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Published every Friday at Kodiak, Alaska
Yearly Subscription Rate $8.00
Seeond class mail privileges authorized at Kodiak, Alaska
Send notices of undeliverable copies to:
THE ISLAND PUBLISHING COMPANY
Box 1307, Kodiak, Alaska
John Salmine, Bob lies Publishers
Bill Mason, Editor
Karl Armstrong, Marine Editor
And Some People Write Letters
Elsewhere in this edition you will find an unsigned letter with
a vicious attack against the Kodiak Mirror. As a general rule, we do
not publish unsigned letters but in an effort to present the so-called
“other side” we will make an exception in this case, and let you, as
readers make the decision.
First of all the editor who came here some seven months ago is
referred to as “washed out, has-been newspaperman on your last
leg.” For your information old washed-out within the last few years
edited a semi-weekly newspaper which twice won the general
excellence award in a state where good newspapers excell. Currently
on my desk are two letters offering me positions at a highr salary
than I am currently receiving in Kodiak. All right so I’m washed out,
but I have the intestinal fortitude to sign anything I write.
So our editorials “stink”—is that your opinion or everybody’s?
In no way are we attempting to start a small war between the
town and base.
The Town-Base commitee has been established by the Chamber
of Commerce in an effort to improve relationships. It is made up of
officers on the Base and townspeople. Perhaps a few enlisted men
might help the committee.
I’m happy to acknowledge that you have had good relationships
with the Base for years. That is the way it should be, and if it gives
you “security to know that the Base is security conscious”—that
most certainly is your privilege.
No photographer from the Kodiak Mirror was kicked off the
Base nor were any films destroyed. Your information on this is just
about as reliable as the other dope you have scooped up.
As you say in the conclusion “I realize you won’t have the guts
to print this letter,” but I believe you will find that I do have the
guts to print it and also the guts to sign my name to it—which !s
more than I can give you credit for.
I’m aware that the Mirror and its editor are both slipping. We
are printing exactly 700 more copies than were published on July 1
when we took over, and we will add another 100 to that printing
this week. I say without hesitation that the Mirror is the most quoted
weekly newspaper in the state of Alaska—and if you don’t believe
it start reading some of the other papers published around the state.
We have carried more news wire services in the past 160 days than
were carried in the past six years. Look into Monday’s Anchorage
Times, and you will see two stories with Kodiak datelines on the
front page. Yes, we are doing a great disservice to the communitj
by pointing out the fact that prices are high—that roads are intol
erable, and as you say we may stink. But the smell is strong enough
that we have fortitude enough to sign this. Do you?—Bill Mason
i————————--—
To Pass The Test, Look Your Best
SHAVE
HOWER PAUL & CURLEY
HINE
HEAR AT
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OPEN 10 A.M. to 8 P.M.
(Closed Mondays)
For Appointment Call 486—2442
r——..iii.. .
Waterfront
(continued from page 3)
“just a matter of time before some
body goes after them.”
£
Marine Surveyor Bill Damery
reports that the power barge Jo-G
.suffered bottom damage when she
dragged anchor and stranded on
a rocky beach in Giese Channel on
Jan. 25. The crew is taking her back
. to the states for repairs.
£
One of Michael Komm’s model
ships is now on display in the win
- dow of Norman’s Photo Shop “and
amazingly enough, it has been the
women who have oo’d and ah’d
over the intricate workmanship,”
according to Norman’s. Those de
siring to order models are urged
to place their orders well in ad
vance of the delivery date due to
the lengthy construction time in
volved.
“You know what makes the
ocean roar?” asked Merganser
Skipper Lee Andrich, and replying
to his own question told us: “You
would too if you had crabs crawl
ing all over your bottom!”
&
Scuttlebutt from down Seattle
way is that Kodiak is in the works
for a twice-monthly freighter,
which may also call at Adak, Navy
willing. The backhaul from Kodiak
of crab alone is now substantial,
not to speak of halibut, clams,
shrimp and salmon. It used to 'be
said that the reason for the high
freight rates to Alaska was the lack
of a backhaul . . . now that Kodiak
has probably the largest backhaul
of all, it should bring about some
rate reductions huh?
-9
One waterfront character has it
pretty well figured out. . . . They
serve free lunches at Tony’s, and
free dinner’s there on Thursday
night’s and on Friday nights I can
eat all the Spaghetti I want for
free with Edie and Legs at the
Beachcombers! Saturdays I just
haft stop in at the Mecca 49 Room
for one of Dorothy’s steaks but
don’t mind the tariff cause I get
to listen to Doris Smith play and
sing at the Piano Bar for free while
Howard & Ray are dependably
within hailing distance for cool
ones. Tuesdays offer no problem
either, cause that’s my night for
dropping in to enjoy one of
George’s unsurpassed Gimlets at
the Town Club while feasting upon
some Kodiak King Crab legs, pre
pared by Kathy, the finest seafood
cook in all Alaska. I know about
these places cause they advertise
in the Kodiak Mirror.”
&
While down at the Standard Oil
dock on Monday had an opportun
LL Names Officers
For 1963 Season
Mr. Hodges was elected presi
dent of Little League at the meet
ing held on the Base on Jan. 20.
Elected to the post of vice-presi
dent was Walter Kraft, while Mrs.
Ralph Longmire was named treas
urer and June Rodli was named
secretary.
Registration for the Little
League will be held on April 19
and 20th, and tryouts will be held
on April 20.
Grand opening of the season will
be on May 30 at which time equip
ment will be issued.
Next meeting will be held at the
Elks Club on March 3.
h
ity to board the Pan-Alaska Fish
eries big tender North Sea which
was brought in by Skipper Dick
Chester to pick up fuel and sup
plies. Talked for a few minutes
with Supervisor Cal Skagan of
PAF’s Lazy Bay cannery who ad
vised they had been operating
steadily with only two days off due
to foul weather the past two
months. Local businessmen have a
particularly soft spot in their
hearts for PAF’s policy of local
purchasing. For instance the North
Sea brought in an order for 1600
loaves of Naughton’s Bakery bread
as well as several truckloads of
other supplies purchased locally.
For Your
AVON PRODUCTS
Call Your Avon Representative
At 486—2817
■ *
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