BES Food Cart
Dear Editor: Baranof Elementary School would like to thank Dave and Louise at Market Center for creating the “BES Fruit Cart.” This cart enabled students to purchase fruit at very reasonable prices during the school year as a healthy snack alternative, which the children thoroughly enjoyed. As an added bonus, profits from this fruit cart were shared with our school. Thank you for supporting our school in a healthy, creative way!
Baranof Elementary Staff, Sitka
Tobacco Tax
Dear Editor: I would like to thank the Assembly for considering the tobacco tax increase together with other tax increases. And because we all have to pay our share, I, a smoker, would support an increase in the tobacco tax.
The increase in the tobacco tax is supposed to plug a $256,000 hole in Sitka Community Hospital’s budget. But last year, the existing tax raised more than $489,000. Why is the Assembly proposing a tax that is TWICE what is needed?
The rationale is that Sitka smokers will buy their tobacco outside of Sitka and, thus, the tax collected will only be half of what was collected in fiscal 2014. This is not a realistic estimate. Half of Sitka smokers will not suddenly become lawbreakers. Thus, Sitka smokers may end up paying TWICE what is necessary to support the hospital.
I’m sure the hospital administration could think up wonderful ways to spend that $250,000 in surplus funds. But, I must ask again SHOULD THE ASSEMBLY BE IMPOSING ANY TAX BURDEN THAT IS TWICE THE STATED NEED?
Okay, here’s what I’d like to propose:
1. What would be fair and in line with the increase in other taxes would be a 25 percent increase in the city tobacco tax, from the present $1 to $1.25 per pack. This would be both respectful and fair, but would probably not raise what the hospital needs. The Assembly would have to find another group to pick up the difference.
2. A 50 percent increase – 50 cents a pack – would be less unfair than a $1 per pack increase and WOULD probably raise nearly all the money the hospital is asking for.
3. If there is a DOUBLING of the tobacco tax from $1 to $2 a pack, it should be for six months. If enough has been raised, the tax should be retired.
I would also like to remind the Assembly that the State of Alaska may accept the expansion of Medicaid, greatly reducing unpaid bills for the hospital. If that Medicaid expansion is approved, the Assembly should lower the tobacco tax back to its original $1 per pack level.
Sitka smokers, mostly lower-income, have contributed nearly $4 million to support Sitka Community Hospital since 2006. Their nine years of support should be recognized and respected.
Will Swagel, Sitka
Bike Lanes
Dear Editor: Just a thank you for the beautiful bike lanes. As a soft squishy living creature riding beside massive steel vehicles I really appreciate having a visual cue to remind them not to kill me. Having bright new lines makes a big difference for how close cars and trucks will get to my bike, and I’m loving the room to breathe.
I hope this encouraged people to get out biking more, get off the sidewalk and use the bike lanes, and bike with traffic on the right hand side of the road. Seriously, crazy people, stop biking on the left, you’re going to get us both killed, and you’re doing it wrong, both legally and logically wrong.
Anyway, I’m not sure exactly who I’m thanking for the bike lanes, but you know who you are.
William The Giant, Sitka
