Election Thanks
Dear Editor: I would like to express my thanks to the community for turning out for the latest local election. I think the fact that the votes for assembly members were so evenly split speaks to the quality of candidates we had this year. It was a pleasure running with the other four.
I very much appreciate the support, financial and otherwise, of those who backed me in my quest for a chance to serve this city that I love. Thank you so much for believing in me. I will continue to be an active part of Sitka.
Congratulations and best wishes to Kevin and Valorie, who will need all the help and support they can get in the coming months. I know that they, along with our new mayor, want to see this town grow and thrive. I’m confident they will do a good job, and I wish them all the best.
Sheila Finkenbinder, Sitka
In Support of JKT
Dear Editor: Civility and an even temperament are important attributes in our elected officials. Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins is the obvious choice for our State House of Representatives.
We need public leaders who can work well with others. Kreiss-Tomkins works effectively within and across party lines. He is a man of intelligence, who is open to good ideas from others, no matter their party or affiliation. He will continue to do whatever it takes to maintain and improve the lives of his constituents.
JKT is energetic, accessible, and a person of integrity. He is my clear choice in this upcoming election.
Thank you for your consideration.
Robert C. Hunter, M.D., Sitka
Roadless Rule
Dear Editor: Secretary of Agriculture, Sonny Perdue is fast-tracking a repeal of the roadless rule that would open the last stands of old-growth in the Tongass to clearcutting. In his words “ The national forests in Alaska should be working forests for all industries.” Unfortunately, this gift to logging companies comes at the expense of our fishing and tourism industries. He announced his plan in early August and is closing the comment period on October 15. He promises that within 18 months the changes to the roadless rule will be finalized.
I attended a recent informational meeting here in Sitka where representatives from the Forest Service and Alaska DNR tried to make sense of the repeal to a skeptical crowd of locals. We were told that while our comments mattered, none of the comments at the meeting would be recorded. We learned that although this is being called an Alaska exemption, it will only apply to the Tongass. Many of the fisherman and hunters at the meeting spoke out against turning more of our home into clearcut. It was pointed out that the Forest Service still needs to restore hundreds of salmon streams damaged by the last round of logging and it would cost hundreds of millions of dollars to maintain the roads we already have. The presenters had trouble justifying the roadless repeal for any reason other than the logging of old growth. They acknowledged that just about every project that has requested an exemption from the rule has received one, typically within a month of applying. This includes hydropower, utilities, roads and over 30 mining projects.
It seems clear that this roadless-rule-reversal is really about clearcutting. In a world where scientists are now predicting the effects of global warming will be disastrous by 2040, why would we log any more of a forest that holds more carbon-crunching plant density than any other in the world? At what point do we stop sacrificing the future of our planet to prop up industry that is already heavily reliant on government subsidies? Follow the links on the Forest Service Alaska Roadless Rule page to comment by Oct. 15.
Stacey Wayne, Sitka
Sitka Blood Drive
Dear Editor: Thank you to the Sitka community for hosting a blood drive with the Blood Bank of Alaska. The blood drives are being held 9:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Oct. 24 and 8 a.m.-3 p.m. Oct. 25 and 26 at the Centennial Hall meeting room 1. To schedule an appointment, please call the Blood Bank of Alaska, (907))222-5630 or schedule online at bloodbankofalaska.org.
About 2 percent of Alaska’s population are donating blood. There is no substitute for human blood and that is why your participation will be a huge help on maintaining a healthy blood supply. One blood donation can save three lives. We are inviting you to join us and encourage everyone to be a hero and help the Blood Bank of Alaska’s mission to save lives.
Here are some of the eligibility requirements to donate blood:
–Must be healthy and feeling well.
–At least 16 years of age. (16- and 17-year-old donors will need a signed parental consent form which can be downloaded at our website www.bloodbankofalaska.org.)
–Donors over the age of 74 must bring a written approval from their physician.
–Donors over the age of 80 must bring a written approval from physician and approval from our medical director.
