I appreciate your publication of the story attributing the two-year delay in the process of securing a federal grant for rehabilitation of the Lutak Dock to the Section 106 consultation between MARAD and Chilkat Indian Village. Your story could be the catalyst for mending some painful community disruptions.
During the 2024 borough election, an insert was distributed by your paper. Among other misstatements, the insert asserted that “the most appalling example of mismanagement by the current assembly is the Lutak Dock. The reconstruction of Lutak Dock was on track to be completed this year.The current assembly “paused” the project. This delay could cost the taxpayers an additional $5 million with an unknown completion date.”
The (then) current assembly and others knew that the Section 106 consultation was the primary piece holding up the permit process, but angry citizens – some of them notable and upstanding people – chose to look for blame in politics. It would be nice if the authors of that insert would step forward and take responsibility for the fragmentation, fractionalization and hurt that their disingenuous behavior has caused. Such a generous outreach would have purposeful meaning in the process of community healing.
Again, I appreciate the fourth estate – specifically, your revelation of the truth.
Sincerely,
Debra Schnabel