Closing Downtown
Dear Editor: Seldom does a worse public policy proposal come up, than the work of the so-called ‘‘revitalization committee’’ plan to close downtown Sitka to vehicular traffic.
Every year they experiment with the idea. And every time it results in virtual gridlock, without any perceivable benefit to downtown merchants.
The last time they closed Lincoln Street I called the police business line and reported that ‘‘I was back by McConnell Bridge waiting for the stoplight at Stereo North. And there was nary a pedestrian to be seen on Lincoln Street.’’
There are two main ‘‘arterial’’ streets serving downtown Sitka – Lake Street and Katlian Street. Only one peripheral street serves to accommodate the overflow, Marine Street. When the downtown district is closed to traffic, it begins to back up at the downtown stoplight, with nowhere else to go. The only worse traffic situation occurs when the police start parades at Sheldon Jackson instead of by the lake, effectively bisecting the community, and isolating the airport and hospitals.
Throw the increased bus traffic into the mix this year; and we have the makings for a real mess downtown. I hope people speak up about this plan, because it’s a really lame idea.
Sigurd Rutter, Sitka
Memorial Day Gathering
Dear Editor: There will be a gathering at 6 p.m. on Friday, May 31, Memorial Day, across from the main gate to Sitka National Cemetery on Sisters Avenue.
The purpose of the gathering is not to have a parade, or hear speeches, or wave banners, posters, signs and flags.
The purpose rather is to walk and sit silently, mindfully and prayerfully – indeed, purposefully – among the tombstones and memorials to Sitka’s warrior dead and all those buried there with them, and to seek their guidance as to what is to be done – and by whom – to solve immediately both the sexual abuse outrage destroying this nation’s military, and the continuous, abject, total failure of the Veterans Administration to do its job.
The further purpose will be to reflect on the following statement of principle of the organization facilitating the gathering, Veterans Against War: ‘‘Memorial Day remembers America’s war dead. Unless and until we remember that there are other war dead (both military and, increasingly, civilian and non-combatant) besides just American, there will be new American war dead to be remembered with every new Memorial Day. And more non-American war dead to be forgotten.’’
Again, there will be no parades, speeches, signs or flags. Only the earnest seeking in silence of an answer to the question: So what? Now what?
At 8 p.m., those who have learned something and would like to share it with the gathering, will have just such an opportunity. Any subsequent activity will also be determined at that time. The gathering will conclude at sundown.
POC is Jeff Moebus, Master Sergeant, U.S. Army (Retired), Veterans Against War (Sitka Platoon), 752-7099, vaw.sitka@gmail.com.
Jeffery Moebus, Sitka
Golf Tournament
Dear Editor: Thank you to all of the players who participated in the First Bank tournament. It was a success and a special thanks to the people on the tournament committee who helped set up and the players who helped after the tournaments. With everyone’s help the things went smoothly and efficiently. Chris Spivey at First Bank did a great job putting this tournament together and when you pass him by in town give him thanks. Also, thank you to everyone at the golf course. It’s nice that we all came together and helped.
The next tournament will be sponsored by K&L June 9 at 8 a.m.
More tournaments to be announced in the coming summer months.
Golf Tournament Committee
Sea Mountain Golf Course
Dan Cox, John Rennie,
Colleen Ingman, Steve Bradshaw
and Wayne Hagerman
Golf Tourney Thanks
Dear Editor: The staff of First Bank would like to give thanks to everyone who was involved in this year’s annual First Bank Golf Tournament. Enormous thanks to the 43 participants who played, with their help we were able to raise $650 for the golf scholarship fund. A big thank you to the tournament committee who helped organize and set up the tournament.
They were extremely efficient and for that reason the tournament ran smoothly. Finally we would like to thank the golf course and chef Larry for a great day after a snowy start. The food was amazing as always and without the golf course itself none of this fun would have been possible.
First Bank Staff
