Comprehensive Plan
Dear Editor: In my capacity as a planning commissioner for the city, I am writing to remind all citizens that the Planning Commission has an important issue coming before us on Tuesday, Jan. 5. The Planning and Community Development Department is currently deliberating whether to re-write the 2007 City and Borough of Sitka Comprehensive Plan, or whether to develop a new plan. Citizens of Sitka are welcome at all our meetings, and I believe this is an important meeting to attend and let us know what you think.
The Comprehensive Plan consists of community goals and policies, and is the guiding document for decision-making in every aspect of shared life in Sitka: healthcare, land use, housing, disaster management, economic development, cultural resources, and many other parts of our city’s well-being.
At the Planning Commission meeting on Tuesday, we will be voting on what process we will recommend to the Assembly for review of the Comprehensive Plan, and the extent to which the Comprehensive Plan should be revised, restructured, or remade. In other words, we will be voting on whether the Comprehensive Plan should be revised primarily by the city planners, addressed by an outside consultant, created afresh by a diverse group of citizens, or some combination of all of the above.
I urge my fellow citizens to come let us know how you feel, and what process you believe is best for the city of Sitka. The Planning Commission meets at the Sealing Cove Business Center at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 5.
Tamie Parker Song, Sitka
Spending
Dear Editor: The task force is looking at spending. I believe they are focusing on what is spent, not on how it is spent. Is anybody asking about consultant fees paid by the city? Is anyone asking about sweetheart deals on contracts issued by the city?
Sitka has an admirable system of services. Before we cut them, let’s ask if there are any possible savings in the way we pay for them, in the way we cut the deals. I’m not saying there positively is fluff. But is anyone looking into this? Consultant fees certainly have the look and feel of fluff, the potential of not paying a return on cost. Must we cut, when we might only trim? I don’t see this kind of discussion being reported. Thank you.
John Welsh, Sitka
