STA Health Care
Dear Editor: It has come to my attention that certain Sitka Tribal Council members had taken a resolution to the National Congress of American Indians Mid-Year Convention in June 2012. This resolution was to rescind Section 326 of P.L. 105-83. Section 326 of P.L. 105-83 concerns our health care that we, STA members, are eligible for the health care at SEARHC Hospital.
This issue was not taken before our over-4,000 STA members as STA’s by-laws and ordinance require. If this resolution had been rescinded, it would have jeopardized our health care at SEARHC.
Another reason that NCAI tabled this resolution in June, then later ruled it out of order at the annual NCAI Convention in October, was because the Alaska Caucus (other tribal entities in Alaska) did not have the opportunity to review this resolution.
The Ted Stevens rider bill does not allow a tribe to withdraw from their regional health care consortium.
In my opinion, and as an elder who depends on the health care and SEARHC Hospital, I strongly object to this resolution.
Our many tribal leaders, like Ethel Lund, Lincoln Bean and other representatives on the SEARHC Board of Directors, fought long and hard for the Tribal control of SEARHC Hospital.
Harriet Miyasato Beleal, Sitka,
Sitka Tribe of Alaska elder member
Harbor System Plan
Dear Editor: Our harbors are a major essential piece of infrastructure and a major economic engine to this community. Harbors are giant parking lots for boats that are very expensive to maintain especially since the State of Alaska has transferred responsibilities to the communities.
To the credit of our city officials and staff it was decided to develop a detailed plan to repair, replace, and pay for our harbors over the next 40 years. The plan is called Harbor System Master Plan and is online at the city’s website. This plan was developed by city staff, outside consultants, Port and Harbors Commission, and public meetings between September 2011 and May of 2012. The Port and Harbors Commission was frustrated by the lack of public participation during the plan development over those nine months. The final recommendation of the plan was a 250 percent increase in moorage rates spread over a five year period. That message caught the attention of the harbor users!
Over 60 harbor users came to a meeting called by us to offer their concerns and suggestions to explore ways to dampen these rate increases. We are thankful for the big turnout of harbor users, their thoughtful input, and civil discourse. Big thanks also are in order for city and harbor staff for attending and providing facts and insight to many of the questions raised. The unpaid volunteers of the Port and Harbors Commission attended and listened and deserve a “big thanks you” for all they do.
We save our last thank you for Jill Hanson for the professional and inviting atmosphere she created throughout the meeting as the facilitator. She declined the mayor’s offer of compensation and like so many of the above and other unsung heroes of this wonderful community – that is just what community members do for this community.
Harbor users, you are not done yet. As the next steps in this process are developed, your involvement will be essential. We would encourage all the harbor users to email Harbor Master Stan Eliason at stan@cityofsitka.com and ask to be put on the email list for all things harbor related. The next Port and Harbors Commission meeting is on Wednesday, Nov.14, 6 p.m., at Harrigan Centennial Hall. These are your harbors so stay involved.
Mayor Mim McConnell and
Assembly Members
Phyllis Hackett and Mike Reif
Vote With Your Fork
Dear Editor: Fish to Schools is back in action this fall, serving local fish meals at Keet Gooshi Heen, Blatchley Middle School, Pacific High School, and Mt. Edgcumbe High School.
It’s exciting to see the popularity of these lunches spread to four schools with the addition of coho on the menu. When students choose local fish for lunch they are fueling their brains and bodies with nutritious scratch-made lunches.
They support local fishermen and processors and an economy whose backbone is the fishing industry. And they support a local food system that requires less energy for transportation, distribution, processing, and packaging. Fish to Schools supports a holistic approach to eating. Students, please vote with your fork to keep this innovative program thriving at your school!
Tracy Gagnon, Community
Sustainability Organizer,
Sitka Conservation Society
Life-Threatening Event
Dear Editor: Have you ever wondered about the quality of care you would receive here in Sitka, should you or a loved one need emergency medical treatment? Let me lay your fears to rest right here and now. On Friday, October 26, around midday, my husband, Tim, experienced a life threatening event. He developed a rare complication due to his recent orthoscopic knee surgery; a pulmonary embolism.
Somehow, Tim was able to find his cell phone and dial 911 before he stopped breathing altogether. Thanks to Officer Paul Overturf, from the Sitka Police Department, for being the first on the scene. He secured the area and directed the Sitka Fire Department’s EMS crew to our home. Both paid and volunteer Fire Department staff responded.
Thank you, Scott Foss, Rob Janik, Scott Seaton, Greg Raschick, Adam Horton, Nick Nekeferoff, Travis Miller, Brady Fink, and Craig Warren – you all are heroes in my book. Rob Janik was able to establish a “last resort” airway, known as a cricothyrotomy, as the other forms of intubation would not work. Scott Seaton performed exceptional CPR, as Tim’s heart had stopped. Next, Tim was transported to the Emergency Room at Sitka Community Hospital. I saw teamwork like I have never seen before – six nurses and two physicians problem solving and providing life support for Tim. Thank you Cynthia Dennis, Janice Conway, Bitsy Mosher, Robert Hattle, Raine Clarke, Jamie Roesel, Dr. Richard Wein, and Dr. James Cabeen. I am forever grateful for your steadfast competence.
