Tour of the GPIP
Dear Editor: Sitkans, you missed a wonderful opportunity to see the space and hear an update on the status of GPIP (the Gary Paxson Industrial Park) on April 20. Thank you, Garry White and Linda Wilson of SEDA (Sitka Economic Development Administration), for the information shared and the walking tour. What a spectacular site with tremendous potential! And, also, with a whole series of puzzling circumstances I do not understand.
Only three members of the public attended, despite the fact this public tour was advertised. The GPIP monthly board meeting was held and that, too, was open to the public. No Assembly members were there either.
Something is seriously wrong. It was not just the fact no maps were available to identify lots already sold and those still available. No visible flags mark the old lots, nor do flags identify the new lots created by the minor subdivisions that occurred in 2012-2013.
Huge mounds of rock sit on some of those. What is it about the GPIP that makes it seem so “off limits” and secret? Is it ghosts of the past? The demise of the pulp mill? Remnants of old feuds? Failed projects? Huge expectations? Faulty process?
Why the claim the administration building is in bad shape and should be sold for a $1 in order to avoid maintenance and heating costs? I expected to see the ragged remnants of offices and leaky old bathrooms in a cold, damp building. But once through the gloomy entrance, it was surprisingly clean, refurbished, and cared for. What an asset
for the City!
Near the old wharf, at tide level, a huge 36” pipe is installed and ready to sell bulk water. A brand new, heated building over by Sawmill Creek is unoccupied.
Now that Blue Lake construction is (nearly) over, the dam built, plenty of electricity ready to sell, and celebrated by the grand ceremony last Friday when the turbines were dramatically baptized, what is the rush?
Take a look, Sitkans. Sawmill Cove is (or was?) your land to sell, your land to lease.
Ask for a tour and think like a city that cares about what happens in South Sitka. It is a grand site.
Nancy Yaw Davis, Sitka
Thank You, SSS
Dear Editor: I would like to extend a very big thank you to Sitka Sound Seafoods on behalf of all the marine creatures residing in the aquarium at the Sitka Sound Science Center. Sitka Sound Seafoods provides the majority of the SSSC’s aquarium feed. We could not keep the aquarium thriving and happy without SSS. Thanks, again, for the salmon donation.
Taylor White,
Sitka Sound Science Center
State Income Tax
Dear Editor: To keep Alaska afloat, we need a state income tax. Then we would all have a share in keeping this great state up and running.
Doris Smith, Sitka
Monsanto March Planning
Dear Editor: This year’s global March Against Monsanto will take place on Saturday, May 23. Sitka’s march will start at Crescent Harbor at noon. Brett and Kris Wilcox will host a March Against Monsanto planning party on Wednesday, May 13, at 5:30 p.m. in room 106 at UAS. We’re going to watch a few short GMO related movies, make posters, and discuss the march. We’ll have some poster making supplies, but feel free to bring yours as well. No paint please.
On Wednesday, May 20, the Wilcox family will give a presentation on their 3,000-mile transcontinental Run For a GMO Free USA. Meet at 5:30 p.m. in Room 106 at UAS. We will discuss the run and the latest developments in the GMO Free movement. Brett will have his new book on hand, ‘‘We’re Monsanto: Still Feeding the World, Lie After Lie, Book Two.’’ Free copies will be provided to everyone who contributed to last year’s run.
Many thanks to so many Sitkans for standing with us as we stand for seed freedom, food freedom, and sustainable food systems. We look forward to you and your positive energy on May 13, May 20 and May 23, for these family friendly events.
Brett and Kris Wilcox, Sitka
