DeVos Vote
Dear Editor: The following message was delivered to a staffer by phone in Sen. Dan Sullivan’s Washington office today. It was not possible to connect to a person or to leave a phone message at any of Sen. Murkowski’s seven offices as her mailboxes were all full. We are troubled that 21 members of the Senate considering Betsy DeVos’ nomination for Secretary of Education have taken over $950,000 in campaign contributions from DeVos and her family. The acceptance of campaign funds from our Alaska senators led to the following letter.
Dear Senators Murkowski and Sullivan: We are constituents from Sitka and are very concerned about the campaign contributions you have received from Betsy DeVos and her family. Sen. Murkowski accepted $43,200 and Sen.Sullivan accepted $23,400. We believe both of you should recuse yourselves from voting on her confirmation to avoid the appearance of pay-to-play politics. We hope you do the right thing and recuse yourselves from the pending vote. Thank you.
Krisanne Rice, Jim Clare
and Lisa Sadleir-Hart, Sitka
Motivational Speaker
Dear Editor: On Jan. 12 a talented athlete and motivational speaker, Jesse LeBeau, presented a program to the students at Mt. Edgecumbe High School. I’d like to share with your readers the letter I have sent to Mr. LeBeau.
Jesse, thank you very much my friend for your recent presentation, your presence, your kind words, and your time in our school.
I feel I am LUCKY every single day I work with these wonderful Mt. Edgecumbe High School students. Like you, I take nothing for granted when it comes to listening to our young people. They have plenty to say and most of the time are only looking for that safe and reassuring opportunity to share their concerns and their dreams. That’s where you come in beautifully Jesse.
Your story and experiences are sincere. That element in itself is priceless, especially in this day and age of our kid’s developing uncertainty about their place in the world. The individualized inspiration and personal impact you make on these young ladies and young gentlemen may be difficult, if not impossible to gauge, but be assured my friend it is a positive impact and possibly even life changing.
I periodically remind my teachers: “Isn’t it nice to have a job where you don’t have to wonder if you are making a difference in the world?” I don’t know who to credit with that quote, but you know what, Jesse? They are talking about you too.
Be well.
Bernie Gurule, Academic Principal
Mt. Edgecumbe High School
