DLG Council Candidate Survey

Last week I reached out to a dozen or so local residents that own property and run businesses in Dillingham.  I asked for their assistance in composing a list of questions for the people campaigning to represent Us on the Dillingham City Council and as Mayor.  The response was overwhelming with many of the people asking a lot of the same questions… here Ya’ go folks. I suggest that if you like the list… copy and paste it into an email to the City of Dillingham (communitysuggestions@dillinghamak.us) as a suggestion for the upcoming ‘debate’ on September 27, 28 and 29, 2021. 

In order to help voters become informed about the issues surrounding governance in Dillingham, We submit the following questions to candidates seeking to be elected to two council seats and the position of Mayor.  As the election is fast approaching it is expected that responses be returned no later than September 25, 2021 so that voters can have ample opportunity to review response and make informed choices when casting their votes.

1. What do you see as the single biggest issue facing the City of Dillingham in the next 3 years?
2. What do you plan to do to help curb deficit spending by the City of Dillingham?
3. Will you support the City of Dillingham providing funding for the Dillingham City School District if the curriculum contains social justice and/or critical race theory based education supplements?
4. Will you support the increase of any taxes on sales, services and property within the City of Dillingham?
5. Will you support the maintaining of EO 2020-22… the ‘permanent emergency’ ordinance that ceded the council’s regulatory authority to the City Manager?
6. What can the City of Dillingham do to help keep more of the commercial fishing fleet based out of Dillingham thus increasing it’s economic impact upon our community?
7. What can the City of Dillingham do to help increase economic opportunities for residents? 
8. What can be done to increase job performance of City employees and/or contractors to make sure We the taxpayers are getting our money’s worth?

We look forward to your replies.

Thanks,

Jon Corbett

چین په افغانستان کې بریالی شو

Who Won In AFG‽

The People’s Republic of China… that’s who.  In reading up on the issues surrounding Alaska’s Natural Gas development… namely the deal brokered by former Governor Bill Walker, I found an very interesting article about ‘Biden’s Plan’ to turn America more ‘green’.  That plan which I’ll link below involves selling massive amounts of LNG to China in exchange for favorable trade status for China’s green energy products.  So the money will swish back and forth…

But here’s the catch… now that China is rapidly RE-establishing relations with the Taliban to gain access to both minerals and gas, they aren’t going to need as much gas from Us and they gain pretty much unfettered access to a massive mineral trove.  That means a glut which causes lower prices and less income thus less production which means a hit on the economy. 

That slushing of global money is going to slow way down… and the cost of the ‘Green Dream’ is going to rise and rise and rise.  America has become socio-economically dependent upon China… even indebted to them.  

The United State essentially financed China’s dominance in Southwest Asia with monies and blood.  That’s all in top of the Obama Administration allowing PRC surrogates access to the top levels of the American sciences institutes.  Why did China even have a Virus that the American government invented? 
Some links: https://thehill.com/opinion/energy-environment/572932-china-seeks-to-extend-critical-minerals-monopoly-with-help-of?amp
https://www.arctictoday.com/a-us-coast-guard-patrol-unexpectedly-encountered-chinese-warships-near-alaskas-aleutian-islands/
https://aedcweb.com/past-events-2/opportunity-alaska-trade-mission-to-china/
https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/blogs/energysource/long-term-us-china-liquefied-natural-gas-trade-will-bring-strategic-benefits-to-both-countries/
And even two years ago the Taliban was parlaying with China: https://www.voanews.com/amp/south-central-asia_taliban-leaders-visit-china-discuss-dead-us-talks/6176251.html
Oh and now China’s access to US built military infrastructure… https://www.oann.com/china-seeks-to-control-u-s-airbase-in-afghanistan/

Vision?

 Earlier today as I was visiting a friend’s home for a few moments… the discussion turned to local/regional politics.  The same theme kept coming up in the conversation, that recovering from this ‘pandemic’ is the best time to look forward and make some shit happen for the future.  After a bit, I interjected that there is a perfect foundation already begun but is sitting in a file somewhere in all those BB et al offices.  The Bristol Bay Vision Project… finalized in 2011.

