House Election
Dear Editor: I have known Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins since he was in Blatchley. He is a very energetic and thoughtful person who approaches problems with a great deal of insight and common sense. He will make an excellent representative for Sitka and northern Southeast in the Alaska Legislature and I would urge a vote for him on Nov. 6. His decision to go door-to-door in the villages and smaller towns is a testament to the dedication he brings to the process and his willingness to listen to all sides of an issue.
In the host of issues confronting Alaska in the next legislative term I would stress two – education and oil taxation. Bill Thomas, Jonathan’s opponent has consistently opposed adequate and forward funding of the Alaska K-12 School System. Without adequate funding we have seen a significant layoff of teachers this year, particularly in Anchorage, Fairbanks and Juneau. The problem is further compounded by the lack of forward funding which puts districts in the position of being unable to estimate what positions they can afford to fill and are thus forced to give many teachers pink slips and then try to hire them back in the summer if and when the funds come through (after the governor signs the state budget in late June). Jonathan has strongly advocated for adequate and forward funding of the schools as a pivotal element in building a capable and stable workforce for Alaska.
Jonathan, unlike his opponent Bill Thomas, has consistently opposed the governor’s scheme to reduce oil taxes by up to $2 billion, especially without any assurance on the part of the oil industry that it will increase production. Giving that level of inducement to a group of highly profitable, multinational corporations just makes no sense. It is also deleterious to the state’s ability to fund other projects like the Blue Lake Dam, the ferry system, roads and harbors, etc. It may also eventually decrease the funds available for the yearly Permanent Fund Dividend. A vote for Jonathan will help get this flawed idea off the table.
Thomas Conley, M.D.
Vote for Jonathan
Dear Editor: I have redrafted this letter several times, but I’m sending you this version because I believe that the only way to explain to people why they should vote for Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins is by explaining how inspirational he is.
Supporters of Jonathan’s opponent are fond of pointing out how little experience he has and how powerful his opponent is. With respect, they are demonstrating their ignorance.
JKT did not need to be on any committees to bring Yale students to Sitka Fine Arts Camp as counselors. Campers marveled at the number of Ivy League counselors present, but that’s just the Jonathan touch.
The story goes that Jonathan once met for about 20 minutes with an obdurate governor and that she went from solid opposition to a major public arts facility in Sitka to solid support for that same facility. The only thing that had changed was that she spent 20 minutes with a high-school aged Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins, who wasn’t on any State budget-generating committees at the time. I do not know if this story is true, but I completely believe it based on what I’ve seen of JKT and Sitka now has a Performing Arts Center that is the envy of all Alaska.
I’ll leave it to other people to point out in greater detail exactly all of the other great things that Jonathan has already done for Sitka and Southeast Alaska, but it really takes no more than a cursory look at his campaign and the attitudes surrounding it to see how he will rise above business as usual in Juneau. Jonathan is creating a community in Southeast by doing nothing more sophisticated than knocking on doors and actually listening to the people who answer. Those who meet him are compelled to assist him because they sense that he is genuinely interested in assisting them.
Sure, Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins will take his seat in the Legislature without a history on any committees, but that will not matter. His work ethic, attitude, and amazing ability to convince others to work with and for him will continue to do great things for Southeast Alaska.
I am looking forward to voting for JKT on Tuesday, and I invite all those reading this to do the same. We’ve all seen the energy that Jonathan brings to his campaign. Let’s give him the chance to put it to work for us in Juneau as well.
Stephen Courtright, Sitka
Blue Lake Project
Dear Editor: Affordable electricity is a necessity for Sitka and should not be exploited for political gain. Voters who would like to see Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins in the state House should not be deterred by suggestions that his election will jeopardize funding for Blue Lake Dam.
Jonathan is smart, resourceful and dedicated to Sitka. If elected to the state House, we have no doubt that he will work tirelessly with his partner in the state Senate to secure funding for Blue Lake dam and other projects that will benefit all Sitkans. We trust that Mr. Stedman, should he win the state Senate race, will put partisan politics aside and do the same.
Cindy Litman and Anthony Guevin,
Sitka
Voting JKT, Kookesh
Dear Editor: With redistricting, the person we elect for state House on Nov. 6 will represent not only Sitka, but also the towns and villages that make up rural Southeast, including Hoonah, where we live. Jonathan said his one thing he plans on doing is making sure he made it to all communities several times in a year. Wants to hear the concerns of the people.
Only rarely do politicians show up in Hoonah and stay longer than a day. Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins spent a week and knocked on every door. Then he came back a second time. We’ve never seen anything like it for as long is we’ve lived in Hoonah, which as our family entire lives.
