Assembly
Dear Editor: At Tuesday’s city Assembly meeting, the Assembly awarded the Alaska Longline Fishermen’s Association $5,500 for our young fishermen’s initiative. The support is appreciated and will be carefully spent to increase fishing opportunities for the next generation of Sitka fishermen.
I wanted to take this opportunity to address a theme of the comments made by some Assembly members during last night’s meeting. Some members argued that a tax on the charter fleet should not be used to support commercial fisheries enhancement. This is a questionable argument at best. First, taxes are collected from local businesses to be redistributed by the Assembly for the success of the entire community. Second, charter clients, not charter operators, pay the box tax. Third, taxes on commercial fish landings subsidize Alaska hatcheries – to the benefit of all fishermen, charter fishermen included, and taxes on commercial fish landings also subsidize the harbors – again to the benefit of all boat owners, charter included. If the new City policy is to dedicate funds collected from one industry or sector back to that sector only, then a number of other tax redistribution strategies should be reconsidered.
Commercial fisheries are the economic mainstay of Sitka’s economy. 87 million pounds of seafood worth close to $60 million are annually landed in Sitka (based on 2016 data). Annual estimated ex-vessel income by Sitka-based fishermen is $38.3 million, and commercial fishermen pay approximately $2 million annually in fisheries business and landing taxes through the municipal tax sharing program, with half of that staying in Sitka and half going into state coffers. More than 1,000 Sitka residents annually participate in commercial fisheries and another 1,100 people work in Sitka’s processing sector. An investment in Sitka young commercial fishermen is an investment in Sitka’s future.
On behalf of ALFA, I want to thank the Assembly for their support, and in particular recognize Assembly members Richard Wein, Steve Eisenbeisz and Matt Hunter for their strong stance in support of Sitka’s commercial fishermen.
Linda Behnken, Executive Director,
Alaska Longline
Fishermen’s Association
Survivor Celebration
Dear Editor: On behalf of the Sitka Cancer Survivor Society, we wish to thank all those who attended last Sunday at the Path of Hope walk celebrating June Cancer Survivor Month. It was our second one! We did have a good turnout. Better than last year’s. We give a big thanks to Sitka Emblem Club 142 for providing yummy cookies, and punch refreshments. The weather held out but they were ready with a tent to keep the cookies dry. Those who attended had the opportunity to meet Steve Lawrie, and Dennis and Bobbi Carlson, who keep the park in excellent condition. Susan Padilla was unable to attend, who helps as well. Also everyone had the opportunity to meet MaryBeth Palof, who is our Cancer Support leader. It was so good to meet people who have never walked through the park and to celebrate with other cancer survivors and their families. The treasure hunt was so fun and was a great success. Even the adults got involved in looking for the hidden treasures.
We thank the Sitka Sentinel for all the great press they gave us for this event. We also want to thank Kevin Barrett from KIFW staff, Raven Radio staff as well for their good coverage. We encourage all in Sitka to take the time to check out the Path of Hope and to enjoy the beautiful, peaceful surroundings. The more we are all aware of the park and use it, hopefully, it will keep the vandalism down. The park is for all of us in Sitka, it is your park!
If anyone knows of someone who has been recently diagnosed with cancer and in need of help with medical expenses, travel and etc., please have them contact one the following board members for a mini-grant application form.
See you next year, as we hope to make this an annual event.
Thanks again, Sitka.
SCSS Board Members,
Susan Suarez, President,
Candi Barger, Vice President,
Linda Janacek, Co-Secretary,
Jill Scheidt, Co-Secretary ,
Bonnie Richards, Quilt Sales,
Gloria Scigliano, Treasurer ,
Carolyn Fredrickson, Publicity