 

But in not wanting to eat my words… I looked into it yet again. Nothing at all has changed on the actual Bristol Bay Vision website (http://www.bristolbayvision.org) and the vision statement reads as follows:

“The Bristol Bay Regional Vision

The foundation of the Bristol Bay Region is committed families, connected to our land and waters.

We believe future generations can live healthy and productive lives here.  Across our region, we share common values of community, culture, and subsistence.

We see a future of educated, creative people who are well prepared for life. This requires:

• Excellent schools
• Safe and healthy families
• Local jobs
• Understanding our cultural values and traditions

We assert the importance of local voices in managing our natural resources to continue our way of life.

We welcome sustainable economic development that advances the values of Bristol Bay people. Our future includes diverse economic opportunities in businesses and industries based largely on renewable resources. Large development based on renewable and non-renewable resources must not threaten our land, our waters, or our way of life.

We foster cooperation among local and regional entities to coordinate infrastructure planning for stronger, more affordable communities. Investments in energy, housing and transportation promote sustainable communities and spur economic development.

We recognize the need to locate new sources of capital to implement this vision with a goal of generating self-sustaining regional economies.

We are unified to secure a prosperous future.

—February 2011”

 

 

On the BBNA website there is a post linking to a PDF that is supposedly the Bristol Bay Vision ‘Final Report’ that was posted on June 2, 2020.  The link is to the flyer/brochure that they first published in November of 2011. https://bbna.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/04b1c-bbrv-final-report-november-2011.pdf

 

The next most prevalent theme of the conversation was centered around how the leadership of some of the local/regional entities needs to be flushed with new people and younger people that are wanting to revive our region as a healthy and sustainable community.  It’s obvious that the same ole’ same ole’ ain’t gonna’ cut it anymore and some of those old time good ole’ boys are really ding their jobs to represent Us and our best interests.  When I say Us and Our… I fully mean the entire region. The disaster that we have now with rampant wasteful spending in trying to make Dillingham and other communities like Anchorage or Seattle will be left to a generation of people that are conditioned to knee-jerk emotional responses instead of critical thinking.  Heck… there’s a couple of those on the current council already and at least one person that seems not to have a clue.  But those are the ‘perfect people’ that often ran unopposed and remain there doing the same ole same ole that isn’t working. See folks… this cycle is spinning out of control and the one’s deciding the direction really don’t care about anything but their own immediate gratification.  

I have on numerous occasions been engaged in discussion about regional issues with the elected powers that be and those billion-dollar corporation CEOs and Board Members.  When practical ideas and true cooperation are thrown on the table… they balk and even scoff. Heck, just a couple of weeks ago a BBXX BoD member was complaining about something at the hospital.  I told him that he was the only person in the conversation that had the clout to make something happen… he half-chuckled and sort of glared at me.  But even better yet was the one time when as I was participating in a roundtable on regional energy issues… I brought up a perfectly viable option as prepared by AIDEA almost 20 years ago.  One of the attendees who happened to sit on several Boards that all had interest in this topic dropped the papers I had passed out and said, “It ain’t gonna’ fuckin’ happen.”  And just like that the idea was dismissed… that happens a lot out here.  

Maybe it was a #ShootTheMessenger sort of thing… they only want to hear from their perfect circle.

#AmericanStatusUpdate #NoPebbleMine

#AmericanStatusUpdate 3-4-21

BTW Folks... I was granted access to my Twitter account again. So if your curious about my more regular rantings and miscellaneous thoughts on all manner of current events you can find my profile and newest #AmericanStatusUpdate with an Exclusive State of The Union video and commentary here: 

https://twitter.com/JonRCorbett/status/1367518379075014656?s=20

So since being booted from almost all forms of social media and being the subject of the unconstitutional semi-public/confidential investigation by the City of Dillingham... I've been pretty busy refocusing on some more pertinent issues. I still stand 100% behind everything I have ever written, said or done regarding all interactions I have ever had with the City. That's about all I can relay on that matter as I am under advice of counsel to lay low until we figure out what they are doing.

