In Response
Dear Editor: This letter is in response to the recent letter by Clyde Bright.
At the start of the 21st century, Sitka was running out of power, affecting the ability to diversify and develop our economy. Using +/-$100/barrel, environmentally harmful diesel fuel with our antiquated generators was not a good option for increasing electric generation. The best solution was Phase 3 of raising the height of Blue Lake Dam.
Preliminary engineering in 2007 estimated the project would cost around $50 million. By the time design development was done in 2008, the cost had increased to $100 million. The State committed to funding 50 percent. In 2011, $11 million in contracts were awarded for custom fabrication and the crane. In late 2012, general construction bid costs came in at $145 million, which was shockingly higher than engineers had estimated in 2008.
The city staff and Assembly were suddenly faced with a difficult decision. There were three options presented: cancel, re-bid, or proceed. On September 11, 2012, they voted to proceed, knowing electricity rates were projected to rise to 15.8 cents per kWhW. This decision was based on having already invested a substantial sum, the need for increased electric generation, and with a commitment to try to secure additional funding from the state and federal governments.
The years that followed brought staff and the mayor in front of legislators, governors, and our congressional delegation, looking for help. Some additional help from the state came but they could no longer commit to the 50 percent, and so three additional low-rated bonds were issued to pay for completion of the dam, refinancing Green Lake (in our favor), and paying the balance on the turbine. The four electric revenue bond issues totaled $126,170,000.
Contrary to Mr. Bright’s beliefs, there was no “wish list added to the job.” The Assembly was never “assured” by staff that “the state and federal governments would give them all the extra money that was needed to pay off the project, electric rates would go down, no more diesel would ever be burned for power, and they would be immortalized by voters for their wisdom.”
The Assembly is not “stealing from one [enterprise fund] to subsidize others.” That is never an option. Raising the sales tax cap does not require a vote of the people and has been raised numerous times, including before the dam project. The budget has been cut for years and our aging infrastructure is not adequately funded.
In spite of the rate increases, Sitka still has affordable power when compared to other communities around the state, and even the Lower 48. When oil prices once again go over $100, and additional local institutions convert to interruptible power, more electricity will be used and rates will go down.
The report that contained information that Sitka has an infrastructure that is equivalent to a city of 100,000 in the Lower 48 was telling us that they were impressed that we were doing so much with so little cost. There are no regional utilities to share expenses; Sitka has to supply everything. We now have a reliable, 100 percent clean, affordable electric system that is almost unheard of, both in Alaska and the Lower 48.
The Assembly and community will always be making difficult choices. Assembly members are elected to represent the community, and to do their best in making wise, educated, discerning decisions. Staff members are grilled, debate at the table can be heated as differing opinions are voiced, and finally, those difficult decisions are made. This is what a working democracy looks like.
Respectfully submitted,
Mim McConnell, Sitka
Dr. Wein
Dear Editor: After reading many letters regarding Dr. Wein leaving Sitka Community Hospital, I felt the need to write in support of the hospital administrator, Rob Allen. I met Mr. Allen shortly after arriving in Sitka seventeen years ago. He was the president of the SAFV board, who hired my wife as the shelter director. Through the years I have known Mr. Allen in varied ways. I have come to see him as principled, ethical, intelligent, sensitive and highly competent. Like most of us, I know nothing about the particulars leading to Dr. Wein’s departure from the hospital but I am certain that Mr. Allen would not have allowed that to happen without considerable deliberation.
Showing support for Dr. Wein is commendable but demanding he be reinstated is inappropriate. I realize that few will be content with an aphorism like, “Trust him, he knows what he’s doing,” but, come on, given Mr. Allen’s history of business operator, Assembly member and board member, why not assume he understands how to do his job.
Dr. Charles Morgan, Sitka
Thank You, SAR
Dear Editor: Kudos to the SAR crew who came together on a Sunday night to ensure that I got out of the wilderness safely. Being an avid outdoorsman and an adventure educator, I was more than a little embarrassed to have search and rescue called on my behalf. However, it was a relief to know that such a professional and competent team is at the ready. Thanks to all who responded on my behalf!
Scott Bandoroff, Ph.D.,
Peak Experience, Ashland, Oregon
SMHS Meeting
Dear Editor: The Sitka Maritime Heritage Society’s 2017 annual meeting: “Local Knowledge: Places, Names and Stories” made for an interesting evening. We would like to thank some of the many people who helped to make it such a success.
Many thanks to the Alaska Native Brotherhood and Sisterhood for opening up the ANB Hall for our event.
Gratitude to our main speakers- Roby Littlefield and Ethel Makinen for sharing and explaining the Tlinget Place Names map and project, and to Herman Davis for all of his stories and his good humor.
Thank you Eric Jordan, our moderator, for coaxing the stories out of sometimes reluctant story tellers.
Thanks to all who brought food- particularly Nancy Barge, cookie-baker extraordinaire!
Gratitude to Ray Nielsen for helping us get organized.
Thank you to everybody in the audience who felt moved to share a story of a favorite place or meaningful event.
Hats off to Steve Warren for making sure everybody could be heard through the sound system.
Many thanks to Dan Etulain, who diligently records so many of Sitka’s significant events.
Thank you to everybody who helped set up and put away.
Gratitude to anybody who put a label, place-name or notation on one of the nautical charts that were displayed- we preserved the notes for future reference.
Sincere thanks to all who joined the Sitka Maritime Heritage Society, or bought a hat or left a contribution- you have helped us continue our work recording, preserving and teaching about our local marine knowledge and history.
We will be having more events throughout the year- starting with an open shop with lots of activities for children at the Japonski Island Boathouse, during the sesquicentennial Museum Walk, 6-8 p.m. on Friday, March 31 – you should drop by!
Sitka Maritime Heritage Society
Board of Directors
