Senator Stedman’s District Visits
Author: Bert Stedman
Each year I make an effort to travel to the various communities I represent in Senate District Q. Back in early November I traveled to Prince of Wales Island visiting the communities of Thorne Bay, Klawock and Craig. In Thorne Bay I met with City Administrator Wayne Brenner and we discussed their various capital needs. We visited the H&L Salvage Plant, a shingle mill located at Goose Creek owned by Keith Landers and Desiree Jenson, and met with the workers. During my visit, I picked up two red cedar shakes, to be displayed in my office in Juneau. While in Klawock I met with Mayor Donald Marvin and we went over community issues. We also visited the Viking Lumber Company with Bryce Dahlstrom, the sawmill manager. In Craig I met with Mayor Dennis Watson and City Administrator Jon Bolling at City Hall to discuss their community issues.
In early January I had the opportunity to travel to Kake and Angoon. In Kake I joined Mayor Henrich Kadake, Sr., in a parade for the 2014 Kake Day Celebration. During the occasion, there was a delicious potluck and fun social games, one of which I participated in was musical chairs. I haven’t played that game since I was a little kid! We also got down to business and visited with community members, went to the Kake Cannery, discussed the difficult financial challenges facing the Kake Nonprofit Fisheries Corporation’s Gunnuk Creek Hatchery and we talked about local hydro projects and other energy needs in the community. I was impressed with how Kake is moving forward with various projects, such as demolishing and removing old buildings and improving roadways. While in Angoon I met with Mayor Richard George, three council members and various community members to discuss their water, sewer and hydro projects.
Thank you to everyone for your hospitality and for making my visit productive. The next communities in my district that I plan to visit in the coming weeks are Hoonah and Haines.