I can however speak to an issue that is close to heart and soul... Protecting Bristol Bay.  Several days ago the Biden Administration accepted an appeal to a mine permitting decision.  The mining project in question is the Pebble Mine.  On numerous occasions, We the People of Alaska have clearly stated that we do not want this mine developed on Our land.  Opposition to this perpetual destruction was affirmed when the majority of Alaskan voters ratified the Bristol Bay Forever Initiative.  Even the Trump Administration was vocal in their opposition to this massive mining disaster being pushed by a foreign corporation and corrupted politicians.  

#WeThePeople said #NoPebble... #Biden heard #NoRebel.

#StopBombingSyria!

Which brings me to ask... Why is Alaska Governor Mike Dunleavy so blatantly disregarding the voices of Alaskans on the Pebble Mine issue?

Just a reminder to Governor Dunleavy: The Alaska Constitution is extremely clear about  development and commonly owned resources.  No resource shall be developed at the risk of another and that all development is for the best sustained use for the benefit of Alaska. Seriously... go have your LT. Governor and/or AG look it up. Better yet I will provide a couple of the relevant passages here:

Article VIII – Natural Resources

§ 3. Common Use

Wherever occurring in their natural state, fish, wildlife, and waters are reserved to the people for common use.

§ 4. Sustained Yield

Fish, forests, wildlife, grasslands, and all other replenishable resources belonging to the State shall be utilized, developed, and maintained on the sustained yield principle, subject to preferences among beneficial uses.  

AK Constitution Link

CLICK HERE

I Can't Say

 I was asked by a member of the press my opinion of today’s message from the Governor of Alaska. I replied:

“There’s nothing new about it other than the language used to urge citizens to be vigilant… how this is interpreted at the local level will be interesting.”

The next question:

“My question is how do you think the CoD will exploit his message?”

My reply:

“I can’t say.”

 

Here’s what Governor Dunleavy said with a link to the video:

 

“My job as governor is not to tell you how to live your life. My job is to ensure the security and safety of Alaska. I can’t do that without your help,” said Governor Dunleavy in his video address. “I’m asking you to reach deep for the next three weeks. If we can buy time for our critical workers – if we can keep our systems operational – we can avoid being forced to take further action. But if we cannot reduce the spread of this virus, we reduce our future options for how to proceed. No matter what you believe about the virus, the facts are the facts. Hospitalizations and sick healthcare workers are reaching untenable levels. We must act together now while we still have choices.”

 

Video Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uwQUnIAjthk&feature=youtu.be

 

 Summation: Things are not going to get any better any time soon…

 

Is it coincidence that the meeting is on 11/21… Agenda 21?

Hahaha…

Yes folks it really does exist: https://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/outcomedocuments/agenda21

Thursday Thoughts...Redacted

 Now that I’m having to use my creative outlet of writing under advice to avoid topics concerning my local and state governments, sometimes finding something else to write about can be quite the challenge.  I am naturally drawn to topics that more directly affect me, my family and my friends, thus why I’ve concentrated on local, regional and state topics.  Whether you agree with my positions on issues, I still have the right to publish my views on them as long as I am civil and factual.  For example… the taxation issue that I’ve brought up many times before.

 

Yes, the government needs funding and I strongly believe that if they want to take that funding from people that have already paid income taxes, local governments should diligently strive to constrain spending so that it does not exceed their legal income. If the local government is mandated to spend more money than it has, it should first seek full-relief from the entity that is mandating any spending.  The next course of action is to draw up a responsible and detailed fiscal plan and present it in-full to the constituents.  Then if more funding is needed and the government decides to use taxation to acquire it…  they must follow the prescribed method by which to enact a taxation schedule.

