A Vote for Sheila
Dear Editor: On this election let us remove the R and D, red and blue, donkey and elephant and all signs of a distinction from candidates and look only at the ideology and general make-up of the Alaska Legislature. We all know that the group that has the majority makes the most decision in our Legislature. Now is the right way to do it yes and no but that is the way the system works.
We have two candidates running this year both from Sitka unlike previous years. Sheila will be running with the recognition that if she wins she will be in the majority. Jonathan is and would be again in the minority which has very little or any participation in what is done in Juneau.
This position is one of 40 in the House. The majority has 23 and the minority 17. In the Senate it is majority 14 and minority 6. Now we have a senator that is in the majority and has done very well in the Senate and has made clear that his job would be easier and better for Sitka that the House seat should be a person that is in the majority. Sheila is the only candidate that can fill that seat.
This is not a popularity contest it is all about a person that can fill a slot that can work to bring well-needed money and support to Sitka. Sheila has a chance to get on committees with an actual voice that will truly help Sitka. Jonathan has not been able to do this and cannot while in the minority.
We are at the most critical need for Sitka look at our ferry system it is the worst shape it has ever been. The only way to fix this is to have both our representatives to be in the majority. Southeast Alaska is getting smaller and with less representation in the Legislature the last thing we need is to be part of the group that has no voice.
In a perfect world we would be voting on the person that can do the job without labels but we all know that is not reality. So I hope you can make the right decision and vote for the person that can represent Sitka in the very best way and that is Sheila Finkenbinder.
Larry Crews, Sitka
Alaska Day
Dear Editor: October 18 is Alaska Day. I’m always happy on that day.
Well, maybe ‘‘happy’’ isn’t the right word. It’s more of a wistfulness; a subdued happiness with quiet undertones of poignancy. The same kind of ‘‘happy sadness’’ I get whenever I hear Vincent Guaraldi’s “Christmas Time is Here” (the Charlie Brown Christmas song).
You see, I love my little hometown of Sitka, Alaska. And, like with most things in this life, absence truly makes the heart grow fonder. Anyone who has ever called Sitka their ‘‘home’’ knows of this longing.
I lived on this little island from the mid ’70s to the early ’90s and virtually any treasured memory from my childhood has Sitka as its picturesque backdrop. It’s almost not fair the beauty in which we were raised – us ‘‘Sitka kids’’ – nestled between multiple mountains and a view of the Pacific Ocean obstructed only by the curvature of the earth. It’s as if god was channeling his inner Norman Rockwell when he dabbed Sitka on the map of the world.
There are a treasure-trove of memories I have tucked away in my mind. And some of those memories are only to be accessed when the moment is right; like when I smell the ocean, or when I see a bald eagle, or when I hear any song by the Thompson Twins (slow dancing in the Sitka High School cafeteria) or the Eagles (hunting at Mud Bay) – these are the small but meaningful triggers for a goosebump inducing Sitka reverie.
When I close my eyes and take a cerebral walk down memory lane, I find myself thinking about these simple little memories that only a small collection of people would appreciate. Like the way Arrowhead (Verstovia) is in your periphery no matter where you are. Or driving over the O’Connell Bridge and wondering if, during high tide, you could make the jump without hurting yourself. Or the drive out Sawmill Creek Road and wondering who, exactly, spray-painted their graduation year (’79) on the rocks of that windy stretch of road toward the old pulp mill and wondering what they might be up to now.
Or the poor souls who, on the first day of their junior year of high school, learned very quickly you’d better be able to spell your American government teacher’s surname, or else: Pot-R-Zu-Ski, (your lack of Polish ancestry notwithstanding). Or that special group of guys who played baseball together since just after they could walk and finally, FINALLY, won the ‘‘big one’’ late in their baseball careers (only to be humbled on their trip south to square-off against the ‘‘lower 48’’ teams who had the unfair advantage of playing baseball year-round and who probably wouldn’t understand what it was like to have the umpire put the baseballs in the concession stand oven between innings in an effort to ‘‘un-waterlog’’ the balls because, after all, there’s no such thing as a ‘‘rain out’’ in Sitka, Alaska).
