annual Southeast Conference, she said she would have
included a panel discussion to brainstorm solutions to the distressed economy, what she
calls a "pressing topic."
But the only paid employee of the organization can’t go back now,
and the more she thinks about it, most of the discourse that's gone forward at the Chilkat
Center this week focuses on that "bigger picture."
The conference—which has drawn more people this year than ever
with 244 pre-registered participants and a handful of drop-ins—is a forum for 32
communities in Southeast Alaska to voice ideas and views regarding the politics and
economy of the region. It was Haines' turn this year to host the gathering for the first
time since 1987.
"We have severe economic problems facing us in the future,"
Schijvens said. "This is about banding together to discuss how to solve these
issues."
A series of talks on transportation and industry, as well as a visit
from Gov. Frank Murkowski, defined the three-day event.
The conference kicked off Tuesday morning with a welcome from Haines
Borough Mayor Mike Case, followed by keynote speaker Jim Clark—Murkowski’s chief
of staff and Schijvens’ father—who admitted the state is bracing itself for
serious budget cutbacks.
"We have different problems in different places," Clark said,
listing the repercussions of Ketchikan’s fallen timber industry, the state of
commercial fishing in Petersburg, and the need for improved access to Juneau, Haines,
Skagway and Sitka. "Southeast Conference…there’s not a better organization
in the state of Alaska. What it does is bring together the voices from the communities for
responsible, economic infrastructure development… bring everyone together in one
group to figure out what’s best for the region."
Clark said state spending in fiscal year 2004 is less than that of
FY03, the first time in state history that a subsequent year’s budget is smaller than
the one preceding it.
The administration is thinking of ways to further cut spending and
manage the state’s savings account and constitutional budget reserve, which stands at
less than $400 million, he added.
Clark said the governor’s to-do list before the state’s next
legislative session is "extremely difficult." If the state continued spending at
the current rate without making adjustments it would run out of money in 2006, he said.
To avoid that, about $250 million in spending will need to be cut, he
said. "We’re going back to the way things were before we had oil money."
Municipal sharing will diminish, sending a "tough message" to
communities, which may have to raise taxes to compensate, he said.
In addition to staff cutbacks and the consolidation of services within
the administration, as well as looking for federal assistance, the governor and his staff
also are considering new revenue sources.
Natural gas development will provide the state with the most money and
"get us over the hump," he said.
"We are very focused right now on gas," Clark said.
"There’s an unlimited demand in the lower 48."
He said the state has "great potential reserves," noting the
Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, and discussed the possible building of additional gas
lines to carry the fuel out of state. "We’ll work to ensure…Alaska
residents get jobs associated with this development."
Haines Chamber of Commerce board member Fred Shields asked Clark what
role Haines would play in the possible new gas line.
"(Borough economic development director) Robert Venables, as we
drove into Haines last night, showed me the spot on the point where the gas line should
go," Clark quipped.
Issues brought to the table this week included solid waste management,
mining, economic development, timber, fisheries, marine and highway transportation, and
the Intertie project, which would connect existing hydroelectric plants in Southeast in an
effort to decrease electrical power costs.
Southeast Conference originally started as a small group of people who
wanted to create a transportation system in the region, which blossomed into the Alaska
marine highway.
The 132-member organization has 100 volunteers and seven committees.
The Chilkat Valley News will include a summary of Gov. Murkowski's
Thursday afternoon conference discussion, which covered reinvigorating the economy of
Alaska—including the marine highway, road and resource development—in next
week's edition.