 

The State of Alaska Statutes clearly states that modifications and additional taxes must be approved by a majority of the Voters in a public Referendum and the City of Dillingham Municipal Code references this exact statute.  But this is not how things operate here in Dillingham Alaska. Despite the fact that this has been brought to the attention of the Mayor, City Council and Manager’s office many times before, not one thing has been done to remedy this fault. 

 

Why is that?  

Happy Hump Day Once Again

If you have ever been issued a DD-214... Happy Veterans Day!

Yet another day comes around as I languish under the cloud of being the subject of an “ongoing investigation” by the City of Dillingham. I am told that they cannot discuss it but am also aware that it has been discussed with other citizens. Maybe I should just crank up the Spotify and try and drown out the plethora of questions that I have about this in my own head. 

I’ve been advised to have no communications about this issue with anyone. I was also advised to ‘back off’ writing about anything concerning the City of Dillingham and the State of Alaska. So if y’all happen upon my blog and see something that may seem out of place... remember that my posts are randomness.  

Oh... and for today’s casual listening, let’s go for some good ole’ 80s-90s pop metal injected with the awesome axe grinding of George Lynch. Here’s ‘Lynch Mob’ on Spotify:

https://open.spotify.com/artist/2K3xysAFpeFSH3DG0zIErf?si=wZjGQIvZSBKKO9SjLIJ3BQ

DLG Ordinance 2020-22 Vote Results

 Dillingham Ordinance 2020-22(S) Adoption Vote...

Curt-Yes, Aksel -Yes, Chris-Yes,

Andy-Yes, Greg-Yes, Bill-Yes

Dillingham Emergency Order #1

Last evening the City of Dillingham posted a 64 page supplement to the council packet for this evening's Council Meeting.  This is in addition to the 100+ pages they posted on Monday.  That posting of the packet on Monday did have some  of the more contentious items in Ordinance 2020-22 struck, but some of that is added right back in but worded differently.

"EMERGENCY ORDER #1 ESTABLISHING THE BASELINE CITY STANCE IN THE

TRANSITION FROM EMERGENCY ORDINANCES FROM THE CITY COUNCIL TO EMERGENCY ORDERS FROM THE CITY MANAGER TO CONTINUE PRESERVE THE HEALTH OF ALL CITIZENS DURING THE CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC

Emergency Order #1 - Effective at 11:59pm on November 5th,2020."

I suggest that people take the time to scroll through this yet another version of the City of Dillingham's Covid-19 plan.

https://dillinghamak.govoffice3.com/vertical/Sites/%7BC84DE958-9EE4-4CFE-90E3-D1666668A90E%7D/uploads/05a1_DLG_COVID-19_Mitigation_Plan_FINAL_REPORT_from_Pearson_Consulting_2020_1009_vFD_19_pages.pdf

   

Post Link: https://www.dillinghamak.us/vertical/sites/%7BC84DE958-9EE4-4CFE-90E3-D1666668A90E%7D/uploads/11.05.2020_Council_Supplemental_Meeting_Packet.pdf

I did set up a page to use to have real-time posting of commentary and updates of tonight's meeting that I will be trying to keep current:

https://jonrcorbett.blogspot.com/p/dlg-council-meeting-updates.html

Beating A Deadhorse?

Just reading the title of this permanent ordinance naming an ‘emergency’ says a lot about the calamity Dillingham Ordinance 2020-22 actually is. 

