Juneau Independent

The memories and ghosts that inhabit Telephone Hill are hard to hear above the noise and clamor of cruise ships and tour buses, but on an early morning, in the shade of trees and homes that still stand, you might still hear them.

The state is taking money that was appropriated for one bad idea almost a generation ago and spending it on an equally wasteful idea.

When one mentions the application of the 2001 Roadless Rule to the Tongass National Forest in Southeast Alaska the listener thinks of large-scale timber cutting. But the Tongass was created near ancient volcanoes and consequently is one of the richest Volcanic Massive Sulfide (VMS) districts in North America.

Grante Creek Basin. (City and Borough of Juneau photo) As many readers may know, I recently fell, broke my ankle and had to get...

Anyone who’s attended a conference, convention, or large meeting knows the scene: after registering and picking up your badge and other information, you look around the foyer to see small groups of colleagues greeting each other, setting appointments, and making plans. Networking, sharing information, and the business of business has already begun.

(Official photo from the State of Alaska Office of the Governor) Jordan Shilling, who really should take his talents to the private...

A group of 10 or 12 of us show up on the Glacier Spur Road once a week to let our embattled federal workers know that we support them and care deeply about them, and to let visitors know of the mass staff firings at the glacier visitor center they are headed towards.

On Aug. 2, the Alaska Legislature will reconvene in Juneau to respond to a special session called by Gov. Mike Dunleavy. While the governor’s proclamation lists a pair of issues that failed to gain traction during the regular session, the most pressing matter before us is overriding two deeply consequential vetoes, one that strips $51 million from Alaska’s public schools, and another that blocks legislative access to critical oil and gas revenue data.

(City and Borough of Juneau photo) What makes a great city great? Seattle's Space Needle, the New York skyline, San Francisco's Golden...

Gov. Mike Dunleavy never seemed to worry much about getting along with his colleagues when he was a state senator. Nothing wrong with being an obstinate contrarian, unless you would rather learn, build consensus, truly govern and get something done.

I came to Juneau in 1977 when Jay Hammond was governor. In those days you could be a nobody volunteer from out of state, like me, and invite the governor and his wife to dinner — and they would come! Now it’s rare for our current governor to set foot in the capital city.

Special Olympics Alaska-Juneau’s bowling season is starting soon. We are looking for volunteers and new athletes are always welcome.