Dear Friends in Christ,
Many of you have asked for more information about the radio station project in Thorne Bay, Alaska. The location is on Prince of Wales Island in southeast Alaska.
Janet and I were here for a few months in 2007 helping a missionary pastor. The New Hope Baptist Church that he pastors in Craig, Alaska has their own radio station that reaches approximately a 20 mile area because of the limited transmitter. This is a ministry of their church and they do not sell time so they can determine what will be broadcast on their station. There is a desire to start another station 53 miles away in Thorne Bay because most communities on the Island are clustered with few people living in between the towns.
There are 3 major Indian tribes in Southeast Alaska: Tshimpshian, Haida and Tinglit. A large population of these native people are located in Klawok and are reached by the station in Craig. There is a small community south of Thorne Bay which we hope to reach with a station in Thorne Bay as well as the communities of Thorne Bay and Thorne Bay South.
While working there in 2007, we were able to obtain a 2 ½ acre lot at the edge of the city limits at a high elevation that would allow further broadcasting. This was an answer to prayer as we were repeatedly told that private property for sale was a very difficult find. The property is paid for and there are no land taxes in Alaska or the town of Thorne Bay.
After acquiring the property, we hired an individual to clear the “logging slash” from the lot and were told to let the land sit. Since it had not been disturbed before, it would take time for it to settle before building should be done.
I then contacted the Alaskan Environmental Dept. to gain information concerning what is required for building on the property. I was told that the geographic location qualified us for alternative septic, power and water systems which means we would not need a septic tank and leech field. This would greatly reduce the cost. The alternative power sources would be wind or solar which is not decided at this point which would be most advantageous. If cost allows, we may use both. Regarding the water, this is our nation’s only rain forest and averages 120” per year (10 ft of water!). Most people use metal roofs and collect water into a holding tank as we plan to do.
Since we would be using a low radio frequency radio, there are no federal restrictions. The programming would be set up by computer and not need to be continually manned. We have asked the New Hope Baptist Church if we could be associated with their station so that people in need of counsel or with questions, would have someone more local that they could talk with.
Last year, I had a meeting with the city planner of Thorne Bay and was informed that there are no building codes for the city nor permits nor inspections required. He said they believed an individual should be able to build as he needs and wants within his financial range and it isn’t the city’s business what we do on private property. How refreshing!
I have contacted a Christian contractor who attends New Hope Baptist in Craig and plan on meeting him in Aug. to get estimates and discuss the next phase of development which would be bringing in rock for a drive base and to settle on an actual building pad for the building. The contractor has already given an estimate for the rock foundation work and the building to be approximately $127,000. As we presented this project this summer to some of you and your churches, we were asking for 130 people to donate $1,000 each. We have had interest and some gifts towards this project and planning to develop the project as funds come in. The next phase is the rock work and the building pad. This is estimated at $8-10,000.
If any of you need more information, please call or email us with your questions. Gifts towards this project can be sent through our Mission Office with an added note indicating the desire to help in the radio station project in Thorne Bay. We do appreciate your prayers with us as we see how God will work in this opportunity.
In Christ,
Sam & Janet Grammer
