Vote for Himschoot
Dear Editor: I’m voting for Rebecca Himschoot.
Sincerely,
Florian Sever, Sitka
Supports Paxton
Dear Editor: We are supporting Gary Paxton for re-election as mayor of Sitka. Gary grew up in Sitka and left Sitka at a youthful age to attend West Point.
After having a distinguished career serving our country, he returned home to offer his leadership skills as our city administrator. However, within two weeks Alaska Pulp Corporation closed its doors in Sitka. He then embarked on one of the most difficult economic times we have ever faced as a community, serving in the leadership role. He met the challenges head on with optimism. Bert was serving on the Assembly and witnessed this firsthand.
Gary has not only served the city but the state in many roles over the years. And most recently he has been serving as mayor. But, yet again, his timing could have been better as we are now facing the fallout of COVID-19. With the state shifting some of its financial burden to the city and the city with its own economic challenges we need proven leadership. He has provided that leadership in the past, and he can help navigate us through these difficult times ahead.
One last note! He is an administrator/mayor that lives with whatever decisions are made as Sitka is his home. Not a place of employment with no intentions of living out the decisions being made. Please give Gary your consideration. He has for many years given you consideration when making tough long-term decisions for our community.
Bert & Lureen Stedman, Sitka
Support for Himschoot
Dear Editor: I want to publicly thank Rebecca Himschoot for offering to serve our community as a member of the Assembly. Smart, hard-working, representatives with good communication skills like Rebecca don’t get enough appreciation for the time they invest on our behalf.
This is hard for some politicians to accept, but after 16 years of teaching in Sitka, Rebecca is probably used to getting only a fraction of the credit that she deserves for creating numerous unique Sitka-specific projects and extra learning opportunities for our students. The scientific thinking and logical approach to problem-solving that this highly-regarded science teacher brings to the table are well worth supporting in the voting booth.
Tad Fujioka, Sitka
Respectful Candidates
Dear Editor: I started writing a letter to the editor in relative outrage, and realized that sending that letter would do nothing but increase the polarization that is so destructive. This is my more considered attempt.
What are the things we can all agree on? I believe everyone wants Sitka to be a more affordable place to live. Everyone wants to improve employment opportunities. We all want excellent education and affordable healthcare. We want to be able to live well with reasonable security about our future as a community, and to have this be a place our children want to live, and are able to afford.
We need Assembly members who are able to work together to find and evaluate solutions. I want to see members who listen respectfully and attempt to understand all sides of an issue, and who work together constructively to make decisions in the best interest of our town.
I am really appreciative of all the candidates stepping up to run for both School Board and Assembly. I thank you for your time and effort. My plea to everyone who can vote is to consider very carefully which candidates will help defuse the polarization that is so negatively impacting us and vote for those two candidates. My personal belief is that Crystal Duncan and Rebecca Himschoot are the two candidates that are the best suited to bring cooperation and consideration to the Assembly table.
Pat Kehoe, Sitka
Vote for Duncan
Dear Editor: Crystal to the future!
I am asking you to vote for Crystal Duncan for Sitka Assembly if you haven’t already. Why? Crystal has consistently demonstrated the thoughtfulness, responsibility and qualifications necessary to hold the position of an assembly member.
Crystal’s vision of a healthy community, an accessible economy and a collaborative, inclusive government is giving me most hope this election cycle — a season that has otherwise been marred by character attacks and bickering all the way up to the presidential stage, through the current Alaska senate race, and down to our Assembly.
The choice is crystal clear. Crystal is someone I am proud to vote for. She is part of the change we need, and the leadership we deserve. I’m voting Crystal to the future!
Lee House, Sitka
