01/20/2005 08:00 AM House COMMUNITY & REGIONAL AFFAIRS

HB  42-JOE WILLIAMS, SR., COASTAL TRAIL                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
CO-CHAIR THOMAS announced that the  first order of business would                                                               
be  HOUSE BILL  NO. 42,  "An Act  naming the  Joe Williams,  Sr.,                                                               
Coastal Trail."                                                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
8:06:09 AM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
JOSH GOVAARS,  Staff to Representative  Jim Elkins,  Alaska State                                                               
Legislature, explained that HB 42  would rename the trail between                                                               
Ketchikan and  Saxman to  the Joe  Williams, Sr.,  Coastal Trail.                                                               
Joe Williams, Sr.,  was an advocate for the  construction of this                                                               
historic trail for  many years.  Furthermore,  Joe Williams, Sr.,                                                               
worked very hard  to connect the people of  Ketchikan and Saxman.                                                               
The trail  was funded by  [former] Representative  Bill Williams.                                                               
The trail has been popular for  the people of both communities as                                                               
well as  visitors.  Renaming the  trail will honor the  memory of                                                               
Joe Williams, Sr.,  as well as his accomplishments.   Mr. Govaars                                                               
noted a  letter from  Saxman which is  included in  the committee                                                               
packet.                                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
8:08:06 AM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
MR. GOVAARS,  in response to  Representative Neuman,  stated that                                                               
he has heard of no opposition to renaming the trail.                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
8:08:18 AM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
MR. GOVAARS, in response to  Representative Salmon, related  that                                                               
Joe Williams,  Sr., passed away a  number of years ago  while Joe                                                               
Williams the third and forth still  reside in the City of Saxman.                                                               
This was  the traditional trail  that the  people of the  City of                                                               
Saxman used  to go  to Ketchikan.   When the  City of  Saxman was                                                               
moved to its  current location, a foot path was  used between the                                                               
two towns.   When the  road was  constructed people were  left to                                                               
walk  on the  side  of the  road, which  was  dangerous.   Former                                                               
Representative  Williams   was  instrumental  in   obtaining  the                                                               
funding for the foot trail, which his father proposed.                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
8:09:57 AM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
JOE WILLIAMS,  JR., said that he  was honored this is  even being                                                               
considered.   He  related that  he is  in favor  of renaming  the                                                               
trail.   He  echoed earlier  testimony that  many people  use the                                                               
trail.  In fact, the trail is used  on a daily basis and often by                                                               
families.   It's  humbling  to  have the  trail  named after  his                                                               
father, he remarked.                                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
8:12:36 AM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
GILBERT BENGE, Mayor, City of  Saxman, related that he has walked                                                               
this  historic trail,  which  passes  through beautiful  scenery,                                                               
many times.   Mayor  Benge related his  support for  renaming the                                                               
trail, and  noted that  renaming the  trail is  an honor  for the                                                               
family as well as the community.                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
8:13:50 AM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
YEDA HICKS, Councilman, City of  Saxman, stated that renaming the                                                               
trail after a prominent Native Alaskan  will be a source of pride                                                               
for youth in the community.                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
8:14:42 AM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
FRANK  SALUDO, Vice  Mayor, City  of Saxman,  recalled having  to                                                               
walk on  the side of  the road.   The trail  is nice to  have, he                                                               
said.  Therefore, he related his support for HB 42.                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
8:15:40 AM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE  LeDOUX moved  to report  HB 42  out of  committee                                                               
with  individual  recommendations  and  the  accompanying  fiscal                                                               
notes.  There being no objection, it was so ordered.