News briefs – Oct. 19

Navarre, Sturman debate at Chamber
The Homer Chamber of Commerce is hosting a Kenai Peninsula Borough Mayor Run-Off Candidate Forum Luncheon noon to 1 p.m. Friday at AJ’s Oldtown Steakhouse & Tavern, 135 W.  Bunnell Street. Candidates Mike Navarre and Fred Sturman will answer questions by the moderator and submit two questions for their opponent to answer. The event is open to the public. RSVP at 235-7740 for the optional lunch. Lunch is $12 for chamber members and students and $14 for non-members.

Moose harvest moves forward
The Federal Subsistence Board recently considered a special action request to further restrict moose harvest during the Oct. 20-Nov. 10 season in Units 15B and 15C.  The Board voted to reject this special action request. Therefore, federally qualified subsistence users may harvest one antlered bull with spike-fork of 50-inch antlers or with three or more brow tines on either antler during this season.  A Federal registration permit is required. Permits are available at the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge on Ski Hill Road in Soldotna. Due to conservation concerns, a 24-hour reporting period will be required and the harvest will be closely monitored. For more information, contact Andy Loranger at (907) 262-7021, andy_loranger@fws.gov.

HEA hosts energy fair
Homer Electric Association hosts its third annual Energy and Conservation Fair at the Kenai Middle School in Kenai. The Fair will be repeated the following Saturday, Nov. 12, at West Homer Elementary School in Homer. Vendors will display a variety of energy conservation related products including appliances, construction materials, heating sources, lighting options, and alternative energy information.

Walmart donates $25,000 to Project GRAD
Project GRAD Kenai Peninsula has received a $25,000 donation through the Walmart Foundation’s state giving program. Project Grad works in seven under-served, primarily first generation Kenai Peninsula school communities to improve student achievement and help prepare high school graduates for college. This donation will go toward PGKP’s College Access Program, which provides support targeting college-career awareness, academic rigor, college readiness and affordability.

A formal presentation of the grant award will take place at the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District Board of Education meeting on Nov. 7.

Anchor Point library fundraiser
Anchor Point Public Library holds its second-annual Octoberfest 5 to 7:30 p.m. Saturday. The menu consists of bratwurst, sauerkraut, hot German potato salad, bread, pickle, green salad and chocolate brownies. This is a fundraiser for the library building fund. Cost is $10 a plate; $7.50 for seniors and children.
Also at the Anchor Point Library, Debra Spencer  will be reading children stories and doing craft projects 1-2 p.m. each Saturday.

Pebble ballot measure passes
Lake and Peninsula Borough voters have approved a ballot initiative meant to sidetrack the massive Pebble mine prospect. Borough officials announced late Monday night that the initiative passed on a vote of 280 to 246.
The count follows a contentious election with heated disputes over the hugely controversial mine and what it would mean for the Bristol Bay region. It changes borough law to forbid the granting of permits for any big mine that would have a “significant adverse impact” on salmon streams. The measure will now be tested in court. The Pebble Limited Partnership, the group seeking to develop the mine, has challenged its legality. The state’s attorney general also argues it would be unenforceable because the Alaska Constitution gives the Legislature, not localities, authority over the development of state resources.
Anchorage Superior Court Judge John Suddock allowed the election to proceed but said he’d sort out the legal issues when the case resumes Nov. 7.

Homer Seniors featured in upcoming talks
The public is invited to two Homer Senior Citizen programs to be featured in presentations before the Downtown Rotary group. At 6 p.m. Nov. 2 Executive Director Keren Kelly will give a powerpoint presentation on HSC Inc. On Nov. 9, the Friendship Center’s Director Mary Jo Gates will give a presentation on the adult day services program.

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