Hudson for Mayor
Dear Editor: As he seems to have all the answers, I am encouraging voters to write in Travis Hudson for Mayor. I know I will be.
Steven Eisenbeisz, Sitka
Plastic Bags
Dear Editor: I am also addressing this to the Assembly members.
I am writing for the third time to say I am entirely opposed to instituting a fee or tax for single-use plastic bags. Who decides what constitutes single use? Does this affect the bag a Subway sandwich comes in? Everyone I know re-uses their grocery bags and in fact most of the plastic bags we acquire.
Which leads me to my big question: What kind of charade is this? Are we trying to reduce the use of plastics or generate revenue for the City?
If this is about reducing the use of plastics, I share in the dedication to protect our seas and our planet from as much plastic debris as possible; however, I am a business owner who has chosen to invest some of my hard-earned money in a quality plastic bag I can offer my customers to protect their paper and electronic purchases. I resent the assumption that I am not capable of making informed decisions for myself, and that Government must step in and use the financial pressure of tax, and more work, to impose what someone else determines is the desired behavior. As a consumer myself who uses plastic bags when necessary I am even more distressed at the assumption that I am a child who is incapable of a reasonable choice without being forced into it. Whatever happened to personal responsibility? Some of us actually know what that means, and practice it daily!
We live in a rain forest, and probably one of the rainiest cities in the state if not the country, so it seems to me simple common sense that people need plastic bags in certain situations.
If, on the other hand, this is about generating revenue, then get serious! We are all going to keep right on needing plastic bags, and this is just a lame attempt to generate a little revenue. Where is the cost-benefit analysis of what is involved to re-work software, let alone the manpower employed to collect, track and handle another fee/tax? What justifies the added expense of collecting and enforcing a meager little income stream given an already strained City budget? Do I want my tax dollars to support this? NO THANK YOU!
Of all the serious problems facing Sitka and each of us who wants to continue to live and work here, aren’t plastic bags down low on the priority list?
Karen Parker, Sitka
A Vote for Paxton
Dear Editor: I have never written to the Sentinel before but with our upcoming election, I am compelled to write this letter.
For most of the years of my adult life, I have simply voted in elections, but that is where my involvement stopped. With the current political climate being what it is, I hope to be more involved now and in the future.
At the very least we should vote. I believe if you don’t vote, then don’t complain about the choices others have made through their vote. If you can do more than vote, then do it. The one thing that will destroy our democracy is complacency. Please don’t allow that to happen.
I am a retired sergeant from the Sitka Police Department and I also had the privilege of serving as your harbormaster for 11 wonderful years. For many of those years my boss was Gary Paxton.
I have had many bosses during my life, but Gary Paxton was the best. He may seem rough and gruff with his raspy voice, but don’t let all of that cause you to misunderstand him. He is a born leader, Sitka High School graduate, West Point graduate, retired U.S. Army colonel, and an involved and passionate citizen for our community.
If you are looking for a proven leader, vote for Gary Paxton. If you want a mayor who has unrivaled integrity, vote for Gary Paxton. If you want a mayor who has the understanding and knowledge to keep the city budget from spiraling out of control, then vote for Gary Paxton. Finally, if you want a mayor who will protect us from being priced out of living in Sitka, then vote for Gary Paxton.
Sitka needs a man of his caliber in the mayor’s seat. That is why I am proud to say Mary and I will be voting for Gary Paxton for Mayor.
Raymond J. Majeski, Sitka
