Charges
Dear Editor: In June 2017 I tried to bring my mom sand for a belated Mother’s Day present. It had previously been used to sandblast paint off my boat. Ironically I was repainting, and renaming the boat to separate it from it’s sordid past. I was told that the paint that came off my boat wasn’t toxic, and the sand was just sand, (copper slag variety deemed non hazardous by the EPA), and that people use the spent sand for horse shoe pits and landscaping. I decided to bring it home to my mom to use at her new property as fill.
I had told the shipyard that was my intention from the first day of sandblasting. I didn’t take it to cut corners or costs, I give away more in scholarships and donations every year, I was trying to do something nice for my mom. After leaving the ship yard a week late, she told me she would only be able to unload it one pickup-truck-full at a time. I became anxious about getting ready for my first salmon season in time and letting the processing plant, fishermen, and my entire gender down if I couldn’t pull it off.
After consulting my dumping placard and determining that the sand was safe to discharge, I decided to dump it overboard to make my deadline. Unfortunately my placard was outdated by one year. Something I was unaware of until last week. Although both the copper slag sand and the paint we use are considered non-hazardous by the EPA, NOAA has different definitions so it can still technically be considered pollution.
From the beginning I have been totally honest about the events that transpired, I had a film crew on board and let him roll the whole thing. I didn’t have him delete it because I thought it proved our intentions were good, we cut open the bags carefully to prevent getting any plastic in the ocean. Literally to prevent pollution. I didn’t try to hide it because I thought I was with in the law. As someone who recycles, conserves, reuses, and goes green whenever possible, I’d never intentionally discharge a “pollutant.”
The prosecution threatened to charge me with a felony if I did not agree to this plea deal. The penalty seemed fair to me. But I had no idea then that it would be publicly reported on so one-sidedly. I think I would have fought harder if I had known my name and my boat would be shamed like this.
I renamed the boat after my late Grandmother Helen Finney who was named Alaskan if the year multiple times. I strive to be an exemplary Alaskan and woman in fishing everyday. I use my boat to bring supplies to firefighters, to transport recycling for local businesses, to employ and provide scholarships to women in fishing, to start a “teach a girl to fish” program bringing young adults out to hear about the industry, to donate to those in need.
I have learned from it and will accept the consequences of my mistake, but I’m not the villain that the story from the prosecution has made me out to be. I hope my negligence can be forgiven and learned from in the future.
Brannon Finney, Bellingham
Homeless
Dear Editor: We, the Sitka Homeless Coalition, would like to thank the many individuals and groups that have shown their support in helping those amongst us in Sitka that live unsheltered. The Sitka Homeless Coalition formed to establish a men’s winter night shelter to help those, during our harshest months, find a warm and safe place to spend the night. As we work towards finding that “right’’ location and formulating what this shelter should look like, we have been supporting these fellow Sitkans with twice-weekly shower and laundry services. We have been able to extend our support to include haircuts as well. A big thank you to Patty at The Salon and Malcolm at Olde Tyme Barber Shop for your services.
Our supporters have been many. Thank you to the Greater Sitka Legacy Fund, ALPS Federal Credit Union, Northrim Bank, First Bank, the White Elephant Shop, the Sitka Rotary Club, St. Peter’s Episcopal Church and the Sitka Methodist Church for your generous donations. We would also like to thank those who have donated food and coffee during our laundry hours, Highliner Coffee, AC Lakeside, Rising Tide Bagel Company, Sitka Food Coop and the many individuals who donated soaps, personal care products, laundry supplies, towels, etc. which helped keep this program going. The coalition would also like to thank the numerous volunteers of the SHC and staff at the Sitka Laundry Center that help set up and supervise at the laundry facility to make it all run smoothly. The recipients have been so very appreciative and express their sincere thanks.
With heartfelt thanks to our caring community,
The Sitka Homeless Coalition,
Peg Shea, Bobby Pendleton, Gayle Young, Paul Young,
Hannah Blanke, Hannah Green, Dorothy Orbison, Karen Martinsen, Melinda McAdams, Karen Lucas
Classroom Thanks
Dear Editor: Sitka High School foods and nutrition classes would like to thank the many people and businesses who have helped us on our journey this school year. As part of our curriculum we welcome local talents, businesses and cultural leaders into our classroom to lead and teach us. These leaders help expand our learning, use of food service techniques, and also stretch our understanding of different cultures.
We also have several businesses to thank for their thoughtful and generous donations to our program. These donations help to buy the food, supplies and associated costs that assist in making our class more real to life for each student. Students have had the opportunity to visit local retail and restaurants, earn their State of Alaska food workers card, work as a member of a team, and learn cooking technique and a love of cooking.
A huge thank you goes out to the following who have given of their time and resources to support our students; it’s what makes Sitka so great to raise kids, live and work in. The Mean Queen and their awesome staff, Chef Edith of Our Town Catering, Pastor Bennie Grace (JoJo) of United Methodist Church, Beth Short-Rhoades of Fireweed Dinner Service, Carlos and Jodi Schwantes of the F/V Kalliste, Nancy Douglas and Charlie Skultka of Sitka Tribe of Alaska, Fish to Schools, Hames Corporation, AC Lakeside, and supporters who have donated by enjoying our homemade jams/jellies. We have so much gratitude to you all, thank for supporting career and technical education in our community.
Meggan Turner, Sitka High School
Foods and Nutrition Teacher
