Bicycle Accident
Dear Editor: In response to Michelle Putz’s letter about her bicycle accident on HPR, I sincerely wish her a speedy recovery and appreciate her taking the time to review the basics for bicyclists (and joggers): wear bright color clothes and reflectors, and wear a helmet. For motorists: slow down. Our clocks get turned back next week and we sink into darkness longer. It will make it difficult to see pedestrians, bicyclists, joggers and motorists.
The question I have at this time, is how the State of Alaska DOT and its partnership with the City of Sitka can upgrade the 7-mile stretch of HPR without installing at least a foot path similar to Sawmill Creek Road from Sea Mart to the end of the road? This section of the state highway has fewer street lights making it harder to see in poor weather conditions and darkness. Improving the bicycle lane only means the roadway is now wider for the commercial trucks, motor coaches and private autos to traverse up to speeds of 45+++ mph.
It was so simple to include the survey for the sidewalk along with the HPR upgrades and be completed by the end of 2014. The 5.2-mile stretch into Starrigavan Park would cost around $2M, which, if amortized over a 25 year period would cost about $40 a mile. If it could save just one life, it is worth it – yes? It’s unfortunate that budgetary restraints cut this safety measure from the improvements. With Congress cutting back the funding for enhancement projects and no new nominations (applications) are being considered.
How can Sitkans receive recognition and be a recipient of the Walk Friendly Communities award when we leave our citizens to walk/ride/jog the pothole footpaths and shoulders along HPR? Wouldn’t we be receiving this award because the city made a concerted effort to install sidewalks that bring urban development to the rural areas?
Again, Michelle please be well and thank you for making this a public awareness opportunity.
Leslie H. Duncan, Sitka
Pumpkin Patch
Dear Editor: The 3 to 5 Preschool would like to thank the many people and organizations who helped make our first Pumpkin Patch fundraiser possible and a success. We were thrilled when Bob Burnett from AC Lakeside was excited with the idea of having a Pumpkin Patch in Sitka and said they would provide the pumpkins for it and donate a portion of the sales to our preschool. The store also gave free mini pumpkins to the children which was an added draw and bonus. The Alaska Arts Southeast let us have the event on the Fine Arts Campus grounds which was a perfect place to have our event. We thank Harry Race for providing the opportunity for parents to purchase photos that were taken. The U.S. Coast Guard, Sitka Sound and Tim Ryan let us borrow tents and we were so grateful to the Fire Department for bringing a crew at 8 a.m. to put up all the tents for us.
We appreciated the donations by the Hames Corporation, the Elks and Northern Sales for the supplies we needed. Thanks to the Assembly of God and the Women in Fisheries for keeping our food warm and our drinks hot. Thanks to Mike Coleman and Les Kinnear for providing the opportunity for many to experience their first Alaska hayride viewing the ocean and totem poles instead of fields of corn. Thanks to Jim DiGennaro for playing music to make the event festive.
We couldn’t have pulled off this event without the many wonderful community volunteers like the Americorp volunteers – Kara. Kelly Van, Breanne and Alexa. With the help of Matt Foruria and Nick Bouker we had Mt. Edgecumbe students Bobbie, Amy, Cole, Treva, Felisha, Jessica, Mildred, Falene and Renee. From Sitka High School through Rob Parsons we had help from Nicole, Melanie Joey, Kaycie, Shanti, Lione, Emma, and Jovani. Retha Winger’s Girl Scouts Troop 4041 – Brianna, Autumn, Chloe and Allison came and helped with stations, also. The face-painting station was a hit and face painters Katherine and Johanna, Grechen, Amy and Janet, Malissa and Kaycie, Jaelyn and a few others painted awesome designs on the children and some adults. Delta Kappa members Catherine, Gina, Lois and Erika worked at the main stations while BMS and SHS students Nicole, Chelsea, Jaycie, Emily, Hadley, Kathy, Matthew and Cameron came to help where needed, too. There were many parents, grandparents and others like Kaylyn who provided muscle power, time and energy before, during and after the event which was very much appreciated.
A special thanks goes to Gracia and Marissa from The Beauty Shop for creating the four darling “friendly“ scarecrows which were displayed and used at the photo station. Raven Radio, KIFW, the Daily Sitka Sentinel, Amber Parker and many others did a great job in publicizing our event.
Lastly, the 3 to 5 Preschool board, staff, parents and children wish to thank all those who ventured out on a cold and very wet day to have a “Pumpkin Patch” experience and supported our first fall fundraising event of this nature.
3 to 5 Preschool, Sitka
