 Local group to meet and discuss future actions... by Dick Kauffman January 17, 2003
Just hours after 'Locals for Responsible Land Use' sent a 'Notice of Intent' Tuesday to the University of Alaska stating that the group would pursue legal action to halt or delay the timber sale, Smith said the University notified them that the sale had been finalized. Speaking for the 'Locals for Responsible Land Use', Smith said they were disappointed in the University's decision to close such a controversial sale. The University was halfway through the 90-day process so we feel they could have waited a little longer to finalize the sale especially in light of the public concern he said. By finalizing the sale the University of Alaska has made the task of pursuing legal action much more difficult Smith said. Smith said, "Many South Tongass residents have children destined for college. The question we're asking ourselves now is can we send our children to an institution that doesn't hold the same values that we do:
Smith said Mary Montgomery who works in the University of Alaska's Lands Department told him that 107 fliers had been sent out to Ketchikan and the surrounding areas of Prince of Wales. According to Smith, Montgomery told him that sending these 107 fliers and advertising in Anchorage, Fairbanks and Juneau met their legal obligation for proper public notification. According to Smith, the small blue-collar South Tongass neighborhood may find it difficult to raise the large sum of money that will be necessary to bring a legal challenge of the land sale to a successful conclusion given the deep pockets of the University and its available legal resources. Smith said he feels the University of Alaska has now washed their hands of any responsibility and has now taken the position that it is left to be dealt with on the local level. South Tongass residents will now be looking to our Borough Assembly and Borough Planning Commission to ensure that any timber harvesting that occurs will be conducted in a legal and responsible fashion and that zoning will be enforced, Smith said. He said they are not against timber harvesting and hope that Alcan Forest Products will be a good neighbor. 'Locals for Responsible Land Use' will hold a meeting at 4:00 pm on Saturday, January 18th, to brainstorm and discuss future actions, Smith said. The meeting will be held at the Mountain Point Fire Station. Smith concluded his remarks by saying the neighborhood is still united and strong. Mark Hamilton who is the President of the University of Alaska referred inquiries by Sitnews on Tuesday to Joseph Beedle, Vice President of Finance, for comments; however, Beedle has not returned calls to Sitnews.
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