Women’s March
Dear Editor: Congratulations to everyone who marched on Saturday! I marched here in Manhattan as well. While it was exhilarating (and a little scary) to be surrounded by an estimated 470,000 people, I was even more moved the next morning to see Sitka in the New York Times with such a turnout. Not only were people marching in Antarctica, Guinea, Iraq and a large number of wildly different places around the globe, but a continent away, in my hometown, there you were. And we were all marching together. Congratulations on a job well done!
Rebecca Short, Manhattan
Ad Content
Dear Editor: I want to thank Bob Gillam for supporting our local paper with very interesting half-page ads.
What could possibly go wrong with selectively quoting former heads of state?
Downside is, Bob thinks that a state income tax would be “bad for Alaska.”
I’m more inclined to agree with Thomas Dewar (of whiskey fame) who said, “The only thing that hurts more than paying an income tax is not having to pay an income tax.”
Possibly the disagreement arises because while Dewar produced a whole lot of whiskey, Bob produces basically a whole lot of nothing. Some claim that he now has $700 million worth of nothing.
Lessee, $70,000K at 5 percent per annum, that’s $3.5 million pesos of no-risk income. Presumably more if you dabble in the market the way Bob does, albeit accepting some risk.
I have absolutely no problem with paying a flat-rate income tax to the State of Alaska – someone has to pay for valuable services, after all. Bob isn’t paying for them, even though he has prospered mightily in Alaska. Seems ungrateful somehow.
On the other hand, I haven’t prospered much at all in my 25 years in Alaska. Even so, I’m willing – even eager – to pay a state income tax, especially if it will get the oil companies out of the driver’s seat of government.
For starters, let’s say 5 percent of earned income and 10 percent of unearned income until the deficit disappears.
If it’s not enough, we can talk about an excise tax on financial transactions.
Smatter Bob? Not fair you say?
You might consider that Winston Churchill also said something clever about democracy. Check it out.
Roger Bleier, Sitka
White E Anniversary
Dear Editor: January 26, 2017, marks the 50th anniversary of the opening of the White Elephant Shop at 323 Seward Street. The mission of the White Elephant is Sitkans helping Sitkans. Throughout the years the volunteers at the shop have worked to provide over $1 million for various non-profit organizations and individuals in need.
To celebrate we will be having a series of 50 percent sales in both the main and the children’s store. Check out the white board in the main store to see the half-price sales for each day. Store hours are 6-8 p.m. Monday, noon-3 p.m. Thursday and Saturday.
The White E volunteers are grateful to the many people in Sitka who donate quality items. Without their support we would not be able to fulfill our mission.
Susan Brown, President,
White E Board
Concerned Shareholders
Dear Editor: Please join us, the concerned shareholders of Shee Atika Inc., for an evening of open and honest discussion regarding our corporation on Jan. 28, from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Sheet’ka Kwaan Naa Kahidi Community House.
We are joining together so that we can provide a forum for open, respectful, and most importantly, honest discussion and dialog on the current fiscal and cultural state of our corporation. We cordially invite not only our fellow shareholders, directors and representatives from Shee Atika management, we extend our invitation to all of Sitka.
We will begin the evening by seating a panel of six diverse shareholders, to include Herman Davis, our senior panel member and Lʼuknax. Ádi clan leader. The panel will engage in a moderated but free-ranging roundtable discussion. We hope that the roundtable discussion will spark a spirit of collaboration and creativity.
We will take a break for refreshments accompanied by a slide show of Shee Atika’s history and achievements. We seek to honor the efforts of our early shareholders who fought long and hard to establish Shee Atika.
We’ll end the evening with an hourlong moderated open forum, allowing shareholders to speak their minds and hearts. In finding our voice, perhaps we will find a positive direction for improvement and changes.
At the least, we will stream live video of the evening via social media. Details on how to access the live feed will be shared as soon as the information becomes available. Video and audio will be captured for later editing, allowing us to share this evening with those who couldn’t attend.
We look forward to seeing you at the Sheet’ka Kwaan Naa Kahidi Community House, 6-8:30 p.m., Jan. 28.
Mike Kinville, Sitka
Inauguration, March
Dear Editor: The Dignity of the Ritual. Bravely, I decided to watch the Famous Peaceful Transfer of Power on January 20, 2017.
The music, the drums, the suspense. Will the women in their elegant dresses and high heels make it down the long series of steep steps without tripping? – That created in me as much suspense as an injured football player down on the field. Might she fall? Will he get up? The role of the steady arm of the military; the medics rushing to the rescue.
The graciousness of those who showed up. President Obama was truly exceptional in his diplomacy, the quality of his person, rising with seasoned grace to the events right up to departure in the helicopter. Hilary Clinton was so brave and dignified. The parade of former Presidents was validating, too.
I didn’t know who in Congress chose to not come, but that was their right to not make an appearance. The sky did not fall. but I admit I watched with the hope that the ritual, the prayers, the aura of the refined, civilized sequence of precise events would be reflected in the Trump address. But it wasn’t. Instead his claims of greatness were restated again, and he closed with the Trump signature: A Thumbs Up and a Clenched Fist. Heil Trump.
Watching the Historic Transfer of power was painful. A paralyzing depression seemed sealed by That Fist. Why did I subject myself to all that?
Hoping to see someone in Sitka to talk with about the event, I wandered downtown and stopped by Harry Race Pharmacy, The Back Door, and The Library. No one I asked had watched the events in Washington. And I understood. And I was, frankly, embarrassed I asked. Why did I ask? Maybe to watch or not to watch was almost as private a decision as voting last November 8.
The Women’s March, January 21
Addicted to the television I had become. So I watched on Saturday from 8 to 2 p.m. The Walk was growing. Growing. And Growing. City after city after city. Then, suddenly, views of the Eiffel Tower and London appeared!Country after country East, North, South. My depression begin to melt. I was watching an incredible event: the beginning of a revolution, the Revitalization of America!
I nearly bounced my bones down the street to join The March in Sitka. My husband Bill is right: America will survive!! Let’s celebrate resilience with energy and focus: our shared humanity, one by one, street by street, village by village, town by town, city by city.
What a privilege to be alive and living in Sitka!
Nancy Yaw Davis. Sitka
