Black cat lies on his perch, a high window seal looking out to the backyard neighbors and a front end loader. Beneath him is the futon frame he used to jump up to his perch.

Wolvie Wednesday a.k.a. The Neighborhood Watch.

The Assembly has a proposal that would eliminate sales tax on groceries and utilities without reducing city services. Please share and encourage your neighbors to participate.

Email Borough.Assembly@juneau.gov before the 7/9 Finance Committee.

Email/testify at the next Assembly meeting 7/28 @ 7pm.

HESCO barrriers between armoring and back yards. To the left is the Mendenhall River

HESCO barriers with pipping sticking out. No valve yet.

The mayor, Ms. Hughes-Skandijis, and Nate Rumsey overlooking heavy equipment and the Mendenhall River.

Rocks up and metal against HESCO barriers

Deputy Director Nate Rumsey has been giving tours of the HESCO barrier deployment along Killewich Drive to members of the Assembly. I joined Madam Mayor and Assembly member Hughes-Skandijis. The barriers are well ahead of schedule and we have enough material left over to continue the project.

A program for the UAS 2025 Commencement next to a flower.

Congratulations UAS Graduates Class of 2025!

There’s been jokes spread throughout. My favorite was “What’s the Jedi council‘s company car?… A ToYoda”

A menu depicts baby Yoda and various foods with Star Wars inspired names.

It’s a big day for a lot of UAS students today. I’m starting off my day attending the Alaska Native Graduation in the Egan Library. The snacks in the back are Star Wars themed in celebration of the unofficial Star Wars Day. May the Fourth be with these new graduates!

It really seems like to become an adult, let alone a politician, you should first learn the concept of an unqualified apology.

Screenshot from the Juneau Empire with a picture of former Juneau School Board member Will Muldoon. The headline reads “Former write-in candidate Will Muldoon resigns from Juneau Board of Education”

I pulled this from the Juneau Empire. Serving on any School Board in Alaska is hard work. The Juneau Board of Education is accepting applications to fill his seat until the October elections.

A paper plate with sweet potatoes, ham, Hawaiian roll, apple cranberry salad, and rhubarb strawberry crisp

Our union’s monthly turn to cook at the Glory Hall shelter happened to be on Easter this year!

Ham, scalloped potatoes (and switched to sweet potatoes when they ran out), rolls, apple-cranberry salad (supposed to have sweet potatoes but they took too long to cook), and a rhubarb-strawberry crisp.

Panelists this year include myself, my colleague on the Assembly Neil Steininger, and Juneau School Board member @ak-firecracker.bsky.social
Whether you’re thinking of running this year, in the future sometime, or just helping on a friend’s campaign, this is always an informative annual event.

First page of a CBJ Assembly resolution supporting Federal Workers and urging the Congressional Delegation to oppose cuts to federal agencies. Presented by Assembly Member Alicia Hughes-Skandijs.

Second page of a CBJ Assembly resolution supporting Federal Workers and urging the Congressional Delegation to oppose cuts to federal agencies. Presented by Assembly Member Alicia Hughes-Skandijs.

Federal Employees in Juneau have their community behind them. Today my colleagues and I on the Assembly consider a resolution that recognizes the service and importance of Federal Employees and advocates for the cuts to stop.

Two kittens with mostly black fur lie stretched out in a white fluffy pet bed on a hardwood floor. A strip of carpet is visible and large orange rubber ball looms over them.

Studying for 3 Assembly committee meeting Monday. I’m enjoying the company of my new study buddies!

Standing next to my former roommate Judy across from the state capitol. I’m wearing my green AFSCME/ASEA Local 62 scarf. She’s wearing white sunglasses. Another rally attendee is visible behind us.

Joyel Hall from the AFL-CIO Alaska, Alaska State Senator Forest Dunbar, a staff person for Rep. Mina, and two representatives of the SEIU 775 stand on the capital steps.

