No to Kavanaugh
Dear Editor: If there are any Natives or people of Native heritage in Sitka, you’re sovereignty is about to be marginalized. Judge Kavanaugh’s jurisprudence is being questioned on whether Native rights are a right or a privilege. As any parent knows, privileges can be taken away. If that is taken from you, you cease to exist.
If the circumstances surrounding Judge Kavanaugh’s confirmation have not made you pause perhaps this will.
You as Natives and you alone carried Lisa Murkowski into the Senate and history, exert your power and protect your history for yourselves and for the rest of us.
Call your leaders.
Call Sen. Murkowski. Her D.C. office number is 202-224-6665. She’ll listen.
Brono Thompson, Sitka
Vote No on Prop 2
Dear Editor: Recently the Alaska Legislature passed a 100 percent smoke-free workplace law effective on Oct. 1. However, on Oct. 2, Sitkans will vote on whether to be the ONLY community in Alaska to be exempt from the Smoke-Free Alaska Law. A vote NO on Prop 2 means Sitka will receive the same workplace protection as all Alaskans. I believe the majority of people in our community value health and keeping people safe from the well known dangers of secondhand smoke, especially in places of employment. Please vote No on Prop 2.
I will be voting NO on Prop 2 for all Sitkans and also in memory of Ryan Kauffman, a stellar human being, who worked to help kids quit smoking and protect all citizens from secondhand smoke.
Andrea Thomas, Sitka
Plastic Bag Ordinance
Dear Editor: There has been a lot of chatter about the plastic bag ordinance being considered for a second reading at the next Sitka Assembly meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 25. While some have chosen to make public statements through this paper, the majority of the conversation seems to be flowing through the Sitka Chatters facebook group, this lovely town’s most excitable public forum. It has been a hotbed of rage and confusion that seems to be stoked – to explosion point – by the escalating cost of living in Sitka, rather than the ordinance itself.
Compared to electricity costs that are no longer directly connected to the amount of energy actually used, school systems that are slowly being starved, and high costs for actual groceries, a fee that only applies to a bag you choose to take at the supermarket checkout seems a strange thing to me.
Perhaps people will be reassured to know that even if the ordinance is passed next week, there is plenty of time, and much goodwill available, for working on the many details that will help our business people adapt to buying fewer carry bags. Unless we are very much mistaken, the costs for business will go down as this ‘‘cost of doing business’’ disappears from their ledgers, and from the cost of our groceries. People should also be reassured that the Bags For Change group will continue to work to provide those who can’t purchase or make reusable carry bags with as many as they need. It’s amazing what you can do with an old T-shirt, a needle, a pair of scissors and some thread.
Long story short, we are not the first town to go down this road, and we can’t even claim the title of being the first in Alaska. There is plenty of precedent, experience and good advice available. I think the most disappointing thing about all this chatter has been what it shows about the lack of goodwill and faith that much bigger decisions by local government seem to have created. Those decisions were based on the idea that things would go on as they have been, without much consideration of the possibility of significant change to circumstances. For me, it is clear that change is a big part of our future, and that we need to bring something more than ‘‘what we’re used to doing,’’ or ‘‘habit,’’ or ‘‘convenience’’ to the table.
Sitka has always struck me as a ‘‘can do’’ place with great pride in the natural beauty of our surroundings, and great respect for the bounty that the land and sea provide. This ordinance is the first of many small steps toward keeping faith with those values, and I’m looking forward to devoting more of my time and energy to the many other bigger picture problems we’re facing. Let’s face it together, with determination, hope and good humor, rather than fear.
Leah Mason, Sitka
Roadless Rule
Dear Editor: The Tongass National Forest just turned 111 last week. What will it look like in another 100 years? An unfortunate truth is that Big Timber cut most of the highly valuable, easily accessible timber in Southeast between the 1950s and 1990s. Today, that means we have to be smart about development. Not stop all development—just be smart, and responsible.
The State and the Trump Administration are working together to roll back the Roadless Rule, and I’ll say this:
Why try to be a banana republic again? Do we want to see export ships headed overseas, full of logs from our forests? Are we in favor of expensive, taxpayer-subsidized roads?
