Southeast residents stage anti-road rally (AK)

Juneau, Alaska - Residents of several Southeast Alaska communities are upset about plans by Gov. Frank Murkowski to build new roads in the region. Dozens of them converged Thursday in Juneau to take that message to the governor's house, as well as to the capitol.


They came from Ketchikan, Sitka, Haines and Juneau. Their mission: to stop the governor's road-building plans in Southeast. “Hey, hey, ho, ho, Murkowski’s road has got to go,” they chanted, while waving signs that read, “Ferries are the highway,” and “First-rate ferries, not second-rate roads.” <snip>

Their focus is the proposed 68-mile road linking Juneau and Skagway on the east side of Lynn Canal. <snip>

Those who oppose new Southeast roads do so in part because of lifestyle and aesthetics. “I've seen whole areas of Southeast that have been logged and clear-cut and roaded,” said Mike Sallee of Ketchikan. “I think we need to stop this roading and recognize the value of our place as it is.” <snip>

http://www.ktuu.com/CMS/templates/master.asp?articleid=12906&zoneid=4