Wing Bowl Benefit
Dear Editor: SSABC would like to thank all those who helped make our recent Wing Bowl fundraiser during the Super Bowl such an incredible success again this year. The Sitka Sound Aquatics Boosters Club (SSABC) supports competitive and recreational swimming for youth in Sitka through support of the SEAK swim team, Sitka High School swim team and Swim America swim lessons.
The Wing Bowl fundraiser could not have been possible without the support of the Channel Club and the dedication of Andy Stoner and Stephanie Brenner. We would also like to thank Sea Mart Quality Foods, Harris Aircraft Services, AC Lakeside, Brenner’s Fine Clothing and Gifts, Silver Basin, Petro Marine and Seaside Barbershop for their generosity.
A big thank you to all who purchased wings and everyone who donated their time to help make the Wing Bowl fundraiser such a huge success. We appreciate your support of our youths!
SSABC Board of Directors
Emergency Response
Dear Editor: The motto for Alaska’s Emergency Medical Services is ‘‘Neighbor Helping Neighbor,’’ and in the past several weeks I’ve been able to witness communities walking the walk, not just talking the talk.
Recently, a child was murdered in the village of Kake. Responding to the call for help, the Kake EMS and the community responded to one of the most dreadful scenes imaginable. In the wake of the event, resources flooded into Kake to help with the psychological and physical trauma surrounding it. Mental health professionals, counselors and clergy all stepped in to help but the volunteer responders in Kake needed time to grieve and begin healing.
It didn’t take long for the word to get out that the Kake EMS needed some support in the aftermath. All it took was a couple of phone calls and the region responded! In less than four hours after the request, both the Petersburg Fire Department and the Wrangell Fire Department had mobilized into four teams of two volunteers each to provide EMS coverage in Kake. Thanks to SEARHC EMS, we were able to fund the travel expenses incurred.
Their rapid ability to mobilize, deploy resources and network with each other and Kake EMS was astonishing to watch unfold. Their compassion, along with the blessings of their community governments, touched many and I can’t express just how moving it was to witness. It was also stunning to receive the multitude of calls from Ketchikan, Juneau and Sitka offering to facilitate with volunteers from those communities willing to donate money, transportation and manpower to help their fellow responders. I was truly humbled.
The community of Kake has a long recovery process ahead and it is hoped that by helping to shoulder the burden, however briefly, we’ve given them strength for the time ahead.
Thanks to the collaboration of S.E. Alaska fire departments/city governments, volunteer EMS squads and all the links in the chain, we have demonstrated just what our system is capable of.
Bobbi Leichty, Executive Director,
S.E. Region EMS Council, Sitka
REPORT FROM THE HOUSE:
By Rep. Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins
Alaska State Legislature
Bush Caucus is Back
I’ve joined the Bush Caucus. The Bush Caucus has evolved into more of a coastal caucus in recent years, and includes lawmakers from urban communities such as Juneau. But the spirit is the same: advocate the needs of rural and coastal Alaska. Goodness knows it’s a voice that needs to be heard.
Our caucus counts 12 members, 7 Democrats and 5 Republicans – a large enough bloc of votes to make an impact. Always reasoned and thoughtful, Rep. Bryce Edgmon (D-Dilllingham) is our chair.
Frankenfish and Sea Vomit
Yum. Fisheries Committee considered two especially palatable legislative entrees last week. The first, a bill (HB 89) providing for rapid response to invasive aquatic species, was a slam dunk. Nothing like northern pike or colonial tunicate (lovingly known as sea vomit) to raise a bipartisan kumbaya. The bill passed out of committee with all “do pass” recommendations.
The second is a resolution (HJR 5) urging the FDA not to allow genetically modified salmon (lovingly known as frankenfish). On the heels of a 130-strong rally in Sitka against frankenfish, the resolution passed out of committee and passed the House 38-0.
Our office is proudly co-sponsoring both the invasive species bill and the frankenfish resolution.
No Reduction without Production
There’s a difference between a give-and-take and a giveaway. Last week, House and Senate Democrats introduced an oil tax bill based on a give-and-take: if oil companies produce more oil, we will reduce oil taxes. Tax reduction for production. It even rhymes.
Compare: the Governor’s new oil tax bill. It includes elements that encourage new production, which is good. The Governor’s bill also eliminates progressivity from our oil tax structure, which is bad. Bad because Alaska would lose billions of dollars when oil prices are high, and get absolutely nothing in return. That’s a giveaway.
Punk’d
Rep. Shelley Hughes (R-Palmer) was the first Representative to shepherd a bill to the House floor. Her bill (HB 40) allows municipalities to create property tax exemptions for farming structures, in order to encourage local food production.
Rep. Hughes lined up her votes before the bill came to the floor. Along with 30 or so other representatives, I gave my word I’d vote yea.
But majority and minority leadership wanted to pull one on Rep. Hughes, who is serving her first term. When the vote was called, every member, except Rep. Hughes, voted nay. The vote readerboard was awash with red, and Rep. Hughes turned a little white.
Rep. Chris Tuck (D-Anchorage) moved for reconsideration, the House passed HB 40 by a 30-3 vote, and we all enjoyed a chuckle.
Happy Birthday
I got punk’d too. I wrote my last newsletter on my birthday, February 7. During floor session that day, in a tradition owing to the late Rep. Richard Foster of Nome, I was roasted like a chestnut over an open fire.
Scott Kawasaki (D-Fairbanks) did the honors:
“...The birthday boy... was born an 80-year-old man, with accompanying wisdom and receding hairline.
Even though he is turning the wise old age of 24 today, Mr. Speaker, there is no doubt that the member from district 34 is still young...
Before he is allowed to vote, the House Chief Clerk still cards him.
The Speaker must ensure that floor sessions adjourn promptly at 10 p.m. because of city-wide curfew.
The member had a birthday cake yesterday afternoon AND he had to get permission from his mom to eat sugar.
The young member has been working closely with many of the older members in the House even though he is just sworn in a few shorts weeks ago. In fact, he was immediately called on to chair the ‘hair club for men caucus.’”
A chairmanship freshman year?! I couldn’t be more excited.
