Bethel will get lighting on Pinky’s Park boardwalk after all, and the city is pitching in. Bethel City Council has passed an ordinance that will use $156,000 of city money to extend the lighting project that ONC started with $89,000 of Tribal Transportation Funds.
In previous meetings, some council members argued that crimes were consistently committed at this location and that lights would help prevent that. Others argued that the project should follow the normal budgeting process.
After several meetings, council members knew where everyone stood on this issue. The ordinance passed with a vote of 4 to 2. Mayor Fred Watson, Vice-Mayor Raymond "Thor" Williams, and council members Perry Barr and Fritz Charles voted in favor; Leif Albertson and Mitchell Forbes voted against. Carole Jung-Jordan was absent.