Whale Pass becomes new Alaska city

By The Associated Press
Thursday, February 2, 2017 11:20am
News

PETERSBURG — A small community on Prince of Wales Island in Southeast Alaska has become the state’s newest city.

Whale Pass was incorporated as a city following a final count by the state’s division of elections that determined a majority of residents approved the action, KFSK-FM reported (http://bit.ly/2jzi6M3) Tuesday. Of the 46 ballots, nearly 75 percent voted to give Whale Pass second city status.

Residents also voted this winter to form a city government and have elected seven people to serve on the city council.

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The new government has the power to levy taxes and provide services for a 26-mile area on the eastern part of the island.

Supporters of the incorporation say they had no immediate plans for new taxes but want to ensure the community continues to receive revenue sharing money from the state.

The former logging camp is now the state’s 116th second-class city.

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