Fill the Bus
Dear Editor: “The RIDE” would like to thank the generous people of Sitka who gave graciously to Sitka Tribe of Alaska’s Social Services food commodities program and Sitkans Against Family Violence at the “Fill the Bus” food drive on Saturday, Sept. 27.
“The RIDE” is also grateful to Sea Mart grocery and AC Lakeside Grocery for allowing use of their parking lots so our buses could be filled for these important community programs.
“The RIDE” could not have had the “Fill the Bus” food drive without the following people at the buses to receive the food and commodities: Lawrence SpottedBird, Glade Morales, Karin Mullins, Tatiana Perkins, Stephanie Edenshaw, Janene Kohler-Kainulainen, Martina Kurzer, Breanne Pearson, Jean Swanson, Mindy Lowrence and Clifford Edenshaw.
Sitka is such a giving community we want to make sure to say thank you – particularly as we head into the holiday season – is much appreciated.
Gerry Hope,
Transportation Director,
Sitka Tribe of Alaska
U.S. Senate Race
Dear Editor: Recently I was asked about the U.S. Senate race in Alaska. In a race dominated by millions of dollars of ads, it might be a breath of fresh air for individual Alaskans to share their perspective. Here is mine: I have been voting in Alaska since the ’70s and have had the opportunity to support great Alaskans from both parties like Jay Hammond, Dick Eliason and Bill Egan.
My first litmus test is candidates who, regardless of their party, always put Alaska first. Often both candidates qualify and I decide on other factors. In this race it is clear Sen. Mark Begich is carrying on his family’s heritage of fighting for Alaskans whereas Dan Sullivan is an outside agent aligned with non-Alaskan forces attempting to buy a Senate seat.
I also assess candidates by issues important to me as an Alaskan fisherman. I want our senator to be an informed advocate for Alaska fisheries, like Sen. Mark Begich, Chair of the Senate Fisheries Committee. He has earned the support of Alaska fishermen and is endorsed by the United Fishermen of Alaska. I am disappointed that Dan Sullivan, with so little knowledge of Alaska’s fisheries, and a record opposing Alaskan fishing groups’ positions on issues like Pebble Mine and the silencing of Alaskans act, HB 77, won the Republican nomination.
Bottom Line: The clear choice for Alaska and Alaskan fisherman is re-elect Sen. Mark Begich.
Eric Jordan, Sitka
Fish to Schools
Dear Editor: Thank you! Wooch.een Preschool is now part of the Fish to Schools program. We are serving locally caught coho to preschoolers every week. Thanks to the Sitka Conservation Society for getting us involved, thank you to Sitka Sound Seafood Producers and Seafood Producers Co-op for processing the fish, thanks to Mark Bautista for going above and beyond and thank you to all the fishermen who donated fish.
Wooch.een Preschool is a collaboration between Sitka School District, Sitka Tribe of Alaska and Head Start. Your support and efforts are appreciated.
Tess Giant, Fish to Schools
Sitka Visit
Dear Editor: In response to your invitation in the Sentinel, I can tell you, I loved Sitka.
We were on a Carnival Cruise and it was our first stop. So enjoyable: the New Archangel Dancers performance, visiting St. Michael’s Cathedral, and the Alaska Raptor Center – we will never get that close to the Bald Eagle again.
I started Michener’s ‘‘Alaska’’ before we left and I am glad I only got about a quarter of the way through it because now the book is so much more real to me.
Not related to Sitka, but worth noting, my new little volume, ‘‘The Yukon Poems of Robert W. Service.’’ On the bus up into Canada the driver recited two of his poems and when he finished ‘‘The Spell of the Yukon,’’ everyone, for some moments, was in a stunned silence which was later followed by applause. The train ride down illustrated the incredible terrain the gold seekers fought against.
Linda Katona, St. George, Utah
