TRUCK FIRE – Firefighters knock down a fire in a Ford Explorer truck in Arrowhead Trailer Park in the 1200 block of Sawmill Creek Road Saturday evening. One person received fire-related injuries and was taken to the hospital, Sitka Fire Department Chief Craig Warren said, and the truck was considered a total loss. The cause of the fire is under investigation, Warren said. The fire hall received the call about the fire at 5:33 p.m., and one fire engine with eight firefighters and an ambulance were dispatched, he said. (Sentinel Photo by James Poulson)

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Assembly Advances Masks Ordinance

By SHANNON HAUGLAND
Sentinel Staff Writer

After hearing two hours of often heated and emotional public testimony about face mask mandates the Assembly voted 4-2 in favor of an ordinance that would put a city mask mandate in effect whenever the COVID alert is “high.”

If it passes on final reading September 28, the ordinance will be in effect for the next six months. It calls for an automatic mask mandate to end once the official COVID alert in Sitka drops below “high.”

In favor were Rebecca Himschoot, Kevin Mosher, Crystal Duncan and Deputy Mayor Thor Christianson, who presided at the meeting. Voting against were Valorie Nelson and Kevin Knox. Co-sponsors were Christianson, Himschoot and Duncan. 

Mayor Steven Eisenbeisz was absent because he is representing Sitka at the Southeast Conference meeting in Haines.

Some testimony opposing masks was followed by clapping and cheering in the audience, drawing admonitions from Christianson, other Assembly members and once by Police Chief Robert Baty, calling for decorum and respect for all of those coming forward to speak.

The item drew a packed house in the combined Meeting Rooms 5 and 6. Although the mask mandate currently in effect, many audience members were not wearing face coverings.

Most of the audience testimony was against the mask mandate, or at least making it a matter of personal choice, including some business owners who said mandates hurt business and were not enforceable. Others who spoke questioned the effectiveness of masks in stopping the spread of the virus.

The minority of speakers in favor of the mask policy said masks provide protection to others, help bring the case numbers down, protect health care providers, and keep schools open.

When the meeting approached the mandatory 10:30 p.m. adjournment time, with a few items left on the agenda, it was ended until 6 p.m. Thursday.

In other business Tuesday the Assembly gave final approval to the transfer of city land at 1410 and 1414 Halibut Point Road to the Sitka Community Land Trust for its affordable housing project. On other land issues the Assembly approved zoning text changes and rezoning of the 4951 Halibut point Road property to Recreation (see story below), and supported the development of a new seaplane base at the north end of Japonski Island.

The Assembly also approved a few other items on first reading, including supplemental budget appropriations for a new position in the IT department and on refunding school bond debt. 

Mask Ordinance

Public testimony on masks was off to a rough start after Christianson proposed limiting public testimony to one minute per speaker, in view of the number of those wanting to testify and a lengthy meeting agenda. Usually testimony of up to three minutes is allowed.

In the end, the Assembly settled on two minutes per person.

The discussion and public testimony lasted from about 6:45 to 9 p.m.

About 27 spoke against and eight spoke in favor.

The mask mandate currently in effect was approved at an emergency meeting in late July, when Sitka averaged 20 COVID cases per day. It was extended in late August, and is set to expire September 28 or sooner if the risk level goes below “high.” Sitka has been on high alert since early July.

The new ordinance, if passed on final reading, would put the mask mandate into effect whenever the risk is at “high” and expire at any level below that. The expiration date of the ordinance is March 22, 2022.

It calls for the nose and mouth coverings to be worn in certain indoor public settings or communal spaces outside the home. That includes grocery stores, pharmacies, retail stores, restaurants and bars (except while eating or drinking), taxis, childcare facilities and public transport.

There are a number of exceptions, including for children under 2, individuals with medical conditions or communications impairments, and in activities that can’t be conducted safely while wearing a face covering, the ordinance said. The exception also applies to musicians, presenters, ministers and others communicating to an audience or being recorded.

