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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Sentinel Staff Writer
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This Week in Girls on the Run
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Sitka police received the following calls by 8 a.m. today:
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At 2:10 p.m. a man e [ ... ]
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Daily Sitka Sentinel
Green Lake Funds Again a City Priority
By SHANNON HAUGLAND
Sentinel Staff Writer
Sitka will not be receiving Congressional earmark funding to rehabilitate two turbines at the Green Lake hydro plant, the Assembly was told Tuesday.
That information came from the city public and government relations director, Melissa Henshaw, in her report to the Assembly on this year’s list of the city’s legislative priorities.
The list is drawn up annually in the city’s quest for state and federal funding of local projects.
Last year’s request to Alaska’s Congressional delegation included $10 million for Phases II and III of the Green Lake upgrade, Henshaw said.
The city learned earlier this month through its lobbyist that an earmark by U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski didn’t make it past the final step of the process to allocate the federal funds. “We didn’t ultimately receive funding for Green Lake that we originally thought,” Henshaw said.
“Support for Sitka’s Working Waterfront” is at the top of this year’s list, followed by expanding housing and childcare access, and funds for the airport terminal improvements.
Green Lake is on the list again, at $11 million this time.
After little discussion, the Assembly approved the 2024 list on a 6-0 vote at its regular meeting Tuesday night.
The opening paragraph of the memo on the priority list cites the support of Sitka voters for a critically needed boat haulout by voting to invest $8.2 million into the project. Another $4 million is needed for the basic facility, and another $5 million for Phase 2, which includes a shipyard.
Another working waterfront item is $6 million for upgrades, including to the electrical system, at Eliason Harbor.
The housing and childcare priority is related to the expansion of SEARHC hospital and healthcare services and the arrival of a Coast Guard fast response cutter that will be stationed here.
In the childcare request item, the priority sheet says, “There is only one childcare spot for every 3.5 children under 5.5.”
In its funding request to the Legislature, the city is asking for help with the transfer of state-owned lands in the Indian River valley for housing development.
Other items on the priority list are:
– funding for the $33 million airport terminal improvement project to meet increased demand. The city has contributed $4 million, and most funding is expected through the FAA.
– continued state support of the seaplane base being built on Japonski Island.
– funding for utility infrastructure and deferred maintenance costs related to the expectation of 500 new residents with the SEARHC and Coast Guard expansions.
– $20 million to relocate the police department headquarters and jail to larger quarters.
– traffic and safety improvements and transportation planning related to Sitka’s tourism growth.
– adequate and consistent Marine Highway System service.
A separate section cites “unfunded mandates” and asks for matching funds for harbors, maintaining Sitka’s EPA 301(h) waiver, 70 percent reimbursement of school bond costs, and predictable funding for schools.
One of the final items asks for the state to fund the Community Assistance program for unfunded mandates “such as state-required property tax exemptions.”
Assembly member Thor Christianson said he would like a priority item for money to plan housing development on city land near Sitka High School and along Kramer Avenue.
“I’d like to see us add something in for that because we’ve got a lot of planning to do to be able to pull it off,” he said.
City Administrator John Leach noted that city staff had this need in mind with the item seeking $500,000 to $750,000 for a feasibility study on increased access to housing, and that city staff has also talked with state Sen. Bert Stedman about this.
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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.