Archive for May, 2013
Solar, Wind, Hydro – Energy Savings in Seldovia – Meet Erik Schreier
by Jenny Chissus, photos provided by Erik Schreier
Starting with Solar…
Erik Schreier, his wife Angie – and their 2 year old son Bowen, are newcomers to Seldovia. Along with relocating their great new family, Erik is bringing 12 years of expertise in alternative energy options to our community, and I wanted to give him a “shout out”!
Thanks to Erik, we now have an expert in both solar and wind site surveying right here in Seldovia! Energy costs are a big part of the expense of living in Alaska, and Erik has some creative ideas to assist folks in assessing options for both individuals and businesses.
Erik will perform site surveys to help you determine which size and type of system would best suit your needs, and can assist you with the installation or any phase of the process. If this is something you just need a consultation about, and want to do the physical installation on your own – you are good to go! Erik is open to helping as much or as little as each client requires/desires! He is flexible, helpful and just wants to educate and assist people in all aspects of alternative energy! Continue Reading
SBE Still Looking for a Principal
by Jenny Chissus
This past Tuesday, we had interviews in Seldovia for our principal position. With over 50 applicants, we were looking forward to meeting the four finalists, and weighing in. The Kenai Peninsula Borough School District has been following this hiring process for over five years, but since Sherry Hingley has been our principal since 2007, we have never had this opportunity to participate in the interview process in Seldovia.
I believe this is a great method, as not only did we have the chance to relay our desires for the type of administrator and the concerns we have for our school and community, but we had the chance to participate in the actual interview process! Many Seldovians submitted questions for the interview, as 8 of the 20 questions are normally taken directly from the community. This is so important, as every location has concerns and issues that are specific to that school and community. Dr. Atwater confirmed that this process is only used when hiring for administrative positions.
Unfortunately, after all the effort, from the initial meeting in Seldovia, the review of over 50 applicants, to the interview itself – we are back at square one! After the Continue Reading
John Frohrip – January 26, 1949 – April 29, 2013
Obituary taken from the Krox News, photo from http://minnesota.publicradio.org
John Joseph Frohrip, 64, of Fertile, MN, died on Monday, April 29, 2013, suddenly at Altru Hospital in Grand Forks, ND.
John was born on January 26, 1949, to Edward and Jean (Fraser) Frohrip, in Little Fork, MN. He graduated from International Falls High School and continued his education at the University of North Dakota, Grand Forks, ND. John was united in marriage to Jennifer Anderson on September 16, 1972, in St. Michael’s Church, Ray, ND.
After graduation he worked as the City Planner for Hillsboro, ND. This was followed by various city manager or economic development director positions in MN. After ten years as Economic Development Director for Richmond, WI, John decided on the adventure of accepting a job as City Manager for Seldovia, AK. He Continue Reading
Alaska’s Spirit of Youth Award Winner – Chance Haller
by Jenny Chissus, photos by Tiffany Haller
It was a pleasure to sit down with Chance Haller the other day to discuss his recent recognition up in Anchorage as a Spirit of Youth Award recipient in the Lifesaver and Prevention category. Out of 400 individuals nominated for the award, only 20 were selected for the 10 categories this year.
Chance has lived in Seldovia for three years now, and is a Sophomore at Susan B. English school. Even at his young age, he has been working as a Junior Fire Fighter for the Seldovia Volunteer Fire Department for over two years, and has also received his certification as an ETT (Emergency Trauma Technician) with the EMS Department in Seldovia.
When I asked how he got into it – he said that his dad (the Fire chief) originally talked him and his friend Levi Blodgett into joining (Levi’s dad was also on the Fire department) and he’s been involved ever since. Chance’s entire family, including his mother Tiffany, both sisters Taylor and Ashley – as well as his brother-in-law Cody, all have served in the Fire and EMS departments. So, you could say it is “in his blood”! Continue Reading
Sparse Visits To Seldovia by AMHS in June
by Jenny Chissus
OK, this is looking rather bleak for Seldovia. Just last week, we were looking at the schedule, and it appeared as though the Tustumena would make the return to service for the month of June – coming into our community a total of 8 times, in addition to serving Seldovia 3 times by the Kennicott, including service to Seldovia on the 4th of July!
The latest news, confirmed by looking at the calendar on the AMHS website (see below) is very disheartening for Seldovians and folks looking to come into Seldovia for a visit or summer returning residents of our community. With only two “middle of the night” sailings into Seldovia for the whole month of June – it is essential that you plan accordingly! If you have a vehicle on the “wrong” side for your future plans – please be sure to make your reservations and plan ahead!
Rod Hilts is heading over to the town hall meeting in Homer tonight that is hosting Senator Peter Micciche sen.peter.micciche@akleg.gov and our Representative Paul Seaton rep.paul.seaton@akleg.gov to voice the Seldovia Chamber of Commerce’s concern with this lack of transportation service to our community for the month of June. With only three sailings in May – this has been a tough time for transportation this year to Seldovia.
In addition to moving the Chainsaw Carving Competition from Memorial Day Weekend to Labor Day Weekend (partly because of the lack of ferry service) we have two additional events this year that are going to be hard hit by this schedule change: The Summer Solstice Music Festival – since the beginning of the festival is always kicked off with a Jam Session on the Tusty in route to Seldovia on Thursday, and the 4th of July, as the Chamber has selected “Celebrating AMHS 50 years of service” and we won’t be seeing the AMHS in Seldovia for the 4th as was previously scheduled.
We are thankful for the great service of the Alaska Marine Highway to Seldovia – but we are hopeful that the “powers that be” can empathize with us regarding the negative impact on our community (and others) due to this serious lack of service for half of our summer season, and come up with some better alternatives with the Kennicott while the Tusty is in dry dock for repairs and maintenance.
Perhaps on the 14th and the 28th the Kennicott could stop into Seldovia on their way to Homer in the mornings? Then stop by again on the way out of Homer on her way to Kodiak on the 15th and 29th? That way, folks could schedule some turn around times… just a thought!
If you have any further comments or thoughts, great ideas, etc., please feel free to contact Kerri Traudt, the Vessel Schedule Coordinator for the Alaska Marine Highway System.
907-228-7253 telephone
907-228-1513 fax
Seldovia Time