On top of the arguments for and against the ordinance itself for a number of reasons, there were several comments from the audience and Assembly about the divisive nature of the issue, and the need to show respect to each of the speakers.

“You’ve got to maintain decorum,” Christianson told the audience more than once.

From the public, Blossom Teal commented: “This isn’t the Sitka I know. ... This is a community divided. It’s sad to see it this way.”

Many of the comments had been voiced in previous Assembly discussions on the issue. Arguments against included the efficacy of masks, infringing on individuals’ rights, problems of enforcement, the constitutionality of the mandate, medical privacy, and public policies on the pandemic.

Those in favor, including two health care providers, spoke about the efficacy of masks in preventing the spread of the virus, the lack of ICU beds due to the rising number of cases in other parts of Alaska, protecting kids too young to be vaccinated, and the need to keep schools open for live instruction.

Roger Hames, head of the family-owned Hames Corporation, said the current mandate has caused fights and discord among customers in his stores, and that starting at 10 a.m. today he would not require his customers or his 150 employees to wear masks, but would make it a decision by the individual.

His comment drew enthusiastic applause, and a break was called.

Reached by the Sentinel today, Hames clarified his position, saying that he wears a mask “for myself and others around me.” He said he believes in the efficacy of masks, and recommends members of the public and employees wear a mask in the store. But he said it is up to them. He said he is not supportive of the mandate, which he said had created problems in the stores. He has received reports of “customers shouting at each other,” and does not see how the mandate can be enforced. He added that this “does not necessarily mark a change from our previous position: We are not enforcing the mandate for our customers or employees.”

Signs were still up at Sea Mart today saying, “For our neighbors, for our community, please wear a mask.” 

Other members of the business community spoke against a mask mandate. Stacy Mudry, owner of Sitka Ready-Mix, said, “It’s bad for business,” and that the decision to wear a mask should be up to individuals.

Jeremy Twaddle, another business owner, said, “The mandate has caused a huge divide,” and individuals should have the choice of wearing a mask or not.

Medical providers who testified emphasized the seriousness of the current situation with the pandemic, and on the efficacy of masks. Dr. Valerie Edwards, who spoke as an individual and physician, called attention to the recent news out of Anchorage, with Providence Alaska Medical Center announcing it is implementing crisis standards and rationing medical care due to the increase in cases. A letter from Providence to the public asked Alaskans to get vaccinated and wear masks regardless of vaccination status.

The Assembly weighed in with comments about the tenor of the meeting as well as their reasons for voting for or against.

Mosher said he was influenced by listening to the information available, including from state Chief Medical Officer Dr. Anne Zink, who recommended masks and getting vaccinated when she spoke to the Assembly recently. “My position has not changed,” he said. He added that the new ordinance is the same as the one currently in effect, and expires when Sitka is out of “high.”
Duncan said the current level of infections is “overwhelming” the healthcare system, and updated fellow Assembly members on the hospitals at or nearing capacity at places around the state.

Christianson said the point of masks is to protect others.

“Is this perfect? There’s no such thing as perfect. ... I think it’s the right thing to do,” he said. After the vote, a break was called and the room cleared.

Land Transfer

The Assembly in other business voted 5-1 to approve transfer of a tract of city-owned land at 1410 and 1414 HPR to the Sitka Community Land Trust.

In favor were Knox, Mosher, Duncan, Himschoot and Christianson. Nelson was against.

The land trust nonprofit has built three homes on the adjacent land at 1306 HPR. Voters in 2006 voted in favor of using the old city shops property for affordable housing. When the Assembly transferred 1306 HPR to the land trust in 2015, it agreed to transfer or sell 1410 and 1414 to the trust “pending clear demonstration by SCDC that they are able to use such parcels consistent with the Oct. 3, 2006 vote.”

A few members of the public questioned whether the $270,000 estimated price of one of the new houses could actually be considered affordable. (The sale price is for the structure, not the land, which is kept in trust ownership in order to make the home more affordable.)

