Card of Thanks
Dear Editor: Wayne Olson touched a lot of lives. We have been overwhelmed with the many expressions of kindness, support and love you have shown our family. Learning to go on without him is made easier by being part of this loving community.
Thank you for taking such good care of us and for keeping us in your thoughts and prayers.
Linda, Alicia and Eric, Casey, Wendi and Clara.
Support for JKT
Dear Editor: I am writing to share my unequivocal support for Sitka’s State Rep. Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins and my thoughts on why Alaska’s fishermen need JKT for two more years in Juneau to advocate for our interests.
First, his work ethic would exhaust anyone who wasn’t a superhero. I receive JKT emails at 2 a.m. and 7 a.m., because he cares about his work and the people he represents. A good representative works incredibly hard on our behalf. By this rule, we couldn’t have a better representation.
Second, JKT has the respect and support of people in all corners of Alaska and even Washington, D.C. He has used his network in the White House to advance Alaska fishermen’s interests, from stopping policy that would have crippled our industry to supporting good fisheries appointments and decisions.
The Walker Administration and ADF&G Commissioner Sam Cotten have established a close and productive working relationship with JKT. Just recently, Commissioner Cotten and Rep. JKT authored a joint letter – rare between legislators and the executive branch, which speaks to the quality of JKT’s relationships – inviting NOAA Administrator Kathryn Sullivan to come to Alaska to see what it’s like to be an observer on a 40-foot longliner.
Third, JKT really understands fish. He has a boots-on-deck perspective because he has worked as a deckhand on commercial boats.
While it is extremely rare to see a legislator at fisheries management meetings, JKT has multiple times logged days at a time at North Pacific Fishery Management Council meetings on issues important to local fishermen. He is informed and provides insightful testimony.
That’s the kind of work ethic I appreciate.
Fourth, JKT has carefully developed great relationships with his fellow legislators of both parties. He serves on the Fisheries Committee and has multiple times passed amendments, gathering bipartisan support, on key legislation advancing the interests of Alaska-based fishermen.
JKT has also spearheaded successful Bush Caucus letters strongly advocating for bycatch reductions by Gulf of Alaska and Bering Sea trawl fleets. He’s gathered broad bipartisan support from legislators backing (successful) critical North Pacific Council appointments.
We are lucky to have JKT representing our community and representing fishermen. I am voting for more years of this kind of representation.
Linda Behnken, Sitka
City Taxes
Dear Editor: A recent (Sept. 28) article in this newspaper noted Sitka Community Hospital was paying the city back millions of dollars in loans it got from the Assembly with the proceeds from taxes the Assembly imposed on cigarettes.
I seem to recall Assembly members telling us the tobacco tax was needed to fund stop smoking efforts and to help people kick the habit. If this tax is not being used for that purpose it should be done away with.
Clyde Bright, Sitka
Teachers’ Pay
Dear Editor: Today’s recipient of the Nobel Prize, Bengt Holstrom, of MIT, received his portion of the prize for work, in part, on the economics of teacher pay. He had argued that teachers’ pay should not just be based on students’ test scores, but set in a way that would also reward the teaching of harder-to-measure skills such as creativity and independent thinking.
Our Sitka teachers already are teaching at a high level of performance. Holstrom is describing ways to get teachers to reach the level our teachers already reach. I want to thank our teachers at Baranof Elementary, Keet Gooshi Heen, Blatchley Middle School, Sitka High School and Pacific High School for their professional and personal achievement. Essentially, they have volunteered the high quality that teachers all around the country have to be motivated financially to attain. Like many of us, I have had my kids in every one of the schools I mention, so I could give many examples of the dedication and fine ethics our teachers donate. in addition to fulfilling their job descriptions.
Now that the elections are over, especially with the failure of the vile proposition to saddle a minority, the property owners, with the costs that should be borne democratically, by everybody, new calls will arise to cut education spending. Now that we are not bandying about the term “regressive,” to describe taxes levied on the poor, we can move on to realize that relieving the poor of taxation disenfranchises those of us who do not make very much money from our right as equal citizens to contribute as much as we can to the common well being.
Obviously, we should be paying our teachers more. At the very least, their security should not come to the table. The Assembly needs to enact broad- based tax increases that fall on everyone. It is hard for gentlemen who grew up together and who share many similar thinking and social traits to criticize their own. But we have waste, inefficiency, idleness and a lack of transparency in city government. It is time for gentry to question fellow gentry about tax exemptions for churches, about contracting sweetheart deals, and about interlocking financial benefits between city employees and the private businesses they should regulate objectively.
The schools are sitting ducks for financial cuts. I wonder if the Assembly will continue taking pot shots at easy targets, or whether this rather select Gentlemen’s Club will take on the hard work of introspection. Fortunately, most of the Assembly members gained creativity and independent thinking from our schools. So far, politically palatable solutions have been much favored. It is time to break that pattern. We have the tools to review our values and our ways of doing things. Let’s use them.
Along with the tough and deft thinking we must do, we should figure out how to pay our teachers more.
John Welsh, Sitka
Supports Finkenbinder
Dear Editor: Why I believe in Sheila Finkenbinder.
After working for four governors and two legislators with the State of Alaska, I was privileged to retire and enjoy the life of travel in a truck and fifth wheel trailer.
When Sheila announced she was running for the Alaska State House, I immediately and sincerely offered my services to help with her campaign. Shortly thereafter, I packed up, put my trailer in storage and headed to Sitka as her campaign manager.
Sheila is the one for the job in Alaska State House of Representatives. She has the ability to lead, listen and make decisions. I’ve seen her in many situations and her lack of fear when it comes to jumping in, contributing, and remaining until the completion of whatever task, project, etc. is at hand. She then stays on to ensure the continued success of the endeavor.
She wants the true story and isn’t afraid to tackle uncomfortable topics to get to the bottom of the issue. I really appreciate that about her. She doesn’t need to gloss over the facts. As a matter of fact, by the time she’s diligently researched and reviewed many sources, the facts she presents literally speak for themselves – very clearly.
She is adept at listening to what others are saying and taking that information and creating wonderful opportunities. This goes from individuals to the community and more. Her history and experience prove this is true. So many people in the Sitka area have benefited from Sitka Works/Sitka Business Center. Many businesses she helped to create are still going strong today. Even I benefitted with her suggestions concerning my future. Which unbeknownst to us at the time, included her run for the Alaska State House of Representatives.
Sheila Finkenbinder is the person who can lead District 35 as representative. She’ll chair at least one committee and will be listened to by the majority. Something her opponent (who did not join the bi-partisan majority) will be unable to do. It is critical for Southeast Alaska to have someone who can actually get things accomplished.
Paula Spreter, Sitka
