Nenana Wellness Coalition

Minutes

June 29, 2004

 

Meeting Conducted by Bonnie Reed

 

The meeting was opened with prayer by Russ Sharrock

 

Pledge of allegiance

 

There were 27 people in attendance.

 

Present:

Rose Allen	Traci Wiggins	Don (Guest)	Jackie (Guest)	Bonnie Reed
Wanda Haken	Blaine Reed	Miles Martin	Gary Edwin	Milt Haken
Endil Moore	Paul Verhagen	Bear Ketzler	Margaret Sanders	Mary Berry
Jason Mayrand	Gayle Ramey	Karen Lord	Teresa Mayrand	Ned Griffith
Bud Krause	Virginia Young	Brooke Powers	Russ Sharrock	Diane Carson
Kat McElroy	Tim Horn

 

Old Business

 

Paul Verhagen:

We’ve received criticism that we aren’t doing a good job of successfully including everyone in our meetings.  We’ve spent several weeks dealing with this issue almost exclusively. After much discussion it appears that the consensus is that we want our group to be as broad-based as possible and will continue to work towards that goal - but not allow ourselves to focus on that one objective to the extent that we fail to deal with our purpose of improving wellness in Nenana. Thus we should not allow that issue to dominate the agenda at our meetings. It is suggested that we remember that no entity before us has solved the problem of bringing all Nenana’s groups together (and keeping them together) and that, to-date, we have managed to have representation from a large section of our community. So, although we will continue to work towards that goal, we should remind ourselves that the expectations of some people for us to do so in a matter of weeks, or months, or even a year is unreasonable - because long-term change is a process - not an event. Therefore we need to keep the issue as an item on our agenda and each of us work to help those who are not attending feel welcome to attend our meetings.

Last week we talked about putting suggestion boxes around town.  Paul wants to help ensure that they are suggestion boxes and not just complaint boxes. Complaint boxes are negative whereas suggestion boxes may point out negative things but include suggestions for improvement. It isn’t constructive to tell someone that you don’t like how they do something without offering a positive suggestion for how to improve. Complaints are often used to tear down while suggestions can help to build up. We would like to provide a form near the suggestion boxes on which people can express their concerns together with their suggestions for improvement. Paul hopes people will remember that problems and suggestions cannot be resolved or implemented immediately.

Miles Martin, who suggested the use of the form, has developed a sample form for us to consider.

 

 

Miles Martin:

Miles read his proposed form for all of us to hear.  With a few revisions, mostly to shorten the form, they will be placed along with the boxes for deposit and pick-up.  He also pointed out that compliments would also be appreciated. The form does not have to be signed but it would be helpful for follow-up if they were signed and should be filled out completely.

 

New Business

 

Paul Verhagen:

As agreed at previous meetings we hope to improve wellness in many areas of our lives. Several people have suggested including something from the various areas of wellness at our meetings.

Kat McElroy:

Kat’s first experience with wellness was in her own recovery.  She learned in Canada that you must look at the big picture and not get bogged down with the little details.  A Medicine Wheel is a great tool for this.  She is more than happy to share this philosophy with others.  This wheel shows us how our whole community is part of our problem and our recovery.  We would like to have Kat share this with us when we have about thirty minutes to concentrate on it.  The tentative date for this presentation is at our Thursday night meeting on July 8^th.

 

Tracy Wiggins:

It would be good to concentrate on a few more issues for our community and not just on one or two things.  It might be helpful to go over more of the crucial conversations book so we can deal with some of the different conflicts members of our community are having with individuals with tempers flaring.  Another possibility would be to have Chief Haken share what he learned at his recent drug recognition training.

Tracy also pointed out that disagreement is always part of the process of moving ahead with any project.

 

Miles Martin:

Miles suggested if there was a certain area of wellness training that we are interested in the University of Alaska might send down an instructor from the extension office to provide that training.

 

RE: Individuals or Groups To Personally Invite To Our Weekly Meetings

 

Miles Martin agreed to provide a list of suggestions of groups or individuals to personally invite to attend our meetings. He shared his list as follows:

 

• Toghotthele
• Nenana Native Council and specifically Chief Charlie Stevens and others from NNC
• Those who sell alcohol in Nenana. (Moochers Bar and Coghill’s Store)
• 911 responders in our area (They might give us some idea of wellness issues that our community faces and about which we might do something to help)
• Clinic Staff
• Emergency Planning Committee members
• School teachers from the area that could give us some idea of what the school may need help with
• Individuals doing community service (they might be compelled to come and then be give credit for the time they spend at our meetings if they participate actively)
• Mr. Shemerhorn  (Who might have similar insights to the EMS providers)

 

RE: Making Information More Public To The Community

 

• Seniors… Margaret will include with the senior’s regular monthly newsletter
• Miles… has put notice on the Nenana Web Page, and has talked to Diane at the Nenana Messenger, and KIAM radio station, both of whom have agreed to put out notices of our meetings.
• Tracy… Will put the minutes on Railbelt’s website but can’t get to it for a few weeks (she will work in conjunction with Miles on this)
• Endil… please let others know when you go to other meetings around Nenana that they are welcome and encouraged to attend these weekly meetings

 

Nenana Valley Sports Association, Mary Berry:

 

The new Nenana Valley Sports Association office has now been set up and this week is the first week of it being open for business. Please stop by to talk to Mary Berry about any ideas or suggestions for sporting events in our community.  We would like to see if a hockey rink could be ready for this winter.

