Farewell
Dear Community of Sitka: June 15th is my last day on the third floor of your City Hall. I started here October 2013. It has been a very full and enlightening 45 months. I want to extend my deepest thanks to our community for allowing me the privilege to serve. To those whom I disappointed by my actions or lack of them, I offer my sincere apologies. I also extend my thanks to the individuals who disagreed with me and did so in sincere and often in animated, direct communication. Those conversations were, albeit at times difficult, helpful and instructive.
I also want to offer my very deepest gratitude to those who have been supportive and offered guidance throughout my tenure. Your kind words and encouragement kept me going during some tough stretches.
Finally, to CBS staff and our Assembly members, past and present, accept my sincere appreciation. You are serving an incredible community with dedication and commitment.
Mark Gorman, Administrator,
City and Borough of Sitka
Climate Change Work
Dear Editor: Even though the current administration has withdrawn from the Paris Climate Change agreement, there is no need to be disheartened – there is still important work to do.
Many communities and states across the nation are still moving ambitiously to increase their renewable energy use, reducing carbon emissions. For example both California and Hawaii have pledged to be 50 percent emissions free in about 1 decade (by 2030).
What can you do here in Sitka? One great choice is to become active in the Citizens Climate Lobby (CCL). This national group seeks to put in place a fee on carbon emissions, and then return this money directly to the citizens (you and me !). What a great way to help finance individual actions for green energy !
If you’d like to learn more please visit https://citizensclimatelobby.org and consider becoming a member. Better yet, stop by a meeting of Sitka’s local CCL chapter. We meet the second Saturday of each month, 8:30-10:30 a.m. at the Sitka Conservation Society office (located above the BackDoor).
Dave Nicholls, Sitka
Fruit Cart
Dear Editor: We love the Market Center fruit cart! Baranof Elementary would like to thank you for working with us to promote nutritional snacks for our children. Also, thanks for your generous donation of half the proceeds to our school. The fruit cart is open during the school year, before and after school. Thank you, Market Center!
Liz Warren, Secretary,
Baranof Elementary School
