SMC Road Phase III
Dear Editor: What was once one of the most beautiful and breath taking drives in ALL of Alaska, is now about to become (sadly) the “Biggest Eyesore” in the history of Sitka. Are they building a four-lane highway? Are they chasing “quarry rock” for a new deepwater dock, that we’ve voted down numerous times? Are they clear cutting and quarrying a huge corridor all the way to the old mill (once nearly a Superfund site) to install additional “high voltage” power lines because of the Blue Lake Dam Project? What would cause DOT to radically and permanently scar this glimmering area we all know as Silver Bay and Whale Point?
Sitka, you’ve been misled. They did agree with Sitka Trail Works’ requests to add a walk and bike path, but as they rip out part of the Phase 2 Improvement, and tear out the unique boardwalk at Whale Park, you may begin to have your doubts of their true intent. Fellow Sitkans, go look for yourselves. This Sunday, gather your pets and family and go for your weekly Sunday drive along the peaceful shores of Silver Bay, shimmering against stunning Bear Mountain. You can draw your own conclusion, but I think you will all agree, after you reflect on how this “Diamond in Sitka” once was, you’ll probably have to swallow pretty hard to drive, walk or even bike along this blasted, chiseled, cut and quarried shoreline. Don’t get me wrong I’m not against forest practises, nor am I against quarries. Again, go see for yourself. DOT’s best-kept secret. For you new folks, as well as “old time” Sitkans, “What once was, is now no more.” I don’t want this to be the biggest $12 million eyesore in Southeast. I hope I’m wrong. What a travesty.
Brian Beall, Sitka
Farewell
Dear Editor: With the signing of the Severance Agreement this morning, my departure as the Municipal Administrator for the City and Borough of Sitka will become official. I commend the Assembly for working with me to come to a fair and equitable agreement. For that I wish to thank all the members of the Assembly for dealing with my departure in a friendly and professional manner.
As a “city manager/administrator, I was well aware that I serve at the pleasure of the Assembly and that the time will come when it is time for me to move on. Today is that day, but it is certainly not without regret as I have enjoyed each and every day as the Municipal Administrator. It has at all times been a challenge but one that was made easier with the dedicated members of the Assembly and staff that I had the pleasure of working with over the past five years plus.
I am most pleased to have had the opportunity to live in and serve the community of Sitka as I have thoroughly enjoyed the support of my staff and the community as a whole. I certainly did not get everything right all the time, but I did my best, and I know I have left the community a better place to live. Sitka will always be special to my wife and I. For that I thank Sitka for making our time here an experience of a life time.
God speed til we meet again.
Jim Dinley,
Municipal Administrator,
City and Borough of Sitka
Dinley
Dear Editor: ‘‘Ride, shoot straight, and tell the truth. That is the ancient law of youth.’’
Kudos to James Dinley III.
To his detractors, ‘‘look in the mirror.’’
Jeff Kinnan, Sitka
