Maritime Heritage
Dear Editor: At last, the Sitka Maritime Heritage Society’s long-awaited partnership with Delta Western is moving forward. Delta Western has been working towards building a marine refueling facility on property adjoining the Japonski Island Boathouse. Their initial application for a tidelands lease was submitted in May 2012, and met with processing issues. Rep. Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins engaged the Department of Natural Resources on behalf of the project, and the permit is on its way to being processed. We would like to send a note of thanks to Rep. Kreiss-Tomkins for his help with the project.
We are excited about the future of the Japonski Island Boathouse, and look forward to its restoration and operation. The Delta Western fuel dock is a critical component of our project since it will provide a long-term source of income. After permits are in place the fuel dock can be built, paving the way for more progress on the boathouse.
In the meantime we will continue our work preserving the maritime heritage of our region, through our public programs, our newsletter and website (www.sitkamaritime.org), upcoming workshops in conjunction with UAS, and our own boathouse restoration projects, such as a ground-source heat pump, slated for installation in the summer of 2014. Thanks to all for the support and interest!
Ashia Lane, Director of
Sitka Maritime Heritage Society
Outdoor Survival
Dear Editor: The Sitka School District’s Cold-Water Safety Outdoor Survival Program has completed its fifth- and ninth-grade units. The students focused on outdoor safety, survival skills and techniques. Fifth-grade students participated in building mock survival shelters in the woods to have hands-on experience.
Both grade levels received presentations and instruction on the ‘‘Seven Steps to Survival,’’ ‘‘Survival Kits’’ and ‘‘Signals.’’ The ninth-grade classes were also presented information on ‘‘CPR/AED/First Aid,’’ ‘‘Hypothermia’’ and ‘‘Boating Safety.’’
The following people and resources made the units possible and successful by sharing their knowledge and/or assistance with the students to learn these important survival skills.
Thank you to Casey Demmert and the fifth grade staff, with a special thank you to teachers Rich Krupa and Tyler Orbison who are teacher instructors trained by Alaska Marine Safety Education Association; parent volunteers; AMSEA instructors Krisanne Rice, Hope Merritt and Rick Petersen, and AMSEA staff; United States Coast Guard personnel AST3 David White and AST3 Cameron Cullen; Mike Morris, USCG Auxiliary; Eric VanCise, SEARHC EMS; Lynn Brandon, Sitka Parks and Recreation; Prewitt Bus Company and bus drivers; and James Poulson and the Daily Sitka Sentinel.
Danielle Cassedy,
Cold-Water Program,
Sitka School District
Shutdown
Dear Editor: It is appropriate when we elect people, whether at a local or national level, to ask important questions...
What if a group of representatives in Congress decided they did not like civil rights … or that they wanted to take all guns away from people … or that women should not be able to vote?
Would we allow them to hold the rest of the government and the economy hostage in an effort to change the past because they didn’t like the laws or amendments passed before them by a majority of the Congress? Isn’t this what is happening now?
No one in Congress should use the funding of the government as a means of trying to change a law, no matter what the law. Republicans should be embarrassed by these efforts. And Democrats should watch themselves to make sure they avoid a similar move in the future.
I have asked my representatives to stop the furlough and shutdown by passing a “clean” continuing resolution to fund the government, and to leave The Affordable Health Care Act alone – contrary to Congress’ belief many of us think it might help us in the long run. And I’ve asked them to work TOGETHER on a budget. I hope our next election reflects the current dislike and distrust we have for our governing officials. When I vote I intend to show how I want things to change in the House and Senate.
Michelle Putz, Sitka
School Board Election
Dear Editor: I would like to take a moment to congratulate Lon Garrison on his re-election and to thank the many Sitkans who offered their support and asked important questions during this year’s School Board contest.
Lon is a conscientious School Board member and will continue to do a great job working on behalf of our children and our community. I hope to serve on a Board with him in the future.
To those who raised issues, “liked” my page on Facebook, or helped in any other way during my campaign: thank you. I intend to remain an outspoken advocate for our children and our schools and I hope that you will join me in that advocacy. Please continue to approach me with your thoughts on education policy – my wife loves it when I talk about that stuff with other people and she gets spared!
Thanks again, Sitka.
Stephen Courtright, Sitka