Or those who remember Mrs. Bagley and Mrs. Dunsing and Mrs. Franceschini, and Mrs. Mills and Mr. Morris. Or that distinct aroma of the Blatchley pool and who giggled every time they read that little scribbling of graffiti on the door to the office that read – “welcome to our ‘ool’, notice there’s no P in it, let’s keep it that way.” (To this day, I can’t smell a chlorinated pool without my olfactory whirling to life and immediately transporting me back to Blatchley pool – the ‘‘original’’ Blatchley pool complete with that high dive that would frighten even the toughest of insurance agents.) Or those who had a paper route delivering the Sitka Sentinel and who, at the end of their route, believed the black smudges on their hands were little badges of honor for a job well done.
Those who lost pets to the unforgiving roads of HPR and Edgecumbe Drive. Those who picnicked on top of Harbor Mountain. Those who remember when we had a KFC. Those who remember the unforgettable characters of our youth, Sean Garrison, Jason Shaffer, and Randy Marx just to name a few. Those who remember that ‘dome of death’ on the playground of our elementary years. Those who remember the deliciousness of reading about someone you knew in the Police Blotter.
Those who remember what it was like to not lock your house and leave your keys in the car.
Those who remember the Rock Rack and the Hobby House and the Marina Pizzaria (with that cool motorized chair that no matter how much you pleaded with your parents, they just wouldn’t let you ride it). Those who made countless trips around St. Michael’s Cathedral on their way to and from random errands but who never – not once – took for granted the staggering beauty of this famous landmark smack-dab in the middle of our town. Those who remember sitting on the soggy grass of Sheldon Jackson College to watch what we Sitkans considered a worthy fireworks show.
Those who remember the Problem Corner and Hello Central. Those who remember Porky Bickar, Burgess Bauder, Bill Foster and all those quirky individuals that made Sitka – Sitka.
All of these memories define what it is to be “from Sitka.” Others wouldn’t understand. Even those who call Southeast Alaska their home – Ketchikan, Juneau and the like – are not able to fully appreciate the deep-rooted, ethereal feelings forever tethering you to this quiet little town of three grocery stores, two stoplights, and one McDonalds.
I live in Washington now. I have lived in numerous places over the past 25 years but I will only ever have one ‘‘home.’’
Matt Elerding, Vancouver, Wash.
ALFA Open House
Dear Editor: On Alaska Day, fishermen and friends savored great seafood and other treats at the Alaska Longline Fishermen’s Association’s Second Annual Smoked Fish Tasting Competition and open house.
We had eight outstanding entries in the competition, with each delectable entry easily worthy of recognition. Our judges, Cindy Edwards and Rep. Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins, were put to the test and with great difficulty selected Jeff Bentley’s smoked king salmon for first place, Dan Gunn’s smoked coho for second place, and Harold Kalve’s cold-smoked sockeye for third. Our first-place winner received a $150 gift certificate generously donated by Murray Pacific and our second and third place winners received an ALFA sweatshirt and ALFA mugs, respectively.
We were honored to share the event with Sen. Lisa Murkowski, who has been a relentless champion for Alaska’s small boat fishermen on issues as diverse as genetically modified seafood and electronic monitoring of catch. We also celebrated the hard work of ALFA board member Jeff Farvour, who has served on the advisory panel to the North Pacific Fishery Management Council for eight years.
On behalf of ALFA’s staff, board and membership, I want to thank all who attended and contributed to making this event such a success. Special thanks to Dick Curran, who donated blackcod for the event; Cindy and Jonathan, our two peerless judges; Linda Boord at Murray Pacific, who keeps our local fishing fleet on the water; Beth Short-Rhoads, Mary Beth Nelson, Elizabeth Schafer and Betsy Johnson who provided delicious baked goods; ALFA members Terry Perensovich, Megan Pasternak and Kelli Leonard, who pitch in to help with every event; and ALFA’s outstanding staff – Brooke Schafer, Willow Moore-Olbrych and Alyssa Russell. Thank you also to the Sitka Sound Science Center for providing the all-important coffee maker and space for the ALFA event—we are proud to call the Science Center home!
