Ten years ago

A Jehovah’s Witness representative clarified this week his group isn’t pushing literature or religious discussion on people passing by a sign-and-cart set up weekly on the Haines waterfront.

Sebabi Leballo said it’s the official policy for Jehovah’s Witnesses around the world not to take the initiative to approach people while set up in public. “They have to come up to us, then we speak to them,” he said.

The group recently acquired a sign permit to distribute literature on the waterfront, including at Lookout Park. They set up weekly on Wednesdays, when cruise ships are in town, Leballo said.

“We know there are many people from around the world who may never learn about the Bible in their countries. It’s an opportunity for them to learn more about the Bible,” he said.

Residents have questioned the presence of the Jehovah’s Witnesses at Lookout Park, expressing concerns that they might make visitors uncomfortable.

“I think because it is new and different and people haven’t seen it before, I assume that is why maybe some people were surprised and taken aback by it,” Leballo said.

He also stressed the goal of the literature isn’t so much to “recruit” or “convert” people, or solicit them to come to meetings, but to initiate a conversation about the Bible.

“Some (people) will decide to become Jehovah’s Witnesses, but that’s not the end game,” Leballo said. “It’s your personal decision. We’re just going to give you the information to make your decisions.”

Aside from the weekly presence at the waterfront, the group holds twice weekly public meetings. They primarily focus on one-on-one Bible education, which is usually initiated by the door-to-door visits Jehovah’s Witnesses are known for.

Before Leballo came to town almost two years ago, there was no Jehovah’s Witness presence in Haines. Last year, about three to four people were coming to the public meetings held at Leballo’s home. Now, that number is about 15.

“It’s definitely been increasing,” he said.

Leballo said his group has conducted one-on-one Bible studies with about 50 people.

Those conversations usually stem from a specific question someone might have, such as, “If God exists, why is there wickedness in the world?”

“We don’t believe in telling you what to believe. We show you what the Bible says, and then you decide what to believe based on that,” Leballo said.

25 years ago

An order from the director of state parks made eagle baiting on commercial tours in the Alaska Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve illegal last week, putting at least a temporary halt to heated local debate about the ethics of the practice.

“The purpose of the order was to maintain the best relationship between people and the preserve, not to make any statement about whether it’s good or bad for the eagles,” said southeast parks area superintendent Bill Garry.

The order amends preserve commercial use permits to prohibit feeding eagles. “While conducting guided tours on the preserve a client or guide may not offer or provide food or a food-like lure of any kind that attracts an eagle, whether or not the eagle actually eats or touches the food or lure,” the amendment reads.

Duck Hess, whose tour company is the only one that baits eagles in the preserve, said he’d likely appeal the decision. He said the move reflects a common theme in state management of resources – interference with business. “It’s typical of what’s been going on,” he said.

Baiting eagles is contrary to the preserve’s purpose, and the move is meant to protect the preserve’s integrity, Garry said.

“Baiting eagles for a thrill can only be perceived as a manipulation of the eagle. Zoos provide those experiences. The preserve is not a zoo, and the purpose is to preserve the natural habitats and human relationship to the eagle. Eagles shall interact naturally with their habitats, other wildlife and humans,” parks director Jim Stratton wrote in the order.

Hess said the ban wouldn’t affect his business. “I get the people anyway. I was just doing it to give them a better look at the eagles,” he said.

Preventing conflict between tour companies also was a factor in the decision. “A commercial tour that baits eagles to its clients will eventually come in contact with another tour or private party that detests this activity. This will lead to verbal and possibly physical conflict. The best way to prevent this conflict is to remove the baiting activity which may be benign for the eagle, but is certainly not benign for humans involved,” Stratton wrote.

According to the order, disposal of hunting and fishing waste that may inadvertently feed eagles is not restricted. “Traditional use of the preserve may from time to time involve disposal of fish and animal remains which could be seen as baiting of eagles. This activity is infrequent, has not led to conflicts and is consistent with a natural subsistence lifestyle with humans and eagles coexisting in their habitats,” the order reads.

The order took effect immediately, but is subject to appeal for 30 days, Garry said. Department of Natural Resources commissioner Pat Pourchot will decide administrative appeals. “My understanding is Pat Pourchot is the last level of administrative appeal,” Gary said. Beyond that, the order could be challenged through the court system, he said.

Garry said the order likely would remain in force during appeals. “I’ve talked to the attorney general about that and they feel it’s still in effect. The appeal process has a 30-day period when we probably won’t prosecute criminal violations,” he said.

Violating the order is punishable by suspension or revocation of commercial use permits and prosecution.

52 years ago

A last-minute move by lawyers for L.A.B. Flying Service of Haines has thrown out the window all plans by Southeast Skyways to begin service to Haines on Monday. 

An Anchorage judge has granted a restraining order on behalf of lawyers for L.A.B. Flying Service, and has set a tentative date for a hearing for July 3 in Anchorage. At this time L.A.B. will formally contest the Alaska Transportation Commission’s decision to give the Lynn Canal route to Southeast Skyways. Layton Bennet was unavailable for comment at press time. 

At this point Alaska Airlines must continue its present schedule until the entire matter is settled. The CAB today granted final approval of Alaska’s abandonment of the Haines-Skagway route – pending the availability of an alternate carrier. Now the ball is back in the Alaska Transportation Commission’s hands. 

This newspaper talked to Jim Vuille at Southeast Skyways in Juneau Friday evening. Vuille was still reeling from the blow, but said that Skyways was going ahead with its plans for a terminal building at the Haines airport. “We’re feeling pretty down at the moment,” he said. “But we still are gearing up to begin service just as soon as this is cleared up.” 

Jim Vuille also said that there is the possibility that the State Attorney General’s office may intervene in the case to have the hearing date moved up, so that this situation can be resolved as soon as possible. 

Jim McGraw, local Alaska Airlines agent, had this to say about the whole affair: “By the time this thing is straightened out, they’ll have to carry me out of here in a straitjacket!” This comment followed weeks of uncertainty as he has been promised a job with Alaska Airlines in Anchorage – and at the same time has not been advised in any coherent manner as to how to finish up his work in Haines.