Next Tuesday Mary will have a questionnaire ready for our meeting she would like us to fill out to get an idea what the adults might like to see in Nenana and from this she will then make a questionnaire to put into the community so adults and children alike can voice their opinions on what they would like to see happening in the area of sports for Nenana.

 

 

Seniors,  Margaret

Maybe Mary could use the new sign provided by the Fairbanks Racing Lions to put up in her office to promote the racing in Nenana.

What do others think about the idea of holding this weekly meeting in other locations besides just the Senior Center?  Would George Hall or the Civic Center work better?

 

Bear Ketzler:

Chief Stevens has directed those working at the NNC not attend the weekly wellness meetings as representatives of the NNC. Therefore he and others from Native council who attend our meetings will be speaking for themselves and not as representatives of Native Council.

Bear described a trick referred to by Native American’s as the BIA trick. There are those in the BIA and other government agencies who realize that the fledgling efforts of Native Americans to improve their situation are very vulnerable to manipulation and there are some within those government agencies who take advantage of how frail those efforts are by intervening just enough to derail their efforts. Such actions are not limited to non-natives. There are those in each community who work hard to derail fledgling efforts like those of the wellness coalition and we must be careful not to allow ourselves to be undone by such efforts.

Perhaps a letter could be written to the council requesting permission to hold our weekly meetings at George Hall so those who wish to attend from the council could do more easily on their lunch hour.

 

Tracie:

Maybe we could move the meeting to various locations. We’ve talked about this in the past. Perhaps even hold a meeting at Moocher’s bar if they are willing to have us do so.

 

Teresa Mayrand:

Maybe there should be signs made to announce the weekly meeting and also hold some of them in the evening hours so those who can’t attending during business hours don’t have to take off work to attend. Teresa offered to distribute the notices for us.

 

Railbelt Mental Health:

RMHA has received a name and number of a man interested in Aunties House so they may get some help on this project.

AAA has about three to five in attendance each Monday from 6:00 to 7:00 at the conference room at the NNC. They are considering starting an AlAnon group.

 

Schools,  Karen Lord:

Between the school and the native council they have a calendar for area youth events, if you would like a copy please contact Karen.

 

July 20 - parenting class at George Hall - call for times

July 20-24 WEIO Fairbanks

July 26 – 30 Air brush painting at the cultural center from 3 - 7

June 28 – July 2 Basket making classes at the cultural center from 3pm to 7pm

July 3 there will be a fun night at George Hall from 8 to midnight

July 4-6 Youth camp grades 12 – 16 native language and Medicinal Plants at the cultural center 3 - 7

July 5-9 Fish cutting and mask making at the cultural center 3pm to 7pm

 

Jason Mayrand:

            Just a couple more weeks before the Front Street project is completed. For more of the used asphalt to be reused on the streets in town a crusher is needed to make it small enough to spread.  The City of Nenana will use as much of this material as they can.

July 4^th there will be a picnic, look for the signs.

 

Milt Haken:

He has completed his training and will report on it as soon as we can get him on the agenda.

 

Yutana Barge Lines, Endil

The paving project will have made a great improvement and will be really nice when completed. 

 

Bahai’s, Bonnie:

Would like to invite you to a special prayer for peace at 7pm on Wednesday July 7^th  at the home of Bonnie and Blaine Reed.

 

The next meeting will be held on July 8^th @ 6pm at the Senior Center and Bud Krause will officiate this meeting.

 

Minutes respectfully submitted by Dianne Carson. Please submit corrections or modifications to paulverhagen@prodigy.net or call 907-832-5454.

 

June 22, 2004

 

Wellness in Nenana Coalition Meeting

 

Present:

 

Bryn McElroy

Rose Allen

Traci Wiggins

Bonnie Reed

Blaine Reed

Craig Sanders

Miles Martin

Gary Edwin

Milt Haken

Wanda Haken

Ruth McNaughten

Frank Jacob

Endil Moore

Paul Verhagen

Bear Ketzler

Margaret Sanders

Natalie George

Clint & Mary Berry, and daughter (guests)

James Brown

Jason Mayrand

Rita Pierce

Joseph Esau (retirement plans)

Gayle Ramey

 

Meeting led by Milt Haken

 

Greeting / Welcome – RMHA donated the lunch today.

 

Prayer – Bonnie Reed

 

Pledge of Allegiance

 

Agenda modifications – Clint and Mary Berry work for the Racing Association to develop racing in Nenana.

 

Approval of last weeks minutes – just mailed out.  Motion to approve the minutes as emailed out made by Endil, seconded by Milt(?).  All in favor.

 

Nenana Valley Sports Organization (Clint Berry)– would like to know what people what, what they see when they think of racing in Nenana.  Described his background in regards to racing (street racing, NASCAR), and how racing affects a community.

 

Miles Martin questioned the use of the airport for racing.  Jason Mayrand said of the response from the FAA, “We are still receiving a resounding ‘NO’.”

 

Nenana Chamber of Commerce (Miles Martin) – discussed Saturday Market, Chamber of Commerce web page.  Chamber requests help with their web page, and need a common program that works with both Apple and PC formats.  He also discussed asking people why they don’t come to WIN Meetings, relaying a common theme of respect and communication difficulties.  He referred to the ‘Crucial Conversations’ book.  He said that there are people who are afraid to talk at the WIN meeting, that they might lose their jobs, that they feel unwelcome.  He talked about the minutes being really well done, and possibly offering out minutes to those who don’t wish to attend, and incorporating their responses into the meeting.  Also, Marilyn Duggar would really like the minutes.

