Sea Otters
Dear Editor: I was pleased to read Sen. Stedman’s proposal for a bounty on sea otters, in the state of Alaska. I don’t know the legal ins and outs, but have witnessed the explosion in the population of sea otters in Southeast. I have often wondered if we couldn’t simply allow Native Alaskans the right to sell hides, and put harvest guidelines on sea otters.
My reason for this preference is that it would allow sale, which would put a little bit of much-needed capital into the coastal communities of Alaska, and in addition thinning out sea otters would help the shell fisheries and dive fisheries.
Whatever the solution is, I think it is a great states rights issue for Alaska.
Calvin Robinson, Sitka
Redoubt Property
Dear Editor: In a recent article in the Sitka Daily Sentinel, the motives of the Sheldon Jackson College Trustees were questioned in regards to their claim of ownership of the Redoubt property.
Let me be clear: The trustees’ ONLY motivation is to protect Sitka’s access to the sockeye subsistence, personal use, and sport fisheries at Redoubt. The trustees continue to be in support of unlimited, unfettered access to the bay, waterfalls, and Redoubt Lake, as well as the continued outstanding Forest Service efforts to support and enhance this fishery. Any suggestions to the contrary are simply not true.
Shirley Holloway, Chair
Sheldon Jackson College Trustees
Affordable Housing
Dear Editor: Sitka Community Development Corporation is a nonprofit 501(C)(3), which strives to promote community development. Our primary goal is to provide the community of Sitka with affordable housing. We are currently working on becoming a Community Land Trust, which will enable us to not only create affordable housing to those who are otherwise denied access, but would make it possible to keep the housing ‘‘permanently’’ affordable.
Watch for future articles in the paper for more details. In addition, residents are welcome and encouraged to attend any of the monthly board meetings. The next meeting will be held March 27 at 5:30 p.m., Sitka High School in the counseling office.
Rene Mann, Board Member,
Sitka Community
Development Corporation,
http://sitkaaffordablehousing.org/
Only in Sitka
Dear Editor: We the family of Bob Colliver would like to thank the wonderful community of Sitka for the kind words, gifts and support provided to us during the most difficult time. We so appreciate everyone of you. As much as Bob has touched your lives, you have touched ours and we are grateful. We are grateful for all the donations, meals, hugs, telephone calls, cards, plants, flowers and prayers. Your love and support have been amazing. We are glad to say we are part of such a fantastic and caring community.
Thank you to Father Jim Blaney and the ladies of the Catholic Church for putting on such a superb after-service gathering and meal. Thank you, Suha, for speaking at the service with your kind words, stories and sharing Bob’s life. Thank you to Sitka Community Hospital staff and Dr. Coruzzi for taking good care of our dad. Thank you to our SEARHC friends for your support. Thank you to the local businesses who have donated time and kindness towards our family. Thank you, Pam Samuelson, for your meals and love. Thank you, Kathy Matthews, for your guidance in this difficult process. We apologize if we have left anyone else out, but please know you are appreciated.
Colliver Family
Is TB Still Around?
Dear Editor: It is encouraging to learn that Pope Francis has been an outspoken advocate on issues of poverty. He even has personal experience with a disease of poverty that kills 1.4 million people each year, tuberculosis. It’s reported that he contracted TB as a child and later in life had one of his lungs removed, possibly because of TB complications.
This is a reminder that TB, often thought of as disease a of the past, is still very much alive. And in many places around the globe it is becoming even more dangerous because of drug resistance. Drug-resistant TB can take more than two years to treat and is extremely expensive. There are even untreatable strains emerging. The World Health Organization estimates that there will be an additional 2 million cases of drug-resistant TB by 2015, and right now only 10 percent of people with these cases are being treated. If we don’t address this discrepancy we risk creating an unmanageable epidemic of drug-resistant TB.
We must increase our investments in detecting and treating TB, and bolstering the capacity of the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB, and Malaria, which provides 90 percent of international financing for TB control. Sunday, March 24, is World TB Day. Let your representatives, senators, and state legislators know that we cannot ignore this emerging threat.
Sitka RESULTS,
Michele Friedman, Nancy Knapp,
Libby Stortz,
Patricia and Scott Harris,
Valerie Edwards, Cynthia Dennis,
Jeff Pearson, Brenda Campen
Choose Respect
Dear Editor: It is easy to get lost in the staggering statistics that show domestic violence and sexual assault are rampant in Alaska. But if we stop and think, listen, and look around our community, the evidence is clear. It is the story we heard from our neighbor about the late night police car down the block. It is the young pregnant teen we saw at church last week who barely lifted her head. It is the man who stumbles on the street drinking away memories of a violent childhood. It is also in the night, behind closed doors, and sometimes hiding right in front of us. In the absence of respect and reverence of others, manipulation, threats, and fear often prevail.
Domestic violence, sexual assault, and child sexual abuse have harmed so many of us. We must continue to name it and face it together, as it is an issue that will not be solved by one person. We must all stand together to protect each other and our fellow Sitkans.
On Thursday, March 28, Gov. Sean Parnell and Sitkans Against Family Violence invite you to stand with us, use your voice and presence as a signal of change. Show your neighbors, our youth, and elders that we do not ignore the needs of victims or the disrespectful choices of offenders.
In over 140 communities across the state, Alaskans will march together on March 28. We’ll meet at noon at Totem Square and walk to the Crescent Harbor shelter. Commissioner of Transportation Pat Kemp will be here on the Governor’s behalf. He will be one of several speakers, and everyone is welcome to speak up. Participants can try out an art project titled “I Can We Can” provided by SAFV’s children’s program.
Join our community march and let our voices be strong to Choose Respect and end the epidemic of domestic violence, sexual assault, and child sexual abuse in Alaska
To find out more about Choose Respect visit ChooseRespect.Alaska.gov, contact the Governor’s Office at 907-465-3500 or SAFV at 747-3370.
By Sitkans Against Family Violence
