Junior BioBlitz
Dear Editor: Question: What do you get when you mix six months of planning, collaboration between nearly 50 local volunteers armed with nets, cams, live traps, guidebooks and other tools, 100 fourth-graders, and a perfectly sunny Sitka day?
Answer: A very successful Junior BioBlitz!
Fourth-graders worked in small groups to explore the biodiversity of their own backyard at Starrigavan last week. They were led by content experts in birds, plants, intertidal, marine and freshwater species (including two divers), mushrooms, small mammals and insects. The true measure of success is that students increased their knowledge of local species and some field science techniques, and one freshwater invertebrate previously undocumented in Alaska was recorded.
This amazing event would not have been possible without the contributions of Sitka Tribe of Alaska, the Sitka Sound Science Center, the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, Sitka Conservation Society, University of Alaska Southeast, the National Park Service and the U.S. Forest Service, along with two dozen local volunteers who assisted as content experts and as chaperones. The event was also supported by the Hames Corporation, the Sitka Elks, and the Alaska Science Teachers Association. A special thank you goes to the excellent fourth-grade teaching team at Keet Gooshi Heen.
Rebecca Himschoot,
Keet Gooshi Heen science teacher
Dinner Cruise
Dear Editor: On behalf of the Cape Decision Lighthouse Society board, I would like to give hearty thanks to the Boat Company and its amazing Captain Erik and crew.
We especially thank the late Michael McIntosh for his generous support for over a decade which included sponsorship of this year’s boat cruise benefit dinner. We also thank all who were able to attend.
Thank you to the Hames family, the Carlson family, the Stephenson family, the Rogers family, the Pasternak family, Anameika and Mike Mayo. We apologize for the mix-up in the printing of the tickets and hope those of you who could not attend this year will be able to in the future. Thank you, Deb Lyons, for your thoughtful toast remembering Mr. McIntosh and giving our guests some context for his many accomplishments in life, and for connecting CDLS with the McIntosh Foundation. The foundation has truly been the financial life line for the Cape Decision Lighthouse Society since its inception.
Brandon C. Marx, Sitka
City Taxes
Dear Editor: First of all, thank you for providing this venue for the citizens of Sitka. I know there are computer groups, but some of us are old-fashioned and just want to get the word out to the entire town. If I had retired from private industry and knew all the things going on, I would walk away and say too bad. But I retired from a government that runs the town I would like to continue to live in, and that means I can’t just sit back and let it keep happening. Since my last letter I have had requests for more by those who because of employment or other reasons can’t write, so here it is.
I have sat back and watched as the city/Assembly continue to raise rates, the last jump in sales tax max tax maybe had to happen but not at the expense of one of the good industry we have. We actually made this kind of change a few years back and we accommodated the charter and other industries who have presold bookings. It was not a problem and did not take any more of staff time to do it. I appreciate Mr. Gorman’s looking out for staff and their valuable time and the fact that it is on the honor system. Truthfully, all of sales tax is on the “honor system” and that is why we have audits.
We have already lost charter companies who have moved out of town or closed down; why are we trying to make it harder on those remaining. They actually pour a large amount of funds into our local economy and now we are going to say, “sorry, you aren’t worth one season of compromise.” So sad, perhaps they should actually look at the revenue that comes from these industries and see if they aren’t worth keeping here. Is it not better to lose a tax increase for a few months and keep an industry strong and paying taxes then to drive them out with government overreach.
And then there is the senior tax exemption. Just in case anyone is wondering what has started this debate all over again it just might be from Mr. Sweeny who once said to me, and I quote “Seniors have lived here for free long enough.” I disputed that then and I will continue to do so. We may have some sales tax exempted but for sure we are spending money and it is helping to keep others employed who are also spending money and paying taxes.
Many of us seniors are also actually paying taxes. My husband and I have three businesses, every one of them pays tax on utilities, property and fuel, and collect and remit tax to the city, I know this is also true for many others. And what was it about not being able to accommodate presold products and services because of staff time? If they are thinking the “senior rebate” is going to happen without extensive time we need new accountants because there is something off in their calculations. It sounds like more of an excuse then an actuality.
It is my suggestion that we have an audit committee; this would work somewhat like the Harbor Commission and the Planning Commission. This is not the same as auditors that are required to have but would work with the auditors and for the community. I have spoken to a few Assembly members and there are some willing to listen. I would suggest that you get hold of them; they were elected by many votes not just the few from city hall that are giving all the answers. I understand more than many that they do know more of the answers than a lot of folks, but I also know they don’t know them all and they do not always get them right. I am not angry or bitter, just very concerned and tired of what looks like manipulation to me.
Marjorie Parmelee, Sitka,
Retired Sales Tax Clerk
