SEDA Projects
Dear Editor: Building a platform to support entrepreneurship in Sitka is the key to the further success of the local economy according to Sitka Economic Development Association Director Gary White. Two of the major projects that he lists as priorities are a deep water bulk head dock and a boat haulout. Both of these facilities would be funded with government money and most likely be run by the City and Borough of Sitka. This doesn’t sound like building a platform to support entrepreneurship to me. It sounds like a platform to compete with entrepreneurship.
Halibut Point Marine Services LLC purchased the local marine boat haulout in 2005. Since that time the business was expanded to include a new wider haul out slip to accommodate larger vessels, fuel sales, a barge landing and freight transfer facility, and a deep water dock.
Two of the projects that Mr. White lists would be in direct competition with existing local businesses. He states that a vessel haulout facility would allow Sitka to offer the same services as Hoonah and Wrangell and that a number of boats leave Sitka to get serviced in other Southeast communities. Halibut Point Marine Services LLC operates an 88 metric ton boat haulout. Both Hoonah and Wrangell have lifts that will haul boats larger than the boat lift at Halibut Point Marine.
So the question is how many vessels are there in Sitka that cannot be hauled at Halibut Point Marine and have to go to Wrangell or Hoonah for haulout services. According to the State of Alaska Commercial Fishing Entry Commission database in 2013 there were 644 commercial fishing vessels registered to Sitka owners. Of the 644 vessels only 10 vessels that are larger than 58 feet. I know that there are also some non-commercial vessels that cannot be hauled at Halibut Point Marine but I would estimate that 95 percent of the vessels that are home ported in Sitka can be hauled out at Halibut Point Marine Services. In addition I would like to add that Halibut Point Marine Services hauled more vessels in 2013 than in 2005 and has not seen any decline in the number of boats hauled since the Wrangell and Hoonah boat yards have gone into operation.
Allen Marine has a dry dock located at their Jamestown Bay facility that likely can haul any of the vessels Halibut Point Marine cannot haul. Allen Marine primarily utilizes the dry dock for servicing their own vessels and I do not know if they have marketed the dry dock to other vessel owners. However, it seems to me that if there is a need for larger vessels to be hauled out and serviced in Sitka and it was economically viable, Allen Marine would look at offering this service.
A marine haulout at Sawmill Cove would do nothing but compete with existing locally owned businesses. In addition, like the Hoonah and Wrangell yards, I am confident it would be operated by the City and Borough of Sitka. With our current harbor rates increasing on an annual basis to pay for increasing maintenance and operation of our harbors, how is the city going to be able to afford operating a boat yard operation? The City of Kodiak opened a new boat yard in 2009 and posted a financial loss of $281,00 in 2011 and a loss of $302,000 in 2012. Can the City and Borough of Sitka Harbor Department afford to operate a haulout facility at a loss?
The second project Mr. White references is a deep water dock. Sitka already has a deep water dock privately funded and operated at Halibut Point Marine. This deep water dock saw 24 visits by cruise ships last season. Halibut Point Marine is actively working to attract new cruise ships to Sitka which if successful will benefit the entire community. Is a second deep water dock really needed?
If Mr. White believes his statement that a platform to support entrepreneurship is the key to the success of the local economy, then instead of pushing projects that compete with local business, SEDA and the Sawmill Cove Board need to find ways to promote the existing businesses in Sitka instead of finding ways to complete with them. The Sawmill Cove property needs to be sold off to private individuals and give entrepreneurs the opportunity to succeed. Silver Bay Seafoods is an excellent example of what private enterprise can accomplish at the Sawmill Cove Industrial Park.
Chris McGraw
Halibut Point Marine Services LLC
GMO-Free
Dear Editor: A week ago Saturday, the wind gusted to 54 mph, almost 2 inches of rain pelted the ground, and many wonderful, wet runners joined David and me as we slogged around the track at Moller Field. We ran 67 laps – more than 16 miles- to raise funds for our transcontinental run starting in January. About a days’ worth for the next seven months.
Big high fives to all who came out to soak their sneakers and enjoy delicious, GMO-free food. Thanks to everyone who donated and supported this event!
Big thanks to Peter Apathy for providing the sound system and to the good people at Evergreen Natural Foods, Murray Pacific, Birch Equipment Rental & Sales, Yellow Jersey, Botanika, El Burrito Loco, Kenny’s, Little Tokyo, Asian Palace, Russell’s, Agave, Pizza Express, and Ben Franklin.
David and I were on our second lap when a local pastor joined us and told us that he tells his congregation all about GMOs. Then, while running, he launched into spontaneous prayer for the success of our run and mission. I had experienced a similar event only days before from another good man.
These experiences resonate with me because we are running to protect our common stewardship of the Earth’s amazingly diverse and fragile environment. Yet regardless of spiritual beliefs, political affiliations, race and class, we find ourselves embraced with love and support. We’ve seen that love and support manifested with face to face donations as well as donations made at our online fundraising campaign.
If you haven’t donated yet, please do so as soon as possible and encourage your friends to do so as well. Your donation will inspire others to donate so we can reach our campaign goal. To make a donation, go to Indiegogo.com and search for “Running For a GMO Free USA.”
While we’re on the road, we look forward to talking up the good town of Sitka and the people who make it great. Thanks again for helping us make it happen!
Brett Wilcox, Sitka