 

Special City Assembly Meeting on June 23, 2004, at 7:30pm at the Senior Center, regarding the budget.

 

Nenana Environmental Center (Gary Edwin) - discussed a meeting that he was to have at 7:00 pm on 6/23/04 at the Senior Center (scheduling conflict).  He talked about environmentally sound burn barrels that they would have made and give out.  Burn barrels number about 20 in the area of the ball field and the playground.  He talked about river contamination (re:  Watershed Council), and how Nenana needs a council to discuss the Tanana River.  He also talked about water treatment plants in rural communities, and how we need to look at our practices in our community to discover what we need to address.

 

Nenana Seniors (Margaret Sanders) – thank RMHA for the food today, and Endil Moore for getting the Senior Center more money (he aired the ‘dirty laundry’ and money came back). She would like to develop a list of people to which we should extend invitations to the WIN Coalition.  

 

Railbelt Mental Health & Addictions (Rose Allen) – there was a smoke free, sober dance in Healy and 102 people attended.  The band Loose Gravel performed and it took place from 6 to 11pm at the Community Center.  It was a wonderful event.  Railbelt plans to have a table at the Bluegrass, handing out rain ponchos that say “RMHA – Stay Dry”, as well as alcohol swabs so that people can test themselves to see if they are above the legal limit to drive.   

 

Native Council (Bear Ketzler) – talked about potlatch in Old Minto, and the best moose soup he’s had in years!  He sat down with Robert Charlie and Andy Jimmie regarding the transfer of ownership, that the Governor has not signed into law as of yet.  They will invite the Governor to Old Minto to sign the document.  They also talked about Old Minto reconnecting with Nenana. 

Robert Charlie will develop a process to discover what the community should do with that land.  The Minto people are Nenana people, originally - they moved just after the Railroad came through.  Their Village Corporation and tribe are one entity. 

 

There was a meeting with the Yukon River Watershed Council – it looks like there is a lot of work for the meeting from July 10^th thru the 13^th in Nenana.  There will be a welcoming meeting on the 10^th, including dinner from 6:30 to 10pm at the Tribal Hall.

 

Georgiana Lincoln’s reception is this Friday (June 25, 2004) at 2pm in Fairbanks.    

Elder’s Conference will be held in Nenana in 2006.  It will be the 25^th anniversary, making it a very special (and big) event!

 

Native Council is buying retirement plans for their employees, and the representative is in Nenana today.  Joseph Esau spoke to the WIN Meeting attendees, discussing retirement benefits and financial planning.  Miles Martin spoke of the Nenana Chamber of Commerce creating a hiring pool, and perhaps having help creating that pool. 

 

Bear also discussed environmental concerns and instances of cancer in his family that he believes is a result of environmental factors.

 

There was discussion that non-Native people will be asked to leave any Nenana Native Council meetings.  Bear said that there is no policy regarding this, and that he didn’t think that would happen.  The next meeting is on July 12^th, 2004 at 1:30 pm. 

 

Local Churches (Bonnie Reed) – discussed a Special Devotions meeting tomorrow evening at 7pm at the Reed House.  Tim Horn will be facilitating.  Everyone is welcome.

 

Alaska Court System (Paul Verhagen) – got a call from Anchorage that we needed to get an application in for the Wellness Court.  Our Wellness Court will be the 4^th in the State, and the first at a small level.  There was also discussion regarding the electronic monitoring program, in which we are the only program outside of an urban center.

 

Nenana Public School (Gary Edwin) – said that his wife took dance group kids to Anchorage for a competition, and that they took 2^nd place.  This was supported by a grant from UAF for Cultural Immersion – Alaska Families.

 

City of Nenana (Jason Mayrand) – fiscal year is almost over. Started working at the airport yesterday.  Paving behind the A-Frame (truck route) will be completed in about 2 weeks.  The City is using some leftover asphalt to help stabilize the streets, and they have used it on Front, 1^st, and 2^nd Streets.  July 4^th is coming up, everybody plan on sticking around and enjoying the festivities. 

 

On a positive note, the City Offices are looking better, and he’s had lots of comments on the color.  The volunteers have given many hours in painting the building, for which we are thankful. 

 

The cemetery road will be worked on (by Beck’s Pond) so that there is two-lane traffic, etc. 

 

K Street is open now.

 

The Watershed Council was somewhat controversial, and it was good to see that someone organized the Tribal Councils in addressing this issue.  However, Municipal Governments were not included and that issue was questioned.

 

Whoever did the by-pass by the Mondo dug the new swimming hole out by 4-mile.  Everyone is thankful!

 

Nenana Police Department (Milt Haken) – hot weather brings irritability, and James and Milt have been very busy this last 10 days. 

 

General: 

 

Traci Wiggins said that the band ‘Loose Gravel’ played for the RMHA dance last Friday.  They played their hearts out for four hours, one break, and charged us only $300.  Thank You!  We highly recommend this band for any functions.  The Mayor of the Denali Borough plays guitar in this band.  They play old rock music.

 

Margaret Sanders commented on watering down the streets and how she is thankful! 

 

Gary Edwin talked about the dust on the road containing bad things, including burn barrel air borne things (“and cigarette smoke” – Rose Allen) that get into people’s houses through the traveling dust.

