Daughter Kim spent the summer + working in Ketchikan and continues to follow developments in Alaska even though she is now back in MSP in graduate school. She just sent me a link to a Newsweek article authored by the mayor describing the “bridge to nowhere”. I kind of met the mayor. Actually, he was heading into his favorite bar while I was walking past. We passed within a few feet. Close enough to meeting a politician for me. According to my daughter, the mayor is very approachable and it would have been fine to start a conversation.
I understand the position of the mayor. When your there is described as nowhere by so many, it must be irritating. Perhaps living in North Dakota has encouraged this level of empathy.
I even understand where the bridge was supposed to be. We arrived on the island across the water from Ketchikan on the last flight of the evening. We boarded the boat (translation – a ferry) with the other passengers, pilots, crew, and airport workers and headed across. If the bridge to nowhere went to somewhere, I could have taken a taxi.
