The View From ‘Nowhere’

Well Mr. Mayor, you apparently don't want that bridge too bad because your statement that you will "make up with your governor" is beyond stupid. Maybe you should work to get rid of your governor. Then, and only then will you have the opportunity to get your bridge and even then it will be a long shot. She has damaged your project probably forever. So, while you sip coffee with her after making up, letter know how disappointed you are and then vote for her again. By the way, didn't she also lie about supporting the bridge originally. You betcha!

LOL...boycott --- Alaska, they want to start killing tourists....

Before citizens of Alaska start complaining about a bridge you indicate is needed to get to an airport but tentatively labeled the bridge to nowhere you should consider yourselves lucky that you are all recipients of a fund by the oil companies called Alaska Permanent Fund (APF) created in 1976. The first dividend check was issued in 1982 and every citizen who resided in Alaska for over a year received $1,000. Every year since then each Alaskan citizen has bee issued a check bringing the total to more than $23,000 per citizen. In 2003 the amount was $1,107 and the all time high was 2000 when the amount was $1,964. What other states reward its citizens in such a fashion? Surely not mine where I am being taxed to death, many of the roads are toll roads, local government are bloated and corrupt, and the whole infrastructure from roads, to public transportation, crime, foreclosures, and unemployment is at an all time high. I think pork projects where the rest of the nation is broken should be attended to first.

I live on Prince of Wales Island, 85 air miles from Ketchikan. Ketchikan is the hub of South Southeast Alaska. Our High School wrestlers from 3 communities just went through the airport in Ketchikan. That was after a 3 hour ferry ride from our Island to Ketchikan. We then take another ferry ride, 15 minutes to Ketchikan International Airport. We usually are walking, since it is expensive to put your car on the ferry only to park it. If you check our weather out this week you will see we got 4.45 inches of rain in a 24 hour period with gusts to 70 MPH. (We live in a rain forest, this is normal weather for us this time of year) Try hauling your luggage up a 400 foot incline in THAT! Remember you have been awake since 5 AM to catch a 5 PM filght. And don't get me started on being held hostage with the only Airlines that flies in and out of Ketchikan! You can fly a family of four from Seattle to Chicago for less than it costs to fly anywhere out of Ketchikan. And the airline thanks us for choosing to fly with them. Like the article says; we choose to live here, some because we like fresh air, no traffic, because when there is a death everyone pulls together to help the family. Some of us have roots here for 10, 000 years. Literally! While I live on POW, when I hear people make fun of Ketchikan, it hurts us too. When that woman used Ketchikan as a stepping stone for her 15 minutes of fame, well I can't even print what I called her! Ketchikan does need a bridge. Until you haul your luggage up that ramp please don't assume you know what you are joking about!!

As a prior cruise ship passenger last year we had the great benefit of stopping at at this beautiful, if small port. Until now, I had no idea about local politics or logistics/infrastructure. I find this story well written and meaningful. I also see now that Governor Sarah is quite the politician in addition to being the hockey mom. Be careful what you see on TV!
Thanks for this story!

Mike P
Bangkok Thailand

Well said, Debbiegrits!

That flight did not save anyone any money. Get your facts straight.

well how many poeple were living on Padre Island in tx. when LBJ pushed for the Kennedy causway? what about all of the bridges to Islands in the south? I guess it doesn't take any knowlege to act stupid and bash one party for something the both do!

Selective use of facts. By opponents, not the Mayor. Yes, the island that the bridge connects to only has about 50 people living on it. BUT IS ALSO HAS THE REGIONAL AIRPORT. (How many people reside on the grounds of, say, Kennedy Airport in NYC, but it has lots of highways to it.) Ketchickan is a major passenger ship port, lots of people fly into the airpost to connect. The town is in one place and the airport is in another. Would you move across to an island (that has no bridge to the mainland) to be closer to the airport? And the airport is fairly new, they are not going to abandon it to move it to the town. They should get the bridge.

Mayor
I have been to Ketchikan by plane. The town is nice too look (from across the water) at but a little hard to get to. I would have like to visit longer if I could have got there. If it where me, I don't think I would be bragging about stopping the bridge to "no where". I SERIOUSLY did not know this is where she was talking about.... shame shame Palin.

Remember, Alaska has 25+billion sitting it a fund that pays each Alaskan 1000 to 2000 a year. This fund is set aside for this purpose and Alaskan's refuse to use the money to run their own state. I lived in Alaska for many years and came to the conclusion it is simply one big welfare state. This state is vehemently antigovernment but is first in line for a free handout and oh, so proud of it. If you want to see wasteful pork barrel spending, spend some time up there.

yes, were all yuppies in the lower 48, drinking starbucks and paying with our iphones, so when the oil runs out, we will give you back to the Ruskies or worse Canada...we are all Americans....Ted Stevens sold you guys out, only now you guys have woken up....