Turn back the pages — July 8, 1976
Compiled by Julie Rosier
Fletcher Speaks On Motivation — Local businessman W. E. “Skip” Fletcher, whose commercial interests include the Liberty Theatre and Laundromat and KRXA radio in Seward in addition to theaters elsewhere in the state was the guest speaker at the July 1 Chamber of Commerce luncheon meeting. “I feel like I’m at a ‘Dean Martin Roast,’ “ joked Fletcher as Chamber President Glenn Clark introduced him to those assembled. Accompanying Fletcher were Rick Tillotson from Oregon, new KRXA radio personality in charge of ad sales and promotion as well as news reporting and announcing; and Brent Whitmore, KRXA Chief Engineer, “whose duties are so varied, we couldn’t do without him! Both good men, a definite asset to our organization,” said Fletcher. “To begin, I want to compliment those merchants who in the past have worked so hard to improve the appearance of their establishment. They have been and will continue to be good diplomats for the business community. More recently many of these good people have given their establishments a face lift — The New Seward Hotel and Gift Shop, John Smith’s Breeze Inn and new motel, the Elks Club, Kawabe’s, Dreamland Bowl and Harbor Dinner Club and are to be commended for improving the appearance of our town.”
This Week in City Hall — Information received last week indicates the DeWayne Brothers circus will play in Seward on Saturday, July 10, in the north parking area at the Small Boat Harbor. The circus is on its way to Kodiak and will leave on Sunday. Interested spectators are advised to check at the tent for show time. On Sunday, July 11th, the Veterans’s Administration mobile information van will be in Seward. No information as to location of the van is available at press time but those having business with the VA representative should look around town on Sunday between the hours of 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. The Chamber of Commerce will welcome the exchange students from Obihiro at their meeting on July 15. The students this year are Mr. Mikiaki Muramoto, a second year student at the Obihiro Minami Commercial High School. The students will be in Seward for two weeks meeting our citizens and learning more about our way of life. When they return to Obihiro our exchange students will go with them and learn more about the Japanese lifestyle. Representing Seward this year are Blaine Bardarson and Eric Anderson. A special thanks is in order for everyone who participated in the events of the July 4th weekend. Each of us will remember clearly where we were on the observance of our nation’s 200th birthday and all can be proud of our heritage.
Halibut Quota Reaches Half — The International Pacific Halibut Commision (IPHC) announced that landings of halibut reported through June 30 were about 12 million pounds or nearly 50 percent of this year’s catch limit of 25 million pounds. At the present rate of catch, the 13 million pound quota in Area 2 and the 12 million pound quota in Area 3 will be taken before the statutory closing date of Sept. 8. These projections of the length of the season will change, depending on the amount of fishing effort during July and August, and the usual advance notice of the actual closures will be provided at a later date. Landings in Area 2 (California to Cape Sencer, Alaska) totaled 5.7 million, 60 percent of which were taken by Canadian fishermen and 40 percent by U.S. fisherman. Landings in Area 3, (Cape Spencer, Alaska and west to the Aleutians) were 6.3 million pounds, 35 percent of which were taken by Canadian fishermen and 65 percent by U.S. fisherman. Dock-side prices continued to rise and exceeded $1.40 per pound at the southern ports of Seattle, Wash. and Vancouver, B.C. In northern ports such as Price Rupert, B.C. and Kodiak and Seward prices for halibut ranged from $1.00 to $1.22 per pound.
Impact Funds — The Coastal Zone Management Act. S. 586, passed the House, July 1. The conference report on the bill won approval in the Senate June 29. S. 586, under provisions orignally put in the bill by U.S. Senator Ted Stevens, would give Alaska a major share of $1.2 billion in forgivable loans and formula grants to deal with energy-related impacts in the coastal zone. The concept of impact assistance in the form of formula grants, forgivable loans, and loan guarantees — which has become the major part of this legislation — was added to the bill by Stevens during Commerce Committee consideration last year to protect Alaska from being at a disadvantage in competition with highly populated states for a limited amount of federal impact funds. The funds authorized in the bill can be used for schools and education, highways, docks, navigation aids, fire and police protection, water supply, water collection and treatment, and hospitals and health care, among other projects. S. 586 authorized $800 million for loans and loan guarantees over a 10-year period for coastal states and municipalities to prepare for OCS oil and gas development impacts. To be eligible for the funding, these states and communities would first create a projected revenue plan to show how tax revenues and costs internalized by oil companies and their contractors would be used to pay off the loans.
Spencer Takes Home Trophy — Scattered showers during the afternoon failed to damper holiday spirits of hundreds of Sewardites and visitors of all ages who thronged the downtown area during Seward’s Bicentenial 4th of July celebration. Once again Seward’s 4th of July festivities were a complete success, made possible by the hard work and dedication of the Jaycees. Helping that worthy group were local organizations and private citizens whose names will appear in the next edition of the LOG.
The dedication of the Benny Benson memorial was the highlight of the mornings events. Benson designed Alaska’s state flag while he was young boy living at the Jesse Lee Home. The ceremony was attended by an appreciative audience which included Mayor and Mrs. Richard Neve’, City Manager & Mrs. James R. Filip, Senator J. Kerttula, Lee McAnerney, Commissioner of Community and Regional Affairs and many former residents of Jesse Lee.
Bill Spencer won the senior division of the Mount Marathon Race for the third consecutive year, taking home the perpetual trophy with a time of 44 minutes and 21 seconds.