Education Budget Cuts
Dear Editor: I have written to the Legislature to express my concern with the education cuts in the state budget. Education is the only constitutional mandated state responsibility. Educating our students, in a well-rounded manner, is the future of our state and country.
I am particularly disheartened by the cuts because, as a resident of Sitka, many of the programs they will have to eliminate locally will have immediate and long-term effects on the quality of education of our students and the overall health of our community.
I am appealing to the Legislature to reconsider these cuts and invest in the future of our State.
Lauren Allen, Sitka
Kids Bike Rodeo
Dear Editor: The Kids Bike Rodeo was a huge success this year, thanks to the wonderful turnout from the community, and the contributions from so many sponsoring organizations who worked with the Rotary Club of Sitka to put on the event. We had more than 70 kids register for the rodeo – the highest in recent years – and a number of adults who turned out to walk their kids through the stations, before enjoying the sunny weather and a picnic on the tarmac at the U.S. Coast Guard Air Station Sitka.
At the rodeo, kids had a chance to register their bike with the Sitka Police Department, pick up a new helmet, get their helmets adjusted, put reflective gear on their clothing and bikes, and get a safety check from mechanics before heading through a mock traffic course and obstacle challenge to learn the rules of the road. A favorite aspect of the event for many of the kids is the chance to take a spin around the tarmac.
Thanks to the community for supporting this event year after year, and helping our kids get ready and be safe in the busy bicycling season ahead. A big thank you to the groups who helped the local Rotary Club sponsor the event including U.S. Coast Guard Air Station Sitka, Yellow Jersey Cycle Shop, the Sitka Police Department, Sitka Bicycle Friendly Community, the Girl Scouts, SEARHC and Sitka Community Hospital.
We’ll see you next year!
The Rotary Club of Sitka
Bulk Water Sales
Dear Editor: Check it out, Sitkans. Remember the bulk water deal? The deal to ship our “virtually clean enough to drink without treating” water south? Well, if you are so inclined as to check out this website http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/alaska-bulk-water-selling-millions-gallons-water-help-aleviate-californian-drought-says-ceo-1496851 you can see what the proposed uses of that water are.
And if you aren’t so inclined I will provide a bit of a clue . . . one of the proposed uses of our very clean water is fracking. You know, the technique of creating hydraulic fractures by injecting water, chemicals and sand to create or enlarge cracks resulting in more freely flowing natural gas and petroleum.
Sad.
J. Scott MacDonald, Sitka
EDITOR’S COMMENT: Those Brits: They love to have us on.