We first met Jonathan when he knocked on our door in Hoonah. We were impressed. Later, Jonathan sent hand-signed letters to each resident of Hoonah, sharing his perspective for the future of our community. He clearly had learned a lot about our community, and offered a very informed local perspective. Hoonah needs Jonathan as its representative.
We also know Bill Thomas and we have supported Bill, even driving him around town when he comes to visit. But earlier this year, Bill came to Hoonah for a town hall meeting for the community to decide the location of our cruise ship dock. Bill opened the meeting by basically saying, “This is how it is going to be.” The 100 people in that room were disgusted. That’s not representation. That’s arrogance. And we can promise you that the vote in Hoonah on Election Day will show it.
We also support Albert Kookesh, who has taken the time and shown the interest to work with Hoonah. Albert is from rural Southeast and has been dedicated to rural Southeast during his 16 years in the Legislature. I’m a strong Republican and I’m voting for Mitt Romney, but I know Albert and Jonathan will make a strong team for our villages and our Native community.
Keith and Edna Skaflestad, Hoonah
Vote JKT, Stedman
Dear Editor: As a lifelong commercial fisherman, my wandering in search of fish has brought me to the far corners of Southeast Alaska. One of the constant themes I hear from residents of these diesel dependent towns is how energy needs are killing their communities.
I’m sure that there isn’t a politician running for state office that will not say they promote more alternative energy for Alaska. Like most things, the real question is how you pay for it. If our oil lobbyist turned governor’s plan had passed with his party’s rubber stamp, there would be no extra money to modernize Alaska.
It doesn’t take much research to find that Alaska’s oil taxes are high. Indeed I support some tax reform to incentivize new development of a natural gas line, heavy oil, or oil sands and shale development. I would even be willing to give the oil companies a little larger piece of the profits when oil is over $100 a barrel. However, we cannot plunge our state into deficits with no guarantee of more development.
I want to vote for representatives who use independent, critical thinking about legislation before voting. Those who are willing to bridge the partisan divide to find the best solutions.
Please join me in supporting Bert Stedman and Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins.
Bert Bergman, Sitka
Article Response
Dear Editor: I’d like to comment on your article in Wednesday’s Sentinel, ‘‘Millions in Bonds on State Ballots.’’ It was a decent overview with not much depth.
Locally there has been little talk, info or debate on our two ‘‘pet projects.’’ Maybe it’s best to not stir the pot so all will slide beneath the radar?
A total of $14 million for Sitka-Katlian Bay road construction. What do we get for this project? What is the long range plan here? It’s a road to mostly private lands: Shee Atika/Sealaska. There was some mention of a gravel deposit. That’s expensive gravel. Is this the start of the road out a here?
And $7.5 million for Sawmill Cove Industrial Park dock? What’s this about? Is this a Field of Dreams project? Build it and they will come? The $7.5 million is only a small part of the funds needed for a project of this scope I believe.
While many of the bonding projects are sound, I question the expensive road and the dock projects. Can either one of these projects stand on its own in the legislative arena? Is their ‘‘free money’’ really free?
John Murray, Sitka
Voting Kreiss-Tomkins
Dear Editor: I served four years as mayor of Angoon. I’m a registered Republican and I voted for Bill Thomas in years past.
I have attempted to work with Bill Thomas on important matters, not only important for Angoon, but also for the Southeast region, but to no avail.
A statement was made: ‘‘No one in this room votes for me.’’ That has stayed in my mind to this day. So when Jonathan made his statement that if elected he will work for everyone in the district whether they voted for him or not, that has helped me decide to support Jonathan for his bid to be our next representative.
Thank you for the opportunity for my voice to be heard.
Albert Howard,
Tlingit, U.S. Army veteran, commercial fisherman, charter boat captain, former mayor, City of Angoon
Supporting Thomas
Dear Editor: I’m the wife of the late Sen. Dick Eliason. I’ve spent many years paying attention to how the Legislature and politics work in Juneau. When my husband was the president of the Senate, he rose to power because he was in the majority party and because he had experience serving on the Sitka Assembly and as our mayor.
Dick had the respect of his peers and therefore the support of his colleagues which enabled him to get things done for Sitka and the state. Rep. Bill Thomas has earned that same respect from his peers.
Part of the hard cold facts of politics is if you aren’t in the majority party, you have very little chance of affecting policy or getting support for major capital projects.
Dick was a lifelong fisherman just like Rep. Bill Thomas. Bill is the lone commercial fisherman in the Legislature If Bill is not there, fishermen will not have anyone who understands their needs.
