JKT Supports Business
Dear Editor: I’m a Sitka business owner and serve on the board of the Sitka Chamber of Commerce. I also work for Spruce Root Inc., an economic development organization serving Southeast Alaskan entrepreneurs.
I want to state my support for Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins being a whirlwind positive force for entrepreneurship in Sitka and across the region. He personally mentors and supports new entrepreneurs, he has taken personal time (at no compensation) to facilitate seminars during Spruce Root’s annual Path to Prosperity boot camp for entrepreneurs, and walks the walk when it comes to supporting economic development and new businesses in our community and region. Jonathan understands the important role of business and entrepreneurship in our region, and shares a similar vision as I do of a locally controlled, thriving economy rooted in environmentally responsible practices.
As a Sitka Chamber board member, I especially take exception to Alaska Chamber’s “report card,” which is practically a proxy for Republican Party interests. The oil companies, who have heavily contributed to and influence the Alaska Chamber, might give JKT an “F” for (not) voting their interests; JKT gets an “A” for standing up for Alaskans and supporting small business.
If you believe in the interests of local and small business, JKT is your candidate on Nov. 6. He’s certainly mine.
The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed in this letter belong solely to the author, and not necessarily to the author’s employer, organization, committee, or other group or individual.
Alana Peterson, Sitka
And Again, Yes
Dear Editor: On Nov. 6, Alaskans will be asked to vote on Ballot Measure One. Ballot Measure One, more commonly known as ‘‘Stand for Salmon,’’ plans to update Alaska’s habitat laws for protecting salmon and their environment. Whether the ballot passes or not, damage will be done; the only difference is how much. Both sides of the matter will harm the economy and cause people to lose their jobs, but by voting for Stand for Salmon, we can stop permanent damage from being done to our natural resources.
Stand for Salmon will introduce a new and modern permit process to lower the risk of environmental damage. The permit process will be two-tiered and have three different levels. Level one is for projects that do not affect salmon habitat and do not require a permit. Smaller projects that have low environmental impact will be requested and processed quickly as minor permits; these fall under level two. Level three will be for major permits, such as a new development project that could cause extreme damage to salmon and their habitat. To obtain a major permit, companies would be required to work with the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, to evaluate the influence of their project, and to organize it in a way that limits or avoids environmental impact. In the event that damage is caused, Stand for Salmon also gives the State the ability to hold companies accountable for damages and environmental cleanup.
One of Alaska’s most valuable products is salmon. The fishing industry provides 30,000 jobs and a $2 billion annual economy, which is all at risk with the declining salmon population. If the salmon population is allowed to continue dropping, businesses across the state will be at risk of closure. Throughout Alaska there are many fishing lodges and tours that accommodate out-of-state visitors; without the salmon population, these businesses would have no clients. The state’s economy is enhanced by tourism, which generates 40,000 jobs. Without the ability to take tourists fishing that income source would decline. Ballot Measure One seeks to not only protect but also to restore the salmon habitat, to not only stop the decline also to restore the salmon population.
Many people throughout the state rely on salmon not only for jobs but also as a food source. For those who choose to carry on the traditional way of life and live off the land, salmon is a vital portion of the diet. With the decline of salmon comes the decline of Alaskans’ ability to feed themselves. Many will be forced to find alternative food sources and traditions will be lost.
When voting for Stand for Salmon, we are giving our future generations the chance to carry on our traditions and to enjoy the beautiful wildlife habitat we have been blessed with. If Ballot Measure One is not passed and there is no action taken to help the declining salmon population, there will be nothing left for future generations. A vote for Ballot Measure One will not only protect salmon but also protect the future.
Athena Zellhuber, Sitka
Fall Carnival
Dear Editor: Baranof Elementary School would like to thank the community of Sitka for its support of our recent fall carnival and silent auction. Generous donations and sponsorship from Sitka’s businesses as well as the auction bidders and carnival attendees helped us raise the needed funds to purchase a chiller for our salt water fish tank. This overwhelming response sent a clear message to our school that the community is invested in Sitka’s youths and their future.
Thank you! Gunalcheesh!
Baranof staff and students
Alaska Day Fundraisers
Dear Editor: The Sitka Historical Society and Museum gratefully thanks the following individuals, businesses and bands for helping us with our annual Brew Cruise, Brewfest and Brew Pairing Dinner on Alaska Day. I also include the persons who did programs for us during this week such as Sharon McIndoo, Matt Hunter and Sabra Jenkins. The board thanks our able staff Hal Spackman and Jenya Anichenko.
This is one of our major fundraisers for our annual fund drive and you have helped to make it a success! We truly appreciate those who helped put it on and especially those who attended. Gunalcheesh!
