Help Officer’s Family
Dear Editor: Police lives matter. Our police officers protect us against danger and educate us about our laws. We need to support them and their families.
Recently Sgt. Allen Brandt of the Fairbanks Police Department, an 11-year veteran, died after being shot while on duty. We can help his family financially during this tragedy by placing funds into account #605091-3067 which is set up for them at Wells Fargo Bank. Let’s do what we can. Thank you.
Stanley Schoening, Sitka
EDITOR’S NOTE: The account number in the above letter was incorrectly published in Friday’s Sentinel. The correct number is 605091-3067. The Sentinel regrets the error.
Kreiss-Tomkins
Dear Editor: I write in support of Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins and the work he’s done for this community.
Sheila Finkenbinder’s Friday ad mentioned “Lots of smoke. Not much fire.”
JKT creates fire wherever he goes. Here are some examples:
During the last two budget cycles, using Constitutional Budget Reserve political leverage to ensure equability in the budget process for Coastal Alaska, including millions of dollars of funding for the ferry system, ADF&G, Alaska State Troopers, and domestic violence shelters.
Again using Constitutional Budget Reserve leverage, removing an attempted block by Sen. Anna MacKinnon (R-Eagle River) on Cruise Ship Head Tax Funds that support infrastructure in port communities including Sitka.
Working with DOT and others to reach an agreement on improving safety to the HPR-Peterson intersection, soon to be implemented.
Even in an era with very small capital budgets, JKT secured capital funds for the Sitka Sound Science Center remodel, new equipment for Sitka Senior Center, as well as projects around Southeast Alaska.
Advocacy for Alaska Native language revitalization, from passage of the Native language bill to advocating Native language immersion education on a local level.
Putting his head down and passing legislation ranging from recognition of Dr. Walter Soboleff Jr. to helping Alaska State Council on the Arts become more revenue self-sufficient, to closing loopholes in police hiring standards.
Working with Democrats and moderate Republicans to scale down tax credits for oil and gas companies, and strongly advocating Alaskans’ interest on Alaska oil and gas issues.
This is not to mention the detailed policy and constituent work that Jonathan involves himself with, from changing obscure regulations to using his relationships in the governor’s office to advocate gubernatorial appointment of Sitkans to statewide positions.
Finally, Jonathan has been tireless in his statewide work and leadership to help make the Legislature a more moderate institution. He’s closely involved in helping create a bipartisan coalition in the Alaska House.
We’ll all see how the election results go tomorrow night, but if they go well, we may all owe Jonathan some thanks for helping put together a new majority in the Alaska House consisting of rural and urban Democrats and moderate Republicans that will govern from the middle and put Coastal Alaska first.
We are lucky to have a thoughtful, collaborative, and hard-working representative in Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins. I hope you will support him to continue to work on Sitka’s and Alaska’s behalf for two more years.
Susan Litman, Sitka
Finkenbinder
Dear Editor: I would like to address the concerns expressed in previous letters to the editor about Sheila Finkenbinder’s competence to represent District 35 in the State House of the Legislature.
Sheila has been involved and working in southeast politics for longer than her opponents’ lifespan!
Sheila worked for and with Peggy Wilson, who was our representative for years before redistricting in 2011.
Sheila’s opponent has never had a business or private workplace experience. Sheila was the driving force behind Sitka works/Sitka Business Resource Center for years, which was designed to help guide small businesses to be successful endeavors.
Sheila knows business and that is one of her platforms. She wants to help create business opportunities and jobs for the good folks of District 35, wherever an opportunity might exist.
Please cast your vote for Sheila Finkenbinder. We need her talents and energies in the House.
Virginia Phillips, Sitka
Swing State
Dear Editor: Breaking news: Alaska’s a swing state! Trump and Hillary are tied in Alaska polls.
Side by side, women and men in Alaska have worked too hard, come too far to allow our democracy to be ruined by an unstable, mean-spirited, misogynistic, arrogant, uninformed real estate mogul. President? This television celebrity hides his tax returns, and from his own lips, applauds strong-arm dictators of the world, degrades our military and veterans, wants to banish immigrants, refuses to admit that climate change is reeking havoc on the earth and disrespects women. He boasts things about himself that are horribly offensive to any woman, man or child! He tells blatant lies about one of most qualified, dedicated public servants in our history whose only fault is protecting her emails. (The country’s future is in the balance, and his campaign is about emails?)
