House Election
Dear Editor: I have had the pleasure to interact closely with Mr. Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins and Dr. Richard Wein over the 17+ years that I have lived in Sitka. While both candidates have strengths and weaknesses, I feel that Mr. Kreiss-Tomkins is clearly the best choice for House District 35 representative.
While Dr. Wein expresses that he has long and varied leadership experience, the vast majority of his life has been cloistered deep inside hospitals. His recent foray into municipal government has shown that he lacks the temperament and insight to successfully work closely with people of diverse interests, goals and backgrounds.
In contrast, Mr. Kreiss-Tomkins has shown that he can navigate through the very complicated, divisive issues that face Alaska today.
In a time when sweeping claims, arrogance and self-aggrandizement seem to be the watch words in politics, it is refreshing to have careful, grounded and prepared candidates.
A vote for Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins is a vote for cooperative, progressive governing, something that our system drastically needs.
I will be voting November 6. It is important that all of us do the same.
Roger Golub, MD, Sitka
Rep. JKT
Dear Editor: With the school year getting going, I wanted to express gratitude for the work done by our Rep. Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins and the Bipartisan House Coalition for successfully getting an $80 BSA education boost this current school year.
This funding boost helped protect our students and schools in Sitka, making the budget situation a little less grim for Sitka School District and the community of Sitka, and helped keep quality, diverse classes available to our students and teachers in their classrooms.
I also want to thank Rep. JKT for being so communicative (taking the time to answering texts and take calls at literally all hours of the day and night) with concerned teachers and parents like myself through the budget process, helping us make sense of what’s going on in Juneau and how it will affect our amazing schools in Sitka.
Joe Montagna, Sitka
Civil Liberties
Dear Editor: When our civil liberties are abridged, we should be bothered. I am bothered by the federal administration’s attacks on the freedom of expression of people who create their own gender. Sex is biologically determined. Gender is protected under the First Amendment. A person is permitted to express individuality in any way that occurs to them. The only limits are the usual boundaries against harm or infringement on others. All gender roles are socially molded.
There is no right or wrong gender. Certain gender parts that we play are acceptable to the government, because future taxpayers come through their interaction. When we see the government trying to define and limit gender play, bad actors are closing in on our other freedoms. Freedom of gender expression is protected by the Constitution. Any subversion of the First Amendment by the government endangers each of us.
John Welsh, Sitka
Maritime Heritage
Dear Editor: The Sitka Maritime Heritage Society hosted two more great events recently. First was an open house Sept. 22 at the Japonski Island Boathouse to show off the new foundation for our forthcoming office, and all the progress we’ve made toward turning the building into a working boat shop and marine heritage center. On display were two fine sailing dories the 4-H club built this summer in our shop. We gave tours of the boathouse and showed off our new collection of videos, recording past oral history talks.
Our thanks to everybody who attended, and all who helped to make it happen.
The next event was on Oct. 9, our latest “Pub Talk” – a fascinating double presentation by Richard Nelson and our own Josh Wisniewski. They each described their experiences living in Northwest Alaska, learning about traditional ways of living and hunting, at different times and places. Their talk was accompanied by Josh’s incredible photographs.
Once again we would like to thank all the people who helped to make these events a success: Lione Claire for editing our great video collection, and thank you also to the Coast Guard Spouses and Women’s Association for helping to pay for the dory materials. Thanks to KCAW and the Daily Sitka Sentinel for publicity, to the Mean Queen for providing such a great space for the event, to everybody who brought food and drinks to share, and everybody who attended.
Watch for future Sitka Maritime Heritage Society events, including our next one, a special concert by the incredible Don Sineti, Chantyman, at the Beak Restaurant 7 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 30. Also, visit our YouTube channel to see Lione’s work: video excerpts of past annual meeting panel discussions, featuring local fisherman and others, telling stories of their experiences on the water and on land, living in this great maritime region – Southeast Alaska.
Sitka Maritime Heritage Society
Board of Directors
