Voting for Thomas
Dear Editor: Sitka voters have a clear choice for their state representative in next Tuesday’s election: Representative Bill Thomas.
I’ve worked with Bill on the House finance committee (which he co-chairs) for the past two years and he’s been a powerful advocate and voice for Southeast Alaska. We came into the legislature together in 2005 and have grown close. He’s a uniting voice in our bipartisan majority, and helped lead the way to saving millions in the state’s operating costs as the author of the House’s operating budget.
Bill listens to everyone, has a firm grasp on the issues – he’s a lifelong Alaskan, long-time fisherman and businessman, and is a stalwart in the Haines community.
It has truly been a treasure to serve with him. He has the leadership, vision, work ethic, seniority and political know-how to serve Sitka and new district 34 better than his opponent.
Thank you, and on Nov. 6 vote Bill Thomas for state House.
Rep. Mark Neuman, Big Lake
Tlingit Champions
Dear Editor: Good people of Sitka, Gunalchéesh ax x’éit yisa.aaxí.
Our villages are becoming empty, our children have no work and many leave, the infrastructure to exist is deteriorating. We will lose two Tlingit champions tomorrow (Tuesday) if you do not vote. Their are many people among you that do not understand what is happening. So many of you laughed and danced in the street, what are you celebrating the loss of our representation? I am Stuneik, adopted brother of Ralph Strong, Kaagwaantaan. Please, I implore you to vote with your eyes open, but vote! Gunalchéesh áyá x’axwdataaní.
James Studley, Haines
A Vote for Jonathan
Dear Editor: I have lived in Haines since 1974, and served as its State Representative for eight years. Sitka’s Sen. Dick Eliason and Rep. Ben Grussendorf and I formed a united team that ensured strong representation for our communities and for our Southeast villages.
I am breaking a 20-year silence regarding elections to say, strongly, that today we need Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins in the Legislature.
Jonathan has won amazing support in the district by his merits and by his hard work.
If there is united support from Sitka, he will certainly win!
If elected, this outstanding young man will bring us what we have needed for years – true representation. He will not be controlled by the oil cartels.
He will actually listen to each of us. He understands the meaning of being a public servant. And he will certainly rise to a position of leadership very rapidly.
Recently, I had a conversation with an elder from Klawock who told me simply that Jonathan “understood.” This wise man said that Jonathan listened and really understood, that he would not be corrupted by power and would not forget his responsibility to us.
I believe Jonathan will be very powerful in the Legislature, and that he will use that influence for the good of our children and our elders and the rest of us too.
There are many in Haines who ask Sitka’s voters, in behalf of us all, to go to the polls and bring your friends to the polls to vote for Jonathan, and put him to work for the people.
Peter Goll, Haines,
Alaska State Representative,
Retired
JKT Support
Dear Editor: We were born in 1996 and 1997 which means, at this point, you won’t see us at the voting booth this Tuesday. The choices made by the individuals who CAN vote will directly and greatly affect our generation and those to come. This is why we’re supporting Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins and why we hope that Southeast Alaskans will do the same.
As Sitka High School students ourselves, we can only dream to be as accomplished, experienced, outgoing, and worldly as Jonathan is at his young age. However, you can place our hope for the revitalization, stability, and sustainability of Southeast, in Jonathan’s hands. The future of Alaska needs an approachable and educated legislator. This election is not about the past. A vote for Jonathan is a vote for a bright future. Jonathan is a long-term thinker and has many new ideas about how he can help strengthen Alaska as a state; not only presently, but for generations to come.
Celia Lubin and Lione Clare, Sitka High School students
Question About Ad
Dear Editor: Friday’s full-page ad supporting Senator Stedman and Representative Thomas said – and I quote – “Survival for Southeast Alaska depends on managing our Alaskan finances, wisely,” and that they (Stedman and Thomas) “can deliver the funds.”
So I’m wondering. If re-elected, would Rep. Thomas “deliver the funds” to buy airline tickets for those of us who want to see the Nutcracker performed in Anchorage in December? He may or may not know that this is Sitka’s off-year and ‘‘The Nutcracker’’ won’t be performed locally. I bet there are others in the district who would love to go to Anchorage, too, to experience a Nutcracker performance. Sports fans got tickets thanks to Mr. Thomas, so it seems fair that arts fans should benefit from Alaska’s finances, too. After all, our survival depends on managing our Alaska finances, “wisely.”
So will I “really think about how I vote Tuesday”? You betcha.
Krisanne Rice, Sitka
Elders for JKT
Dear Editor: As some of the oldest members of this community, we want you to know that we’re sure Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins can bring prosperity back to our towns here in Southeast. He can lead us to new avenues, from growing sustainable tourism to restoring precious fish habitat.
We are deeply impressed by Jonathan. Already he has brought two groups of Yale University students to Sitka, to work on the Sheldon Jackson campus and to pursue artistic and intellectual projects while engaging with the community. He has a wealth of creative ideas and the ability to see them through for the good of all of us.