I respect Jonathan for his education and his achievements in high school.
However, the political realities in Juneau and being responsible for representing 17,500 people in our district is a long way from political theory in college.
Success in Juneau comes from gaining respect of your colleagues and building relationships. Rep. Bill thomas is in the majority party and has risen to one of the most influential positions in the Legislature. He is co-chair of the House finance committee. Bill is in the House leadership and as Dick knew full well from his legislative experience, having power is the key to being able to get things done for Sitka.
Sen. Bert Stedman in the Senate and Rep. Bill Thomas in the House in power positions is the only way for us to get the funding to complete the Blue Lake dam project. Period. That’s just the hard, cold facts.
Pat Eliason, Sitka
Strategic Voting
Dear Editor: I marvel at some Sitkans who think that electing a 23-year-old to the state Legislature, who has never had a permanent job or been elected to any other office, would be a good idea for our community. I might be more inclined to support him had he tried some local politics first. I get it that people want to have a change, but for the health of the community can we afford it now? I fear we are throwing a lamb to the wolves in Juneau who will not be able to help with our pressing needs.
We are going to go to the Legislature this session and try to get $40 million to finish the Blue Lake Hydro Project and $4 million for the remodel of Harrigan Hall. The Assembly has already said they will go through with the Blue Lake project without the state’s help if need be, but this would more than likely come in the form of a revenue bond backed by another increase in electric rates of about 5 cents per kilowatt. This would take our rate to 18 cents per kilowatt where it used to be 9 cents (they already have the rate increased figured out to take it to 13 cents). I challenge Sitkans to take a look at your current electric bill and multiply the kilowatts by .05. The average home uses 1,000 kilowatts per month. So if we do not get help from the state on the Blue Lake hydro project, each Sitka household will pay another $50 per month or $600 per year for the next 30-35 years on top of what you already pay.
We talk about how expensive it is to live in Sitka, wait until you see this cost spread out to the grocery stores, liquor stores, laundromats, etc. Just think what this does to our fish processors utility bill, they lose their competitive advantage over other communities and can’t afford to pay our fishermen a higher price for their fish. Think about the school budget, they budgeted $336,500 for electricity for all the school buildings in the current budget cycle; a 38 percent increase ($.13 to $.18) would add $127,000 to their budget; this increase would not be for just one year but 30-35 years.
I have voted Democrat or Republican when I felt it was in the best interest of our community as in when Ben Grussendorf was in office and was in the majority caucus. This time I am going to vote for Bill Thomas as he would be the best choice for our community and the region. Bill will be co-chair of House finance again and in a position to help secure the $40 million for the Blue Lake hydro project. Sen. Stedman can put it in the capital budget, but we need a member of the House majority caucus committee to protect it.
Bill would also be in a position to help other Southeast communities with their projects. If Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins is elected there will only be seven to eight Democrats in the Legislature out of 40 and he would be lucky to get a committee assignment on Rural Affairs, certainly nothing that can help Sitka or the region; I am voting for experience and my pocketbook this time around that is why I am voting for Bill Thomas.
Fred Reeder,
Former City and Borough
of Sitka Mayor
A Rare Opportunity
Dear Editor: Rarely do all the stars line up. And yet, every once in a very great while, we are presented with a golden opportunity to shape our future and to move forward with conviction. Just such an uncommon opportunity is now dangling tantalizingly within our reach.
Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins, a shining product of our Sitka school system, is running for state House in the newly formed district where Sitka is the key player. This incredibly energetic, unselfish, community-minded, brilliant lifelong Sitkan is putting himself out there, for the good of us all. This is Sitka’s big chance to elect a really big thinker to represent us in Juneau. I will be voting for Jonathan and I urge you to do the same.
I’m fully convinced that Mr. Kreiss-Tomkins is completely committed to our community and to the job that lies ahead for him. And I believe he has the intelligence and raw courage necessary to make great things happen for Southeast Alaska. I can also tell you what he is NOT: he is NOT a well-paid board member of, and advocate for, Sealaska Corporation and he is NOT an oil industry puppet; both of these things do, however, accurately characterize his opponent. Jonathan advocates for fiscal responsibility, unfettered access to our public lands, excellence in education and social equality.
Recognize Sitka and our region as the incredibly special place it is and help stem the tide of corporate influence in our state government, cast your ballot for Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins.
Davey Lubin, Sitka
A Vote for Obama
Dear Editor: I must admit the current election for president of the United States I feel more strongly about than any other one in my life.
It seems to me that the influence of the ‘‘Citizens United’’ Supreme Court decision on the 2012 elections has been divisive for the ‘‘united’’ part of the USA.