Thank you, Susan Suarez, Rick Armstrong, Joe List, Suzan Hess, Mark Daum, Brandon Saiz, Scott Steffes, John Becherney, Joe Montagna, Lisa Langenfeld, Galen Blyth, Jessica Taylor, Dave Allen, Jamie Cagle, Wayne Patterson, Rose Demmert, Jenn Steinson, Jamie Steinson, Carrie Spackman, Kenny Carle, Rebekah Carle, Tim Ryan, Greta Ryan, Jamey Marx, Brandon Marx, Emma Edmonds, Teri DiGennaro, DeVynarae Meeder, Chris Mattingly, Matt Hunter, John DeLong, Simon Connelly, Rachel Ranke, Christine Cahill, Jason Jones, Evan Bree Sutton, Chandra Watson, Becky McNulty, Vienna Vaden, Bev Brill, Bob Peel, Henry Larson, Brinnen Carter, Caltori, John Petraborg, Seattle Pipe and Drums, Bottom Feeders, New Archangel Dancers, Belly Meat, Los Shotgun Locos, Sitka Blues Band, Slack Tide, Matt Magie, four Americorps Volunteers, Megan Pasternak, Sharon McIndoo, Edie Leghorn, Sam Bakker, Justin Douthit ,Jon Barton, Mike Pate, Cory Stewart, Stefania Potrzuski, Eric Majeski, John Ferrick, Sharyn Ferrick, St. Gregory’s Catholic Church, and Sitka Historical Society Board members Barb DeLong, Ernestine Massey, Sabra Jenkins, John Stein and Sheila Finkenbinder,.
Pat Alexander, President,
Sitka Historical Society
and Museum
Wisdom
Dear Editor: Some values from Chief Seattle, 1786-1866:
‘‘Man did not weave the web of life, he is merely a strand in it. Whatever he does to the web, he does to himself.’’
‘‘We can not eat money.’’
Jean and Spike Arnold, Sitka
Begich for Education
Dear Editor: If, like us, you were planning to re-elect Governor Walker, and you value public education in Sitka, we’d like to share some information on the remaining two candidates that we feel may help you decide how to vote.
Mr. Dunleavy has on the ground experience in schools, yet his actions as a senator did not reflect support for public education. We’d like to offer two specific examples of what we mean.
Mr. Dunleavy is on record planning to cut state spending on pre-kindergarten if elected, and as a senator he supported the move to cut the Alaska Statewide Mentoring Program (after having led this organization quite successfully). As career educators we can attest to the value of early learning programs for students, and we have seen the positive impact mentoring has on young educators and, more importantly, on their students.
We also feel Mr. Dunleavy’s website lists only vague descriptions of how he would shape public education in Alaska, while Mr. Begich provides very specific and favorable plans. In visiting each candidate’s websites we found Mr. Dunleavy offers less than two full paragraphs on education, while Mr. Begich provides an entire plan, complete with current research and statistics and concrete suggestions for how he’ll back up what he suggests. We find his stand on the issues comprehensive, feasible, and in line with what our combined nearly 100 years of classroom experience tell us is needed in Alaska’s schools.
If you are still undecided we would encourage you to consider making education the issue on which you select the next governor. Sitka enjoys a quality of education that depends on the support of elected leaders, and for this reason we encourage you to vote for Mark Begich on Tuesday.
Thank you for your consideration.
Sitka Retired teachers
Michele Friedman, Brenda Campen
and Ann Walters
An American Awakening
Dear Editor: It is easy to feel discouraged and distraught by the flood of bad news these days. One thing that keeps me buoyant is this community and the willingness of Sitkans to step up and speak out for what they believe in. In just the past two months, I have seen Sitkans attend countless public meetings, comment writing events, office hours, and teleconferences to make their voices heard regarding what they think the future of the Tongass should look like. I am inspired over and over by the people who have showed up to learn about and comment on an obscure, complex federal rule called the Roadless Area Conservation Act of 2001, and the equally opaque rule-making process that Gov. Walker and the State of Alaska is pursuing in an attempt to exempt the Tongass from the Roadless Rule.
We are waking up to the fact that we cannot always depend on our elected representatives to represent our interests. We can vote for those who reject corporate money, those who prioritize the working populace over special interests, those who will work with others that they don’t always agree with to create a better future for all of us, and those who create solutions instead of boasting of their penchant for the ‘nay’ vote.
We can (and should!) vote; but the fact of the matter is that if we want to effect real change, we must show up and make our own voices heard. If you believe in a prosperous, sustainable future for Southeast with strong, healthy salmon runs and an intact forest to support them, go out and vote on November 6; and after you are done voting, head over to the Yaw Art Center at 4 p.m. to tell the Tongass Roadless Rule Citizen Advisory Committee what you want to see for the future of our community and the natural landscape we depend on.
Katie Riley, Sitka
