LUTHERAN QUILTERS – Members of the Quilts for Comfort Group stand between pews draped with some of the 205 quilts they made, in the Sitka Lutheran Church Tuesday. The group made the quilts for five local non-profits and one in Anchorage. The remaining quilts are sent to Lutheran World Relief which distributes them to places around the world in need, such as Ukraine, as part of Personal Care Kits. Pictured are, from left, Helen Cunningham, Kathleen Brandt,Vicki Swanson, Paulla Hardy, Kim Hunter, Linda Swanson and Sue Fleming. (Sentinel Photo by James Poulson)
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Daily Sitka Sentinel
City: Options Available If Utilities Are Cut Off
By GARLAND KENNEDY
Sentinel Staff Writer
Disconnection of electrical service for nonpayment of bills is to resume this month, but options are available for those affected, City Administrator John Leach said today.
The city had suspended its policy of cutting off power for nonpayment of bills last spring when Gov. Dunleavy declared a statewide state of emergency. That declaration and its extensions have expired, and on Tuesday the city announced the regular policy is to become effective March 8.
“We’ve been very sensitive to this,” Leach said in a phone interview today. “We understand that times are difficult, and the Assembly understands that as well. Back in the spring of last year we did everything we could to offer the lowest rates for the longest periods we were able to. We didn’t do any disconnects and we didn’t charge any penalties.”
All told, the city is owed just over $638,000 in late utility payments, Leach said.
Part of the city’s COVID-19 financial relief for residents the past year were distributions of $1,000 and $539.66 in credits toward utility bills. That program is over, but Leach emphasized other forms of aid are available. A first step for those needing help to pay their utility bills is to contact the city’s Accounts Receivable office at 907-747-1859 to form a payment plan, as specified in Chapter Four of the Sitka General Code.
“We’ve done as much as we absolutely can to help throughout this process, even when people would get behind,” Leach said.
The Alaska Housing and Finance Corp. offers rent and utility relief as well, and is accepting applications until the end of the day this Friday. Log on to alaskahousingrelief.org, or text “relief” to 1-833-440-0420.
Other sources of help are the Salvation Army, /https://sitka.salvationarmy.org/sitka_corps/sitka-corps-information, and Sitka Tribe of Alaska, at https://www.sitkatribe.org/pages/tribal-services-social-family-services. City employees also sometimes put part of their paychecks into a fund for utilities aid, which Leach said is used to help those in need.
The administrator said residents at risk of disconnection will receive a series of written warnings from the city.
“We send out a couple of notification letters as well before that (disconnect) happens,” he said. “Throughout this whole process some important things to consider here (are) we have been very sensitive to times being difficult for a lot of people.”
Utility bills are issued in cycles, and a disconnection date will be determined by these, the press release noted. For a household that receives bills around the 14th of the month (Cycle 2), disconnection due to nonpayment will occur the week of March 8, the city said.
Those who receive bills around the 21st of the month (Cycle 3) would be disconnected on the week of March 15.
Someone who receives bills around the 27th of the month (Cycle 4) would be disconnected due to nonpayment the week of March 22.
Those on Cycle 1 are issued bills around the 7th of a month and would face disconnection the week of March 29.
“The bottom line is March 8 we’re resuming our normal Sitka General Code-driven process,” Leach said. “Everybody here is willing to work with you if you call us and get on a payment plan and talk with us. We will try to make it work if we can.”
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20 YEARS AGO
March 2004
Advertisement: Tea-Licious Tea House & Bakery 315 Lincoln Street Grand Opening! Freshly Baked Scones, Cakes & Pastries Innovative Salads, Soups & Sandwiches Harney & Sons Tea. Lunch * Afternoon Tea * Supper.
50 YEARS AGO
March 1974
Photo caption: National Republican Chairman George Bush takes a drink of water offered by Jan Craddick, Sitka delegate, during the Republican convention held here. Mrs. Craddick explained to Bush that the water was from Indian River, which means, according to local legend, that he will return.