Thank You
Dear Editor: First I would like to thank the Sitka Softball Association and the Mudball Classic for allowing the Sitka High School boys basketball program to run the concession stand at Moller Field.
Next I would like to give a huge thank you to Sea Mart and the Hames Corporation, Birch Equipment, Pizza Express, Northern Sales, Karen Case and Sitka Little League, Sitka Bottling, Spark Swainson and Ragny Martin. I would also like to give a huge thank you to Liza Martin for her endless hours and tireless work to help organize, order, set up and work the concession stands. Thank you, Liza!
I would like to thank all of the parents and volunteers working the concessions. Last, but certainly not least, thank everyone who came to support the Sitka High School boys basketball team. It’s an exciting and fresh beginning and we are looking forward to the upcoming season. Go, Wolves!
Scott Jones
Boys Basketball Head Coach
Sitka High School
September Song
Dear Editor: NPR.org posted a story that every Sitkan, Alaskan, and American needs to read: “6 Priorities Congress Has To Deal With In 12 Days” [Source: http://www.npr.org/2017/09/05/547697976/6-priorities-congress-has-to-deal-with-in-12-days].
It concerns our Congress coming back from its month-long summer vacation, and what it actually, really needs to confront and get done by Sept. 30. Specifically:
1. Keep the government running: Because there is as yet no FY-’18 federal budget, the government of the United States runs out of money Sept. 30.
2. Avoid the first-ever U.S. government default: Our international, federal, financial government debt-ceiling Limit is also reached on Sept. 30.
3. Begin funding Hurricane Harvey relief efforts: And that doesn’t include Irma.
4. Renew the National Flood Insurance Program: “Already $25 billion in debt... it expires on Sept. 30. Harvey threatens to send it even deeper.” As does Irma.
5. Renew the Children’s Health Insurance Program: If not reauthorized by Sept. 30, states will begin to run out of money to run the program.
6. Face reality on health care: “The special budget rules that Republicans employed to get around the Senate’s 60-vote filibuster rules expire on Sept. 30,” and it’s jokers wild.
All that doesn’t include the annual defense authorization bill (what with North Korea, Afghanistan Redux, Syria, Iraq, Yemen, etc.), DACA-Dreamer reform, and the biggest promise of all (besides The Wall) – taxes.
It looks like 9/11-XVI (to borrow a meme from the NFL) is going to be pre-empted by Irma. One can only imagine what could very well happen at both ends of Pennsylvania Avenue before all this is all over.
JG Moebus,
Veterans Against War
(Sitka Platoon)
Invitation
Dear Editor: Greetings to residents of Southeast Alaska Communities.
The League of Women Voters of Alaska would like to extend to you an invitation to join our active organization which maintains a current impact on local, Alaska and U.S. issues. We have active local Leagues in Juneau, Tanana Valley, Anchorage and the Kenai Peninsula. This letter is to encourage membership throughout other parts of Alaska to offer the following benefits:
1. During the Alaska Legislative sessions, you will receive emails updating League activity on legislation supported by LWV positions, ex. education, health care, judicial appointments.
2. Also during the sessions, you will receive an Alaska publication, Capital Currents, outlining all legislative activity.
3. All League of Women Voters of Alaska have an open invitation to participate in all LWVAK projects and studies. You may also ask to receive the VOTER publication published by all of the local Leagues in Alaska. You will be invited to attend annual LWVAK state conventions.
4. LWVAK can also be asked to assist with your local programs, ex. increasing voter registration and participation, etc.
Your annual dues of $35 will also allow you to participate in Alaska and National League studies. The League is open to men and women. We are an organization that does not support or oppose candidates or parties, so you will only receive election information that adheres to our 97 years of non-partisanship.
Please respond to this invitation with membership question you may have, at lwvakmal@gmail.com or (907)586-1256. The Alaska League is on Facebook and Twitter. The National website is www.lwv.org, LWVAK website is www.lwvalaska.org.
Thank you for your consideration of joining this impactful organization to safeguard democracy and to lead civic advancement.
Hetty Barthel, Director
League of Women Voters of Alaska
