Harbor Rate Increases
Dear Editor: Hard-working fishermen and other harbor users who gave up evenings last winter trying to bring common sense to the 50-year harbor master plan can be forgiven if they thought the Assembly was listening.
After all city staff did recommend a more reasonable 6.15 percent annual increase for the next four years. Last night, however, city Finance Director Jay Sweeney let the cat out of the bag that city staff wants this 6.15 percent increase to continue until the year 2036. This would make Sitka’s current moorage rate of $31.68 per foot, already the second highest in Southeast Alaska, increase to $125 per foot by 2036. Sitka’s current moorage is currently higher than the $25 rate of Wrangell, the $24.58 rate of Ketchikan, the $24 rate of Hoonah, the $15 rate of Craig, or the $12 rate of Pelican.
In spite of the existing inequity of harbor rates in Southeast Alaska the city says their primary goal in this matter is to maintain competitive rates with our neighboring communities. Indeed. I wonder if Assembly members Phyllis Hackett and Mike Reif have read the previously mentioned master plan. It’s a plan, they say, that is the envy of all Alaska coastal communities. I believe it’s a plan that will destroy Sitka’s local fishing industry. Fishermen will still fish in the Sitka area but they won’t live or do business here.
Assembly members Hackett and Reif have got their words mixed up. It’s not envy other communities view this master plan with but relief that it’s Sitka’s plan and not theirs.
Matt Donohoe, Sitka
‘Dog Day’ Event
Dear Editor: Blatchley Middle School would like to thank the many people who made “Dog Day” enjoyable and significant to 20 of our students. All sixth-graders were given the option to be in the Dog Day Book Club by reading the book ‘‘Buddy’’ by MH Herlong. It is the story of a three-legged dog that goes missing in the chaos following Hurricane Katrina.
We appreciate Vicky Vosburg’s sponsorship of the event. This donation by Pet’s Choice Veterinary Hospital made it possible for book readers to enjoy a New Orleans meal: shrimp and sausage po’ boys, turkey gumbo and beignets. Thanks to Connie Oen for the donation of shrimp. We appreciate the help of Steven Lozano and Kathy Salo in setting up for the meal and book discussion.
A big thank-you to Brinkley, the nicest dog in the world, and to dog owner and Mt. Edgecumbe High School librarian, Erika Drain. Thanks to principal Bernie Gurule for facilitating the visit.
Students discussed the events and themes of the book and shared their own experiences and knowledge of New Orleans and Hurricane Katrina. We like to read at Blatchley Middle School!
Janelle Farvour, Kari Sagel,
Blatchley Middle School
SCS Wildfoods Potluck
Dear Editor: This past weekend’s Sitka Conservation Society Wildfoods Potluck was a sensational community event. The evening was filled with great food, wonderful people, and an amazing turnout of organizations.
With an event to celebrate and give thanks for nature’s bounty in Southeast Alaska, we too need to send out a huge thank you to a number of Sitkans, without whom this event would not have been possible. They included the cultural room at Mt. Edgecumbe, the Forest Service, and Sitka Local Food Network for tabling, staff at the SJ Campus, Jesse Remund and Patty Dick for sharing their subsistence stories and songs, numerous AmeriCorps and Jesuit Volunteers for the many tasks they willingly undertook that evening, and the community for creating edible masterpieces truly representative of the riches of Southeast.
A special thank you to our prize donors: Fishermen’s Eye Gallery, Mountain Miss, Russell’s and art from Lisa Teas and Sandra Greba at the Sitka Artist Co-op. A big thank you to Raven Radio and the Sentinel for helping us get the word out. Thanks to all who attended. We look forward to an even better event next year.
Ray Friedlander,
Tongass Forest
Community Organizer
Sitka Conservation Society
Music Festival
Dear Editor: Four Sitka High School musicians auditioned and were selected to attend the All State Music Festival in Anchorage in late November. This festival is part of the Alaska School Activities Association, a statewide nonprofit organization that sanctions 33 school activities and sponsors state competitions ranging from music, art, drama, debate, language, student government, and fall, winter and spring sports.
The festival is similar to a sports team state competition in that the players (musicians) have to be the best in the region, must practice many hours prior to the final game (performance) and work hard with a local coach (Mr. John DePalatis.) Players must also work with a new coach (out of state, college conductors for band, choir, and orchestra) over three, 10-hour days of rehearsals and performances. The Sitka players each had to learn to play with another 100-plus new players for the first time (other All State musicians) to create yet another team (band, choir, or orchestra) in a very short time period. The final games (performances) were professional and superb.
I was honored to see and hear Sitka High students Denley Arce, percussionist in band; Hallie Bernhoft, alto singer in treble choir; Lione Clare, violinist in orchestra; and Owen Fulton, bass singer in mixed choir, perform at the All State Music Festival’s gala event. The music you created together with your other statewide teammates was extraordinary.
Congratulations to you and to your coach, Mr. D. Go Team Music!
Krisanne Rice, Sitka