–Weigh at least 113 pounds.
–Photo ID (state ID, driver’s license, military ID, etc.)
–For questions about medical conditions, medications, tattoos, piercings, and out-of-the-country travels, feel free to call (907)222-5630 and a screener will be able to check your eligibility.
Here are some tips to have a successful donation:
–Bring a photo ID.
ºBring required forms on the day of donation (parent consent form for 16- to 17-year-old donors and written approval of the physician for over the age of 74.)
–Eat a complete meal before the donation.
–Drink plenty of fluids days prior and the day of donation.
–Schedule an appointment. (Donors with appointments have priority over walk-in donors.)
Blood donation process takes approximately 45 minutes to an hour. This includes registration, medical history questionnaire, and mini-physical (blood pressure, pulse, temperature, hematocrit, etc.) After passing all the requirements to donate, then the blood draw will take place. After the blood donation, you are advised to stay for about 10 to 15 minutes to have snacks and drinks before leaving to avoid any sort of reactions. You are also advised to not perform any strenuous activities for the next 24 hours, not smoke for at least half an hour, avoid alcoholic beverages for he next couple hours, hydrate well, and avoid skipping any meals.
For those who are unable to donate blood, we encourage you to help with providing snacks and drinks to those who donated blood. We do appreciate all your help.
If you have questions or concerns, feel free to call the Blood Bank of Alaska at (907)222-5630.
Jean Frank, Sitka, for the
Blood Bank of Alaska
Indigenous Peoples’ Day
Dear Editor: We would like to extend our sincere thank you to the many individuals and organizations who made the recent Indigenous Peoples’ Day event at UAS possible. We want to thank the incredible speakers and breakout session hosts, our partner organizations, financial contributors, UAS administration, faculty, and staff, and, most of all, the community members who came out for the event.
During this Indigenous Peoples’ Day event, attendees were able to enjoy a potluck dinner including halibut chowder and herring salad made by Pacific High School students; hear remarks from KathyHope Erickson, Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins, Dionne Brady Howard; and following the opening remarks, participants were able to choose from nine breakout sessions all centered around the theme of honoring our salmon (xaat) and herring (yaaw).
Financial and material contributors for this event included Baranof Island Housing Authority, Sitka Tribe of Alaska, SouthEast Alaska Regional Health Consortium, Sitka Sound Seafoods, McDonald’s, Sitka Wild Seafoods, City and Borough of Sitka, and the UAS Juneau Native and Rural Student Center.
Partner organizations included Sitka Tribe of Alaska, Sitka Native Education Program, Sealaska Heritage Institute, Sitka Conservation Society, Sitka Kitch, and Sitka Sound Science Center. Without these organizations we could not have offered the variety of breakout sessions.
We also extend our gratitude to the following individuals and apologize if we have missed anyone: Alaire Hughey, Albert Duncan, Blossom Twitchell, Callie Simmons, Charlie Skultka Jr., Chohla Moll, Claire Sanchez, David Boxley, Dionne Brady Howard, Ellen Frankenstein, Ellie Schmidt, Emma Spencer, Heather Bauscher, Hope Merritt, Janet Clarke, Jim Johnsen, Jenn Lawlor, Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins, Kari Sagel, KathyHope Erickson, Katie Nedens, Killian DeTemple, Lakrisha Brady, Lillian Young, Lisa Gassman, Louise Brady, Maggie Gallin, Mark Sixbey, Mike Baines, Muriel Reid, Pauline Duncan, Richard Caulfield, Roby Littlefield, Sarah O’Leary, Sonja Briles, Stephen Courtright, Tess Giant, and of course our UAS Staff and Faculty volunteers, especially Crystal Duncan for her creativity, vision and ability to make this event happen.
We look forward to seeing you at future Indigenous Peoples’ Day celebrations and again thank the community of Sitka for your support.
Gunalcheesh,
Leslie Gordon,
UAS-Sitka Campus Director
