Fires
Dear Editor: Northern California holds a special place in my heart; it was my home for 28 years and numerous friends and family still reside there. I’ve been on pins and needles the last few weeks watching with angst reports about the spread of wildfires in both California and Oregon and the ensuing evacuations, poor air quality, loss of life and property. My daughter who lives in Ashland, Oregon, was on Level 1 alert for evacuation most of last week, her spouses’ boss and their friends lost their homes and possessions. The air quality index (AQI) was hovering above 400 on four days last week which is considered hazardous and is still at unhealthy levels at 192 today. Over 2.5 million acres alone have been lost in California (5 million in the PNW) and so many people displaced, losing everything. I ache for the loss of forest, biodiversity, health and home these severe weather events are causing and the strain it’s putting on our firefighters and our economy.
Last week the NY Times Climate Fwd eNewsletter highlighted that “while the links between climate change and some extreme weather phenomena can be hard to distinguish from natural weather variability without (sophisticated analysis), the links between wildfires and a warming planet, especially in California are “straightforward,” this from Park Williams, a bioclimatologist, at Columbia University’s Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory. Simply, “warmer temperatures dry the fuels, and all you need from there is a spark.” Over Labor day, southern California baked with temperatures hovering at 121 degrees and Death Valley topped 130 degrees. Add in the Santa Ana winds and it’s fuel for the perfect storm. In Woodland, where I grew up, my sister reported 111 degrees last week. It’s never, I repeat never, been that hot. Eight of the hottest years on record have been in the last 10 years across the globe and it’s getting hotter and drier in many parts of the world. We cannot deny what we are experiencing any longer.
So what are we to do?
#1. We need to acknowledge where we are as it’s always the best first step in a crisis – 97% of scientists agree climate change is real, it’s us, it’s bad and (I repeat) there’s HOPE.
#2. Seek out credible sources of information about climate and weather. The NY Times Climate Fwd pieces on wildfires and other weather related events is a great starting place (https://www.nytimes.com/newsletters/climate-change).
#3. Donate to organizations offering aid to victims of fires and other natural disasters. The Red Cross is always a great way to go and realize these organizations are strapped given that they’ve also been responding to COVID. Check out other non-profit aid organizations at Charity Navigator (www.charitynavigator.org).
#4. Talk with your friends, family and neighbors about climate change – we need to open the dialogue, not proselytize.
#5. Call your congressional members and push them to act on climate change and NOW! HR 763 The Energy Innovation and Dividend Act is a good first step as it’s good for people, good for the economy, revenue neutral, bipartisan and can pull our CO2 emissions down by 40% in 12 years.
We do not have the luxury of time when it comes to responding to climate change. It is not something in the future. We are living with extreme weather and its consequences now, as are our family members, fellow human beings and all God’s creation.
Lisa Sadleir-Hart,
Concerned Global Citizen and
Volunteer with the
Citizens Climate Lobby
Candidate
Dear Editor: As I follow our local elections and the never-ending revelations about Marshall Albertson, I am saddened and disgusted. Marshall, a candidate for Assembly, uploaded a video to his personal YouTube channel on Sept. 15 where he discredits the role of educators in our community, advocates beating children (citing the abuse of his own daughter in front of police officers), and suggests that supporters of the Black Lives Matters racial justice movement be “put down like rabid dogs.” This rhetoric does not belong in local politics. Marshall is not part of a “silent majority” as he has claimed in the past. He’s a violent racist threatening law-abiding local citizens.
He rants against socialism while threatening to sue the city because he feels entitled to federal funds. He threatens our community with gun violence in defense of property during peaceful gatherings, yet brags about being ready to extinguish human life. Some have argued that his rage has taken place largely online, and he has suggested that his calls to violence won’t follow him into the Assembly. However, if Ben Hughey cannot be appointed to the Police and Fire Commission because of online advocacy, why is it that Marshall, despite threatening to murder the people he supposedly seeks to serve, be allowed to run?
Marshall is a coward who hides behind big guns, big flags, and small screens. He claims that he can make Sitka more affordable, but we as a community cannot afford to cosign his bigotry. Marshall doesn’t see opportunities for growth or change in our community because all he sees in his neighbors are “dogs” and enemies. He is incapable of representing Sitka and undeserving of the honor because he has none. Let’s all get out and vote on Oct. 6 and show that Sitka does not want a violent TikTok racist shaping the future of our town.