 

Old Business (Paul Verhagen) – discussed assigning tasks that were identified at the last WIN Coalition Meeting (6/15).  Miles talked about change being a threat, and that we should identify some of the old ways that we should keep. 

 

Miles Martin talked about past instances that created bad relations in the City.  Traci Wiggins talked about inviting people who are perceived to not be in favor of WIN Coalitions, on a consistent basis, and that not everyone has a drinking problem, that when someone’s drinking affects someone else is what we are talking about here – everyone has a right to be safe.  Miles volunteered to create a list of people to invite, and to bring ideas to the table from those who can’t attend.

 

On the second Thursday of each month is the City Meeting, and the Wellness Meeting will be at 6pm on the second Thursday of each month at the Nenana Senior Center.

 

Paul Verhagen talked about making dates for quarterly dinners.  Margaret Sanders suggested looking at calendar before we decide on dates. 

 

Nenana Seniors will do the mailing for invitations, piggy-backing with the Senior Center.  Margaret will ask Kelvin Schubert to put invitations in the Nenana News.  Miles Martin will ask Diane Neill to put invitations in the Newspaper, as well as asking KIAM for free announcements.  Traci Wiggins will post minutes on the RMHA website.

 

Paul Verhagen said that we should maintain a suggestion box.  Margaret Sanders volunteered for this, possibly putting it at the store and at the Senior Center.  Paul Verhagen will talk to Marilyn Duggar regarding the store box.

 

New Business: 

 

Rita Pierce talked about the Native Education grant possibly being funding a BMX and skateboard park, and wondered whatever happened to the ice skating rink.  Paul Verhagen stated that he has the minutes regarding the ice rink, and that he will call Karen Lord. Paul asked for the site plans from Healy, and has finally received them.  She also talked about soccer for the kids.  Milo Marks will be teaching airbrushing at the museum in the evening for the public, kids during the day.

 

Milt Haken talked about skateboarding parks, and how beneficial they are.  How could we get one going? 

 

Bonnie Reed volunteered to chair the next WIN Coalition meeting.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

Traci Wiggins

 

 

 

June 15, 2004

 

Wellness in Nenana Coalition Meeting

 

Present:

 

Paul Verhagen

Sam Verhagen

Bonnie Reed

Blaine Reed

Margaret Sanders

Alice Sharrock

Russ Sharrock

Ken Eggleston

Sandi Eggleston

Eileen Holmes

Kat McElroy

Rose Allen

Bryn McElroy

Traci Wiggins

Bear Ketzler

Endil Moore

Rick Martin

Ned Griffith

Milt Haken

Wanda Haken

Bud Krause

Sam Kanayurak

Lila Wilson

 

·        Meeting led by Ken Eggleston

 

·        Greeting / Welcome - Discussion of season/weather/flooding in Nenana (hopefully not like last summer).  Endil Moore’s comment on positively projected river height was reassuring.

 

·        Prayer – Rose Allen

 

·        Pledge of Allegiance

 

·        Agenda modifications – none

 

·        Approval of last weeks minutes – The minutes were just emailed out.  Motion to approve the minutes as emailed out made by Paul Verhagen, seconded by Endil.  All in favor.

 

·        Nenana Valley Sports Organization (Paul Verhagen) – new organization in town, focusing on getting the car racing going in Nenana.  Proposed location for motor sport activities is in Nenana, across the railroad tracks on both sides of 10^th Street, including drag strip, mud bog, and track.  Other projects would be included in that organization, as well, perhaps ultra light plane activities, skiing activities on the hill, vehicle arctic testing.  It would include other communities in the Nenana Valley, such as Anderson, Clear, Healy, etc.  They have employed Clint Berry to coordinate activities, based in Anderson and funded by the Racing Lions in Fairbanks. 

 

·        Nenana Seniors (Margaret Sanders) – message in Nenana Native Council’s Newsletter regarding formation of Youth Wellness Council beginning in July 2004.  There was concern regarding forming another Wellness Council instead of utilizing existing Wellness Coalition meetings.  The Senior Center needs volunteers – please call Margaret if you have some time to give.  Missionaries were just here, painted the front of the City Hall (not the back because they had to go home).  Seniors will have a garage sale every weekend until the weather gets bad.  Donations are accepted.

 

Endil Moore commented that the Native Council gets wellness money, and that they want to target youth activities more.  Discussion ensued that touched on the fact that any wellness activities are a good thing, and that perhaps we need to invite NNC Wellness representation to WIN meeting to coordinate activities. 

 

Regarding the Senior Center, Endil Moore said that the Seniors have problems with their buses (they have three), and would like to sell the big bus (good shape, drives well, 100k miles) to eliminate some debt.  They are a huge expense, and little ability to see light at the end of the tunnel.  Ken Eggleston spoke about possible use at the School, in lieu of current use of Yukons, which go back to the dealer in September.

 

Ken Eggleston also spoke about a program offered by the school that teaches people to drive buses to take kids on extracurricular activities.  The school will pay for fees and transportation to Fairbanks and back.  It includes the course, a CDL test, and a test to drive a bus.

 

·        Railbelt Mental Health & Addictions (Bryn McElroy) – there was an alcohol, drug, and smoke free dance last Friday, June 4^th, at the Nenana Tribal Hall, and about 140 people attended.  Another dance will be held in Healy on June 18^th at the Community Center, 6pm dinner, 7-11pm.  Loose Gravel will be the Band.

 

Margaret Sanders spoke regarding the 4^th of July. Tommy Titus talked with her about motorcycle activities on the 4^th of July and perhaps RMHA would like to donate?

