted to vet this thor- [email protected] Today I found out that he did make it all the way to Alas- oughly through the commu- [email protected] ka, and I also sadly read of his passing last year. He was Publishers a fine human being who certainly won the hearts of The Melinda Munson Philadelphia Boys Choir in 2005, and we will never for- Gretchen Wehmhoff get this fantastic experience with Buckwheat Donohue. Managing Editor He certainly loved Skagway, as did we. Melinda Munson Production Editor/Sales L. Bruce Smith, Baritone Singer in Philadelphia Boys Gretchen Wehmhoff Choir and Chorale Contributors Andrew Cremata Circulation Assistants Chris Kuhn, Danielle Authier Editor Emeritus William J. “Jeff” Brady photo by Melinda Munson Alaskan Fry Bread and The Local Jeweler are among many stores Subscriptions operating at significantly reduced hours in the absence of a cruise ship season. Sign up online at www.skagwaynews.com or call us at 907-983-2354 Business grants on the way Mail checks to PO Box 244, continued from page one Skagway, AK 99840 to eliminate red tape so that means we must wait until the we’re not making businesses next assembly meeting on All print subscriptions jump through hoops and bend August 20,” Jared said.