Al, the Troller
Dear Editor: When I heard that a commercial fisherman from Juneau was running for the U.S. Senate, I figured I better check him out. I couldn’t believe it. I called Dan Foley, F/V Stellar, an old friend who lives in Juneau. What do you know about Al Gross? Dan says, “I remember him at 14 trolling and longlining for Stan Redikoff.” Hmmm. Some people in Sitka, think I’m a hard ass. A relative of Captain Blyth, or worse. Well, Stan makes me look like a nice guy. Not quite a Care Bear though. Stan was tough. Old-style tough. My opinion of Al went up substantially.
Worked his way from Stan’s back deck to his own boat. I’m not saying that he will get rid of the horrible wording and implementation of the treaty, but we will have someone who will fight like hell for us. He’s got close friends trolling. When you meet him in Juneau, Anchorage, Petersburg, Sitka or wherever, he’ll listen to what you are talking about. You can talk like a fisherman and he will listen to you even if you just came out of the engine room or fish hold. And he’ll understand.
In his talk on Raven Radio the other day he brought up that he was going to get the 3-mile state jurisdiction off our coast to 12 miles. That would be great. Then I would not have to listen to one of my friends complaining about another one of my friends who went 500 feet into the federal waters in the winter. Al thinks like a fisherman. He’s cleaned king salmon and cohos. He’s like what you would like your kid to grow up and become. A fisherman. A doctor. A Senator.
Vote for Al Gross. He’s one of us. And homegrown.
Mike Mayo, F/V Coral Lee, Sitka
Monthly Grind
Dear Editor: I just watched the virtual Sitka Monthly Grind for October. Our 26th season has started! There will be a WhaleFest Grind too – virtually. You can sign up with WhaleFest at the Sitka Sound Science Center for that one.
For the October Grind, all you need to do is go to youtube.com and type in Sitka Monthly Grind in the youtube search bar. There are five acts, all well worth your time. Get a snack, your family, and take a break from all the other things going on. Enjoy a nonpolitical, family oriented, and for sure affordable time of entertainment. We plan more Grinds, stay tuned. Thank you.
Jeff Budd for
Sitka Monthly Grind