 

Kat McElroy spoke about the 30^th Annual Rural Provider’s Conference in Seward.  About 150 people under the age of 18 attended with over 500 people total attendance - many people from small, remote or rural communities that are struggling with the same things as Nenana.  She discussed that community norms in the villages are steadily changing away from the previous acceptance of alcohol abuse, domestic violence, suicide crisis, and towards recognizing the need for law enforcement on site, etc. She heard strong state-wide commitment supporting this change, and it was encouraging.  She spoke about the fact that other Wellness Coalitions do not meet every week like ours does, and that it is a huge thing to be proud of.  She heard some loose talk that Nenana would be a nice place to have the Rural Provider’s Conference again!  It will be held in Bethel for the next two years.

 

Paul Verhagen suggested that someone from Railbelt contact whoever is in charge of such decisions and ask them to put Nenana on the list of future sites. 

 

Rose spoke about the Yukon River Watershed Project, and that the man who leads it has invited himself to the Wellness Meeting when he comes to town.

 

·        Native Council (Bear Ketzler) – The Tribe sent a letter to Denakenaga, the Elder’s Conference, to be held in Nenana again in 2005 or 2006.  On July 15^th, NNC will be going to Copper Center to look at the barb system on the river (erosion control) and invited others who are interested to contact him if they would like to go along.  Bear further discussed the current system in place to control erosion.  On June 25^th there will be a ‘Thank You’ event in honor of Senator Georgiana Lincoln from 2-5pm at the Chief David Salmon building, right next to the TCC building.  June 18^th there will be the Yukon River Watershed Council meeting at the Tribal Hall.  Also on June 18^th , there will be a trip to Minto for a potlatch in honor of the land transfer of the Old Minto Town site from the State of Alaska to the Minto Tribal Council.  On July 7^th, there will be a meeting with the Alaska Railroad, BIA, and the Tribe in Anchorage.  On June 24^th, the High-Speed Internet person will be here to put the town on line.  The Alaska Boundary Commission will be here on July 12^th at the Senior luncheon.  The Tribe has purchased a 2 ½ yard dragline to excavate gravel from the river.  The Tribal Environmental Program has hired three environmental assistants, young adults, to help beautify the town.  The Wellness meetings at the Tribe are not designed to duplicate the WIN Coalition efforts, will focus on youth activities including a camp downriver.  Carol Davila is still under contract with NNC for Wellness activities – one of her concerns is the lack of attendance of the general public at WIN Coalition meetings. 

 

Endil Moore spoke about junk car removal from Nenana and other communities down river, and also spoke about the Alaska Railroad’s role in this. 

 

Discussion turned to how we can make our wellness meetings more inclusive. It was agreed that we have done a good job of involving many of the organizations in the community but that the people themselves are not as involved as we would like.

 

Rose Allen talked about huge amount of community involvement that we have had at our community-wide dinners - including our first WIN dinner, and when we invited Father Oleska (sp?) to speak to us. She reminded us that we originally planned to do them on a quarterly basis and suggested that we recommit to that schedule.  

 

Ken Eggleston suggested that we identify who we want to attend, and invite them. 

 

Paul Verhagen agreed that we should extend specific invitations and mentioned that it would be good to invited Ice Classic as their presence at our meetings each week would be valuable. He also commented on the success of Rose’s suggestion to hold last week’s meeting just before the city council meeting. It worked well in that it resulted in more people attending the city council meeting than could fit comfortably into the room (there was standing room only). He agreed with the observation that some people can’t attend in the middle of the day each week but that they could attend in the evening. He suggested that we make Rose’s suggestion for last week permanent by holding one meeting a month in the evening at 6pm on the second Thursday of the month (just before the regularly scheduled city council meeting).

 

IT WAS AGREED TO MAKE ROSE’S SUGGESTION OUR REGULAR PRACTICE

 

Paul stated that although we should work to get as much overall community involvement as possible we should consider how best to do that. He suggested that getting the whole community here each week is not likely to happen because human nature is such that the whole community won’t attend regular meetings on a weekly basis. For that reason the suggestion for less frequent evening time meetings (such as the quarterly dinner meetings) is a good suggestion for large scale community involvement and input, and the once a month evening meeting before the city council meeting will meet the needs of those who want more than quarterly involvement but less than weekly involvement. He also commented on the fact that if we had a lot more attendance at our weekly meetings than we already have it would be difficult to get much done because as it is we have a hard time getting through all the reports in two hours. So he feels the idea of extending invitations to everyone and letting them know about our various meetings will allow people to choose their level of involvement - be it weekly, monthly or quarterly.

Paul also talked about the fact that there will always be critics. He suggested that although criticism should be evaluated for validity (and, if appropriate, changes should be made), there will always be criticism by some people that will be completely baseless and should be ignored.

 

Gary Edwin had thoughts that community members had an uneasiness regarding committee meetings in general. 

 

Endil Moore suggested that we should post our agenda every week. 

 

Milt Haken said that the minutes were a powerful thing.  He said that the City Council has requested that he put a report akin to the WIN Coalition meeting minutes into their City Council packets. 

 

Kat McElroy talked about posting minutes on Internet.  The Chamber has a website, RMHA has a website. 

 

Rick Martin said that there should be representation from the NNC Wellness Coalition meetings at the WIN Coalition meetings.  Endil Moore agreed.  Wanda Haken said that personal invitations work best – that’s why she is at the meeting today, because she was invited.

