ote Yes on 1
Dear Editor: I find it hard to believe oil companies that make billions of dollars per year in profits (reference 2013 Annual Stockholder’s Reports: ExxonMobil $32.6 billion earnings, BP $23.6 billion profit attributable to stockholders, ConocoPhillips $9.2 billion earnings) do not have the cash on hand for exploration, development and operations in Alaska. I chose these three companies as examples because they were the top contributors to the “Vote No on 1” newspaper adds.
$2 billion dollars a year for the overall oil company world is nothing. $2 billion dollars a year in oil tax revenue is critically needed for funding municipal projects throughout Alaska.
Please vote “Yes” to Repeal SB 21 on Tuesday, Aug. 19.
Mary Beth Nelson, Sitka
Hospital Stay
Dear Editor: I recently had surgery over at SEARHC Hospital. I would like to thank Dr. Crochelt, all the staff who helped in surgery and recovery room, the day shift and night shift staff who took very good care of me. I feel you went over and beyond your job. Thank you so much. Thanks to the kitchen staff for the good food and to the staff who kept my room clean. Don’t take this the wrong way, but I hope I don’t see you all any time soon. Finally, thank you to my wife who is always there for me and thank you, Zeylinn, for just being you.
Frank E. Joseph, Sitka
Cold Showers
Dear Editor: As one of the silent majority, I finally have to say something, regarding the suggestion by an unnamed city official who recommends cold showers as a way to save energy. Let him or her go first. I would rather save by stopping unnecessary and expensive city improvements.
Pretty soon no one except for city officials will be able to afford to live here.
Let’s finish the already ill-advised improvements which need to be finished and like any sensible person, quit spending money. As regarding cold showers, I’d rather bathe every other day, use lots of cologne or shower with a friend (er, husband). The aforementioned husband says nobody takes their opinions seriously anyway. And our opinions don’t count. What’s next: bathing in Indian River?
A cold shower appalled citizen,
Peggy Rice, Sitka
The Case for Yes
Dear Editor: Alaskans will be making a very important decision this Tuesday when the fate of Ballot Measure 1 is decided in the primary election. I am not an economist or oil tax expert but I have tried to follow the arguments on both sides of the issue. The basic argument for the “No” proponents is that Gov. Parnell’s (SB21) oil tax will eventually create new jobs by vastly increasing North Slope Oil production. However, I have seen very little specific information to back up this prediction. Several questions come to mind that concern me. How long will it take to bring all this new oil production online? Why aren’t the billions in oil company tax savings earmarked for re-investment in Alaska? Why does the oil industry need a tax break on legacy oil fields that are currently providing them with record profits?
I find the arguments for a “Yes” vote presented by Sen. Stedman and UAS Professor Tilsworth in recent Sentinel articles to be much more compelling. Sen. Stedman makes the case that the SB21 is not fair and equitable to the owners of the Alaska’s oil (the citizens of the State). He pointed out that Alaska collected $1.5 billion dollars less in taxes this year compared to the revenue that would have been generated using North Dakota’s conservative oil tax structure as a benchmark. Professor Tilsworth also discussed the many inequities in the current SB21 tax structure and predicted that billions in lost tax revenue is more likely to result in a net loss of Alaskan jobs (think lost funding for schools and capital projects). The same Legislature that passed SB21 is predicting a future budget crisis where State savings accounts will be exhausted in three years.
So the Vote No Campaign is asking us to believe that a $2 billion annual give away to Big Oil is the best fix for the looming State budget deficit? More likely you will be told to sign over your PDF dividend to the State of Alaska if the “No” vote prevails. Vote YES on Proposition 1!
Steve Paustian, Sitka
Elks Dinner
Dear Editor: We would like to thank everyone for showing up for the benefit dinner, for all the support you have given me and my family. Cannot put into words how much we appreciate the spirit and love of all the people in our community.
We would like to thank the Elks Lodge and staff, everyone that brought desserts and other donations for the auction,to everyone volunteering their time and effort for the benefit dinner.
Thank you to Doug Helem, Ken Helem, Merrill Rice, Chaz and Lauren Estes, Tim Burnard, Charlie Bacon, Tim Chartier, Mike Coleman and Jarrett Hirai for all the help with the food for the dinner.
Thanks so much to Dave and Lauren Allen for the raffle prize donation of a cruise for two from Alaska Dream Cruises, Scott and Laura from Harris Aircraft for their donation to the raffle of an aircraft tour.
Thanks to Ken and Carole Helem and Sitka Electric for everything you guys have done.
Thanks to Chris Balovich from CBC Construction for all your help with the railing.
Lots of love and thanks to all my family and friends for all your support, rides, dinners, fish, kind gestures and encouraging comments.
Thanks to Anne Davis, Doug Helem, Lisa Langenfeld, Lauren Allen, Wendy Alderson, for everything you guys have done. I’m forever in your debt.
To everyone in this great community that we didn’t mention, thank you for everything! We feel privileged to live in such a supportive and loving community. We are forever grateful!
Corey and Nora Stewart, Sitka
