Coast Guard Cutter
Dear Editor: I’m writing in regards to the 154-foot Coast Guard cutter that is apparently going to be making its new home in Sitka. I, unlike our Mayor and obvious others in this town, despise the thought of more police/military presence in Sitka.
This town can hardly support the hardworking families that are here already with affordable housing. This will lessen the housing availability and raise rental rates. Government jobs don’t sustain communities. Simple economics.
As for safer waters, I call bs. This is simply a ploy for more enforcement on our waters, which I also strongly oppose. In my 30-some years of memories, I have no recollection of rescues around our community or coast lines where a “fast response cutter” would have saved lives. We have helos for that.
Now don’t get me wrong, I don’t have a vendetta against the USCG. As a commercial fisherman, I appreciate our Air Station more than most.
I’ve spent some days and nights where their presence was that of angels. If I was to need them, I know they’re there for me. And for that, I am forever grateful. Thank you, Air Station Sitka.
So this will bring a couple short-term jobs for construction guys. (Will they even be local)? Yes, infrastructure will be built, but for government use only. Sure, a couple more dollars for our gas and grocery stores. But the lasting effects of greater enforcement/harassment on our waters will be here for the long haul.
I don’t know how these dealings transpire without more public input, but this is major fam. Kinda reminds me of a story about a dam. Ask yourself, “What positive effect will this have on my family and me?” I myself can’t come up with one.
Jaycen Andersen, Sitka
Day of Caring
Dear Editor: Day of Caring is a new event at Blatchley Middle School. Students and staff give back to the community as a thank you for helping the school with the “Discover Your Potential” event that happens every other year. Students learned the importance of giving back while having lots of fun volunteering. We learned to cook, to garden, and to genuinely enjoy helping others.
We hope the community has benefited from this even as much as we have and we thank all in Sitka who have generously help our school in the past.
Thank you to all of our community partners: White Elephant, the Tree and Landscape Committee, Pacific High School, Sitka High School, Mount Edgecumbe High School, Sitka Sound Science Center, Sitka Tribe of Alaska, Alaska Raptor Center, City of Sitka, State of Alaska Department of Transportation, Sitka Local Foods Network, Sea Mart, AC Lakeside, Americorps, Sitka Cirque, Sitka Gymnastics, Pioneers Home, Sitka Trail Works, 4-H extension service, Salvation Army, Mt. Edgecumbe Preschool, Baranof Elementary School, Sitka Animal Shelter, Sitka Studio of Dance, Market Center, LFS Marine Supplies, Sitka Sound Seafoods, True Value, Sitka Fine Arts Camp, and the Hames Corporation.
We would also like to give special shout-outs to all of the amazing and supportive families of Blatchley students and staff. Events like these could not happen without you.
Thank you as well to Karl Jordan’s shop program at BMS. All of the beautiful planters we used were made by students in that program. Kudos! Also, we would sincerely like to thank the patient staff of the BMS lunch program who worked around a bit of confusion and fed over 300 hungry young people. Finally, many thanks to the Island Bus Company for driving us all over town.
This event would not have been possible without the careful planning of the BMS elective team and the support of BMS administrators. Thank you to Ms. Kari Sagel for securing grant monies generously gifted by the Alaska Council for School Administrators in partnership with Carrs/Safeway. The monies were used to buy our blue Day of Caring shirts (designed by Fiona Raasch), transportation, and general supplies.
Of course we want to send appreciation to our local media – KCAW and the Sitka Sentinel – for caring about what we do and who we are. Thank you.
Blatchley Middle School students
