Maybe there's hope for Alaska yet (Wasilla, Metlakatla: felons, home, schools)

[Metlakatla]

Could be that the impending exodus of dead weight down the AlCan is exactly what the state needs.

[Music_Man]

Back in the day they used to give money to help people get a plane ticket back to the lower 48.

[Metlakatla]

Originally Posted by Music_Man

Back in the day they used to give money to help people get a plane ticket back to the lower 48.

I remember that. It was called the "Travelers Aid" fund or something.

We usually get people coming around at the end of the season looking for enough work to get back south...I remember one kid a couple of years ago, maybe 18-19. The season was over and we didn't have any work, but we bought him a ticket home anyway.

[Music_Man]

Ah! the good old days of the Spenard divorce. and cops marching the hookers around the block downtown. And Wasilla had a flashing yellow light.

[Arktikos]

What the state needs is more legislators with intelligence and wisdom.

Unfortunately, the worst of the bunch won't be among those heading down the Alcan.

[Metlakatla]

I forgot. Back in the old days, drunks and felons could easily pass through Canada. Not so much today.

What Alaska needs is voters who can't be bought with a check.

This was sort of made half-jokingly, and although I do sincerely hope that most people on this forum don't lose their jobs (or that Pitt hasn't already), I'm a little tired of the misplaced hostility exhibited by some because I gave up my Alaska residency to get an Oregon drivers license.

If all you have to feel good about in your life is that you're a current resident of Alaska, I feel damn sorry for you.

By the way, there are serious financial incentives for Alaska residents in the commercial fishing industry, but hardly anyone takes advantage of them. Guess the work is too hard for them.

[Haolejohn]

Originally Posted by Metlakatla

I forgot. Back in the old days, drunks and felons could easily pass through Canada. Not so much today.

What Alaska needs is voters who can't be bought with a check.

This was sort of made half-jokingly, and although I do sincerely hope that most people on this forum don't lose their jobs (or that Pitt hasn't already), I'm a little tired of the misplaced hostility exhibited by some because I gave up my Alaska residency to get an Oregon drivers license.

If all you have to feel good about in your life is that you're a current resident of Alaska, I feel damn sorry for you.

By the way, there are serious financial incentives for Alaska residents in the commercial fishing industry, but hardly anyone takes advantage of them. Guess the work is too hard for them.

Or the initial cost to get into, with fishermen given $.55/lb last year, many can't afford that option.

I'm thankful I don't depend on the PFD. Is it nice? Sure. Is it needed? Nope.
Working in a profession that will be greatly impacted by this fiscal issue, I am prepared for the worst. It may mean us leaving the state and it may mean us leaving our area. I hope that doesn't happen, but we will make a decision based on the family needs.

We've already minimized our needs, and there isn't much more that we can cut. I don't want to move to the road, but that would be first plan. Career change? If it will pay the bills would be an option, but not sure if a career change is possible at this point in life.

[Metlakatla]

There are opportunities in the seafood industry that don't depend on last season's Bristol Bay red salmon prices. Seafood contributes slightly less than $6 billion to Alaska's economy. Opportunities exist, and if I were starting out, Bristol Bay would be the last place I'd be. I'd actually look outside of salmon altogether.

Sorry if you end up having to leave, but it happens to a lot of people in a lot of different parts of the country. I've heard some bush schools may not receive funding at all but don't know how true that is.

Any politician in the past 35 years who even breathed about the possibility of doing away with "the check" at some point has promptly been voted out of office. Wasn't claiming anyone actually depended on it (though it does seem to comprise a surprising percentage of many people's annual incomes). That's what I meant about voters being bought out by "the check."

Idk, I see a lot of people saying that another industry has to come along and support Alaska, but I don't think that's going to happen.

[Dakster]

Don't need an AK license to feel happy... I do really like living here and want to stay. Luckily, I'm not dependent on any government program from the State of AK to be here either. All my income is stuff I've earned and I get no matter where I live. Healthcare is hiring up here still, but of course, you need to apply with the skills already. At least that seems to be what I hear job seeking wise as radio ads.

I am watching what is going on, but my days of getting involved directly are over. I did that for long enough before I got here and I really don't want to do it here.

Glad you are coming back to run your business up here Met.

The mood doesn't seem horrible up here, like everyone is going about as normal. The RE market is very very slowly moving as if there are issues coming, but not like you would expect.


On an interesting note, looks like the KABATA project took a hit. Would be nice to steer those millions towards the budget hole... Unfortunately, I am losing some faith in our leaders -- Maybe Met is right all a long. That my hope of them fixing this is unrealistic.

[Haolejohn]

Originally Posted by Metlakatla

There are opportunities in the seafood industry that don't depend on last season's Bristol Bay red salmon prices. Seafood contributes slightly less than $6 billion to Alaska's economy. Opportunities exist, and if I were starting out, Bristol Bay would be the last place I'd be. I'd actually look outside of salmon altogether.

Sorry if you end up having to leave, but it happens to a lot of people in a lot of different parts of the country. I've heard some bush schools may not receive funding at all but don't know how true that is.

Any politician in the past 35 years who even breathed about the possibility of doing away with "the check" at some point has promptly been voted out of office. Wasn't claiming anyone actually depended on it (though it does seem to comprise a surprising percentage of many people's annual incomes). That's what I meant about voters being bought out by "the check."

Idk, I see a lot of people saying that another industry has to come along and support Alaska, but I don't think that's going to happen.

I was thinking about working at a cannery this summer but the pay...and the hours...lol

Maybe next year when there is not a new baby.

We are trying to be proactive. We were proactive last year when we left our previous district. This year we are going to be fine, but next year will be even rougher. It doesn't look good for education. I personally think a income tax as well as PFD cuts need to happen. another source of income.