Hillary listens. She doesn’t sugar coat it: she has no illusions about what it takes for a better America for our children and grandchildren, for all of us. She’s dedicated to more jobs, better health care, clean air and water, arresting climate change, improving education. Democracy means working together. Stronger together.
Speak out! Vote tomorrow. Alaska’s votes matter.
Ann Stephenson, Sitka
Kreiss-Tomkins
Dear Editor: I met JKT shortly after his 2014 reelection. My first impression was that he was someone who never misspoke – no matter what subject or plans we were discussing, he always sounded informed, fully aware of the costs and minutia, and eager to collaborate. Such precise speech was a promising quality in a politician.
As the state Legislature became increasingly polarized, it was heartening to watch Jonathan quietly work well with both the majority and minority caucus. Without self-aggrandizing and without fanfare, JKT sponsored 25 bills in his past term. Many, like his proposal to reform civil asset forfeiture laws or his Alaska Native languages bill, had broad bipartisan support. I support Jonathan because he is willing to do the hard work of building broad coalitions rather than the easy work of critiquing from the sidelines. I respect his commitment to fully engaging with the complexity of policy instead of reducing his goals to a few easy to digest soundbites. And I admire his unmitigated support for projects of all scales that could improve SE communities. I am proud to have cast my vote for him.
Esther Kennedy, Sitka
Finkenbinder
Dear Editor: It’s finally time to vote. I think most of us will be thankful to have this election season come to a close. I know I will. Before it’s over, I wanted to take the time to share why I will be voting for Sheila Finkenbinder tomorrow.
I’ve known Sheila for many years. I had the opportunity to see her help people when she ran Sitka Works. I also worked with her while she served as the Executive Director of the Greater Sitka Chamber of Commerce. In both roles, she worked very hard to help others be successful. Sheila continuously gives back. Sheila has volunteered with the NRA, the Sitka Historical Society, served as the Republican Women’s Club President. And has also served as a company advisor for Alaska Business Week. I’m sure I’m missing a few, but I’ve seen her hard at work helping people through these organizations.
Sheila has a true commitment to service. She understands we need a balanced, sustainable budget. Sheila has the experience that we need in Juneau. Please join me in voting for Sheila.
Cory Baggen, Sitka
Kreiss-Tomkins
Dear Editor: As a fisherman and small business owner, my top priority in choosing a candidate is someone who supports and enriches our way of life here in Southeast Alaska.
Taking a five-second look at Sheila Finkenbinder’s bumper stickers in the parade gave me the chills. Forget the legislative majority – I’m not interested in casting a ballot for another Republican sheep. I vote independent, issue-by-issue, and care about a sustainable economy, clean water, and a political system where who I elect represents all of us, instead of a party influenced by corporate lobbyists. For these reasons and more, I trust the integrity, judgement, and representation of Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins in the state House and Margaret Stock in the U.S. Senate.
Ben Timby, Sitka
Finkenbinder
Dear Editor: We live in a majority rule system.
It’s been four years now that District 35’s House seat has been in the minority party, therefore sitting on the bench. Sitka’s economic prosperity of the last 50 years has been a direct result of our legislative body being in the majority party. Whether it be the Senate bipartisan coalition, a Republican or Democratic majority, never have we prospered while sitting in the minority party. During our last primary, the state GOP has taken out the trash within their own party leaving out any possibility of a ruling bipartisan coalition in the House. Rep. JKT has hung his hat on this coalition, does Sitka really want to continue down this road?
As a lifelong fisherman I am deeply concerned about the legislative power shift to the Railbelt area of Alaska, especially when commercial fishing is the third-largest industry in the state. I find it hard-pressed to get any leadership out of this area to help us with our ADF&G budget process. As fishermen we are losing time and area in Southeast due to statewide budget cuts. This a direct result of having our current House stay in the minority party. Take a look at our marine highway system, it’s the same deal.
I and many other fishermen are members of the United Fishermen of Alaska by default, a large majority of gear groups are a part of this association. In conclusion, I would like to add that no individual fishing groups from Southeast has endorsed JKT. I ask my fellow fishermen take heed, our industry is in peril. Please join me in voting for Sheila Finkenbinder. Let’s put Sitka back into the majority party.
R.I. Eliason, Sitka
Finkenbinder
Dear Editor: The state has serious problems and we need serious, experienced adults to solve them. My vote is for Sheila who has the experience, judgment, and independence to do what is right.
Gary Paxton, Sitka
