We have had some changes in Borough staffing over the last few months and I would like to bring everyone up to date. In addition to my position as mayor, the Northwest Arctic Borough has a total of eleven and one half full-time positions authorized for this fiscal year, two of which are vacant at this time. We also have four people working under contract currently as well as the law firm that represents Borough interests and the financial company that manages our bonding. Finally, the Borough has permanent part-time librarian positions in Kotzebue and Selawik.

I am happy to report that Tom Bolen, our Public Services Director, has returned to work after undergoing medical treatment for the past several months. While it will be a few more months before he returns to full strength, it appears that he is destined to make a full recovery from his cancer treatment. Tom does a great deal of work in support of our villages and is largely responsible for getting our Borough staff situated in our own beautiful facility this past year.

Nina Lie joined our staff in late July as our receptionist and Department of Motor Vehicles clerk. She replaces Angela Joule, who headed off to Lincoln Trail Community College in Illinois in pursuit of a career in nursing. Angela did a wonderful job at the Borough the last two years and we are sorry to see her leave. However, we are delighted that she has chosen such a worthwhile goal for herself and hope that she joins the staff at our regional health center one day.

Toni Johnson (Toni Evak prior to her recent wedding), has transferred from her position as Public Services Coordinator to Deputy Borough Clerk, where she works under Borough Clerk Helena Hildreth. We hope to fill the vacant Public Services Coordinator position in the near future.

Cheryl Winkler has been working under contract to the Borough for the past several months as a grant writer. Applications for multipurpose buildings that include public safety offices have been submitted recently on behalf of Ambler and Shungnak to both USDA and the Denali Commission. There is a great deal of competition for funding for these types of facilities, but we are making our best effort to bring these and other improvements to our villages.

Kim Franklin, formerly of Wells Fargo Bank, joined our staff in January and is an Associate Planner. She works under Planning Director Noah Naylor and is responsible for assisting our cities with comprehensive planning. Our third department is Economic Development, which continues to be headed by Director Lee Stoops. Vika Owens is the Arts Program Manager and has now been with the Borough for a full year.

Tula Lie has been the Borough Controller for the last 14 years and maintains all of our accounting records. Our CPA, under contract, is Judy Hassinger.

Former State Senator Al Adams, who has been working as a consultant for our Assembly for the past three years, is now under contract as the Borough's lobbyist. We believe that his legislative experience, vast knowledge of state government, and positive working history with so many of our state leaders will help him serve the Borough well.

I would like to congratulate and extend best wishes to two former Borough employees who recently accepted new jobs in Kotzebue. Former Borough Clerk and Mayor's Assistant Valarie Romaine is now working for the University of Alaska at Chukchi Campus. Charlie Gregg, a former Borough Deputy Planning Director, has accepted a position with the State Department of Fish and Game.