Please help us send this brilliant young man to work for us in Juneau. Vote on Tuesday. When you do, we urge you to vote for Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins. Sending our best,
Judy Johnstone,
Pauline Fredrickson,
Active elders in Sitka
Photo Clarification
Dear Editor: I understand an ad was run in the Oct. 29 edition of the Sitka Sentinel with a photograph of me and Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins. I wish to clarify the circumstances in which the photo was taken and the quoted statement made.
The annual convention of the Alaska Native Brotherhood Grand Camp gathered in Sitka Oct. 3-6 in celebration of their 100th anniversary. Jonathan was invited to address the Assembly Oct. 3, which he did. He received a spontaneous standing ovation from the delegates, all of whom represented the communities and villages of Southeast.
It is the tradition of the ANB and ANS to encourage and support young people, especially those who possess positive attributes and are journeying on the path of public service, as is Jonathan. It was in this broad context that I expressed words of encouragement as he faces life’s challenges. They were not intended as a single focus, as a political statement.
This, not withstanding, is a very important issue. I do encourage each of you to get out and vote for the candidate you believe in, Tuesday, Nov. 6. Our ancestors fought hard for our right as Alaska Native people to vote and hold public office. So, please, vote.
Ethel Lund, Juneau
Endorse Kreiss-Tomkins
Dear Editor: I’m writing in support of Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins’ bid for State House. I went to Yale with Jonathan, but before that I spent my 18 years living in Kotzebue and Nome. Some people lose their connection to home when they go so far away, but from personal experience I am certain Jonathan cares for Southeast, and all of Alaska, as much as or more than when he left. I love Alaska and consider myself committed to the state, but Jonathan has outdone me at every turn: by bringing dozens of fellow students to Sitka, establishing the Sitka Fellows Program, spreading the Alaska gospel in New Haven, and spending a summer traveling the state to learn its stories.
Jonathan already knows our state well, and his campaign has demonstrated his desire to understand it better. I trust him when he says he will continue this effort, because his campaign is exactly what I would have expected from Jonathan: he listens to anyone, engages everyone, and, no matter how busy his schedule, finds a way to help. I would be honored to have Jonathan serving in my Legislature.
Reid Magdanz, Kotzebue
Choice is JKT
Dear Editor: The residents of House District 34 are faced with a clear choice. We can chose a long term politician who showed his strong support of Big Oil with his votes in the last term. Some may do this in the hope that he will then choose to find us funding for our current hydroelectric project.
However, his support of the oil industry means that Alaska (including Sitka) will face deficits in funding for all state programs. Passing the big oil giveaway means that other revenue must be collected, possibly through a state income tax or a statewide sales tax in order to close the deficit caused by huge tax breaks to oil. His support of the oil industry comes with a heavy long-term price.
Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins has run the most energetic, organized, disciplined, and hard-working campaign I have ever witnessed. He has visited towns that can’t recall the last time a state candidate came their way. He has written detailed positions on his web site. His support is a wide and varied group of people that are looking for personal representation for their interests in the Legislature throughout District 34. I strongly endorse Mr. Kreiss-Tompkins as the candidate who will best represent the Southeast communities in the Alaska House.
Ron Fribush, Sitka
Recycling
Dear Editor: At the municipal recycling center, small is not always beautiful. Help us be more efficient by depositing only plastic containers that are easy to sort and bale.
Our system works smoothly when all containers have a minimum size of 1 pint, are clean, free of caps or lids and clearly display a #1, #2 or #5. Anything else slows the process. Troublesome containers are ruthlessly discarded.
Occasional containers up to 15 gallons are okay as long as they are clean, free of caps, lids and bails and clearly marked #2 or #5. Large quantities of 5+ gallon containers should go to the transfer station.
Greater efficiency means we will sell more plastic bales in Seattle at no extra cost.
Next time: What about those plastic bags?
Roger Bleier,
Sitka Recycling Center
Vote for Jonathan
Dear Editor: I have read the letters to the editors with interest and the political advertisements in the paper with concern and decided to add my voice.
I vote the candidate, not the party. According to many letters I am being told to vote for a candidate because of his power on a committee. I am told if I do not, no money will come to Sitka. I am ‘‘shaking in my boots,’’ but I do not for a minute believe all this bunk.
Are you telling me that we can never have anyone new in our Legislature because an incumbent will always be on a powerful committee?
I am voting for Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins because he is not part of the system. He is young, smart and has been working very hard to listen to the people of Southeast Alaska by knocking on doors and writing letters to find out our interests. When is the last time a candidate took that kind of time? I’ll take my chances with someone new.
