Daily Sitka Sentinel

October 14, 2016, Letters to the Editor

Support for JKT

Dear Editor: Another election cycle, another Republican challenger to Rep. JKT on another platform of “vote for me because I’m a Republican and we need more Republicans in office.”

This election more than ever, we have been inundated with candidates who don’t have the experience or comprehensive platform necessary to represent us.

It just doesn’t make much sense.

First, look what the last few years of a Republican-controlled Legislature have done to Alaska?

We’ve gone backwards big time. Ms. Finkenbinder has based her campaign on joining a bunch of Republicans who’ve been holding Alaska back, rather than letting our state move forward in a positive direction.

In my mind, that’s a good reason, NOT to support her campaign. In light of a fiscal meltdown, and climate crisis, it’s time for our state to be moving forward to combat these challenges.

Second, the Republican majority in the House is on the brink of getting relegated out of power. And given the last few years, for very good reason.

Remember when we had the Bipartisan Working Group in the Senate? It was because he and a few moderate Republicans, including Sen. Stedman, joined up with all the Senate Democrats, including urban Democrats, to create a bipartisan coalition.

Alaska is on the brink of the same in the House of Representatives because people are getting tired of the Railbelt Republican leadership that Ms. Finkenbinder has based her campaign on supporting.

A number of critical seats already switched in the primary election. We’re close to having a moderate-led bipartisan coalition in the House. Supporting JKT gets us closer to that reality.

Finally, in a political climate where I find it hard to trust those making decisions for this country, and this state, Rep. JKT is one of the few that I can trust. He works hard. He is collaboration- and compromise-oriented. He works with everyone and co-sponsors bills with legislators on the basis of logic and objective, rather than party affiliation.

We need that more than ever in the Alaska Legislature. Please join me in supporting JKT.

Zoë Kitchel, Sitka

Margaret Stock

Dear Editor: Climate change is an issue that I have difficulty ignoring now, though I have not been involved in conservation issues for most of my life. When I was serving on the Sitka Tribe of Alaska tribal council a few years ago I attended several conventions of the National Congress of American Indians. At those meetings I heard Native leaders from up north speak about how climate change is affecting their community. A few years ago we had a Mt. Edgecumbe student from up north speak to this issue in our community. I believe that they are the proverbial “canary in the mine” sounding the alarm. 

The Juneau Empire recently posted an interview online Oct. 10 with U.S. Senatorial candidate Margaret Stock where she said, “I believe in science. I do believe humans have something,” to do with causing climate change. We (in Alaska)should be the nation’s laboratory on alternative energy, and that could be our contribution to combating climate change.” 

We need leaders who will be strong on this issue and not just give a little lip service. She supports the reversal of Citizens United Supreme Court decision. Stock said about the Canadian mines operating upriver from Alaska Salmon streams: “I don’t want to see a mining concern on the other side of the border wreck a renewable resource.” 

I thought she did very well in the fisheries focused debate last Wednesday in Kodiak stressing that more can be done. Though she is running as an independent candidate she has been endorsed by former senator Mark Begich, Tongass Democrats and Diane Benson. The control of the U.S. Senate is really in play this year and if Margaret Stock wins she would be in a strong position to represent Sitka and Alaska.

Dale S. Williams, Sitka

TB Past and Present

Dear Editor: Tuberculosis is a part of Sitka’s history, but did you know that TB now ranks alongside HIV as a leading cause of death worldwide? In 2014, TB killed 1.5 million people and HIV killed 1.2 million people. Multidrug-resistant is growing, increasing the cost, complexity and length of the treatment. Multidrug-resistant tuberculosis accounts for 3.3 percent of new TB cases and 20 percent of previously treated cases globally.

Wednesday evening Dr. Marilyn Coruzzi organized an excellent opportunity to hear about Sitka’s history with TB from the perspective of a panel of nurses. These nurses shared stories of success and joy they experienced in the early days of tackling the devastating disease of TB. 

“Learning from the past is a gift for the future.” Unknown.

Marge, Brownie, Judy and Shirley along with many other nurses, doctors, technicians and other dedicated individuals worked tirelessly in the late 1940s and through the 1950s to bring TB under control. Unfortunately, we can’t stop yet. To find out more about what you can do to Stop TB go to WWW.RESULTS.ORG

Sitka RESULTS,

Michele Friedman

Membership Drive

Dear Editor: Raven Radio would like to thank everyone who helped during our fall membership drive by pledging financial support, by donating time either on the air or answering phones, and most of all for listening! 

Our week of on-air fundraising was entertaining and successful again this Fall. The support we have received so far has pushed us over $65,000, on track to reach our $75,000 fall drive goal with our “If We Missed You” campaign. 

With extensive state budget cuts these past two years, our fundraising efforts are more important than ever and we rely on everyone who utilizes our services, whether by listening over the radio, streaming online or accessing news and information at kcaw.org to pitch in. 

So if we missed you, it’s not too late to show your support by making a contribution at kcaw.org. 

Thank you, Sitka, for continuing to value in this important community service.

Raven Radio staff and board