Coast Guard Support
Dear Editor: Our Coast Guard families need our help during this time of exceptionally poor national leadership. Coast Guard crews are working without pay.
Please join me in donating to the Coast Guard Mutual Assistance program which has been in business since 1924 helping Coast Guard families in need. Their website for donations is www.cgmahq.org (Coast Guard mutual assistance headquarters.)
Hugh Bevan, Sitka
School Library
Dear Editor: There is an abundance of quality and well-documented research documents extolling the benefits a school library offers students of all ages, in all ways. I have found none that extol the benefits of a closed library for school children.
Yet Blatchley’s library has been closed since the first day of school last August. The school district did not offer the public any reason for this. Did they offer the students a reason? By this date in January, has there been any public statement that holds any veritable excuse for this educational crime? The Blatchley Librarian is still a SSD certified staff member, so they cannot very well argue closing the library was to save money. Do the kids think they are being punished?
And, last week, front page news celebrated how the SSD is partnering with experts about the importance of the “whole child?”
The School Board has offered no explanation – and no amount of fancy talk from SSD Administration excuses this crime. I did read that some 50 parents have formed a group supporting the re-opening of BMS Library. Fifty?? Every parent, past or present, of a SSD child, should be pounding the pavement, picketing, writing letters to Sitka’s school board members, the state Legislature, or someone who will listen, and rectify this crime against Blatchley’s students.
Books offer solace, support, escape, information, challenge, and thought-provoking questions and ideas, at the least. Blatchley’s library should re-open and be open every day of school, ALL DAY.
Wake up, Sitka.
G.L. Hammons, Sitka
The Wall
Dear Editor: I would like to propose an idea to turn poison into medicine.
How about Congress writes a multi-billion dollar check to Mexico and let them build the wall. They could build it on their side of the border and fill in the gaps between existing construction and naturally occurring boundaries.
They could hold a national competition to select the best design. It could be beautiful. It could be functional in multiple ways. Using local contractors, laborers and materials, this could jumpstart a life-changing economic transformation for thousands of people in desperate need.
Then we re-open our government and let hundreds of thousands of Americans start getting their paychecks again.
Trump doesn’t win – but he gets a wall.
The Republicans don’t win – but they can partner with Mexico to improve border security.
The Democrats don’t win – but the Government can return to governing.
The winners are the hardworking people of the United States and Mexico.
Steve Dalquist, Sitka
Fundraising Thanks
Dear Editor: The Sitka Little League Board of Directors would like to extend our sincerest thanks to this wonderful community for their tremendous participation toward our fundraising efforts last season. Both the Hit-a-thon and our All-Star Emblem/Elks dinner and dessert auction were well attended, and donations were generous!
Due to the incredible success of the 2018 Hit-a-thon the league is beginning this new season with new equipment such as new batting tees, pitching machines, new softball pitching plates, softball pitching mats, field chalking machines, field maintenance equipment, rubber base markers, throat guards, hot dog machines, a popcorn machine, concession kitchen items, new scorebooks, bats and currently we are working towards helmet replacements for several divisions. This equipment order will benefit all the young athletes across all divisions during regular season play! The board is grateful to be able to provide this for our players, parent volunteers and coaches. Thank you, Sitka!
A big thank you also goes out to the Sitka Emblem Club and Sitka Elks Lodge and for hosting our All-Star dinner and dessert auction. The success of this fundraiser benefited our uniform and All-Star programs tremendously! Thank you Judi Blankenship and the amazing Sitka Emblem Club.
Please know we are continually working toward expanding and improving our program. To all the businesses, families and friends that continue to support our organization and our youth we recognize your efforts. Thank you! We are looking forward to this upcoming 2019 season and want to see you all at the fields.
With appreciation,
The 2019 Sitka Little League
Board of Directors
Senior Citizens
Dear Editor: Well before the 1980s the cities and towns of Alaska knew there would be a need for more Pioneer Homes as well as assisted living facilities. This is not a new issue. There was a commission on aging more than 20 years ago.
Throughout the state, I hear it suggested seniors are going to be a burden, but many seniors are working. We make purchases locally, pay property tax, put in volunteer hours – I could go on. Is there a magic age at which we will no longer be contributing to our town or paying our way?
Yes, issues need to be addressed. We could use smaller packaging and can sizes in grocery stores. Handy women and men as well as our younger friends are, and will be, an enormous help: climbing ladders where we can’t climb; changing smoke alarms; reaching where we can no longer reach; gardening; house cleaning; minor repairs; and getting our pets to the vet – for a start. Those things will make it easier to stay in our own homes. I believe it is noteworthy long-term care insurance is on the rise.
One last thing – I do not know anyone who wishes to be referred to as part of a tsunami wave – silver or otherwise.
Alice Wolcott, Sitka