“PUBLIC HEARINGS 

a. Ordinance 2020-22(S); An Ordinance of the Dillingham City Council Authorizing the City Manager to Utilize the Emergency Operations Center to Promulgate and Enforce Regulations to Stop the Spread of COVID-19 in Accordance with the Recommendations in the City of Dillingham COVID-19 Mitigation Plan 

8. ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS 
1. Adopt Ordinance No. 2020-22(S); An Ordinance of the Dillingham City Council Authorizing the City Manager to Utilize the Emergency Operations Center to Promulgate and Enforce Regulations to Stop the Spread of COVID-19 in Accordance with the Recommendations in the City of Dillingham COVID-19 Mitigation Plan ...................................................page 49 
2. Introduce Ordinance No. 2020-23; An Ordinance of the Dillingham City Council Amending the Effective Date of Ordinance 2020-02 ............................................................... page 55”

City of Dillingham November 5, 2020 Regular Council Meeting Page 1 of 2 

https://www.dillinghamak.us/vertical/sites/%7BC84DE958-9EE4-4CFE-90E3-D1666668A90E%7D/uploads/00_A_11.05.2020_Regular_Mtg_Agenda.pdf

This idea must be postponed for much further public discussion.  Making permanent the ‘emergency’ of Covid/Corona/CV-19 and the ambiguous ever-changing mitigation plan/policy is a far-over-reaching act.  It pretty much puts a perpetual infringement upon the people’s personal rights and their property. The Alaska Constitution says:

Preamble 

We the people of Alaska, grateful to God and to those who founded our nation and pioneered this great land, in order to secure and transmit to succeeding generations our heritage of political, civil, and religious liberty within the Union of States, do ordain and establish this constitution for the State of Alaska.

Article I – Declaration of Rights

§ 1. Inherent Rights

This constitution is dedicated to the principles that all persons have a natural right to life, liberty, the pursuit of happiness, and the enjoyment of the rewards of their own industry; that all persons are equal and entitled to equal rights, opportunities, and protection under the law; and that all persons have corresponding obligations to the people and to the State

Source: https://ltgov.alaska.gov/information/alaskas-constitution/

Will They Let Us Speak?

 Madam Mayor and City Council Members,

I want to thank the City Council for removing some of the more contentious points that were contained in Ordinance 2020-22.  However, I also want to point out that the people of Dillingham are due a truly public and open forum to discuss moving forward with how to prepare our community for future emergency situations.  The current method of having limited access to our elected government presents too many challenges to accurately and fully hearing the voices of the constituents. 

 

Over the past several months of listening in to these telephonic meetings that can prove to be quite challenging has clearly shown that doing the business of We the People over telephone and internet connections is lacking.  On numerous occasions I have missed comments and points made by fellow citizens, government employees and our elected representatives.  I can absolutely guarantee that I am not the only person that feels like we are being shortchanged by the current meeting methods. 

Over the past 3 weeks the Council has received letters asking that Ordinance 2020-22 be tabled/halted until a public forum can occur.  By including this modified version of the ordinance for adoption in the upcoming meeting, it’s clearly showing that the Council would rather limit public participation in Our government rather than meet with the people to hear them out.  I would like to encourage all Council members to reject the adoption of Ordinance 2020-22 and to stop changing the already existing ‘emergency’ ordinance as well.  The mitigation efforts already being ‘enforced’ in Dillingham are in-line with the State and Federal guidelines and do not need to be expanded or modified in any way. 

 

Thank You all for your volunteer service for Our community and I look forward to hearing from all of you soon.  We mustn’t tarry when dealing with timely issues and the will of the people is the most important facet of effective elected governance. 

 

Sincerely,

 

Jon Corbett 

85+ Pages...

 No wonder the City Council wants a stipend... It takes a lot of time to be thorough and ready to address all those pages of documents and what not. Volunteering takes time... 

Thursday night's Packet is 85+ pages and a little new twist as well.  It was good to see that they have struck the 'mitigation provisions' in this version of 2020-22, but We must remain vigilant that they do not go back and try to add them in at a later date. 