Linda Behnken, Executive Director,
Alaska Longline
Fishermen’s Association
Thank You, Sheldon
Dear Editor: Thank you Sheldon Schmitt for your years of service as Chief of Police.
You did a great job in one of the most difficult positions in local government.
During your tenure the department made great strides in Community Policing by reaching out to all segments of Sitka’s population.
Best of luck in your retirement.
Hugh Bevan, Sitka
SHS Cross Country
Dear Editor: The 2016 Sitka High School cross country season has come to a close. There were about 25 students out for the team this year. The year was an extreme success with the boys’ team winning the regional meet in Sitka and then winning state runner up. The ladies won a second place finish in Sitka and went to state for the first time in four years. The state teams of Collin Baciocco, David Wilcox, Joe Pate, Connor Buxton, Dominic Baciocco, Skyler McIntyre, James Swedeen, Ella Lubin, Ayla McNeilley, Sable Zehlluber, Zofia Danielson, and Olivia Wilcox represented well! It is a wonderful thing to see hard work pay off. These young men and women represented Sitka in a manner for which we can all be proud.
First and foremost, nothing would have been possible without the help of many people. The parents of these students have been extremely supportive. We were lucky enough to have many parents travel to the state meet to cheer on the team. I would also like to thank Coach Jeremy Strong for all of his time and influence. Additionally, Sondra Lundvick, Cole Venneberg, and Mike Vieira put on a wonderful regional championship meet hosting 175 runners from around the region.
Lastly, the team would like to thank the following businesses and individuals for supporting SHS cross country by purchasing an ad on the back of our team shirts. We sincerely appreciate your generosity. AC Value Center, Arctic Chiropractic Sitka; Jeffery R. Reinhardt D.C., Ben Franklin Store, Cascade Creek Inn and Charters, Foreign Automotive, Harris Air, Headquarters, Jackson Drywall, Ludvig’s Bistro, Merkel’s Sport Fishing Charters, Northern Southeast Regional Aquaculture, Sitka Motor Supply, Sitka Studio of Dance, Sitka Vision Clinic, Spenard Building Supply, ALPS Federal Credit Union, Baranof Chiropractic, Baranof Realty, Channel Club, Esther G, First Bank, Harry Race, Hyda Corporation, Mahto Construction, Murray Pacific, Russell’s, Schmolck Mechanical, Sea Mart, SEARHC, Silver Bay Seafoods, Sitka Physical Therapy, Sitka Realty, Sitka Tours, Venneberg Insurance, Yellow Jersey, and Allen Marine. The T-shirts were screened at Harry’s Custom Screening, and they did a fabulous job. The students are working to get all of the “thank-yous” and T-shirts delivered. Please e-mail me at smiths@sitkaschools.org if you have not received your T-shirt in the next week. Thanks again, Sitka, for your constant support of Sitka High School athletics.
Shasta Smith, Head Coach,
SHS Cross-Country
Blue Lake Debt
Dear Editor: The city took out a $100 million loan to finish the Blue Lake Dam project without voter approval. They are only allowed to pay interest on this $100 million loan until 2030 (at which time they will still owe the original $100 million). And as I understand it they are not even allowed to pay loan off early even if they had the money.
I don’t know anyone in their right mind that would take out a 20-year loan for $100 million with those terms. It would be nice if our governor and the state would investigate this nutty deal so we can at least change the terms. The way it stands we may end up paying $500 million for a project we were first told would only cost $40 million. Perhaps those city employees and members of the Assembly that made such a deal without the vote of the people would end up in jail.
Clyde Bright, Sitka
