Cruise Tourism
Dear Editor: It isn’t news that the uptick in cruise tourism the past two years has disrupted many lives in Sitka, in countless ways. For many residents, cruise visitation in Sitka crossed the line from welcome or tolerable tourism to over-tourism – in an overshoot many believe requires correction.
That’s how our new organization, Small Town SOUL, sees the situation. We are pro-tourism – including cruise, convention and independent tourists/travelers – and believe that Sitka can have a strong economy with the cruise component reduced to a scale that is in balance with the reasons Sitkans choose to live here.
Our roundabout rally midday Monday commemorated both the start of another “oversized-ship” cruise season – in a month when even some businesses would rather not have ships – and the season’s kick-off by a mega-ship of a size emblematic of the discord in town.
We regret and apologize for one sign at the rally that the rest of us hadn’t noticed, and which some in town have rightly noted was unfitting.
For those who feel visitors were caught in the middle, you’re right – but we hope you will recognize that many of your fellow Sitkans are caught in the middle, too, by the ongoing cruise over-tourism.
We did try to be kind, yet informative, with our signs. In the end the message is to the cruise industry, that dramatic change is needed.
Our attention will now turn to a third initiative, which is the reason our nonprofit formed.
Our website is https://smalltownsoul.org. The acronym for SOUL is Save Our Unique Lifestyle.
Klaudia Leccese, President
Small Town SOUL, Sitka
Tax-Aides Thanks
Dear Editor: For many years now, Sitka elders have had free tax service by a group of volunteers known as the AARP Foundation Tax-Aides.
They are Ted Allio, David Levesque, Barbara Beach, Denise Blankenship and Glory Fe Subillaga. Their services are free and they receive no compensation for their work. We are so thankful to this group!
For most of my life, I have done my own taxes but now I am unable. These wonderful people are doing a great service to me and others in our community. Thank you, thank you!
As an aside, I was told they are looking for volunteers to help them. Like so many of us, they are getting older. It’s just a matter of learning their computer system which is a lot like Turbo Tax. If you are interested, call David at 907 738-9489.
Mary Stevens, Sitka