The current Roadless Rule was developed after three years of public process. It provides protection for critical watersheds that support healthy salmon populations. It helps keep the more remote parts of our forest in pristine condition, so that when we recreate, we can focus on the beauty of nature; not clearcuts and roads. It saves us untold millions that would otherwise go towards road construction for private timber companies.
And get this: the current Roadless Rule has plenty of room within it for development activities. Across the Tongass, 38 mining projects have been approved in roadless areas; two inter-tie projects, a cable car, a geothermal lease, the list goes on. 13 of Southeast’s 16 hydro dams are in roadless areas!
It is a fallacy to think that the Roadless Rule hinders development. What the Roadless Rule DOES prevent is rampant road construction. The Tongass already has thousands of miles of roads. That may sound crazy to the average Sitkan – but try flying over southern islands like Prince of Wales, which has over 2,000 miles alone, according to the USFS.
Can most of us agree that we don’t want the Tongass to look like Down South with roads and suburban sprawl everywhere? As I already stated: the current Roadless Rule has plenty of room for economic development. I will also argue that the Roadless Rule will help guide us into better, more sustainable development in the future.
When we stop thinking about short-term jobs that depend on big clearcuts, we begin to think about and prioritize small businesses: from commercial fishing, to eco-tourism, to small timber operations. Businesses that bring money and jobs here, and keep them coming.
In the future, you will see more small businesses in our region making furniture, boats, musical instruments – the potential is tremendous. I know, because I’ve made a living with Tongass wood for over 20 years. My customers both locally and around the world want a truly sustainable product, and they want it from our ancient, world-class forests.
I’ll be speaking up – not so much for my own business, but for future generations. Our grandkids will judge us, and we damn well better leave them a healthy forest! Join me on Monday, Sept. 24 from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Aspen Suites to show the U.S. Forest Service that Sitkans support keeping the Roadless Rule on the Tongass.
Thank you for your time,
Zach LaPerriere, Sitka
Bag Letter Response
Dear Editor: I am writing as a member of the Bags for Change group to address some concerns expressed in a recent letter to the editor by Peter Kennedy.
There are many misconceptions regarding paper bags. While they are biodegradable, that may be their only positive attribute. They cost more for grocery stores to purchase, and since they weigh more than plastic, they cost more to ship. They also get wet and tear, and usually have no handles. Since the main purpose of a bag fee (not “tax”) or ban is to reduce the overall consumption of ALL single-use bags, if there was no fee for paper bags people would just slip on over to using them. The planet needs us to stop using both types of single-use bags when possible, and make the switch to sturdy, reusable bags.
Another thing we have heard from many people is, “I reuse all of the bags I get.” While that is laudable, many bags are not reused, even once, and if reused once for garbage, kitty litter or dog waste, they are then discarded and enter the waste stream. There are many alternatives to using plastic grocery bags for these single-use purposes – kitty litter can be wrapped in several layers of newspaper, bread or bagel bags can be reused for dog waste, and many times, lining a trash can with a plastic bag is simply a habit we need to learn to break. I choose to purchase biodegradable dog poop bags for my dog, and have stopped using bags as liners in my small cans. If they get dirty, I take them outside and wash them.
If people are concerned about the cost of the fee, there is an easy fix. Carry your reusable bags to the store with you! Over the past year, the Bags for Change group has distributed hundreds of free, reusable bags through many venues – at the grocery stores, through the Salvation Army food program, the STA food program, at the Swan Lake Senior Center and by request. We have advertised on the radio and in the paper for people to call us if they want more bags. We have handed out information on how to keep reusable bags clean, and on how to make your own bags. All of these efforts were done to give people who might not have their own reusable bags as many bags as they need. We plan to continue handing out bags when we can.
We realize that change is not easy and requires some re-wiring of our brains. Each of us needs to figure out the best way to remember our reusable bags when we go shopping, and we need to be willing to make some more simple changes for the future of the planet. Remember, there is no Planet B.
