Support for Thomas
Dear Editor: Although Wrangell is not in House District 34, I am writing to express my support to voters in Sitka for Bill Thomas. I have lived in Southeast Alaska and actively worked in the seafood industry for 18 years. I have also worked on fishery development issues, both locally and regionally, so fishing issues are close to my heart.
With a Yale degree, I have no doubt that JKT is smart. But will he be effective as a legislator? As a freshman Democrat in the Alaska House of Representatives, the chance that he could be effective is virtually zero.
JKT knows very little about fishing issues. His lack of knowledge of the industry is illustrated by the fact that over half of the fishing issues posted on his website are federal issues over which a state legislator has almost no ability to affect.
In contrast, Bill has a deep understanding of commercial, charter and subsistence issues and I personally know he supports pro-active, reasonable solutions for the benefit of the resource and all its users.
Bill has been a member of the House Finance Committee for the past six years. During this period, funding began to go up for the agencies that mean the most to fishermen (ADF&G, salmon hatcheries, and the Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute). This is not by coincidence. This is not a minor issue. THIS IS HUGE. Today, finally, we have an effective voice in the Legislature who is championing these operating budgets which are directly linked to the health of our fishing resources and the health of our economy. Please vote to continue effective representation. Vote for Bill Thomas on Nov. 6.
Julie Decker, Wrangell
Museum Grant
Dear Editor: Every year the Alaska State Museums awards mini-grants of up to $2,000 to fund items necessary to support and improve museum services and operations. This past summer the Port Alexander Historical Society was awarded a Grant in Aid for our museum there, for the purchase of a laptop computer for PastPerfect, a Canon printer to reproduce our historic photos, and other related software needed to operate a museum.
The funding also provided for the purchase of archival storage materials for our files, photos, documents, articles, books, even a digital humidity/temperature meter to protect our collection. Not only has this support improved our services by making readily available to the public our historic photo collection for display and reproduction, but also it has enhanced our operations to locally administrate and conduct business at the museum in Port Alexander.
The archival, acid/lignin – free quality of the files, folders, protective cases, boxes, and other storage materials purchased by the grant have also been a great boost to helping us get organized and to keep our items in a safe environment for storage and access. So much so that we are looking ahead to next summer to refinish the attic as a work space and storage area complete with a 14-inch porthole donated from the M/V Alaska Queen for the peak, so we can keep an eye on the harbor and watch for visitors.
The Port Alexander Historical Society would like to gratefully acknowledge Alaska State Museums Grant-in-Aid, and Scott Carrlee, curator of museum services, for the continued support and contributions to our organization, dedicated to the stewardship of the illustrious, maritime heritage and history of Port Alexander and surrounding area. Any interested in our work there may inquire by ringing 747-7803.
Karen J. Lucas, president
Port Alexander Historical Society
Recycling Hint
Dear Editor: Today’s recycling hint is all about plastic bags.
The most common plastic bag we see at the municipal recycling center is the green grocery bag. The news on the green monster is good and bad.
Good news: we accept grocery bags at the center – hundreds of them every day. Bad news: we don’t recycle grocery bags – we take them to a convenient market and drop them. My advice: lose these bags. Get a cloth shopping bag – or two or three. If you must use the green meanies, take them back to the market on your next grocery run.
My prediction: we won’t accept these bags much longer unless they are numbered.
Other bags: we recycle any plastic bags that clearly display a #1, #2 or #5. Unidentified bags are trashed. We do not recycle shrink wrap plastic which is #4.
My observation: there are few things more repulsive to handle than a plastic bag that is soaking wet and must be separated from a layer of caps and lids and tiny bottles on the sorting table.
Thanks for recycling in Sitka.
Roger Bleier,
Sitka Recycling Center
