I was schooled to tip the dealer if dealt a win at the table. I’ve benefitted, and the dealer is acknowledged as contributing to my good fortune. 

The Skagway Borough recently won a court decision that saved AP&T customers in Skagway and Haines potential charges of over $4 million, the estimated cost of replacing the broken section of an undersea cable. The decision also denied in part AP&T’s request for a 70% rate increase. Skagway footed the cost of the argument: $767,000. 

In 2023 the Haines Borough resolved to participate in the initial phase of the lawsuit (then $144,000) with $10,000. The check was never written.

Mayor Morphet brought to the Assembly on May 9, news of our failure to write the check, and suggested that the Haines Borough acknowledge our good fortune today by participating in the cost of the lawsuit at the original proportion, or 7%: $54,000. The Assembly said “No!”

What sort of people are we that won’t recognize an action taken by another to benefit us? It doesn’t matter what money we think we don’t have…we would have much less without the willingness of the Skagway Borough to take a risk and step up to the table.  Let’s applaud them and say “Thank You.”

Please call your favorite Assembly member and ask for a reconsideration of the decision to acknowledge more fairly the work of our neighbors for saving Haines’ AP&T ratepayers substantially into our future.

Debra Schnabel