City Dock
Dear Editor: The Assembly should not be giving away the old utility dock at GPIP. Just because some folks didn’t want the city to build and operate a large vessel dock there decades ago doesn’t mean we don’t need one now!
This land was given to the people of Sitka as a gift. It was not given to a few board members and Assembly members so they could give it away for free! The Assembly needs to put this up to a vote and let the people that own it decide if it should be given away for free! Don’t give this land away and tell us and our children that we are not really important.
I for one would like to see the city build and operate a large vessel dock where bulk water vessels and cruise ships could tie up. Doing so could generate millions of dollars of income for the city and off set the sky rocketing costs of electricity, taxes, fees and utility rates that are being heaped on us taxpayers. Let the voters decide!
The state Legislature gave the city $7 million back in 2007 to build a large vessel dock on the same property they now want to give away for free. If that dock had been built back then the Assembly wouldn’t be trying to take every penny we’ve got.
Anyone telling you Sitka couldn’t use a second large vessel dock is blowing smoke. The 800 member village of Hoonah is building a second cruise ship dock that will almost double the amount of visitors next year. Our city needs the revenue, our schools need the money. Don’t give away this waterfront land for free!
Clyde Bright, Sitka
