Politics

On March 27, Gov. Mike Dunleavy ordered Alaskans to stay home, and banned most travel across the state as the number of coronavirus cases continues to grow. Earlier that day, the first resident died in the state after testing positive for COVID-19. 

Eighteen Alaska state representatives have asked Gov. Mike Dunleavy to immediately issue a statewide shelter-in-place order. Among them was Democratic Rep. Tiffany Zulkosky of Bethel.

Bethel City Council awarded $37,199 in Community Action Grants to local organizations on March 24, but is holding off on signing the checks. Due to canceled and postponed events during the coronavirus pandemic, the city will be asking grant recipients to see if they still need the money. 

The City of Bethel has responded to the public’s demands that it take strong action against the coronavirus threat. In their meeting on Tuesday, March 24, Bethel City Council passed its first emergency ordinance in response to COVID-19. Council will meet in an emergency meeting on Wednesday, March 25 at 2 p.m. to consider adopting a declaration of local disaster emergency. Mayor Perry Barr and Acting City Manager Bill Howell already signed the declaration Tuesday, which kick-started the process.

On March 24, the Bethel City Council will consider adopting an emergency ordinance in response to the coronavirus threat. This emergency ordinance will allow the council to meet telephonically, and allows the city manager to cancel or postpone meetings and modify personnel leave time in the interest of public health. The emergency ordinance does not enact any travel restrictions or mandates for residents to stay at home. 

There is an open seat on Bethel City Council, and the city is looking for interested parties to fill it. Former city council member Fred Watson resigned on March 2, citing personal family matters.

A Bethel resident came to last night’s city council meeting with a plea. Tom McCallson lives in Bethel’s Haroldson Subdivision, past the city’s dump. McCallson wants the city to plow and maintain a road to the subdivision so that emergency services can access the area.