 

Bear Ketzler talked about a planning meeting that NNC held in March, and how about 35 different components were identified that the Tribe provides to the community.  The Tribe talked about the need to become more self-sufficient, to take care of its own, and to develop infrastructure and businesses.  He talked about Auntie’s House and the need for unrestricted funds to complete the project.  He talked about the effectiveness of door prizes in getting people to attend events or meetings.  Paul Verhagen agreed that perhaps door prizes might work for the WIN Coalition meetings and suggested that we ask the various organizations that we represent to contribute something that could be used as a door prize.

 

Ned Griffith talked about Senator Stevens and Murkowski’s representatives that were here last week, and their discussion of trash removal and a transfer station in the area.  Is there any support through the WIN Coalition?  Margaret said that perhaps there is federal funding available for trash, that the reps said that they would talk to Senator Stevens about it.

 

·        Local Churches (Russ Sharrock) – the members of the Nenana Community Church believe that there is a great deal of potential in this community for growth.  They intend to give some time each summer for beautification in order to raise the level of sense of pride in the community.  He spoke of the lack of opportunities for the young people in this community, and that whatever we can do to improve that area in order to attract other businesses, etc. to take an interest in Nenana is a good thing.

 

Bryn McElroy talked about her appreciation in the City to be able to walk places.  Paul relayed that thanks to Jack Coghill there may soon be sidewalks the full length of 1^st, 2^nd, and 3^rd Street. 

 

·        Nenana Police Department (Milt Haken) - spoke of his recent training in Arizona, and how crystal-meth is reported to become the next drug epidemic.  He spoke of doctors prescribing pain medications indiscriminately, and how people then sell the drugs on the street.  Poly drug use is common, and at times there is no alcohol on board at all, merely drugs – he believes that this is accurate for the state of Alaska.  After this current training, he will have the certification to teach others how to recognize substances on board.

 

Ken Eggleston talked about an on-site visit from Diane Kaplan from the Rasmussen Foundation on Thursday, June 17^th.

 

Milt Haken relayed that there is a City Council meeting regarding budget on Thursday at 6:30pm.

 

Ken Eggleston relayed that there is a School Board meeting on the 29^th at 6:30pm.

 

Milt Haken volunteered to chair the next WIN Coalition meeting.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

Traci Wiggins

 

Send corrections or modifications to these minutes to paulverhagen@prodigy.net or call him at 907-378-5454.

 

 

Nenana Wellness Coalition

Meeting Minutes

June 10, 2004

SPECIAL MEETING

 

[Note: several weeks ago, after attending a few city council meetings that dealt with wellness issues, it was brought to the attention of the wellness coalition that only a few community members were in attendance at those city council meetings and that the city council had requested more input from the community. It was suggested by Rose Allen that we hold a wellness meeting just before the next city council meeting and then stay for the city council meeting. These are the minutes from the meeting that was held just before the city council meeting.]

 

Opened with prayer by Russ Sharrock

 

We all recited the pledge of allegiance

 

The meeting was officiated by Endil Moore

 

There were 35 in attendance with many guests

 

Endil Moore:

 

          Endil noted that there was a petition going around Nenana that has signatures on it which would like to reduce the police department in Nenana. He has not seen this petition at this time and hopes that it will be presented to the assembly so they can examine its content and research the names on the list as actual Nenana residents. When Jason first took over the mayors position the budget was extremely in the red. The budget has made a great comeback since then and can continue to work with a little more effort.

Endil introduced three ordinances at a previous assembly meeting:

 

1.)   To reduce the hours of liquor sales in Nenana

2.)   To impound the vehicles of repeat offenders of DUI violations

3.)    

 

It has been noted that residents of Fairbanks come to Nenana after the bars are closed in Fairbanks to continue their drinking. When this occurs there is a higher influx of police calls when these outside residents have problems on the highway back to Fairbanks. There was also a sting operation conducted in Nenana and other towns to see if underage persons could purchase alcoholic beverages. Nenana did sell to these individuals. Also, there have been young children going into the local bars to purchase soda. This is not a good practice as these children are not accompanies by adults and should they be allowed to purchase anything in bars?

If the city were to impound the cars from DUI incidents they could then auction them off for revenue to the city.

 

Miles Martin:

          Miles and Diane Jensen were representing Nenana in Valdez at the statewide Highway Neighbors Conference. While there Miles talked to the head of the Princes Line Tours and asked what they thought about Nenana. He responded by asking Miles if the man still came out and urinated on the bus tires when they were parked in Nenana.

          Is this the image Nenana wants the rest of the state to remember us by? We need to do something to improve the image of Nenana by the time the Nenana Chamber hosts this visitor’s convention in 2007 if we want to have a good turnout and receive revenue from this event.

 

Margaret Sanders:

          She would like to thank the visiting mission group for scraping the paint from the city building so it can be painted. She would also like to let the assembly know that some of the seniors in town have expressed their concern about how safe they feel in Nenana and hope the police department is not reduced because of the budget cuts needed.

 

Ricky Martin:

          When Ricky first came to Nenana he had heard many things about the police force here. He thought many people he talked to found our police force intimidating so the thought he would just stay out of their way. Once Ricky started coming to the wellness meetings and actually met Milt and James he changed his attitude and found them to be very helpful and involved in the community. He decided you must go to the source and not depend on other’s opinions to make your judgments.

