EDITOR’S NOTE: This is the fifth in a series of commentaries for and against Ballot Measure 1 that the Sentinel will run prior to the Nov. 6 election.
By SPENCER SEVERSON
In 1965 I got a job on a drilling platform on Little Brown Shoal in Cook Inlet. I was 19 and my job was “bull cook.”
I was tasked with making beds, scrubbing toilets, changing light bulbs, emptying the trash… The last task gave me a lasting impression. I emptied the trash directly over the side of the drilling platform. Every day, many times a day, I threw trash from a 100-foot drop into the strong current coursing over that shoal. Sometimes we commuted by helicopter to Kenai, and I was amazed at the trash covering the shoreline; every rig in the inlet did the same with their trash.
One day a Coast Guard vessel was tied alongside the rig, yet the cook told me to empty the trash. I told him there was a CG cutter alongside, but he said “dump it” - so I did. No problem.
That was an early lesson I have experienced many times since. Big industry and government power brokers have little real interest in the public good. The politicians and industry respond to what we are able to demand through the ballot box. I’ve come to see our political process as a flawed process. The influence of money deeply contaminates our democracy. Yet we still have it, which gives eligible voters the opportunity to achieve the government they want.
I am a commercial salmon troller now in Sitka, Alaska. My livelihood is dependent upon healthy salmon streams and rivers, like many in our state. From collapsing culverts on old logging roads in the Tongass, to heavy metal pollution from abandoned mines, to dead zones in the Gulf of Alaska caused by global warming and ocean acidification: it is clear that our salmon are suffering from a thousand cuts.
As Alaskans, we are dependent upon hunting and fishing not only to make a living but to feed ourselves and our families. Yet the Big Money propaganda we are seeing constantly suggests that if we’d just give big industry less regulation, we’ll all have great jobs and a rosy future.
Over and over again we’ve seen the privatization of profit and the socialization of costs. We pay for the mine clean-up long after the company fileS bankruptcy; we suffer the effects of silting of coho streams after the logging company is done chopping; we have a hard time hunting because deer cannot thrive in a mess of post-clearcut, single-age trees.
To me, the salmon habitat protections proposed by Proposition 1 seem quite unobtrusive. On the other hand, the clips I see on YouTube and the ads I see in the paper are very suspect – and some are outright lies. Proposition 1 will not prevent maintenance on the Alaska oil pipeline – it will ensure that routine maintenance operations are conducted in an environmentally sensible manner. Proposition 1 will not halt mining; it will make sure that mining activities do not harm world-class salmon stocks. Proposition 1 will not halt all logging; it will assist the transition to a responsible young growth selective logging process with small local mills.
The much maligned word “ecology” and the much celebrated word “economy” come from the same root. We separate them at our own and our future generation’s peril.
––––––
Spencer Severson is a commercial fisherman who lives in Sitka and is the immediate past president of the Sitka Conservation Society.
House Race
Dear Editor: I have known Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins from when he was playing and I was coaching Little League baseball, up through high school when he played high school music and ran cross-country with my son. I have come to know Jonathan as well as anyone who I’ve watched grow up here in Sitka. He is one of the most remarkable human beings I have ever met.
His energy is boundless. His capacity for work is astonishing. His motivation for the public good is completely sincere.
Jonathan knows how to work across the aisle because he knows how to listen to others and how to find common ground. The Bipartisan Coalition in the House – Democrats, Republicans and independents working together – is a testament to this.
If JKT has a criticism, he also offers a solution. I have known him for some 15 years and I have never heard him speak an unkind word about anyone, ever. In our increasingly toxic political climate, JKT is oil to troubled waters.
I do not think that Sitka could find a more effective representative. I am going to vote for JKT and I urge you to do the same.
Randy Hughey, Sitka
Emergency Help
Dear Editor: I would like to say thank you to all the people who helped me on Sept. 16 – from the 911 caller to Sitka’s emergency personnel teams. I was able to recover quickly without any major injury. Thank you, again.
Donna Marton, Sitka
Ballot Measure 1
Dear Editor: On Nov. 6, I will vote no on Ballot Measure 1. I will Stand for Alaska. I vote to support the 500-plus local businesses, Native corporations, Alaska Chamber, nonprofit organizations, and labor unions that also plan to VOTE NO on 1.