“Things have changed a lot in 15 years,” Nelson said, referring to the 2006 vote. She said the city should be looking at other options than the land trust model.

Duncan said the new homes are much less expensive by square footage to other homes in Sitka, and savings will be derived from the fact that the homes are new and should not need repairs anytime soon. She also noted that they are energy efficient.

From the land trust, co-executive director Mim McConnell said the new development and homes for sale are meeting a need for those who don’t make enough to purchase homes on the open market but can qualify for a mortgage. She said the project will help the new homeowners start building equity, and that there are protections in place to keep the homes “always affordable.”

Other business

In other business, the Assembly voted 5-1, with Nelson against, in favor of a resolution supporting the development of the new public use seaplane base at the “preferred location” on the north end of Japonski Island.

Voting in favor were Christianson, Duncan, Himschoot, Knox and Mosher.

There were a number of objections to the location from the SEARHC Raven’s Way program, but those testifying said they were speaking for themselves and as SEARHC employees. (Story in Thursday’s Sentinel.)

Left on the agenda for action on Thursday is a resolution to the U.S. and Canadian governments calling for a ban on tailings dams and halt to the permitting, exploration and development of Canadian mines along the Alaska B.C. transboundary salmon rivers.

Also, there are proposals for a sales tax holiday and on benches outside Harrigan Centennial Hall.

 

 

 

Comments  

 
# david curran 2021-09-15 16:54
Our neighbors have become our rulers. None of those voting yes to forward the mandate gave any acknowledgment to those who spoke in opposition.
This has created a great divide in our community turning neighbor against neighbor.
 
 
# Brian Massey 2021-09-15 17:06
If their is a mandate by he assembly, and their is. Then if a business chooses to ignore it. Yank their business license.
 
 
# david curran 2021-09-15 18:07
Another neighbor trying to be a ruler. It is not the businesses job to enforce mandates.
You sure would be at a loss if all the Hames Businesses closed.
 
 
# Pete & Linda Jones 2021-09-16 00:01
I don't have the answers, not looking for a fight. What I would like to do is share the last notes of a person very special to me & my family. I don't think she will mind. I will leave it up to you to decide if this story is something you want in your family...
August 3rd sunrise Best thing that happened during my stay at SEARHC from Fri-Wed Until today when I finally got to go home! Please stay safe all my friends & family Covid19 w/Delta variant is a horrible thing to get! I'm very happy to be home! Still not completely well but much better than I was Fri. I love each & everyone one of you who are family & friends of mine!
 
 
# Pete & Linda Jones 2021-09-16 00:15
follow up messages...
August 7, this has been absolutely a horrible experience! I'm glad to be home although I'm still having a really hard time keeping my O² above 85% quite often I'm in the low 70's. This morning I think I cracked a rib from coughing so hard! That has made this even worse than before! At least out of the hospital I am coughing up stuff. It was way too dry to get anything out of my lungs when I was in the hospital.
August 9th she was shipped to Anchorage and put on a ventilator.
August 16th she died in Anchorage. She was from Sitka, one of us.
Just days after her death our son, daughter & grandbabies along with daughters parents tested positive for the Delta variant. All adults had completed their Moderna vaccines.
Knowing there is no vaccine to stop the Delta variant, what would you do to protect someone you love?
 

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20 YEARS AGO

March 2004

Businesses using the Centennial Hall parking lot testified Tuesday against a proposal to charge them rent in addition to the $200 annual permit fee. City Administrator Hugh Bevan made the proposal in response to the Assembly’s direction to Centennial Hall manager Don Kluting to try to close the $340,000 gap between building revenues and operational costs.


50 YEARS AGO

March 1974

Alaska Native Brotherhood Grand President William S. Paul Sr. will be special guest and speaker at the local ANB, Alaska Native Sisterhood Founders Day program Monday at the ANB Hall.

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