Dancing in Sitka
Dear Editor: Anyone who has been anywhere knows that there are towns that dance and towns that sit it out. Sitka is a town that would dance if we had enough access to a public venue.
Since we do not have a spreading mesquite tree to shade us from the sun while we barbecue and the whole neighborhood turns up to dance, including dancing horses, and we do not even have sun or shade, the community needs to do something to support the fact that we would dance if we didn’t have to wear rain gear to do it.
Yes, there are the bars. Sometimes they hit a good lick, but mostly the bars only have so-called DJs. Also, the folks with their noses in their drinks dampen the joy. Yes, there is the library with its limited hours and carpeted floors. Carpeted floors, I tell you. Ever try it?
It came to my attention that the city charges the public for the use of its danceable facilities? What is that I just said, now? The city charges the people to dance. It makes sense to charge groups for public space. What if we had two weekend dance nights a week for the public at large? The public would dance. The public would enjoy a whole-family use of their own facilities. This is what a dancing community, vs. a sit-on-their-thumbs community does. The town dances. Whole families. No drinking on the premises. Just dancing.
I am not promoting dancing horses in Centennial Hall.
A word about the music. It must be danceable. We have a love for high-brow music in Sitka. Have you ever danced to jazz or to a sonata? Rock and roll, etc., can be danceable. But you will see the real dancers, swing dancers, for instance, go back to their seats when it gets too much about the performers and not about the dancing. Let the city make the space available. Let the dancing town organize the dances. I will be the first to do cleanup. It is our Centennial Hall. Two weekend nights a month is not much to ask.
John Welsh, Sitka
Roadless Rule
Dear Editor: I submitted this letter to the Sitka Assembly for their consideration. I support the Sitka Fish and Game Advisory Committee’s decision to write a resolution in favor of the No Action Alternative of the Roadless Rule and hope that the city does likewise.
Dear Mayor Paxton and Assembly Members: I am writing to request that you support the Sitka Fish and Game Advisory Committee by endorsing the resolution supporting the no action alternative on the Roadless Rule (status quo).
I have been a resident of Sitka since 1982. For over 20 years I worked with the Alaska Department of Fish and Game and worked with the Sitka Fish and Game Advisory Committee on many fishery issues of local concern. After retiring from ADFG I served on the Advisory Committee for many years because I think they play a vital role in our State. From the Alaska Department of Fish and Game Website their role is defined as: Advisory committees are the local groups authorized by state law to provide recommendations to the boards on fishing and wildlife issues. There are 84 committees throughout the state each with expertise in a particular local area. Meetings are always open to the public and are generally attended by department staff and members of the public who can offer background information on agenda topics. Advisory committees are intended to provide a local forum on fish and wildlife issues, and are critical policy bodies to the boards.
The SFGAC currently has 17 members representing a breadth of user groups in our community – with the goal of representing everyone. Seats include Charter, Power Troll, Hand troll, Hunting, Longliner, Processor, Resident Sport Fisher, Seine, Shellfish, Subsistence, Trapping, Conservation and three at-large seats. Together they have an incredible amount of expert knowledge and lived experience on these subjects and of this place, the Tongass and the Gulf of Alaska. I found that when they voted unanimously on something it truly represented the views of Sitka and was not done lightly.
This resolution is not a “green” resolution or an anti-development resolution. It is a thoughtful consideration of the importance of the Roadless Rule in maintaining fish and game habitat critical to our food gathering, fishing economy and tourism economy while allowing for necessary infrastructure development.
Please support our community and value the work of the Sitka Fish and Game Advisory Committee by supporting the resolution on the Roadless Rule.
Tory O’Connell Curran, Sitka
Sitka’s Small Ships
Dear Editor: While reading the Nov. 12 Sentinel article about Visit Sitka’s presentation at the Chamber of Commerce luncheon I figured it’s time to remind Sitkans of the overlooked small-ship sector and the good impact they have on our fair city.
In 2020 small ships are scheduled to visit Sitka April through August, a month longer than the large ships.
True, their capacities are usually less than 100 passengers but, in reality, you can double those numbers as guests both begin and end their trips in Sitka. Further, around one third to one half of those guests spend several days in Sitka before their cruise begins or stay several days after it ends.
Small ship passengers generally have more discretionary funds to spend on shopping, excursions, lodging, food and transportation and utilize the airport and other facilities that carry per person head taxes that go into city coffers, benefitting us all.
I find small-ship passengers to be more relaxed and inquisitive as they have more time and don’t have to rush to catch transportation back to their ship.
Give the small-ship industry credit too when discussing Sitka visitors. They love it here and go home and tell their friends and family that Sitka is a must-see place and often come back again and again.
Megan Pasternak, Sitka
