SCVB Funding
Dear Editor: I would like to offer my condolences to the community of Sitka for the recent loss of one of the last vestiges of Corporate-Free American Municipal Government, the Sitka Convention and Visitors Bureau.
As a commission of the city, the CVB’s focus has always been to promote Sitka, in its entirety, as a great destination for independent travelers and meeting groups alike. Recent actions by the city Assembly will put the responsibility of this promotion in the hands of either a for-profit business or a non-profit association. Either of these types of entities will inevitably lead to a shift in the focus of promoting Sitka.
A “for-profit” entity will obviously focus on “how to make money” for shareholders or its owners, while a “non-profit” entity will inevitably need to shift focus towards fundraising and/or grant writing. Regardless of the stated mission of any non-profit, the primary issue for non-profits is always funding. Either of these scenarios means less attention and effort put towards the promotion of Sitka.
Stay tuned to upcoming city Assembly meetings and watch as special interest activists prepare to divvy up the bed tax funds for warm and fuzzy special interest projects and continue to disregard the importance of a community focused economic driver such as the prototypical visitors bureau.
Philip Rupell, Sitka
BOF Reception
Dear Editor: Last week, Sitka was fortunate to host the Alaska Board of Fish meeting. The Board of Fish is an important policy-making entity to our fishing coastal community. Sitka Sound Science Center provided the facility for a reception for the board and the participants.
We’d like to thank these fishing industry organizations which organized and sponsored the fun-filled event: Alaska General Seafoods and Alaska Glacier Seafoods; Alaska Longline Fishermen’s Association; Alaska Troller’s Association; Douglas Island Pink and Chum; EC Phillips/Pacific Seafood Group; Hoonah Cold Storage; Icicle Seafoods; Icy Strait Seafoods; Northern Southeast Regional Aquaculture Association; Petersburg Vessel Owners Association; Purse Seine Vessel Owners Association; Seafood Producers Cooperative; Silver Bay Seafoods; Sitka Fish and Game Advisory Committee members; Sitka Herring Conservation Alliance; Sitka Herring Marketing Association; Sitka Sound Seafoods; Southeast Alaska Fishermen’s Alliance; Southeast Alaska Seiners; Southern Southeast Regional Aquaculture Association; Taku Smokeries; Trident Seafoods; United Fishermen of Alaska and United Southeast Alaska Gillnetter’s Association.
Ashia Lane organized the event. The delectable were catered by Ludvig’s Bistro and libations were from Baranof Island Brewery.
Thank you. Thank you.
Lisa Busch on behalf of the staff
and board of the
Sitka Sound Science Center
