MLK Candlelight Vigil
Dear Editor: As a member of the Sitka Unitarian Universalists, I’m sending out a hardy thanks to the presenters and participants of the 2013 Martin Luther King candlelight vigil that was held at Crescent Harbor shelter on Jan. 21. The diversity of folks from multiple generations and faiths who participated was extraordinary.
Our thanks go out to Pastor Sandra from the Sitka Lutheran Church for her opening benediction, members of the Alaska Native Sisterhood and Brotherhood, members of the Idle No More movement, representatives of the Tlingít, Haida and Tsimshian peoples, Zak Rioux for his songs, Steve Warren for the sound system and the City and Borough of Sitka for the use of the Crescent Harbor shelter.
I apologize to participants for not getting the “talking stick” going around and for not mentioning all the others whose participation was so appreciated. If you have a dream, you might as well make it a big whoppin’ good one! Here’s to Rev. King’s ideals, and we hope to join you in unity at the Crescent Harbor shelter to again champion civil rights on Elizabeth Peratrovich Day, starting at noon on Saturday February 16, for a parade, talks, traditional dancing, a free community dinner and an evening of ballroom dancing at the ANB Founders Hall.
Gunalchéesh, háw’aa,
‘doyackshin, thank you,
Kerry MacLane, Board Member, Sitka Unitarian Universalists
Harbor Funds Windfall
Dear Editor: Harbor users, commercial, charter, pleasure boat owners and folks who use our harbor system – walking, fishing etc.: It is very important that you read the Jan. 22, 2013, paper – $1 million windfall.
Currently this money and all future monies will be split four ways – SCIP, electric department, water department and the general fund. The electric and water departments are enterprise funds as is the harbor fund. Hopefully this ‘‘new’’ money may lower rates and help pay the dam bill and also help lower the projected harbor rates with an ordinance rewriter, 20 percent to five departments. Why should a non-boat owner care about the harbor system? Answer: the harbor system is one of a few businesses that bring ‘‘new’’ money into town, charter fishing, commercial fishing (longline, net, troll, trap) and other tour-type boating experiences. At the current projected rate increases there are more than just a few boats that will pull out and land their catch at other ports. This adds up to lost raw fish tax, processing jobs and more.
The classic ripple-down effect when a major player leaves a community.
I can hear the feedback already – the harbor has nothing to do with the city’s water or electricity. However the harbor is a vital component to the survival of Sitka. We have the largest small boat harbor in the state operated and maintained with fewer employees than number two and three harbors.
Boat owners, operators, liveaboards and harbor users – calls to Assembly members, the mayor and testifying at Assembly meeting are sorely needed to support reallocation of these funds.
David H. Tjomsland, Sitka
Utility Rates
Dear Editor: I tell you what you can do with a million dollars. Use it to offset the cost of the utilities which are constantly on the rise because of the Blue Lake expansion, which by the way, you shoved down our throats. Oh, it’ll be cheaper rates in the long run and save us money.
I’m talking about now. With our elder citizens on a fixed income, which STA on the government-to-government skimmed slightly off the top.
And, of course, not a successful meeting.
I find it embarrassing for the city. When you have a multi-million dollar baseball field, performing arts center, and an elaborate skate board park. And homeless people. These people aren’t just people who don’t work. They are law-abiding citizens who can’t afford housing!
Wake up and smell the coffee.
Jolene Rodriquez, Sitka
