Arbor Day Event
Dear Editor: In May, 50 years ago, a group of fourth-graders from Kodiak facilitated the first-ever Alaska Arbor Day. In honor of the anniversary, Sitka Conservation Society’s Alaska Way of Life 4-H program partnered with the City and Borough of Sitka to host a tree planting at Swan Lake.
The 4-H members, community volunteers, along with grounds specialist Jud Kirkness, got their hands dirty planting three new trees along the Swan Lake peninsula. Additionally, apple, plum and cherry fruit trees were given away as “door prizes” to community members who attended the event to encourage the growth of our local food system.
The symbolic act of planting trees represents an investment into the future community of Sitka. It is our hope that another 50 years from now, these trees will stand strong even if we may not be around to see their beauty. For now, the new trees serve as pleasant reminders that Sitka 4-H members care about their community and the future of our planet.
A large thank you goes out to the Alaska Community Forestry Council, USDA Forest Service and State of Alaska Division of Forestry for making the event possible with their support. Sitka Conservation Society would like to extend many thanks to everyone who make the event a success: to the City and Borough of Sitka, most especially Jud Kirkness, for all of the support and planting guidance; to Garden Ventures for helping with materials; and to Charles Bingham, the Sitka Daily Sentinel and KCAW Raven Radio for helping to advertise the event.
This small act of planting trees demonstrates the remarkable investment of so many into building a sustainable community in Sitka.
Molly Johnson,
Living with the Land and Building Community Jesuit Volunteer,
Sitka Conservation Society
Dog Life Jackets
Dear Editor: On Tuesday my husband was working on his boat when he heard a splashing and looked to see a chocolate Lab had fallen in the water between the dock and our bumpers. The dog was trying to get out but couldn’t My husband was able to grab the dog’s collar as it started to go under for the last time. He was able to pull the dog out, but had he not been there the dog would have drowned
When the owner was located, he said he had another dog that fell in the water and didn’t do that again. I thought there was a law that all dogs had to be on a leash which includes the boat docks.
Dogs need life jackets the same as children when on the docks.
My husband said he still could se the panic on the dog’s face.
Dogs can swim but can’t tread water and the temperature of the water affects them as well as if a person falls in the water. If the dog was able to swim he still may have not been able to get out because the water is so cold and no one may have seen him.
Life jackets are not that expensive and can be purchased at our local sporting good stores or online. If your pet means anything to you, the investment is worth it and they will get used to wearing them.
Mary Majeski, Sitka
Sealaska
Dear Editor: I am a Sealaska Corporation shareholder. I graduated from Ketchikan High School. I have a BA in business finance and a Stanford University MBA. I am concerned with Sealaska’s operating performance. I served on the Sealaska Board of Directors and as the Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer.
This letter addresses Sealaska’s operational profits and losses. The line item “Loss from Continuing Operations before Natural Resources Revenue Sharing and Income Taxes” in the Annual Report is the subject of this review. The “operating” loss amounts for 2015 - 2011 in the Annual Reports are respectively ($11,394,000), ($9,661,000), ($56,668,000), ($5,334,000) and ($16,102,000). The total loss is ($99,227,000) for the five years and includes ($11,170,000) of “other” operating losses. These losses result from the board’s policy oversight and direction failure.
The losses point out the board’s, and management’s, failure in their fiduciary duties for the shareholders. The shareholders must hold the board members accountable for operational losses. Sealaska reported total revenues of $866,364,000 for the period. Total costs and expenses are $954,421,000. The ($99,227,000) loss proves failure to perform.
Losses per share from continuing operations for the five-year period are as follows: ($5.45), ($4.29), ($24.78), ($2.41) and ($8.45). A shareholder owning 100 shares of common stock in 2015 has lost $545 of corporate value.
Operating revenue is derived from sources related to a company’s everyday business operations. Total 7i and 7j revenue for the five-year period is $112,325,000. 7i and 7j revenue is not Sealaska operating revenue and should not be included as “operating revenue.’’ 7i and 7j revenue is received from other Native corporations required by ANCSA. Without 7i and 7j revenue Sealaska is not profitable!
The operating loss of ($99,227,000) is 106 percent of the original ANCSA settlement of $93,200,000. This loss is $6,027,000 more than the ANCSA funds received!
I encourage Sealaska shareholders to vote for the independent candidates to change the board of directors and to stop the losses.
Thank you for this opportunity to reach out to Sealaska’s shareholders.
Jim Edenso, Hansville, Wash.