Tim’s heart stopped two more times in the Emergency Room. At one point, I was urged to say my goodbyes to the love of my life. Thank you, Dr. James Cabeen, for having the guts to give my husband clot busting medication, as this was a tough decision to make, due to Tim’s airway incision and gash on his forehead from the initial fall at home. Next, Tim’s fate was put in the hands of both the Sitka and Juneau Guardian Air Ambulance crews.
Thank you, Carol Hobban, Jen Hovan, Shane Taylor, Steve Leddick, Chris Breinig and Bill Solberg. Carol, Shane, and Steve provided top-notch medical care onboard the air ambulance. They cooled Tim’s body temperature down to preserve brain function, monitored his vital signs, pumped him full of blood products, and had to pay particular attention to his blood gases. Pilot Chris and copilot Bill made it possible for us to reach Seattle in record time.
Last, but not least, I would like to thank all of my friends who helped me cope during the longest afternoon of my life. Shannon Callahan, you were my rock while I was inside the ER! Jo Pepper, Elizabeth Faulkner, Alyssa Sexton and Kathy Inman, thanks for being there for me. I love you guys. For those of you who know Tim and wonder how he is doing, let me just say, he is back to telling those lousy jokes again!
Susan Hoyt, Sitka
Recycling Tip
Dear Editor: Today’s recycling tip is about corrugated cardboard–that brown board that protects almost everything we buy.
The self-service recycling center maintains several bins to collect “cardboard.” It’s big business.
Following a few simple procedures will ease the job of recycling your cartons.
All cartons should be flattened – even small ones. Anything not made of paper should be removed, especially staples. Staples inevitably find their way to the roadway where tires gobble them up. Absolutely do not leave foam pieces in the cartons or expect to dispose of them on site–we need the dumpster for all the plastics we can’t recycle.
Paper packing should go in the “mixed paper” bin. Inflated packing can be recycled with plastics as long as it is numbered. Large cartons should be cut down to a size that will pass through the openings in the bins.
To avoid traffic problems around the bins, all this should be accomplished before reaching the recycling center. In the event that all the bins are full, do not leave your cardboard at the center. Either keep it until the next day when the bins will be empty or take it directly to the Sawmill Cove Recycle yard.
In another tip I’ll talk about the possibility of converting cardboard, mixed paper and shredded paper into a useful heating fuel. I’ll also describe my own experience with burning cardboard. Hint: done right, it’s better than wood!
Thanks for recycling in Sitka.
Roger Bleier
Sitka Recycling Center
Tribal Council Chair
Dear Editor: After 24 years on the Sitka Tribal Council, I have decided to take a break this year.
I would like to offer support for Michael Baines for Tribal chairman. I worked with Michael on the Sitka Tribal Council for seven years, and I have seen that he has the dedication, experience, and commitment to serve the tribal citizens of Sitka Tribe.
Michael is a lifelong Sitkan who attended Sitka schools and graduated from Sitka High School. Michael went on to graduate from UCLA with a major in mathematics and applied science. This major combined studies in mathematics and physics. After receiving his bachelor’s degree, Michael was involved in education and counseling in several different capacities for almost 20 years.
Michael has the experience necessary to serve as tribal chairman. He served admirably and honorably on the council for seven years. Michael served with many respected mentors including Dennis Demmert, George Ridley and Irene Jimmy. He was tribal vice chairman for three years. During Michael’s time on the council, he recognized the importance of STA committees. The tribe’s committees meet regularly and provide input to the tribe on many different subjects. Michael served on many committees and donated several hundred hours to these committees including these: education committee; Boys and Girls Club steering committee; and herring committee, cultural, customary and traditional committee.
Michael also recognized the importance of traditional foods and regularly donates several hundred pounds of traditional foods to local organizations and elders. Michael also fights for traditional rights by getting involved in the regulatory processes at the state and federal level.
It is important to point out that Michael also looks out for the best interest of the entire tribe and community. Michael has always recognized the importance of the services that the tribe provides its tribal citizens, and he also recognizes the importance of strong relationships between the tribe and other organizations such as the City and Borough of Sitka, BIHA, the Sitka School District, the U.S. Forest Service, SEARHC, the U.S. Park Service, Central Council Tlingit Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska, Alaska Federation of Natives, as well as ANCSA village and regional corporations.
It is very important that STA tribal citizens vote on Nov. 13, and I encourage tribal citizens to vote for Michael Baines for chairman. Michael has shown that he will lead the tribe in a positive direction forward into the future.
I also encourage tribal citizens to vote for Lillian Feldpausch, Rachel Moreno, Wilbur Brown and Mike Miller for sensible tribal leadership.
Woody Widmark, Tribal Chairman,
Sitka Tribe of Alaska
WhaleFest at Keet
Dear Editor: WhaleFest has done it again! The fifth-graders at Keet Gooshi Heen were thrilled to enjoy both the adventure of a squid dissection and the fine entertainment of the Alaskan musical duo Good Dog as part of the Scientists in the Schools program. We are grateful to John Baird and Tim Ryan at Sitka Sound Seafoods for the generous donation of squid, and to both Dave Moore and John Stein for their squid wrangling expertise as volunteers in the KGH science room.
The combination of the high standards of both the Sitka Sound Science Center and Sitka WhaleFest meant an excellent event for all of Sitka, not the least of which were the more-than 100 fifth-graders who investigated the adaptations of squid to their part of the vast ocean food web.
Rebecca Himschoot,
Keet Gooshi Heen
Elementary School