Jane Eidler, Sitka
Political Influence
Dear Editor: I noted four large advertisements for Rep. Bill Thomas in the Friday Sentinel which leads me to believe his benefactors in London and Houston are desperate to see him return to Juneau. I’m not buying into his excuse that he was ‘‘promoting compromise’’ in advancing Parnell’s $2 billion oil tax giveaway. At that time, the industry was gearing up for the biggest drilling season ever. What kind of compromise was Bill promoting? Certainly, he was compromising the public interest. It is my hope, that, he seriously compromised his political integrity. Sending Bill Thomas home to Haines would send a clear message to other Republicans, that political influence is no longer for sale to the highest bidder.
Sigurd D. Rutter, Sitka
Crossing Party Lines
Dear Editor: I have thought long and hard about whether or not I should submit this to letters to the editor.
I have never publicly supported any Democratic candidate for any office. As a lifelong Republican, I think that time has come to publicly support a Democrat, Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins.
Supporters of Bill Thomas say we need his leadership because he is co-chair of the Finance Committee. That he can get funding to Sitka for projects. Sure, he may be able to do that. But at what price?
He voted not once, but twice, to give a $2 billion tax break to oil companies. I cannot stomach the idea that these highly profitable oil companies need more money.
Bill Thomas may deliver millions of dollars to Sitka. But, Alaska may have to sacrifice billions of dollars of lost tax revenue in return for this. This is too much for all of Alaska to give up. Will Mr. Thomas vote again for tax breaks? I cannot take this risk.
That is why I am going to vote for Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins. I believe that he will look out for HIS district and keep our best interests in mind, always.
P.S. Mr. Thomas, I am a fellow combat veteran, AND, Gov. Parnell, just say NO to tax breaks to the oil companies.
Benjamin Miyasato, Sitka
Vote for Jonathan
Dear Editor: I support Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins and agree with the many letters supporting his campaign for State House. Equally important are the reasons why I believe it does not makes sense to elect his opponent, Mr. Bill Thomas.
Without diminishing his past service to the country and the state, I feel returning Rep. Thomas to the Legislature is simply not in our best interest. I believe his voting record, the misleading comparisons to Sen. Bert Stedman, and a primer on Alaska party politics should be enough to steady your hand when voting for Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins.
The Thomas campaign is leaning heavily on the respect and success earned by Sen. Stedman, a fellow Republican. The suggestion that the two are a team is an easily refutable fiction. On the most important issues facing Alaska, Thomas and Stedman are at odds.
While Sen. Stedman was questioning the benefits to Alaska of slashing the tax on petroleum production by $2 billion annually, Rep. Thomas had already voted to support HB 110 – the governor’s bill that called into question the state’s ability to fund capital projects and programs promoting energy, education, fisheries, and social services.
And while Sen. Stedman was assembling statewide funding packages that paid for Southeast libraries, firehalls, and ballfields, Rep. Thomas admitted during the recent Sitka Chamber of Commerce candidates forum that he didn’t support a bill to increase Sitka’s share of locally collected Raw Fish Tax returned by the state because HB 184 would also return more of the taxes collected in communities that “didn’t deserve it.”
The Thomas campaign also has asserted that his absence in the state House would be a loss to Sitka’s political leverage. And as much as that sounds undesirable, Sitka’s leverage has been gone for over a decade and only existed in recent memory because of the quality of our elected representatives at the time.
Though redrawn political boundaries do change the simple math of politics, it is the winner-take-all mentality of fellow Alaska Republicans that threatens what influence and benefits Sitkans still enjoy. The same Republican caucus that Rep. Bill Thomas holds membership in is working hard to displace Sen. Bert Stedman from the committee chair assignments he holds as a member of the Senate Bipartisan Working Group.
What is clear to me, and possibly persuasive to undecided voters and even Thomas supporters, is that party affiliation is no barometer for results. No matter the circumstances, we should always look for a representative with integrity, energy and undivided loyalty for our district. I encourage you to choose Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins on Tuesday, Nov. 6.
Reber Stein, Sitka
Voting for Jonathan
Dear Editor: Close to a year ago, I sat with Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins at my kitchen table discussing education reform over a cup of coffee. We agreed and we disagreed, sometimes quite passionately. This was just two friends talking; nothing we said or did would affect public policy. Flash forward to today and Jonathan finds himself in a competitive race for House District 34.
As a public school teacher, I want my elected officials to value education for all. I want them to view education as an investment – in people, in the economy, in the future. I expect them to hold me accountable for the quality of my teaching without scapegoating me for the failings of a larger educational system. I want someone who values my experience and expertise, and will listen to my point of view.
In this election, the choice is obvious. Bill Thomas, in his support for school vouchers and opposition to increased education funding, stands in sharp contrast to Jonathan’s support of full funding for education. Jonathan is an exemplary product of, and advocate for Alaska Public Education.
A year ago, sitting at my kitchen table Jonathan made clear his vision for Alaska public education. I’m voting for Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins to help make that vision a reality.
Chris Bryner, Sitka