President Obama is clear in what he says, and polite. Ex-governor Romney is vague in what he says, and sort of absent.
Wayne Bowers, Sitka
Voting Kreiss-Tomkins
Dear Editor: I fully support the candidacy of Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins for State House. Jonathan has run an excellent campaign, and through hard work, has proven that he has the drive, intelligence, and grace this community will appreciate for years to come in their new legislator. I hope you will join me in voting for Jonathan next Tuesday.
Scott McAdams Sitka
Support for JKT
Dear Editor: I believe it’s time to clean house. I do not support state tax cuts for the wealthiest corporations on the planet.
I know Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins is a person who thoroughly and compassionately analyzes an issue. He has a reputation for being a skilled and fearless champion of doing what is right to improve life in our world.
Please vote for Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins on Nov. 6.
Bernadette Rasmussen, Sitka
Proposition A
Dear Editor: Tuesday’s election will include a vote on Proposition A that asks, “Shall the State of Alaska issue its general obligation bonds in the principal amount of not more than $453,499,200 for the purpose of paying the cost of state transportation projects?” Included in this package are two critically important projects for Sitka. The first project is $7.5 million appropriated for construction of a marine bulkhead at Sawmill Cove Industrial Park and the second is $14 million appropriated for the construction of a road to the Katlian Bay Rock Quarry.
The positive economic impact of development in Sitka is important for sustainability. Construction of a marine bulkhead dock at the Sawmill Cove Industrial Park will allow for the movement of freight to and from the park. The road to the Katlian Bay Rock Quarry will allow for the development of a new rock source for Sitka. Currently, there is a significant shortage of rock, sand and gravel in Sitka as well as elsewhere in Southeast Alaska and in Western Alaska.
The Greater Sitka Chamber of Commerce supports Proposition A and recommends to Sitka voters and all other Alaskan voters to vote “YES” on Bonding Proposition A on Nov. 6.
Jennifer Robinson,
Executive Director,
The Greater Sitka Chamber
of Commerce
Municipal Recycling
Dear Editor: I work part-time at the municipal recycling center. I find that some of our customers do not understand the center’s procedures and therefore their recycling experience is not satisfying. Much of the problem, I believe, is that the center is a self-service operation. Self-service only works well when everyone knows what to do. For instance, refueling at a self-service gas station is bound to be unsatisfactory if you do not know the location of your tank. So today I am offering one of a series of suggestions that I hope will enhance the recycling experience.
Today’s suggestion is: Check the number and save handling. Recycle only #1, #2 and #5 plastics. Unnumbered plastics – especially foams and laminates – or anything with a number that isn’t 1, 2, or 5 should go straight into the trash.
Roger Bleier, Sitka
House Support
Dear Editor: I’ve known Rep. Bill Thomas for over 30 years but I would guess he is not known by everyone in Sitka. Bill’s older brother was tragically killed in a logging accident when Bill was a boy, and Bill pretty much looked out for his mother, brother and sister beginning with that accident. Bill and Joyce have four sons and a daughter but they have also looked out for and helped raise countless youngsters in Haines and Klukwan over the decades. Those life experiences plus commercial fishing fairly describe and define Bill Thomas. Alaska has a part-time legislature, and so far as I can see Bill is not in any way defined by being a legislator but at the same time there has never been a better House finance chair or co-chair.
Bill has always seemed to believe that giving a person a good-paying job is the best cure for most ills. Many years ago a young fellow was fired for some reason in a logging camp I oversaw. The fellow returned to Haines and vandalized my office there. He was quickly apprehended, and I recall having some enthusiasm for sending him to jail.
The local magistrate shared a general high regard for that remedy. But Bill came to see me with a deal to negotiate. Bill personally kicked in the building materials to repair my office, the miscreant agreed to do the repairs, I agreed the fellow would receive another chance at a different logging camp, and the magistrate agreed to all this and offered an understanding that I would not expect to ever be burdened with jury duty. That young fellow made a go of his second chance, and last I heard he had married a single-mother in Haines and the couple had done well in commercial real estate in Haines and Skagway.
I think it’s those sorts of life experiences that exemplify wisdom, judgment and leadership, which Bill has in abundance. At least I know I learned from it and evidently the young fellow did too thanks to Bill Thomas. I believe that any Alaskan asking for help could count on Bill Thomas to have some good ideas and be willing to help; but don’t be surprised to hear Bill say that obtaining good jobs is often the best idea. I guess it goes without saying that I think a vote for Bill Thomas is a great idea. Thank you for your time.
Tom Boutin, Juneau
