White E Donation
Dear Editor: This week Sitka Counseling received a generous donation from the White Elephant to help enrich our clients’ lives.
The donations included our Family Center, Harbor Lights, Clinical and Residential programs. This donation will be used to support our clients/programs. The Family Center has asked for therapeutic supplies and community activities for youth in the spring and summer programs. The Harbor Lights programs will use the funds for token economy, therapeutic activities in the community and daily hot lunches.
The Clinical program will be using the funds for clients who need recovery/wellness books, group engagement supplies and snacks. The Residential program will use their donation for clients to reintegrate into society socially, therapeutic community activities, sundries, gym passes, and graduation ceremony items for the men and women. Sitka Counseling would like to give a BIG THANK YOU to the Sitka White Elephant Shop for their continued support of our agency.
Amy Zanuzoski, Executive Director, Sitka Counseling
State Funding
Dear Editor: Thank you, Gov. Bill Walker, for the continued funding of programs that help the homeless in Alaska.
The governor put back in $9.2 million for the basic homeless assistance program that helps out agencies statewide like the CSS clients we serve at Clare House and Brother Francis Shelter.
OMB Director Pat Pitney says funding these programs is a “cost effective way to address issues that could be costly for our communities. It reduces overall costs in corrections and health and social services.”
We appreciate your support in helping us compassionately serve the poor and those in need.
Lisa DH Aquino, Executive Director, Catholic Social Services
Industrial Park
Dear Editor: I want to provide the community with more information regarding management of the Gary Paxton Industrial Park. The CBS acquired the GPIP in 1999; in 2000 the CBS Assembly approved an ordinance that established rules and procedures governing leases and property management at the GPIP.
The purpose section of the enabling ordinance states: “Unlike other property owned by the municipality, the former Alaska Pulp Corporation mill site was acquired not for governmental purposes from the state or federal government, but for economic development and disposal. In general, the property will not be used for public improvements. It will be leased or sold to individuals and corporations to develop business opportunities and provide jobs. For that reason, it is important to enact a procedure for property management and disposal at the site which more closely corresponds to private sector disposals.”
I believe the original intent of the CBS taking over ownership of the industrial site is important as context for recent GPIP board and Assembly action to sell properties and discussions on how property will be leased or sold in the future.
A letter to the editor on Feb. 17 discussed the CBS’s investment into the GPIP; I would like to add some clarity to the numbers provided in the letter. In round numbers, $11 million of public monies have been invested into the industrial site. Investments have included utility upgrades, fire protection upgrades, site paving, construction of a bulk water pipeline and waste water outfall pipe, and upgrades to buildings and docks. Funding for these site improvements have come mainly from federal and state grant funds.
Total capital investment from CBS coffers into the site is roughly $4 million, which was provided from “Stevens’ money” or additional federal grant funds given to the city with the closure of the pulp mill. The CBS has done a good job of leveraging grant funds for the development of the GPIP with very little local monies being used.
The letter to the editor also suggested that $5 million of the $11 million was spent on the administration building remodel. The actual amount is $1.4 million, of which $700k came from an Economic Development Administration grant and the other half from Stevens money. The administration building was constructed in the 1950’s and even with the remodel in 2001, the building is near the end of its useful life.
This public investment into the GPIP resulted in nearly $22 million in private investment into the site by park tenants. Over $1.365 million has been paid to the CBS in raw water fees. The municipality has seen an increase in property tax, raw fish tax, and additional utility sales from GPIP tenants on an annual basis, which is positive return on the $11 million in public monies invested. Additionally, it is estimated that 65 full-time jobs and over 320 average seasonal jobs have been created due to the business development at the park.
If anyone would like additional information about the GPIP, please contact me at the SEDA offices.
Garry White,
Sitka Economic Development
Association Executive Director
A Sweet Thank You
Dear Editor: Girl Scout Troop 4125 would like to thank Sea Mart (for the great location) and to all of those who bought goodies or gave words of encouragement at our Valentine’s bake sale for the Bergman family. Our troop of kindergartners and second-graders raised $573. Thank you, Sitka, for teaching compassion and generosity to our young girls. They now know that you are never too young ot make a difference.
Lazaria Kubacki, Cadene LaRose,
Kiera Watson, Vada West,
Jasmine Nellis,
Gwen and Alice White,
Elsa, Eva and Gretchen Meyer,
Lydia, Greta and Mary Suminski
Girl Scout Troop 4125
Ordinance
Dear Editor: Sitkans, please ask our Assembly to postpone passing the marijuana ordinance next Tuesday, Feb. 24. The sky will not fall if more time is taken.
The whole state seems confused by conflicting information and differing expectations. What DID we vote for or vote against last November? What is this complex drug? The ramifications of the law are not yet clear. Research is skimpy.
Copies of the proposed ordinance No. 2015-06 are available at the city offices and the Kettleson Library.
Old-fashioned hard copies of a list of Assembly members, phone numbers, and email addresses are also available at the library and city.
Take time to be informed. You are important. Your ideas are important. Sitka is important.
Thank you. Gunalcheesh.
Nancy Yaw Davis, Sitka
