KMXT 100.1 FM Public Radio in Kodiak, Alaska
Brianna Gibbs/KMXT
October will be a busy month in Kodiak. The Kodiak City Council made a number of proclamations during Thursday’s regular meeting that celebrate certain days, weeks and even the entire month. First up, Mayor Pat Branson proclaimed October 6 as United States Coast Guard appreciation day.
“Where as the citizens of Kodiak wish to acknowledge and honor the men and women of the United States Coast Guard," she said.
The proclamation will be presented to Coast Guard members on Saturday during the annual “We Applaud You” event at the Harborside Convention Center. Tickets for the event are available through the Chamber of Commerce.
Brianna Gibbs/KMXT
October will be a busy month in Kodiak. The Kodiak City Council made a number of proclamations during Thursday’s regular meeting that celebrate certain days, weeks and even the entire month. First up, Mayor Pat Branson proclaimed October 6 as United States Coast Guard appreciation day.
“Where as the citizens of Kodiak wish to acknowledge and honor the men and women of the United States Coast Guard," she said. "And where as members of the coast guard are our friends and neighbors who contribute their time and talents to the well being of our community and where as we are deeply grateful to the men and women of the community and their families for their sacrifices and devotion to duty which preserve the safety of our country, our state, our fishermen and the boating public. Where as the Kodiak community will gather on October 6, 2012, in celebration to honor and thank all members of the coast guard and their families. Now therefore I, Pat Branson, mayor of the City of Kodiak, Alaska, do hereby proclaim October, 6, 2012, Coast Guard Appreciation Day in Kodiak.”
The proclamation will be presented to Coast Guard members on Saturday during the annual “We Applaud You” event at the Harborside Convention Center. Tickets for the event are available through the Chamber of Commerce.
Next on the city’s proclamation list was recognizing fire safety and prevention week. Councilman Gabriel Saravia shared some fire safety statistics.
— (City Proclamations 2 :15 “Fires killed more than 2,600 people in the United States in 2010. According to the latest research from the National Fire Protection Association, fire departments in the United States responded to more than 369,000 home fires.”)
He said the week of October 7 through the 13 will be fire prevention week in Kodiak, and he encourages all residents to make sure they have a fire escape plan in place and all members of the family know what to do in case of an emergency. Firefighter Dan Farmer accepted the proclamation and said the fire departments in Kodiak will be doing educational outreach to make sure that citizens have at least two ways out of their home in case of a fire. He said often those two exits are a door and window.
Finally, the council acknowledged the entire month as domestic violence awareness month. Councilman Charlie Davidson read that proclamation.
— (City Proclamations 3 : 31 “Where as historically women have been and continue to be victims of violence in their own homes with a women beating every 15 seconds. And where as the problems of family violence are not confined to any group or groups of people, but affects all economic, racial and affectional preference and social groups. And where as domestic violence can result in emotional damage, physical harm or death to members of the family union. And the FBI statistics show that at least 30 percent of all homicide victims are killed by their boyfriends or husbands.”)
Davidson said the Kodiak Women’s Resource and Crisis Center will sponsor a variety of events throughout October to focus attention on battered women and children and shelter services that help.
Victoria Mapalo (Map-uh-low) works for the crisis center and accepted the proclamation on behalf of the organization.
— (City Proclamations 4 : 33 “I am happy to be a part of the solution to ending domestic violence. Domestic violence does not only affect the victims, it affects the entire community. This is why it is so important to truly understand the problem and support those who suffer from it. By our community standing together, we will show that violence is not the solution to life’s problems. Thank you again to everybody for this proclamation and thank you for your support in working with this important issue.”)
Domestic violence awareness month kicked off with a candle light vigil and prayer service last night to remember those who have died from domestic abuse. ###
