Dear Editor: As a long-time member of the Sitka community, I care deeply about the health and prosperity of our town. That’s why I urge my fellow Sitkans to vote NO on Ballot Measure 1.
My first concern is community well-being. We are a network of neighbors, friends, and families who rely on one another – and on a healthy local economy. Any economic slowdown reduces our access to services and opportunities. In a time of uncertainty and high living costs, we cannot afford to cut off a vital source of income for many residents: the visitor economy.
My second concern is process. Sitka has already been engaged in an inclusive, public effort to determine what level of tourism is sustainable and appropriate. That process should continue – not be overridden by a small, unelected group imposing an arbitrary limit. Capping cruise visitors at 300,000 may sound reasonable, but it’s out of step with current economic realities. This figure risks making local tourism businesses unviable, pushing out entrepreneurs and workers who rely on summer income just to get through the year.
This ballot measure doesn’t reflect consensus; it reflects overreach. If we truly want a balanced, thoughtful approach to tourism, we must let the public process continue. We need decisions grounded in data, community dialogue, and economic understanding – not guesswork.
This vote is about Sitka’s future. It’s about supporting local business, protecting jobs, and ensuring that the people who want to live here still can.
Vote NO on Ballot Measure 1 – for Sitka, for community, for common sense.
Lynne Brandon, Sitka