 

Daylinda Griffith:

          She stated that she had signed the petition going around town about the police department because it was presented to her as a budget increase that was not necessary. The budget for this one department was being raised by $40,000 and she thought this was a little extreme.

 

Endil Moore:

          Endil stated that because of the issue of the budget the police department being so crucial at this time and because his wife works for this department as a clerk it could be considered a conflict of interest. If this is true she could resign this position.

 

Daylinda Griffith:

          She would like to know if a camera could be put on the speed sign at the edge of town so tickets could be mailed to offenders.

 

Endil Moore:

 

          Don Young’s department now has the Nenana Living Center on their mind and after repeated visits from those involved and maybe they will be able to find some way to help them in the near future.

 

Diane Jensen:

          On the budget issue, the last time the fire department received a 3% pay raise they lost some insurance benefits and it actually ended up costing them money in the long run.

 

Floyd:

          He would like to see dog tours to Manley, Minto and Tanana and maybe see a roller rink in our area.

 

The next meeting will be Tuesday Thursday June 15^th.

 

Meeting Adjourned at 7:20 PM.

 

Respectfully submitted by Diane Carson.

 

Nenana Wellness Coalition

Meeting Minutes

June 1, 2004

 

WELCOME

by Endil Moore, this week’s chairperson.

 

PRAYER

          By Bonnie Blair

 

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIENCE

 

NUMBER IN ATTENANCE

          Twenty-two

 

PRESENTATION OF AGENDA AND CALL FOR MODIFICATIONS

          Approved with no modifications

 

APPROVAL OF LAST WEEK’S MINUTES

          Approved with modifications that were emailed in.

 

GUEST SPEAKERS

 

Dr. Richard Parmentier

 

          I’m Paul Verhagen’s cousin. I was adopted by Paul’s uncle when I was a little 5 years old boy. As a child I hated school and by the age of 15 I ran away from home to hang out with my friends. These were not good kids. I ended up in serious trouble and a judge gave the choice of going to jail or joining the military. I chose the military and it turned out pretty good for me. I learned a lot and did pretty well. However, when I got out in three years I made a serious mistake. I returned home and began associating with my former friends. They too had grown in their skills and abilities, only they were the wrong kind of skills and abilities and it wasn’t long before I was again arrested - this time for crimes that got me three life time sentences (but fortunately for me - there was the possibility of parole). When I first got there I was put into solitary confinement for 39 days, let out for a day and then put back into solitary for another 39 days. This schedule continued for some time. During that time I had nothing to do and nothing to read except for a dictionary. I memorized that dictionary. To this day I still have it memorized. Eventually they allowed me to have other books and during my time in solitary confinement I ended up reading all of the Harvard Classics and many other good books. Something very important happened to me during that time. I discovered that I had a brain. I learned that I had worth as an individual and I decided to try to do something with life that was worthwhile. So after they finally let me out of solitary confinement I began the process of working on finishing school. I got a GED. Then I began taking college classes. I earned an Associates degree. Eventually I came before the parole board and was released from prison. I continued with my education and graduated. I then went on to earn a Master’s degree and eventually a PhD. Over the years I have put my life’s experience and my education to work in behalf of young men in society who are on the path that I once found myself on. I have worked as a mental health clinician, a drug and alcohol counselor, and in several other positions where I have worked closely with troubled boys. The reason I’m here talking to you today is to affirm once again that there is hope even when working with people who appear to be hopeless. The cold hard facts are that not very many of the young people I work with change. They get released and end up dead or right back in prison within a short period of time. Just three weeks ago a young man I had spent time working with was released, went back to hanging out with his former friends, and within a week of his release was shot and killed in a gang fight. But in spite of the numbers who don’t change - some do - and because we never know which ones it will be - it is worth working with them all as if they were the ones who will. Be sincere in your dealings with them and they will pick up on your sincerity. Kids have a great sense of radar - if you’re for real they’ll pick up on it. I’m impressed with what you are trying to do as a community, particularly with your efforts to develop a regional treatment center and your efforts to set up a therapeutic court, etc. I wish you luck and hope my story lends encouragement to your efforts.

 

Dr. Larry Gooding - Founder of the LEAP program in Fairbanks

 

Paul asked me to come out and talk to you about how I got the LEAP program going and to explore the possibility of helping you in your efforts to establish your proposed regional treatment center - or at least some of the components thereof. I have worked for many years providing alcohol counseling, sexual abuse counseling, and alternative to violence counseling and this is the area where I may be able to help you the most. There are a great number of hurdles and requirements to become a state approved alternative to violence treatment provider. I am good at complying with those requirements and getting over those hurdles. I have all the information in my computer that is necessary to do so and would be willing to share that information with you. For some time I worked in conjunction with the Yukon-Koyukuk Mental Health program in Tanana and also with Tanana Chiefs in six surrounding villages. Eventually, when Tanana withdrew from Tanana Chiefs and decided to work directly with the federal government in administering their own programs they established a counseling center in Tanana. I helped them set up their treatment center and I still travel out there each week to provide services locally so that the people in Tanana do not have to go into Fairbanks for treatment. I am now at retirement age and am looking to decrease my work load, so as I work to help you in your efforts at developing your treatment center I don’t anticipate being able to come out here regularly but am very willing to help from Fairbanks in any way that I can. I too am excited about your efforts and believe that by providing treatment here in Nenana you will greatly benefit your local population as well as others who are having a harder and harder time finding treatment elsewhere in the state.