Michael Mausbach, Sitka
Support Himschoot
Dear Editor: I am pleased to add my voice to those supporting Rebecca Himschoot for City and Borough Assembly. Rebecca has the experience and the character traits needed on the Assembly at this time. As an educator Rebecca has held high standards for her students and has pursued opportunities for them, and herself, that go “above and beyond.” This has resulted in programs that have enriched education for all Sitka students.
Additionally, Rebecca worked to maintain a high quality of Alaska teachers and schools by serving on the Professional Teaching Practices Commission and the Alaska State Board of Education. In these positions Rebecca had to work with people of diverse perspectives to design policies and regulations. This took the ability to listen, analyze, advocate, compromise. It took many hours of hard work.
Rebecca’s broad life experiences contribute to an open and curious outlook. She has lived in Sitka for many years and is committed to serving not only students, but our entire community. I am sure that she will listen to us, be available to hear our concerns, and will factor all perspectives in contributing to Assembly decisions. And, on our behalf, as an Assembly member, Rebecca will always do her homework.
Brenda Campen, Sitka
Tsunami Cleanup Fund
Dear Editor: I know it’s been a few years, but did we ever hear, to whom all that money was given to regarding the Tsunami cleanup fund.
I would like to see an investigation on how that money was spent. There are others in the community that would like this answered also.
I would just hate to see that, if whoever wrote the grant, or friend or family where the recipients.
Because, I sure don’t remember dozens of boats cruising the shorelines looking for debris. I only remember a couple boats. Was just curious if there is an itemized funds report and if so, where can it be found. Inquiring minds would like to know?
Marshall Albertson, Sitka
Video
Dear Editor: Reading a letter to the editor in last night’s paper was enlightening. I did go to Mr. Albertson’s YouTube video and found it very disturbing. As an aside, I have used one of his services in the past, the work was excellent and I paid thousands of dollars as a satisfied customer. But the video I saw worries me. It is filled with anger with those who do not agree with his point of view. Anyone running for the Assembly needs to realize he/she needs to think of the entire community and how to enrich everyone’s life in these difficult times. You can’t be so angry and blinded by your own creed that you lose the ability to respect the contrasting views of others.
People who choose to run as candidates are greatly appreciated – sometimes it’s a new experience for some and demands a lot of good, hard work with an open mind.
And since nobody asked for my advice as a property owner and taxpayer in Sitka, all I can say is get out there and vote!
Rebecca Osborn, Sitka
COVID-19
Dear Editor: A puzzle: India, a perhaps Second World country, with three times the U.S population, probably tens of millions of citizens “co-morbid” from malaria and malnutrition alone, a scattershot healthcare system, and some of the most crowded cities in the world, has, according to the all-knowing-all-seeing World Health Organization, at this writing a COVID-19 death toll of 55,000. Yeah? We’re supposed to believe that the U.S., a First World country with a healthcare system which by law can deny no one in extremis, has in fact now four times the virus death toll of India, at ostensibly 196,000? Any skepticism about the U.S. death toll out there? Good for you!
Charles Dean, Sitka
Manufacturing
Dear Editor: At last night’s Assembly Candidates forum we heard Mr. Albertson say he thought he might be the only manufacturer in Sitka.
Wintersong Soap company has been making soap in Sitka for decades. Alaska Pure Sea Salt Company produces salt. Harbor Mountain Brewing Company started up a few months ago. There are many seafood producers in town, large and small. Gene’s Custom Fishing Rods has been operating for decades. Allen Marine, Precision Boatworks, Alaska Skiff build boats here. Northline Seafoods built a floating fish processor last year and plan to build more. Grandma Tillies produces baked goods. Nordic Coffee and Highliner sell coffee they make here in town ready for you to brew. There are many contractors manufacturing homes here in Sitka. Don’t artists manufacture their goods?
These companies came to mind this morning, I’m sure there are more if I thought a little longer or did some searching.
It’s good to look outside of your familiar circle every now & then & see all the positive things going on in our community. We always have struggles and there is certainly room for more entrepreneurs, but look around and appreciate what we have & what has been going on for years.
John Feryok, Sitka
