Vote for JKT, Stedman
Dear Editor: I’m just one small voice, but I need to speak up. (Like the Whos in Whoville: listen to us!) Sheila touts her Republicanism but, in fact, her partisanship limits her qualification to represent Southeast. She ignores different, serious concerns of reasonable folks, who know what it takes to survive: Alaskans who are Independents, Democrats, and yes, Republicans.
Sheila’s ad last Friday was astounding. She alleged that Rep. JKT should have voted for the tax credit subsidy bill because it was a good compromise. If a good compromise is to roll over when Alaskans interests are on the line, letting oil and gas companies collect hundreds of millions of dollars in tax credit subsidies while Alaskans cut their PFDs, their ferry and Trooper services, their court system – she doesn’t get it! And her “team” theme ignored the fact that Sen. Stedman also voted with JKT against the same bill!
We need fair fact-based bipartisan thinking and solutions in Juneau, not self-serving, inflexible partisan politics. We’ve had enough gridlock and inaction from our Republican-controlled Legislature that refused to pass a budget, refused to expand health care, (spending at least $500,000 to sue the governor) and refused to make the energy industries pay their fair share of taxes. Instead, the GOP fell back and left Gov. Walker to cut in half each and every Alaskan’s share of the PFD. The Republicans let the Alaskan people sacrifice and pay the bill for their do-nothing sessions while the lobbyists kept their campaign coffers secure.
Our Legislature has to work together to make tough choices for solutions that will move this great state forward. Sen. Bert Stedman agreed with Rep. JKT that Alaskans deserve their fair share of the state’s energy resources. He voted with a bipartisan Democratic coalition to OPPOSE the final watered down bill, HB 247. He gets my vote!
And Jonathan gets my vote! He thinks independently, works tirelessly and effectively, and shows the maturity and honesty to work across the aisle to protect Alaskans interests. Born and raised an Alaskan, JKT will work to move our state forward to a secure, viable future.
Ann Stephenson, Sitka
Pumpkin Patch
Dear Editor: 3 to 5 Preschool would like to thank the community of Sitka for coming to our 4th Annual Pumpkin Patch fundraiser Oct. 22. It was such a joy to see all the people who came out despite our rainy weather! Seeing families walk through our pumpkin patch to find just the right one, enjoying games, food, delicious baked goods and spending time together is what makes this event so much fun to do each year.
There are so many people to thank for making this event possible and we want to acknowledge them publicly! AC Lakeside once again graciously sponsored our event by creating the pumpkin patch, donated the mini pumpkins to kids coming to the event and donated a percentage of the sales to our preschool. We received early morning help from the Sitka Fire Department and NHS members who put up the big tent, got all the supplies outside and helped the AC Lakeside crew to get the pumpkins into the pumpkin patch.
We also wish to thank the members of the Sitka and Mt. Edgecumbe’s National Honor Society and LEAD members, an AmeriCorps volunteer, foreign exchange students – Namrita and Regina, a SHS basketball player, and Delta Kappa Gamma members for volunteering to help at the various stations for us. For many who came, going on a hayride was a first – and while riding they sang songs with Bill Coltharp and Jackie DiGennaro. What a special treat! Thanks also to Mike for letting us borrow your trailer, to Les at the Fortress of the Bear for the straw bales and Fly In Fish Inn for helping us out again! Our newest activity was to create a maze and thanks to Harold Greene and Little Bit Construction for helping us to make that happen. We couldn’t have had the fundraiser without all of your tremendous help.
We also would like to acknowledge the U.S. Coast Guard Air Station Sitka for the use of their large tent, USCG Public Works for the parking guards that we borrowed for the pumpkin roll, and to the Aids to Navigation Team for bringing your small boat to our event this year. That was an added bonus that we know MANY children enjoyed exploring.
We also wish to thank the Elks, the City Public Works, and Sitka Dental for their help and donations, along with the Sitka Sentinel, Sitka Soup, KIFW and Raven Radio for getting the word out about our event.
Most of all, 3 to 5 Preschool wishes to thank our community for the support you give us year round by coming to our events, and graciously offering and giving your gift of time, energy and talents to our program in a variety of ways. We are forever grateful!
3 to 5 Preschool, Sitka