 

Ken Eggleston - Superintendent of Schools

 

I have worked on or near several reservations in the lower forty-eight states and after coming here I want to tell you that things with your young people are much better than they are in many of the places I have been. The parents are more involved in their children’s lives and the kids themselves are less involved in alcohol and drugs and other things that will destroy their lives. This community should be proud about the large number of interested and caring adults that it has.

 

Ricky Martin

 

We may be doing pretty well with the kids but one area where we need  to focus more attention is the young people who have graduated or left school. These young people enter into No Man’s Land. They just came from the having all the attention and help that they get in school and enter into a phase in their life where there is nothing structured and little help.

 

REGULAR REPORTS

 

Jason Mayrand - Mayor

 

Our new snow blower will be in the parade on Saturday. The building that will house it will be out for bid by the end of the month.

 

Rose Allen - RMHA

 

This Friday will be our next sober dance. It will begin with dinner from 6:00-7:00 PM and will be followed by dance from 7:00 until 11:00 PM. There will be a live band. Come and enjoy yourselves.

Also next week will be the Rural Providers conference.

Regarding the Auntie’s house proposal - we might want to consider the Suckling building on A street.

 

Ken Eggleston - Superintendent

 

Nenana Student Living Center (NSLC):

 

The State Commission on Regional Schools is overwhelmingly in favor of boarding schools. The State House of Representatives voted unanimously to support us. The governor supports us. The Senate would likely also have supported us if the bill had ever made it out of Senator Wilken’s committee. Even Bill Allen, the state director of USDA (who we owe payments to on the Nenana Student Living Center building) has agreed to allow us to keep our payments at the greatly reduced rate of $10,000 for an indefinite amount of time into the future until we can get our funding worked out.

We received a call from Diane Kaplan, from the Rasmussen Foundation, telling us they will allow us to apply on a fast track for a grant that usually takes six months. They will decide by June 21^st. Mr. Rasmussen has expressed himself in favor of helping us.

We received a call from Royce in Congressman Young’s office about our boarding school program. He too is in favor of supporting the program.

We’ve been in touch with the Foraker Group. This is a private group where membership fees are in six digits. They evaluate how best to operate the organization and what resources are available to help. When are not willing to help an organization unless the organization is willing to allow them complete access to their workings - financial and otherwise. We NEED help so, of course, we are willing to allow them access to all of our information.

Orie Williams from Doyon called and said that he is willing to support us.

Bear (Alfred Ketzler Jr.) has suggested that we get a resolution from the City Council supporting the Nenana Student Living Center as opposed to resolution supporting boarding schools in general.

 

Other information pertaining to the school:

 

Summer school is in full swing and going well.

Sweat lodges are common in the villages of many of the students at our boarding school. This summer the kids are building a sweat lodge out behind the student living center to help them keep from being homesick.

We are short one school board member. If anyone is interested in ‘trying it out’ to see if they would want to serve long term on the school board this might be a good time to do so because right now it is an appointed position until the elections this fall.

Statewide funding for school transportation has been cut dramatically (in half - down to $60,000). Anyone who is interested in submitting a proposal for transporting kids to school please do so as the deadline for proposals is fast approaching.

 

Alfred (Bear) Ketzler Jr. - Nenana Native Council

 

Our next Nenana Strategic Planning meeting is scheduled for tonight at the Senior’s Center. These meetings are where the community has the opportunity to have input on the city’s strategic plan which helps define the direction that the city takes in upcoming years. The meeting will include a potluck dinner so bring some food and share some ideas.

 

Native Council has agreed to help prepare the CBDG grant for the city and it is nearing completion for submittal this month.

 

Last week Andex and PDG were here to report to the community on their plans for more testing in the Minto Flats area west of here. It was a good report. They are sufficiently convinced that there are sufficient quantities of natural gas to justify development that they have already invested $3 million dollars and will invest another $3 million in testing this winter. If these tests come out with the same results they will drill test wells next year. They have committed to use local hire in the process. If sufficient quantities are found it would have a significant impact on our area.

A 90% complete meeting was held the same night. The plans are to extend 9^th street to K Street and connect K street from 9^th to Front St. Some concerns were expressed about putting a new road through right next to Inland Barge Line’s storage yard and these concerns will be considered in the final plans. Once the final plans are approved the preliminary process to begin construction can begin.

Bear attended training on how to get along with difficult people. It was very good training and would be good for anyone to attend. If anyone would like information on the training - contact Bear.

One point that Bear picked up on that is worth repeating is the suggestion to focus on the positive. Spend more time working with people who want to change things for the better than those who do not want to change or who fight against it. The suggestion they gave was to be positive and set good standards that those who want to can raise to.

 

Margaret Sanders - Seniors

 

June 5^th is River Daze. Please help get the kids involved in the parade.

The parade starts at 1:30 on Fifth street.

The seniors have a booth and will consider renting space in their booth for a reasonable fee to anyone who hasn’t been able to get space.

 

Diane Jensen - Chamber of Commerce

 

Miles Martin was elected as the new Chairman.

The new Open Air market began on Saturday and will be open each Saturday from 11:00 AM - 7:00 PM.

 

Next meeting will NOT be at our usual time and place. Instead it will be at the Senior’s center at 6:00 PM on Thursday June 10^th just before the City Council Meeting.

 

Meeting Adjourned at 2:05 PM.

 

Respectfully submitted by Paul Verhagen.

Please send corrections or modifications to paulverhagen@prodigy.net or call 378-5454.