Vote Yes on Prop 2
Dear Editor: Legislation is underway for marijuana consumption lounges. We need to provide a safe location for our visitors to smoke marijuana when they come in off cruise ships. It would be nice to congregate and try marijuana products in a safe and responsible manner. It is legal, after all.
Please vote yes on Tuesday for Prop 2. It would allow us to have smoking rights in certain public places. In the future, it would allow marijuana consumption in certain public places, once the laws have been passed to allow us those privileges.
Michelle Cleaver, Weed Dudes, Sitka
Supports Miyasato
Dear Editor: For mayor, we urge Sitkans to vote for the middle-aged candidate: energetic and experienced. And, Ben Miyasato’s experience is appropriate to the position: 20 years working in banking, 20 years in the National Guard (tours in Iraq and Kuwait), city Assemblyman currently (2017-2019) and previously (2013-2017), Sitka Tribe Councilman (2011-January 2017), served as treasurer for three years and as vice chairman for two years during a time of significant financial stress.
Ben considers the two most important characteristics of mayor to be: 1. Being approachable and responsive to public input, AND 2. Helping to moderate the Assembly meetings.
Ben is an alert listener and he responds with specifics rather than generalities. ‘‘The city needs to increase revenue without increasing fees or taxes.’’
In Ben’s opinion, efforts that need attention are: 1. Attracting new businesses, particularly businesses that would use our excess electricity; new families would increase school enrollment, thus increasing state funding. 2. Freezing or lowering utility rates. 3. Disposing of some of the 1,800 acres of land owned by the City of Sitka, particularly a portion for building tiny homes. 4. Keeping the PAC open (increase user fees). 5. Contacting SeaAlaska Corporation and Goldbelt Corporation regarding establishing businesses in Sitka. 6. Sooner rather than later, a new facility needs to be provided for the Sitka Police Department; the current facility is too small, too old, has health hazards, allows no privacy and contributes to turnover of police officers. 7. As the economy improves, the city should be more involved in the provision of public transportation (The RIDE.)
Ben is passionate about our nation and about Sitka. His experience is recent/current. He is devoted and eager to help Sitka recover from its current economic stress.
We thank Mr. Bean for his service on the Assembly; we love and honor Mr. Paxton and his wife for their past service to our city, but we will be voting Ben Miyasato for mayor, and we hope you will too.
Richard and Alice Smith, Sitka
Paxton Response
Dear Editor: I noticed the ad pushing the idea that Mr. Paxton is big government. What was failed to be mentioned is that Mr. Paxton as administrator had no vote in any of the growth – he worked at the pleasure of the Assembly and their direction. Thank you.
Jeff Budd, Sitka
Yes on Prop 2
Dear Editor: A yes vote on Proposition No. 2 will exempt Sitka from a law banning tobacco in bars and saloons. The government tried to ban alcohol before. Now they want to ban tobacco in ‘‘public places.’’ As Rita Ledbetter, a bartender at the Pioneer Bar, explained, ‘‘Going into a bar is a privilege not a right.’’ (See: page one, ‘‘Daily Sitka Sentinel’’ Thursday, September 2018). If you disapprove of alcohol consumption, or that of tobacco, don’t patronize bars or saloons. How simple?!
In moderation, alcohol and tobacco have health benefits: both products calm and soothe the harried mind. Indian chiefs passed the peace pipe to prevent war. Puritanical busybodies, compelled to legislate the morality of their neighbors, might well profit from an occasional puff.
Preserve our liberties. Vote Yes on Proposition 2!
Jeff Kinnan, Sitka
