You are invited to the DCC Board Retreat
October 3-5, McKinley Community Center

Friday: Potluck Dinner 6pm & Film:
"The Harriman Expedition Revisited" A widely acclaimed film, more info: http://www.bullfrogfilms.com/catalog/hman.html

Saturday: Issues Discussion: 9am - 4pm, with Lunch Provided
Sunday: Election of Officers & Induction of New Members
Retreat information

AK DOT Stalls NARS Consultant Selection Process
On August 27th, Mayor Talerico received a letter from Dave Bloom at DOT&PF, informing the Denali Borough that the State desired early termination of the North Access Reconnaissance Study (NARS) TORA (Transfer of Responsibilities Agreement). The exact reasons for this request are unclear, but a meeting is scheduled between DOT officials and Borough representatives on September 29th to discuss the situation. In the meantime, Phase II of the study, Consultant Selection, has been put on hold.

Coalbed Methane Summit
October 17, 18 Lake Local Inn, Wasilla, Alaska
Friday and Saturday 8:30 - 5:30
The Oil and Gas Accountability Project works with communities to prevent and reduce the problems caused by oil and gas development. Speakers from around the US and Canada will meet to discuss the many Coalbed Methane Issues that have been brewing around Alaska, and most recently in Healy, adjacent to Denali National Park.
Register by October 1....more information

Denali Borough Meeting:
Wednesday October 8, 7pm Cantwell School

Deadline for Member Surveys extended
The survey was enclosed in the most recent DCC newsletter. You may return them any time, but to qualify for a drawing for a $50 gift certificate have them in to us by October 1st. If you did not receive a survey, write to leslie@denalicitizens.org

Denali Borough Residents will vote on a 3% sales tax
Election November 4, 2003
Currently the Denali Borough is funded by a 5% severance tax and a 7% bed tax. While State Revenue sharing quickly declines, the Borough is looking for a way to diversify funding. There has been much discussion that one of the primary functions of the Denali Borough is to maintain the school system, and many local residents are paying nothing to support their own services. It is often very difficult to get local residents to vote to tax themselves.

The proposed tax would apply to goods and services sold by anyone holding a current business license and would exempt medical expenses, heating oil, real estate, and any item already being taxed under current borough law.