Turn back the pages — June 6, 1974
Compiled by Julie Rosier
Microwave Turn-on Set for June 9 — Frank Ruks, local manager for General Telephone, informs the LOG that for the past six weeks nine incoming microwave circuits have been in operation for Seward. On midnight, June 9 all circuits are to be turn on — both ways. This will amount to a total of 20 circuits as opposed to the 11 previously available. Ruks says that Moose Pass subscribers will have three circuits direct to Anchorage, and two additional circuits to Seward. Officials of RCA-Alascom will be in Seward Friday, June 14 to make formal dedication of the new microwave link between Anchorage and their Seward and Moose Pass customers. The dedication will take place at a noon luncheon at the Alaska Skill Center for members of the Alaska Publishers Association which will be meeting here. On hand for the dedication from RCA-Alascom will be President Steven D. Heller and Mrs. Heller; Frank VanZant, Industrial Marketing Manager, and Mrs. VanZant; and Louis Custrini, who is Manager of Public Affairs for RCA-Alascom.
Alcoholism Cuts Hamper Local Office Program — According to John Mason, Executive Director of the Seward Alcoholism Center and John Keating, Executive Director of the National Council on Alcoholism, Alaska Region, the Seward program will be losing approximately $10,000 in funds for fiscal 1975. The local cut comes as the result of the statewide cut caused by impoundment of $278,600 for fiscal 1975 and a further impoundment action was taken by the administration. The Governor’s Alcoholism Advisory Board learned of the impoundments at its meeting in Fairbanks last week. The programs are under the Alaska Division of Family and Children’s Services. According to Mason and Keating, the legislature allocated $1,900,000 to aid in the fight against alcoholism and they feel that the cuts are in direct opposition to the expressed will of the legislature. “The cut will seriously impede the Seward Alcoholism program.” Mason states. He adds that the hospital portion of the local program will have to be dropped. Mason urges local people who are interested to write letters to Commissioner Fred McGinnis of the Department of Health and Social Services, Pouch H. Juneau, and to Governor William A. Egan, protesting the action which circumvents the will of the legislature.
Baugh Local Lewis Chmn. — Senator C.R. Lewis has announced the appointment of Burton Baugh as chairman of the Seward C.R. Lewis for U.S. Senate campaign. Baugh, who is the city comptroller, has served in that position since 1966. Prior to becoming the Seward comptroller, he was a long time resident of Anchorage. He is a member of the Seward Republican Club and the national and state Municipal Finance Association. Baugh and his wife have one daughter and three grandchildren living in Fairbanks. On accepting the appointment, Baugh stated, “It is with great pleasure I accept the job of helping elect C.R. Lewis to the senate. With people’s respect for elected officials at an all time low. Lewis is the only man who can restore faith in our government. I urge all Alaskans who care about their state to support him.
Marie Mott Fills Vacancy on School Board — Mrs. Marie Mott of the Seward Advisory School Committee was appointed by unanimous vote of the Borough School Board Monday night, June 3 to fill the vacancy on the board created by Rev. Luther Abrahamson’s resignation. Mrs. Mott, who was in the audience for the meeting this week, will be sworn in at the June 17 meeting. Her seat will be up for election in the coming Oct. 1 regular borough elections. This would be a 2-year term, since Rev. Abrahamson was the first Sewardite in several years to win election to the board. A hardfought, close election going through a run-off and a recount, gave him just 20 votes more than Bob Glud of Ninilchik. However, the board apparently felt a resident of the Seward area should be Rev. Abrahamson’s replacement. As the replacement came up on the agenda, President Ed Allier remarked, “Whoever is appointed must realize they’re working for the entire Kenai Peninsula.” Architect Jim Bridges of Jenkins and Bridges reported that a parallel schedule of the Moose Pass and Port Graham school building projects is to bring plans for approval to the June 17 meeting. Advertising immediately for bid could bring bid openings in time for the board’s Aug. 5 meeting, to be reviewed and passed on to the assembly for awarding at the Aug. 6 meeting.
CL 8th Grade Graduates Six — Over 100 adults and children gathered at the Cooper Landing school May 28 for graduation exercises and end-of-year awards. The graduates: Mary Angelena Bass, Malcolm Frederick Branson, Arlene Lee Ennes, Katherine Ann Mlynarik, Mark Adam Wilson and Tamey Ruth Winkler. Guest Speaker, Rep. Keith Specking, was introduced by Jean Robig, Secretary of the CL Advisory School Committee. Jean reminded the audience that Rep. Specking was instrumental in getting funding in the bridge walkway and is currently working on the mid-community bike path with the CLASC. After noting that most of the graduates would be voting within 4 years, Rep. Specking outlined the many steps the many steps through which a bill travels from its inception until it becomes law in order to give a clearer understanding of the legislative process to these young people. Having a reputation as a person who keeps his word is a most important character trait for a legislator (or anyone) Rep. Specking emphasized. Specking spoke in enthusiastic terms of the future of Alaska and said that he chose his residence here because it was such an excited place to live.