00_A_11.05.2020_Regular_Mtg_Agenda.pdf

Packet_City_Council_Meeting_11.05.2020_Part1.pdf

Packet_City_Council_Meeting_11.05.2020_Part2.pdf

Packet_City_Council_Meeting_11.05.2020_Part3.pdf

K.I.S.S. Rule…

Sometimes things in life just do NOT have to be complicated.  Adding too much into a process can often serve counter to the purpose to begin with.  For example, when writing a letter to elected representatives of We the People, the author should strive to get the point across in the opening paragraph.  Adding too much verbiage and details that can be brought up later will often cause the reader’s eyes to glaze over and their mind to gloss over the entire intent.

 

This is especially true when dealing with complex topics that have many facets to consider… such as mitigation efforts to stifle the potential spread of a contagion that could possibly pose a potential risk to segments of the population. The issues surrounding the Covid-19/Corona virus are a myriad of emotions and science that can easily be construed to portray whatever a person wants them to say. Currently the Dillingham City Council is striving to maintain operations in a manner to keep people safe… but the language of proposed ordinance 2020-22 is far to ambiguous and essentially places our community in a perpetual ‘State of Emergency’.

 

After various communications with just two of the elected representatives of the people of Dillingham, I can pretty much say that the City Council is not going to ‘table’ the ordinance during next week’s meeting.  They have repeatedly communicated that they are not willing to hold a public in-person forum so that We the People may redress our concerns about the language of 2020-22.  This is disappointing to say the least… but is also very indicative of the issues that We face in getting the governance that We deserve from Our government. 

 

K.I.S.S. - K.eep I.t S.imply S.simple

 

The US Constitution:

“Amendment I

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.”

That word ‘Congress’ is interchangeable with any term used to describe any position of governance such as assembly or council. The US Constitution is not a granting of any rights… it is a document that defines what the government cannot do and what rights We the People have secured as Ours.  When a government entity takes it upon itself to grow bureaucracy and ignore the people, then it has out served its purpose and must be replaced in order to stop the potential for tyranny. 

REMEMBER, REMEMBER THE 5^TH OF NOVEMBER…

It's Our Government Folks...

 

Stop 2020-22 Sample Signs

It's easy to show your support for the call to the DLG City Council

Print Your Own Sign

CLICK IMAGES TO DOWNLOAD PRINT VERSION

Silence IS Consent

Something that I hear often from people when it comes to ‘political’ topics is something along the lines of; ‘I don’t care because that doesn’t affect me’ or ‘It doesn’t matter because no one ever listens to us anyways.’.  This is something that I named #AmericanApathy quite some time ago when under the previous federal executive administration, the “Affordable Care Act” was passed and signed into law with all manner of hidden gems like RFID chipping… and when that same administration used a drone to kill several American citizens in a series of extrajudicial assassinations… and when the current administration continued that policy by killing the daughter of a previously assassinated American. American’s don’t care that their government can do this… and if they don’t care about these sorts of issues then you know a whole lot of them don’t care about other issues that are pale and benign in comparison to these. 

We as people cannot remain silent and uninvolved anymore. The most effective way to be involved is to look towards Our municipality and regional issues and figure out how We can make a positive contribution to governance that most directly affects Us.  One of the easiest ways to remain involved of course is to Vote and to maintain communications with the elected representatives of We the People.   

 

CONTINUED…

 

Did you know that using information about a person in an effort to influence their actions is called ‘coercion’ and that it is a Felony in the State of Alaska?  When a person takes that same action and also applies it to silence political dissent, then it becomes something fairly close to terrorism.  Terrorism is the act of using actions with the intent to change a political situation.  When those actions are taken by an elected official… what should it them be called?  I believe the term is tyranny. 

 

 

co·er·cion

/kōˈərZHən,kōˈərSHən/

the practice of persuading someone to do something by using force or threats.

 

ter·ror·ism

/ˈterəˌrizəm/

the unlawful use of violence and intimidation, especially against civilians, in the pursuit of political aims.

 

tyr·an·ny

/ˈtirənē/

cruel, unreasonable, or arbitrary use of power or control.

 

These are unacceptable in American, Alaskan and Bristol Bay Politics.  Let’s keep it civil and focused on a positive outcome that benefits All people.