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            The Kodiak Island Borough Assembly last night voted 4-2 to continue the process of building a new long-term care facility to be owned by the borough and operated by Providence. Assembly members Mel Stephens and Louise Stutes were the dissenting votes, while Assemblyman Tuck Bonney was absent.

            In June of last year, the assembly approved a contract with Architects Alaska to do the concept design and planning for the long-term care facility. Last night's action authorizes the company to proceed with completion of the design and building plans, at a cost of $481,653.

            During public comments two women spoke of their personal experiences with the current long-term care facility. Jacqueline Madsen said her mother is a resident of the current care center:

-- (Care 1                    40 sec              "I don't know how many ... improvement over the existing center.")

            Betty Walters said a new facility would make a difference for elders who want to continue making Kodiak their home.

-- (Care 2                    28 sec              "It doesn't take much to take ... community, who wish to stay.")

            Shawna Torgerson is the administrator for Bayview Terrace Assisted Living, she questioned why the borough would finance a long-term care facility and go into direct competition with private business. She also suggested Providence could buy Bayview Terrace and use it as a long-term care facility.

-- (Care 3                    18 sec              "Providence has already expressed ... and the downtown area.")

            However Pat Branson, who is the executive director of Senior Citizens of Kodiak which runs Island Cove and the senior center, did not like that idea:

-- (Care 4                    42 sec              "Bayview Terrace is not a viable ... sell a 34-year-old building?")