HB 309 Action
Dear Editor: Our small craft distillery business in Haines (Port Chilkoot Distillery) needed to address some outdated state laws that were preventing us (and all craft distilleries in Alaska) from growing and operating efficiently. We called our legislator, Rep. Kreiss-Tomkins.
Rep. JKT listened and took action. He cosponsored a bill (HB 309) that allowed our business to grow and create jobs in Haines. He was responsive by phone, email and text, followed up with us diligently as the bill advanced through the Legislature, and worked with other lawmakers, regardless of political party.
HB 309 was an example of how politics should work for the people. Jonathan is an example of a legislator who truly serves his constituents.
Heather Shade, Haines
House Seat
Dear Editor: Too often anymore we place people in charge that don’t have the background or experience needed to do a job well. Oftentimes we vote with emotion. We will vote for someone simply because they are nice, young and innocent, or just have a nice smile.
Despite the letter to the editor the other day regarding electing someone based just on resume, it is important to vote for someone that is best to represent us, the ordinary hardworking class citizens. How can a representative truly represent the working class if he never really has experienced it himself? Look what happened to our country when we voted in a community organizer for president. An overwhelming 68 percent of the people are worried that our country is going in the wrong direction. Go figure. I, myself, do not want another community organizer or career politician in office. I want someone in office who understands us. That’s why I am voting for Steven Samuelson.
Kim Svenson, Sitka
Southeast Branding
Dear Editor: The water, the rain, the mist, the fog, all mean Sitka to me. We don’t do ‘‘branding’’ in Southeast.
The Rainforest is where we live.
Just saying.
Pauline Fredrickson, Sitka
Thank You, JKT
Dear Editor: Energetic, educated. Informed, involved. Perceptive, persistent. Responsive, respected. Thanks, Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins, for a fine job representing District 35, Sitka.
Vote now, vote Tuesday, Nov 4.
John Stein, Sitka
House Seat
Dear Editor: It would be hard to outwork Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins in the Legislature. Clearly the guy studies the issues, travels throughout his district and listens to his constituents. I’ve followed his voting pattern – he votes for us. I will vote to re-elect him.
Despite his years of running for office, perennial candidate Steven Samuelson still can’t seem to identify a single concrete step he would take if he were elected to the House. How about trawling, for example? Bycatch from trawling in the Gulf of Alaska, exceeds the legal catch allocated to S.E. Alaska fishers, so it is an important issue for us. JKT says: Ban trawling in the Gulf. What does Mr. Samuelson say? At the Sitka Chamber candidates’ forum he said, “Let’s see what we can do with the rules, working federally and at a state level….Now I can’t tell you all the specifics of exactly how I’d go about it, but I can’t tell you enough that I have been in these industries all my life.” Sorry, Steven, that’s not a plan and it’s not a stand . . . that’s a wish.
I’ll vote for the candidate who has thought through the issues and whose votes will benefit those of us who live in his district – Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins.
James W. McGowan, Sitka
Alaska Day Pies
Dear Editor: The Alaska Day Pie/Dessert Sale at Sitka Lutheran Church exceeded our greatest expectations. Twenty-eight members and friends donated an array of pies and desserts that ranged from apple to vinegar and almost everything between. Forty-six different kinds of pie fillings, nearly 250 pies, and 10 different desserts were offered.
Thanks goes to those people who so generously donated their delicious creations, as well as those who came to set-up, serve up, and clean up. A big thank you goes to the customers who came to enjoy fellowship and pie.
The funds will be used to further the missions of Sitka WELCA (Women of the Evangelical Lutheran Church).
Thank you. God bless you!
Kathleen Brandt, Sitka
