Showing posts with label Fairbanks. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Fairbanks. Show all posts

Monday, June 16, 2025

No Kings Rally in Fairbanks, Alaska

JUNE 14th, 2025

FAIRBANKS, ALASKA

PIONEER PARK


We counted 1400 protesters at Pioneer Park on June 14th in Fairbanks, Alaska. The local paper, the Newsminer, said there were 2000 people there. The protest was peaceful and felt like a pleasant outing in the park. Volunteers raised over $1500 for the Bread Line. 








VIDEO


Later in the day, there were even more people than in this video--no gaps in crowds.


Alaska Beacon

June 14th

Protests were held in at least 24 communities condemning abuse of executive power, immigration crackdown and cuts to public services



As the Trump administration hosted a multimillion dollar military parade in Washington, D.C., marking the Army’s 250th anniversary and President Donald Trump’s birthday, and amid escalating military and law enforcement force against immigrants and protesters of immigration enforcement actions, thousands of Alaskans rallied in communities large and small, joining nationwide “No Kings” protests against Trump.

In Anchorage, a crowd lined L Street holding handmade signs, waving flags and cheering, as cars honked in support.

Stephanie Schulling held a protest sign reading, “no sign is big enough for all the reasons I’m here.” She said as a social worker, she feels an ethical responsibility to show up and protest “the issues with people being disappeared, the issues with DOGE (the Department of Government Efficiency), the issues with the possibility of Medicaid, Social Security, you know, all those sorts of safety nets going away. It’s unthinkable.”

Signs and speeches from community advocates condemned the Trump administration as overreaching its power and authority, and called for protecting democracy and equal rights, including for immigrant and transgender communities. The crowd then marched along L Street to the Delaney Park Strip for an afternoon Juneteenth celebration.

“People are really, really scared, and I think their fear has turned into action,” said Erin Jackson-Hill, an organizer and executive director of Stand Up Alaska, a nonprofit social justice organization.

“In Alaska especially, we really hold on to our freedoms and our independence, and we’re not gonna bow down to a king,” she said. “And so the ‘No Kings’ march is a way to stand up and say, ‘We don’t have kings in this country, we don’t want a king!’ The country got founded because we didn’t want a king. And we certainly don’t want Donald Trump to be the king.”

Tuesday, May 6, 2025

Feedback call for Ester Dome Mine Exploration Activity

 


Comment Deadline for Ester Dome Mine Exploration Activity is May 8


Felix Gold mining company has recently filed for a permit to start exploration operations near the base of Ester Dome. (KUAC has a story on this HERE, starting at 4:05.)

The activity will impact trails on Ester Dome in the St. Patrick Road area. According to one knowledgeable trails advocate: “All activity appears to be planned south of Happy Creek. While not affecting the Singletrack, it is close by and does affect the trails on Happy Ridge. They address that on page 23 of the APMA.”

You can see a map of the planned exploration and prominent trails in the area HERE. Please note that while both the Ester Dome Singletrack Trails and the Equinox Marathon Trail (maps here of upper and lower portions of that section) have some protections, the Happy Ridge Trail (an informal name), like most trails on Ester Dome, does not have special trail protections. And some laws that protect public access to trails, such as RS2477, allow for use by large motorized vehicles or for trails to be turned into roads. Happy Ridge Trail may have RS2477 protections. I don’t know for sure either way.

Several people have posted about this activity on different Facebook pages, such as Fairbanks Trail Users, Ester Dome Singletrack Trails, and Ester Dome Recreational Users. People are alarmed and concerned about how the activity will affect trails and roads. I don’t have time to research this, but according to one poster, the permit asks for activity to start this summer and last until 2035, “including up to 100 drilling sites and use of 20,000 gallons of water per day from Happy Creek and a nearby pond.”

To help put things into perspective, Ester Dome has historically been an active mining area. However, over the years mining has died down and recreation has become more popular. Also, more residential homes have been built in the area. Nonetheless, the area is still legally open to mining. On the plus side mines give us jobs and add pay some local property taxes. On the down side, mining activity can be noisy at times, can impact local roads and trails, and can impact water resources. One thing is clear: If the exploration activity ultimately results in a mine, that will have a larger impact in the area.

How you can act

Comments are due May 8. Written comments, questions concerning this activity or requests to view the full application packet should be directed to Michael Ladouceur, Telephone (907) 451-2784; Fax: (907) 451-2703 or e-mail: dnr.fbx.mining@alaska.gov.

You can see the full permit application notice:
http://notice.alaska.gov/219388

Also see the note below about the Felix Gold event at the Noel Wien Library running through May, which may give people another way to act.

