Self-Reliance
Dear Editor: The front page article on March 29 entitled “Scholar Tells Sitkans About Tsunami Risks” quotes Craig Warren, Sitka Fire Chief and Emergency Response Coordinator, as saying that he worries more about the Cascadia Fault (potentially affecting Seattle) than he does the Queen Charlotte (right next to Sitka), because a major seismic event on the Cascadia could shut down barge traffic that sustains Sitka.
“That one’s a very scary fault line, that’s going to interrupt some serious shipping for us … all our heating fuel in the winter, all our food, all of our supplies – everything from the sodas you don’t really need to the toilet paper that’s going to make it uncomfortable, this is a serious issue,” Warren said. “My opinion is that 99 percent of Sitkans do not have the capability to self-sustain for 14 days and that is what we would like. We would like a food cache.” He went on to say that there could also be communication infrastructure breakdowns and that everyone needs a plan.
We don’t know when we might have to deal with an earthquake or tsunami in Seattle or in Sitka, but we do know that the fossil fuel for barges is getting more expensive and its availability is less certain as we face the climate emergency and international supply chain challenges. Shouldn’t we be insuring our resilience with local food production, heating with electric heat pumps, and figuring out how to get around without gasoline?
Fourteen days of self-reliance is not enough for what may be ahead for us, our children, or our grandchildren. We need a community vision to set priorities for ourselves and for our local government. We have the creativity and community spirit in Sitka to plan for a decrease in barge service and developing a circular economy, relying on each other to meet our community needs in changing times.
Carol Voisin, Sitka
Fundraiser Thanks
Dear Editor: Merci Beaucoup! A very heartfelt thank you to all who were involved in Saturday night’s Sitka Pregnancy Center Gala. The transformation of the Harrigan Centennial Hall Auditorium to the ‘‘Streets of Paris’’ was magical! So many Silent Auction items to bid on and the ‘‘Lamps and Lampshades…’’ Oh my!!
A special thank you to all the artists who gave freely of their time and talents. We are so blessed in Sitka! The street vendors, flower sellers, and our auctioneer kept us all happily emptying our wallets. The Gala was a huge success – not just financially, but also for the sheer joy of having folks come together to celebrate life and Sitka’s families. Thank you for being a part of this event. Can’t wait until next year when we uncover what can be created with ‘‘Paper & Books.’’
Sitka Pregnancy Center
Board of Directors