Kathy Ingallinera,
Bags for Change volunteer
Electric Vehicle Fair
Dear Editor: A big thank you to all who participated in last weekend’s electric vehicle (EV) fair and open house in Sitka.
–Thanks to all of the drivers who showed off their EVs and offered test drives.
–Thanks to Sitka Conservation Society for their cooperation and help.
–Thanks to Sea Mart for baking a yummy EV cake.
But most of all, thanks to the EV owners and prospective buyers who came to learn about the benefits of driving “water-powered” cars.
Did you know that Juneau and Sitka are already leaders in EV use? That’s right – with 60-80 EVs in Sitka, and 300-plus EVs in Juneau, both towns are approaching ownership rates of about 1 EV per 100 residents.
While this may not sound like a lot, it is way higher than even California (a long-established mecca for EVs). Wordwide, perhaps only Norway is on a trajectory of greater EV use, aided by their policies favoring non-fossil fueled vehicles.
Sitka now has an unprecedented opportunity to make history by becoming an international leader in EV ownership. Given that EVs are inexpensive to own and to maintain, and easy to purchase, it’s not too hard to image a Sitka in about 2030 that is powered almost exclusively by EVs for transportation. This is no longer a “pie in the sky” scenario, but instead is a realistic projection that is very doable.
Already, entrepreneurs in town are talking about opening EV sales offices, becoming EV mechanics, and/or EV brokers, and arranging EV transportation and delivery. All of this adds up to a strong potential for local jobs creation, as EV numbers continue to grow.
Keep up the good work Sitkans. Let’s continue increasing our use of non-polluting EVs, powered by renewable hydropower.
Dave Nicholls, Sitka
Governmental Over-reach
Dear Editor: Back in the seventies, when I was a young fisherman, the water in our boat harbors was disgusting: floating in every corner of the harbor was a collection of oil cans, household debris, empty boxes and bags, all manner of litter, stuck together by a nasty stew of stale diesel and bilge oil. A sheen covered the entire surface.
This was taken for granted, and seen as unremarkable. Then came the Clean Water Act. Fishing boats were required to post notices that the discharge of oil is prohibited. A few boats were fined for pumping their bilges. My friends and I resented this intrusion into our lives and businesses, the governmental over-reach. We didn’t see how you could operate a fishing boat without polluting the water. We loudly declared that you can’t affect people’s behavior by making it illegal.
Today the harbors are clean – any small sheen on the water looking glaringly out of place. I am very grateful for this new situation, and for the visionaries who worked to bring it about. I’m ashamed when I think of how I resisted the improvement.
I am reminded of this history by the Great Plastic Bag Debate, when once again a law is being proposed to change people’s long-standing habits to achieve a public good – in this case to keep a million plastic bags per year out of our city. Sometimes it’s worthwhile to use the law to restrict peoples’ freedom, and sometimes what seems an unreasonable burden turns out to be easily accommodated.
Michael Litman, Sitka
A Vote for Paxton
Dear Editor: Please vote for mayor candidate Gary Paxton.
Do you think our city is in trouble? Perhaps at least deeply challenged? We are a state leader in per capita bonded indebtedness, our infrastructure seems to need millions of dollars in repairs at every turn, and the cost of living constantly rises. SEARHC’s pending takeover of our hospital is full of uncertainties and pitfalls that could leave us mired even deeper in fiscal obligations. Obligations that we will struggle to meet.
We clearly need especially knowledgeable, experienced, and skilled leadership if we are to successfully meet these challenges. This is why I am so very grateful that Gary Paxton is a candidate for mayor. We are extremely fortunate that, after his many life experiences and accomplishments, Gary is willing to step up again and help our wonderful city. Remember when he was our city administrator for nine years? His sure hand guided us through the traumatic experiences of an almost overnight mill closure.
As a lifelong Sitkan, no one has a deeper love of our city and its many parts. I’m sure that is why Gary is running for mayor. He is truly committed to helping us solve the very challenging problems we face. His proven ability to see the big picture, to prioritize actions, and to build and lead the necessary teams is exactly what we need. I don’t know another person in this town that could do it better.
Nancy Blatchley Davis, Sitka
