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

Assembly Turns Down Aid for COVID Victims

By ARIADNE WILL

Sentinel Staff Writer

A proposal to provide grants to Sitka residents required to isolate for ten days after testing positive for COVID failed on a 3-3 vote by the Assembly Thursday night.

The motion was on one of three emergency ordinances related to the COVID pandemic that were taken up at the Assembly’s special meeting Thursday night.

Rebecca Himschoot, Thor Christianson, and Kevin Knox voted in favor, and Crystal Duncan, Kevin Mosher and Steven Eisenbeisz voted against. Valorie Nelson was absent from the meeting.

The Assembly acted on two other emergency ordinances Thursday night – see related story on this page.

Five affirmative votes are required to pass an emergency ordinance. This one would have given $1,000 to anyone who has tested positive since July 1, with the city’s expense covered by a $300,000 item in the general fund. 

In the discussion, it was pointed out that more than $255,000 of the proposed $300,000 fund is already accounted for in cases since July 1.

But that wasn’t the point for Himschoot, who cosponsored the ordinance with Thor Christianson.

“I’m looking for solutions to bring our case count down,” she said at the meeting.

Himschoot said Sitkans shouldn’t have to choose between going to work – potentially spreading the virus – or getting well and staying safe.

She said, too, that employers can access federal funding to help, and that people could combine sick leave with that federal assistance. She noted that CARES funds that were thought to expire Dec. 31 of last year have been extended until September of this year.

Crystal Duncan expressed concern about pushing the motion through as an emergency ordinance, which can be passed on one vote and becomes effective immediately.

Duncan referred to emails she’s received over the past week, and said she hasn’t seen much support for the proposed subsidy.

She, too, was concerned about the financial impact of the ordinance.

Kevin Knox said he understood the hesitation, but also that he saw the importance of providing that funding to Sitkans.

“I, too, kind of hesitate on putting something through as an emergency (ordinance) tonight, though I know the need is there, now,” he said.

The Assembly heard comments from three people speaking from the public: Richard Wein, Mary Todd Andersen, and Jaylene Owen were all opposed to the passage of the ordinance.

Wein said he agreed with “the spirit” of the ordinance, but that to him spending $300,000 from the general fund with so little advance deliberation seemed a bad idea.

“You could be talking about a significant amount of money retrospectively and prospectively,” he said.

He also expressed concern about those who may ask for the grant but who may not need it.

Both Andersen and Owen agreed with Wein, and said they had planned on bringing up similar points.

“This is very misdirected and we don’t have unlimited funds,” Owen said.

Himschoot said she understood the hesitancy people had, but asked fellow Assembly members to keep in mind Sitkans who are struggling and who didn’t come to speak that night.

“I do understand that this could come forward at another time, not as an emergency ordinance,” she said, “but I think it’s important to remember the people who aren’t here in the room.”

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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.

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