Baranof Warm Springs
Dear Editor: Just a note to let readers know Alaska Department of Fish and Game heard their concerns regarding the proposed hatchery for the Baranof Warm Springs Townsite and Bay – the permit was denied on March 29. This proposal would have “transformed this peaceful bay into a congested, industrial hub” (Dan Evans’ letter of Feb. 21). Most Alaskans recognize the importance of hatcheries in sustaining our fisheries, but this was not the right place for one. We would like to thank all the thoughtful folks who wrote and testified on this matter. This summer you’re invited to come to the Bay, dock at the new CBS dock, experience the natural springs grotto, the picnic shelter, boardwalks, lake and falls, and then have a relaxing private soak at the bath house (…not all at once, please!)
Ted Laufenberg
for Baranof Property
Owners Association
March for Lives
Dear Editor: I watched the ‘‘March For Our Lives’’ last Saturday at which a fisherman friend, James Swift, traveled to Washington, D.C., to march with the young people. I listened to young people from across America cry out for action to better regulate guns and thereby reduce gun deaths across the country. As a longtime gun owner, supporter of young people, and retiring Democratic Party officer, I thought it appropriate to bring a resolution to a meeting of local Democrats, asking them to support the young people.
Whereas: District 35 Democrats support young people across the USA demanding stronger gun regulations, Be It Resolved: The Alaska Democratic Party stands for stronger gun regulations. Be It Further Resolved: The National Democratic Party stands for stronger gun regulations.
Adopted by unanimous consent by the participants at our meeting. Our local delegates to the Alaska Democratic Party State Convention in May will bring this resolution forward.
Whether in politics or community service I urge your readers to get involved, volunteer, vote, run for office, get elected. You can make a difference.
Eric Jordan, Sitka
SAFV Campaign
Dear Editor: Last Saturday, Sitkans Against Family Violence kicked off its capital campaign to renovate and expand its 60-year-old shelter.
The building has not been adequate to accommodate rising numbers of residents and a growing staff including those working on preventing interpersonal violence in Sitka before it ever occurs.
We are deeply grateful to Sarah Newhouse and staff of Northrim Bank who coordinated the event; Baranof Island Brewing Company for donating root beer floats and letting us use their space; and Our Town Catering for preparing food donated by Food Services of America, SEARHC, and Sitka Community Hospital.
We thank all who attended and showed their support for SAFV and this project, and to those who donated generously. We are almost at the midpoint of our community fundraising goal of $150,000. One of 31 Sitkans received services by SAFV last year, one of 68 women and one of 99 children spent at least one night at the shelter, for a total of 3,745 bed nights. The numbers show that SAFV offers essential services to all members of the community, including men. All our services are free.
If you know someone who was touched by SAFV’s work or if you yourself were supported by this organization, please consider giving to this project. Any amount is welcome. You can donate online at safv.org, send a check to P.O. Box 6136, or call 747-3370 with other ideas. We are staffed day and night, so don’t hesitate to call.
The community has been very generous and supportive in the past, and we thank all of you. Please help make this project happen.
Board and staff,
Sitkans Against Family Violence
Addam’s Family
Dear Editor: I was so impressed with the Broadway-quality Addam’s Family performance. I realize there were many volunteers, and I congratulate and thank you all for a very enjoyable evening.
In addition, our PAC theater is a treasure, it must remain funded.
Lorraine Inez Lil, Sitka
Hospital Management
Dear Editor: The Assembly expects to release a Request For Proposal for the “Purchase, Lease, Partnership, Management, or Affiliation” of Sitka Community Hospital on March 30. This RFP opens the door to a number of possible outcomes including the sale of SCH. However, we now know how much SCH’s unfunded pension liability is – $37 million. This financial obligation combined with the value of the hospital business and facilities suggests that a SCH sale may have to be worth as much as $50 million or so to be acceptable. I suspect such a deal is unlikely – the unfunded pension liability is just too formidable an obstacle to this outcome. It seems to be time to accept this reality and work to sustain our hospital.
But we have some problems. This is a time of challenging change and uncertainty at SCH. The SCH Board, responsible for oversight of SCH operations, recently initiated a search for a new CEO. This process is aimed at identifying a knowledgeable and experienced leader to help our hospital through these challenging times.
The RFP process expects proposers to meet and work with SCH’s management as they “develop in-depth evaluations of SCH’s operations.” We will need to put our best foot forward in the RFP process to be successful and knowledgeable and experienced management is needed to accomplish this. If the sale of SCH is unlikely, then knowledgeable and experienced management is needed to lead SCH to the more efficient and stable operations that set the stage for a sustainable SCH regardless of how the RFP process unfolds.
Both the SCH Board and its CEO recruitment committee conduct open meetings that we can all attend. I personally don’t expect the RFP process to be timely or result in many (if any) favorable options. On the other hand, it’s my conclusion that the CEO search can lead to the leadership needed for a sustainable and successful SCH future. That’s why I am encouraging the SCH Board to identify and recruit such leadership as soon as possible. But do your own research. Ask around town how it’s going at the hospital, how the CEO search is panning out, and how the RFP process is unfolding. Please engage if you can.
Travis Hudson, Sitka
