Homer ship captain honored for Nome fuel run
As the pilot of a Russian tanker on a near impossible mission to deliver fuel last winter to Nome, Capt. Peter Garay had his work cut out for him.
Except for a translator, the crew, all Russian, didn’t speak English. Cultural divides and different ideas on what constituted proper ship protocol separated them. Then, there was the matter of breaking through hundreds of miles of shore-fast ice.
“We also had weeks of planning sessions between private agencies, the Obama administration, the Coast Guard,” Garay said. “When it was finished, it wasn’t just a rescue mission getting fuel to Nome. It was a demonstration of the Coast Guard’s ability.”
As America works on logistics for protecting its claims around a rapidly melting polar ice cap, the January 2012 journey bringing 1.3 million gallons of petroleum products to Nome was setting history. The exercise command structure created in the effort will guide parties in the years ahead as they plan for work in a changing Arctic. Even President Obama listened in on the discussion and appraisal of Nome’s situation.
Ancient Christmas oils: Healing with potent tools
Frankincense and myrrh made ideal gifts at the dawn of that first Christmas long ago, gifts only wise and wealthy people were in a position to give.
The young, newly married couple taking refuge in a stable for the blessed birth likely couldn’t have afforded it if not for the benevolence of their three new friends from afar.
Homer alchemist Michael Francis finds public interest in the two famed essential oils hasn’t slowed down since. The owner of Alaska Intuitive Arts on Pioneer Avenue between Vagabond Café and the Upper Room, Francis combines ancient and modern alchemic knowledge to create oil and incense fusions, as well as salts, soaps and candles containing the oils. Frankincense and myrrh are among the hundreds of earth-based oils he draws from, as well as hundreds of herbs, flowers, crystals, rocks and minerals.
People who want to know more about chemical properties, histories and uses for aromas and other healing tools are quickly learning to head to Francis’ downtown shop. In a workshop behind the counter, he creates his own fusions and candles in a manner that probably wouldn’t be unfamiliar if a medieval alchemist stuck his head in the door.
Two arrested in $293 robbery of Grog Shop
Homer Police on Tuesday night arrested two suspects in the robbery of the Grog Shop Liquor Store on Pioneer Avenue.
John Allen Mumey, 49, and Terry Jean Lashley Elliot, 32, were each charged with first-degree robbery. Mumey was additionally charged with fourth-degree assault.
The Homer Police Department received a call at 11:34 p.m. Monday from a Grog Shop clerk stating he had been robbed. He reported that an adult male entered the store, picked up some merchandise, approached the clerk and brandished a semi-automatic handgun. The man demanded money and received an undisclosed amount of cash.
Business briefs
ocals win car, ATV and more
The $25,000-dollar credit from Stanley Ford, or $15,000 cash, went to Carrara Poindexter of Anchor Point. The 2012 Honda Rancher ATV was won by Charles Rehder from Homer, and one night lodging from NMS Lodging went to Tabor Ashment.
• A $20 gift certificate from Barb’s Video and $50 gift certificate from VBS Heating: Tom Stroozas Family;
• Membership and goodies from Center for Alaskan Coastal Studies and $40 gift certificate from AJ’s Oldtown Steakhouse: Charles Rehder;
Stradling named 2012 Realtor of the Year
Shelly Stradling
Stradling was named Realtor of the Year 2012 at the Kachemak Bay Board of Realtors for her diverse role in all facets of real estate dating back four decades. Keeping this quiet was no easy accomplishment, given that Stradling is the group’s executive officer.
Learning lessons from Endeavour
It’s difficult to sort out the problems at the end of the Homer Spit, on the jack-up rig Endeavour. One big international drilling manager, Archer Drilling, is allegedly terminated for lack of performance by another international oil-gas concern. Archer is based in Oklahoma City while Buccaneer’s American offices are in Houston. Local plumbers, pipe-fitters and welders living in Homer remain unpaid. Now Houston steps in and assures the community the bills will be paid.
Depreciation: The city’s biggest myth
During this ongoing debate about raising food taxes our Homer City Council keeps bringing up the issue of adequate funding for the city’s depreciation reserve accounts. In my opinion it is horribly distorted and here’s why. The entire purpose of a reserve account for equipment and facilities is to fund future repairs and replacement. Homer also has a multi-million dollar reserve account for operations and salaries if tax revenue should drop suddenly. Up until a few years ago we didn’t have a whole lot in these accounts.
But a movement spread across the country amongst municipal accountants who determined that cities should provide more of their own money instead of counting on the state and federal government.
Protect salmon, as well as due process
Upon learning of ordinance 2011-12, Anadromous Streams, and its widespread implications on the rights of private property owners, I e-mailed Kenai Peninsula Borough Assemblyman Smith and asked a few questions.
• 1. Why were property owners not informed of the impending ordinance prior to its passage?
• 2. Did you know property owners would not be informed?
• 3. Why would there be no notice required when written notice is required for almost any change that a citizen would make such as a lot split or vacation of a lot line, let alone a major ordinance that massively impacts the rights of private property owners?
Assemblyman Smith’s reply included the phrase, “silly questions.”
Letters to the Editor
Important name left out of obit Last week, you printed the obituary of my sister Sally Rader. After the memorial was over and all of the out-of-town family and friends had left, I sat down in a quiet moment to re-read the obituary and discovered to my dismay that, in our grief, we had neglected [...]
Van Cleave joins KBBI Morning Edition
Ariel Van Cleave has been hired as the new reporter and host of “Morning Edition” for KBBI and KDLL.
Van Cleave holds a master’s degree in public affairs reporting from the University of Illinois-Springfield.
She has worked covering Illinois state government in Springfield for the Illinois Radio Network and as a reporter and host for WBAA in West Lafayette, Ind.