Treasure Creek Area Mine Activity

Felix Gold is also looking into developing a mine in the Treasure Creek area, north of Old Murphy Dome Road. The Treasure Creek Trail runs along a ridge in that area.

The company has a survey about the project. You can access it HERE. If you like the Treasure Creek Trail, make sure to let Felix Gold know that want to keep access to it.

Felix Gold will be hosting open hours throughout May at the Noel Wien Library where you can ask questions, fill out their community survey, and share your thoughts on their proposed projects. Find out more HERE. This was advertised regarding the Treasure Creek project, but you might be able to address the Ester Dome project, too.





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Wednesday, April 9, 2025

Help the Fairbanks school district funding...URGENT!

  

If the Fairbanks Northstar Borough School District loses more funding ... will they even be able to function? 

They are already running on a minimal budget now. 


Send opinions by Thursday, 4/10/25.




Email address below

Also, sample letter at bottom.

Don't let them shut our schools down!

Who: You! 

What: Email the borough assembly to say you SUPPORT the proposed school district funding of $60M, not the reduced amount that would lead to EVEN MORE school closures. (Or even better - show up to testify tomorrow - 4/10)

Why:  A group of anti-education funding folks have started an email campaign asking people to email the Assembly and demand that they only fund the district to the minimum contribution, based on a dangerous misinformation campaign (message me if you want more details). This would mean the school board would have to cut an additional $21M from its current budget. That might look like 7-10 more schools closed and/or class sizes doubled across the board. 

When: Email before the assembly meeting tomorrow, 4/10, or show up in person to testify

How: Emails should be sent to: Barbara.Haney@fnsb.gov, Brett.Rotermund@fnsb.gov, Tammie.Wilson@fnsb.gov, David.Guttenberg@fnsb.gov, Kristan.Kelly@fnsb.gov, Mindy.Oneall@fnsb.gov, Scott.Crass@fnsb.gov, Liz.Reeves-Ramos@fnsb.gov, Nick.Lajiness@fnsb.gov

What else: Please spread the word!




TWO RESOLUTIONS FROM 

THE BOROUGH ASSEMBLY


A resolution setting our minimum education funding at 60 million.

By: Introduced: Grier Hopkins, Mayor 04/10/2025 

https://www.fnsb.gov/DocumentCenter/View/21414/Resolution-No-2025-08 


A resolution to acknowledge Canadian sovereignty

By: David Guttenberg 2 Scott Crass 3 Introduced: April 10, 2025


Sample email supporting Canada at: 


Both being heard tomorrow at the Juanita Helms administrative center. 

Contact info: fnsb.gov/142/Contact
Emails to Assembly@fnsb.gov

-------------------------------------------

SAMPLE EMAIL:

Subject: Please Support RESOLUTION NO. 2025-08 and Fully Fund Our Schools

Dear Members of the Fairbanks North Star Borough Assembly,

I am writing to urge you to support RESOLUTION NO. 2025-08 and approve $60 million in local funding for the Fairbanks North Star Borough School District for FY 2025-26.

There is a dangerous misinformation campaign underway by a small but vocal group demanding that you fund only the state-required minimum contribution. If their position were adopted, the school district would face an additional $21 million in budget cuts. This would have catastrophic consequences: potentially closing 7–10 more schools and forcing class sizes to double across the district.

This is not just a matter of budget lines—this is a matter of our community’s future. Our students, teachers, and families deserve better than shrinking resources and shrinking opportunities. Cutting education funding hurts all of us: families, employers, property owners, and the local economy.

The $60 million proposed funding level is a responsible and necessary investment. It not only helps maintain current levels of education and staffing, but it also ensures the borough can meet increasing needs due to population growth and inflation. Anything less risks undoing decades of community progress.

Please stand with our students, teachers, and the future of Fairbanks. Reject misinformation. Don’t let disinvestment hollow out the heart of our community.

Vote YES on RESOLUTION NO. 2025-08.

Sincerely,
[Your Full Name]
[Your Address or Neighborhood]
[Optional: Parent / Teacher / Local Resident / Voter]


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News in the Fairbanks Borough

  


TWO RESOLUTIONS FROM 

THE BOROUGH ASSEMBLY


A resolution setting our minimum education funding at 60 million.

By: Introduced: Grier Hopkins, Mayor 04/10/2025 

https://www.fnsb.gov/DocumentCenter/View/21414/Resolution-No-2025-08 


A resolution to acknowledge Canadian sovereignty

By: David Guttenberg 2 Scott Crass 3 Introduced: April 10, 2025



Both being heard tomorrow 4/10/25
at the Juanita Helms administrative center. 

Email our support for these resolutions!

Emails to Assembly@fnsb.gov

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Santa Says No Kings

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