I grew up in Sitka, and most of my immediate family still lives here. We depend on the Alaska fishing industry for our livelihood – we love salmon, and want to protect salmon habitat. Alaska already has a robust permitting process in place. Ballot Measure 1 is poorly written and could have very serious unintended consequences. It puts transportation projects at risk. The measure is not clear about what will happen with existing projects, like the Trans Alaska Pipeline System or seafood processing plants that are currently being built. Passing this measure would make infrastructure projects nearly impossible, especially in Alaska’s smallest of communities.
Please read the initiative before voting. Consider how this may impact your own business, your property, your friends and neighbors. You can find more information at standforak.com.
I am voting no on 1, because I believe this measure will harm every single person in Alaska.
Cory Baggen, Sitka
Vote for Galvin
Dear Editor: Let me just come out and say it – Alaska needs a new representative in Congress. Whether it’s the increasing chance that he will simply keel over, his tendency for ridiculous and offensive comments, legislating on behalf of wealthy donors from down south, or his unwillingness to hold the executive branch accountable, Don Young is no longer the representative that Alaska deserves.
We have in Alyse Galvin an independent Alaskan who has refused to accept money from PACs, who will prioritize Alaska’s renewable resource industries like fisheries and tourism ahead of corporate lobbyists, who understands that climate change is real and who understands that funding health care and education is critical to Alaska’s future. The fact that Don Young doesn’t realize increasing health care funding is a good thing for Alaska is frankly astounding and disqualifying.
I had a chance to meet with Alyse when she was in Sitka for Alaska day, and she is a strong, intelligent and civil leader who has a proven record of putting Alaskan’s interests first ahead of partisan interests. I’ll be voting for her next Tuesday – if you’re not sure yet, please take a second look at Alyse Galvin, she deserves your vote!
Jackson Matthew, Sitka
Stardust Ball
Dear Editor: I am humbled by the warmth, generosity, and creativity of Sitkans – thanks to everyone who came to Raven Radio’s Stardust Ball this year! Over 450 of you joined us for a night of fun. As Raven Radio’s new general manager, it was my very first party in Sitka. I had an incredible time and look forward to the years (and costumes) to come!
Stardust Ball can only happen because of Raven Radio’s incredible supporters. My thanks go out to them all, but a list seems appropriate. We are grateful for the support of the entire staff at Harrigan Centennial Hall – they went above and beyond in their support of this event. I’m honored by their partnership. A special thanks to Nugget Restaurant, Our Town Catering, Beak Restaurant, Sitka Hotel, Jet Steam Carpet Cleaning, Old Harbor Books, Sitka Fine Arts Camp, Bobbi Jordan, J Bradley, and John and Sharyn Ferrick.
Thanks especially to Sotera Perez – my co-emcee – and the band Nervis Rex out of Anchorage. It’s not a party without party music, right? To all the amazing lip sync and costume contest participants: thank you for sharing your creativity! Finally, it might go without saying that the volunteers, board and staff are the beating heart of everything Raven Radio, but I wouldn’t miss an opportunity to extend my heartfelt thanks to them. You’re the very best. I am so proud to be in a community with all of you. To Max Kritzer, Kelsie Barbour, and Robin Sherman: you’re my heroes. Thank you for all your organizational support.
Here’s to Sitka and Raven Radio’s community of supporters!
Becky Meiers, General Manager,
Raven Radio Foundation, Inc.,
KCAW-FM
Supports JKT
Dear Editor: I work for a vulnerable population, our elders.
My husband and I applied for a foster care license to foster, and adopt, our nephew. Before the licensure we asked for help for services that were not available on our island. The Alaska Office of Children’s Services filed our request as a ‘‘Child In Need of Aide.” This ‘‘technical error’’ caused me to be suspended from my job because it was interpreted as the child being rescued from us, instead of us reaching out for help not available to us.
This technical error caused a variance requirement for both my job and fostering, a process in the OCS system, that usually takes around 90 days.
I reached out to a few key people, including my representative, Jonathan Kriess-Tomkins, and asked for their help. Jonathan and his staff immediately helped me, and non-stop, until my variance was approved.
Instead of the 90 days for the variance, it only took 2.5 weeks. They contacted the state agencies involved, keeping my variance request moving forward!
I’m learning from others that this is what Jonathan does! He’s very much in touch with the communities he represents, readily available!
Please vote for Jonathan Kriess-Tomkins on Nov. 6!
With respect and deep appreciation,
Donna Jackson, Klawock
