A Modest Proposal
Dear Editor: I say give guns to the kids. Registered, of course. Teachers, too.
Ron Rau, Sitka
Homeless Connect
Dear Editor: Project Homeless Connect-Sitka is coming your way on Jan. 29. Volunteers are needed.
Project Homeless Connect is a national model that originated in San Francisco in 2004. PHC has been implemented in over 200 cities across the United States.
The goal of PHC is to provide a one-stop shop that offers easy access to services to individuals and families who are homeless. This approach eliminates barriers and ensures the homeless people receive services that have an immediate impact.
For the community, PHC offers a one-day opportunity to actively help address and reduce homelessness, meet and greet our neighbors with respect, and see the world from a different perspective. You will never forget it.
Services include medical, mental health, substance abuse, nutrition, housing, tribal, senior, employment, vocational rehabilitation, legal, food, clothing and haircut vouchers, Listening Post and more.
Come help us help the homeless. Volunteer shifts are varied. The event is 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. with doors open 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Harrigan Centennial Hall. Volunteer opportunities available are setup, greeters, intake, client escort, floaters, food servers, child care, exit interview and take down. Contact Jamie Anderson, jamieanderson708@gmail.com, or 738-0784 to sign up to volunteer today.
The Easter Group, Sitka
Preparedness
Dear Editor: With the Jan. 4 earthquake and tsunami warning still fresh in our minds, it’s important to continue our efforts towards preparedness. In talking with Fire Chief Dave Miller, it again became clear how important it is for Sitkans to create a personal cache of food and water. First, Sitka’s emergency plan does not include a community food cache. Second, the majority of Sitka’s food supplies, i.e. grocery stores, are located at sea level, and they may not have sufficient time to move their food stores to higher ground. Third, many Sitka homes are on the waterfront, and it’s not likely that those residents will be able to collect a supply of food to sustain them three to seven days unless they have it ready to go
The Sitka Local Foods Network encourages all households to create a personal cache for all household members and pets. In terms of food, you’ll want foods that require no preparation, are non-perishable and that meet any household dietary needs. Great choices include ready-to-eat dried or canned fish, meats, fruits, vegetables and a can opener. Protein or fruit bars. Dry cereal or granola, nonperishable pasteurized milk, peanut butter, dried fruit and nuts, to name a few. It’s also a good idea to steer clear of foods that will make you thirsty and to choose some comfort foods. In terms of water, you’ll want to have a minimum of one gallon per person/pet per day.
Visit http://www.ready.gov/food or http://www.ready.gov/water to get more details on building your basic emergency cache.
The Sitka Local Foods Network Board: Robin Grewe, Cathy Lieser, Kerry MacLane, Maybelle Filler, Lisa Sadleir-Hart and Linda Wilson
Gun-Related Violence
Dear Editor: First, let me say that my family owns guns. We enjoy shooting them for fun. I have hunted with them in the past, and I still remember going out as a kid with my family and shooting my first .22 rifle. And I admit, it’s a lot of fun shooting the SKS rifle. So I understand where gun rights advocates are coming from related to the second amendment.
I ALSO believe there are things we need to do in America to reduce gun-related violence. First, let’s make sure guns stay in the hands of responsible, knowledgeable gun owners. What that means to me is two things: 1) more and better background checks … so that every gun has a known, responsible, and safe owner, and 2) tougher laws that say if a gun you own is used to commit a crime or is part of the cause of an accident, then you are going to be prosecuted and go to jail for not controlling your gun. If we want to be called responsible gun owners then I believe we must be truly responsible for our guns. And if we start tracking guns better, you better believe people will be more responsible for them … even as they get sold to their next owner.
Second, I say go ahead and limit high-capacity magazines. Yes, I realize that this is “gun control.” But really, beyond “looking cool” and being kind-of fun, how much need is there for those magazines? If you are a responsible gun owner, you don’t need those magazines because you know how to aim your gun well enough to kill the deer (or other animal) or to provide self-defense with just a few shots.
As gun owners, I hope we take on the responsibility of providing ideas for solutions that protect all of us.
Michelle Putz, Sitka
