Thank You, Sentinel
Dear Editor: You may imagine my surprise when I heard clumping up the stairs and looked out the window. When, what to my wondering eyes should appear, a newspaper person delivering the Sitka Sentinel right to my front door! What? No one told me, but they are back, top notch and terrific.
Thank you to all the staff at the Daily Sitka Sentinel for all your dedication and work during these covid times. It wasn’t a real hardship to come into to town to get my newspaper. The hardship would have been no newspapers. To me this is a harbinger that better times are here and yet to come. A nice late Christmas gift. Thank you.
Jeff Budd, Sitka
Road Funding
Dear Editor: I’d like to comment on the Sentinel’s article on May 4 ‘‘Young Seeks Funding for Katlian Bay Road.’’
The project like many other ‘‘public works’’ projects is riding the wave of cost increases. In 2012 the project was approved via a state bond question. The amount approved was $14 million of the $16 million supposedly needed for project. The road was put out to bid at $31.8 million in 2019.
It will provide Sitka with recreation, subsistence, access to Shee Atika/Forest Service lands and possible material needs for future needs.
Reading between the lines in the additional funds for the project means the cost will be $40 million and growing.
I believe this funding request is barking up the wrong tree. If Mr. Young can shake loose a cool $8 million I’d respectfully request that money be utilized for building a much-needed haulout for our working waterfront and other boaters.
In 2022 Sitka will very well be left with no place to haul out boats. I am projecting a huge loss to Sitka’s economy with most of the commercial fishing fleet and larger recreational vessels heading to Hoonah or Wrangell for boat maintenance and repair.
John Murray, Sitka
