Ben hosts a mellow, rain-streaked Monday (Sept 15). First caller reports being injured by a rock-thrower under a posted bridge; Ben condemns violence. He spotlights local arts—Perseverance’s What the Constitution Means to Me (Douglas) and Theater in the Rough’s Romeo & Juliet (previews Tue/Thu, opens Fri at McPhetres)—and mentions the Symphony’s new music director this season. Civic chat covers: ballots mailing this Fri 9/19, early in-person voting starting Mon 9/22, and Oct 7 municipal election with results certified ~Oct 20. He walks through the three CBJ ballot measures (mill-rate cap; exempt food & residential/non-commercial utilities from sales tax; seasonal sales-tax shift). Talk also touches on ranked-choice voting petitions, TikTok’s fate, and a quiet Emmys.
A caller asks if new SEARHC facilities are property-tax exempt (Ben says nonprofits generally reduce the taxable base); same caller recommends the 1949 film The Flying Saucer (Amazon Prime) for vintage Juneau views. Mel calls to praise strong local tribal presence and voice concern over a national headline.
Glacial Outburst Flood (Suicide Basin) alert: CBJ/NWS warn of a minor Mendenhall Lake/River rise, cresting ~11–12 ft Tue 9/16, 8am–noon; sandbags to View Dr with advised evacuations; closures around the lake/river trail, Skaters’ Cabin, campground, and possibly below Back Loop Bridge. Ben recaps lessons from recent floods (HESCO barriers), notes $5M reallocated to reinforce them, and ongoing Corps studies. Chamber notes: no luncheon this Thu (SE Conference in Sitka); School Board forum Thu 9/25; Assembly forum Thu 10/2 (Wade Bryson vs. NANO Brooks spotlight); annual dinner Sat 10/11 (“For the Health of It”).