Wearing my green @afscme.bsky.social (Local 52) scarf while rallying in solidarity with members of SEIU 775 (and my former roommate) opposing cuts to Medicaid that will disproportionately affect Alaskans.

Timothy dangles a mouse toy in front of Wolfie in front of the futon.

Two kittens jump around a climbing toy. Supanika takes a picture from her phone and DD looks on.

Two kittens play on top of a large cushion.

DD holds Wolfie in a wicker basket.

Our family just got bigger! Welcome Taku and Wolfie!

Juneau’s longtime city clerk announces her retirement City Clerk Beth McEwen is retiring at the end of June after nearly three decades with the city.

She’s been in City Hall since I started paying attention to local government and attending Assembly meetings. Assembly Chambers won’t be the same without her.

There’s some back of the napkin estimates so we can decide on a direction. The memo is here:

Marie Drake has asbestos issues. We’ll be discussing that Monday too. 2/3 of FDMS is going to be converted to childcare hosted by Tlingit and Haida (who will pay rent). UAS backed out of their request to do childcare there, so we need to find another tenant. Old District HQ being used for offices.

a woman wearing a yellow plaid jacket says " ugh as if " Alt: a woman wearing a yellow plaid jacket says " ugh as if "

Reading through the packet for the CBJ Assembly’s Committee of the Whole tomorrow. We’re considering buying the bottom 2 floors of the PFD building. They want $12m, but the appraiser appraised it for $9.3m. It should be for an “as-is condo,” but says “as-if.”

A selfie of Supanika and I together at Auk Bay Cafe.

Another selfie of Supanika and I together at Auke Bay Cafe with Supanika holding up our savory waffle topped with salsa.

I savor these savory waffles from Auke Bay Cafe and the time the two of us get to spend together.

Signed. Interested in chipping in if I can.

This quote is soooo relevant right now

They have a constitutional mechanism to call elections more frequently. Trump may become unpopular for a sudden and unexpected reason, but then we’re still stuck with him and/or Vance until January 2029.

Screenshot of an unsolicited text message by Minority Leader Jeffries asking for a donation with a “stop to quit” option at the bottom.

I’ve lost track of how many text messages I’ve unsubscribed to today. Ironically I’ll be attending an in person fundraiser tonight.

You know when Supanika’s in charge of the menu it’s going to be good.

My Lock Screen features one of the engagement photos with my fiancée giving her cutest smile (where she somehow elucidates both joy and amusement) while I bite into a Coppa ice cream we picked up at a carte downtown.

Yeah. Guess I’m writing a check this year. I was just wondering if it was a paperwork thing, or something else since they’ve been an option for years.

Screen shot of last year’s PFD application. It shows I donated to Planned Parenthood in 2023.

Screenshot of this year’s application. It doesn’t show up in the search results even when I copy paste from last year.

It’s a personal tradition to file for my Alaskan Permanent Fund Dividend every New Year’s morning. This year I noticed something odd. I can see on my 2023 record that I clearly donated to Planned Parenthood last year. Does anyone know why they’re not an option this year?

Clouds obscure the base of Mount Roberts, hanging over the Hanger on the Wharf. The sun is still rising. The sky is a beautiful blue beyond the clouds and orange above the water.

Morning walk in downtown Juneau. We sure live in a beautiful place!

Paul and Supanika holding a program for Mean Girls in front of the stage at the Performing Arts Center. Photo credit Jessica Cook.

Paul and Supanika in the lobby holding signs. Supanika: “On Wednesdays we wear pink” Paul: “Why are you so obsessed with me?”

On Saturdays we go to Mean Girls. After a few days of being up in Anchorage for the Alaska Municipal League, I’m happy Supanika was able to join me. My mother bought us tickets to the show as a Christmas present. Watching live was a much different experience. (Photo cred by the stage: Jessica Cook)

Pardoning your own family is not why Americans grant a president power. And it just boosts the garbage lines about ‘they’re all corrupt’ and ‘they’re all the same.’

We build a better America by doing good for people and working to stop bad stuff. Perks for our own families should be off the list.