KCAW AI Disclosure
Did you use artificial intelligence (ex. ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini) to complete this questionnaire?
Candidate: No
If you responded “yes” to the previous question, please describe how you used AI here:
Candidate:
Name: Sherri Blankenship
Age: 46
How many years have you lived in Sitka and Alaska? 23 years
Occupation: Business owner and a clinical nutritionist by trade
Family:
I have 3 sons and a daughter .
Colton 28
Vaughn 27
Gabriel 18
Sadie 13
All my kids have grown up in Sitka and were/are enrolled in the Sitka School District.
I am married to Justin Peeler who has been a commercial fisherman for the past 32 years.
We have a puppy named Charlie girl and a cat named Honey girl
Community involvement, past and present:
I am currently serving on the Sitka Chamber of Commerce board, the Chamber Foundation Board and served on Sitka Safeguard committee
Have you previously run for public office? When and what office?
Yes— 2025 Assembly
Previous government or other relevant experience:
I am currently serving on the tourism commission
Why are you running for the an assembly seat this year?
I’m running for Assembly because I care deeply about Sitka and the direction our community is heading. I believe we have tremendous opportunities in front of us, but taking advantage of them requires people who are willing to listen, ask difficult questions, build partnerships and look beyond the way things have always been done.
Through my work with local businesses, community organizations and workforce development, I’ve had the opportunity to hear from people across many different parts of Sitka. I want to bring those perspectives to the Assembly and help create stronger connections between the City, our businesses, organizations and the people who live here.
Most importantly, I want to be part of building a Sitka that is economically strong, financially responsible and creating opportunities for the next generation. I’m not running because I believe I have all the answers. I’m running because I’m willing to do the work, listen to the people who know these issues best, and help turn good conversations and ideas into meaningful progress.
What are your top priorities if elected?
My priorities are economic development and responsible city spending, addressing our population and workforce challenges, and strengthening the systems that allow people and businesses to succeed in Sitka.
I want Sitka to be much more proactive about pursuing outside funding, partnerships and new economic opportunities. We should continue supporting the industries that are already foundational to our economy, including fishing, maritime, tourism, healthcare and our small business community, while also being willing to explore new opportunities that bring revenue and good jobs into Sitka. I don’t believe the City needs to have all of those answers itself. We need to listen to the people working within these industries and be willing to become a better partner when opportunities exist.
I’m also concerned about our long term population trajectory and what it means for our workforce, schools, businesses and community. I want us investing in educational opportunities, workforce development and career pathways that give younger people a reason to stay, return after college or training, and see a future for themselves here.
Part of that is building the support systems a working community needs. Childcare is one of them. Sitka has had the conversations, has done significant work around this issue, and is developing a plan. I support moving toward implementation and developing funding partnerships with the private sector and large organizations in Sitka. Some of our largest entities employ significant workforces and represent a substantial portion of the demand on our limited childcare system, yet they have largely been absent from the conversations and solutions. I want to bring them to the table.
Finally, I believe strongly in responsible stewardship of City resources. We need to plan further ahead, maintain the infrastructure and assets we already have, pursue every reasonable opportunity for outside funding, and continually look for ways to strengthen City revenue without automatically placing more of the burden on Sitka residents and businesses.
For me, these priorities ultimately come back to building a stronger and more sustainable Sitka economically, socially and financially, while making sure the decisions we make today create opportunity for the people who will be here tomorrow.
Childcare Shortage
A recent report commissioned by the city shows Sitka’s childcare system has the capacity to serve only about half of the young children who need it. The assembly is considering a seasonal sales tax change to fund a $1 million-a-year plan to help address the childcare shortage. Do you agree with this approach? What further steps, if any, should the city take to address the crisis?
I absolutely believe Sitka needs to invest in a comprehensive and sustainable childcare system. Where I am conflicted is how we fund it.
Sitkans have continuously been clear about the high cost of living here, and I am hesitant to add another cost to residents through an increased sales tax before we have fully explored other funding opportunities.
I believe we should first bring the private sector and some of Sitka’s largest organizations to the table. Many of these organizations employ significant workforces that depend heavily on our limited childcare system, and they should be invited to become meaningful partners in the solution. I would like to explore private sector funding partnerships and then aggressively pursue state and federal funding opportunities that could match or leverage those local investments.
Childcare is workforce infrastructure. A strong childcare system benefits our employers, our economy and our entire community. I support investing in it, but before asking Sitka residents to pay more, I want to know we have done everything possible to build a broader funding partnership and bring outside dollars into the solution.
Budget:
How do you propose funding city government (including enterprise funds, electricity, water, etc.)?
I believe city government has to be funded responsibly, but affordability has to be part of every budget conversation. Sitka residents and businesses are already carrying a high cost of living, and increasing rates, fees or taxes cannot continually be our first solution when costs rise.
We need strong long term financial planning, careful review of spending and better prioritization of the infrastructure and services we already have. For our enterprise funds, we need to look individually at what it actually costs to operate and maintain each system, plan for future capital needs, and work toward keeping those systems financially sustainable.
But responsible budgeting cannot only be about cutting costs or finding new ways to collect more from residents. We also need to grow the revenue side of the equation. I want Sitka to actively pursue projects, partnerships and economic opportunities that bring new money into our community and expand our economic base. That includes supporting and strengthening the industries we already have while being open to new industries and opportunities that make sense for Sitka.
I also believe we should be much more aggressive about pursuing state and federal funding, grants and public private partnerships for eligible projects. We should be looking for opportunities where outside investment can help us build infrastructure, create economic activity and strengthen City revenues over the long term.
Before asking Sitkans to pay more, I want us asking whether we are spending wisely, pursuing every reasonable outside funding opportunity, and doing enough to create new sources of economic activity and revenue for our community.
Schools:
Do you support funding the Sitka School District to the maximum allowed by state law (a.k.a. the “cap”)? Why or why not?
Yes. I support funding the Sitka School District to the maximum allowed by state law…
I believe education is paramount to a healthy community. Strong schools contribute not only to academic success, but to the overall wellness of our children, families and community. They create opportunity, stability and connection, and they are an investment in Sitka’s future.
This also connects directly to our concerns about population and retaining younger families. If we want families to choose Sitka as the place where they build their lives, we need to demonstrate that educating and supporting their children is one of our highest priorities.
I recognize that maximizing school funding requires difficult choices within the City budget, particularly when resources are limited But education is an area where I believe we need to prioritize our investment. Our children deserve strong schools, excellent educators and meaningful educational opportunities, and I support funding that commitment to the maximum allowed.
Affordability:
Affording daily life in Sitka is difficult for many, between rising fuel and grocery costs and housing and childcare shortages. According to a 2024 report by the Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development, Southeast Alaska’s overall population is projected to drop by about 17% by 2050 — or roughly 12,000 people. That’s about the populations of Sitka and Wrangell combined. As an assembly member, how would you work to address affordability for Sitkans?
Affordability is one of the biggest challenges facing Sitka, and I don’t believe there is one policy that will solve it. We need to look at the cumulative cost of living here and recognize that every increase in taxes, utility rates, fees, housing and childcare adds to what families and individuals are already carrying.
As an Assembly member…, I would be cautious about adding new costs to residents without first exploring other options. That means responsible budgeting, aggressively pursuing state and federal funding, developing private sector partnerships where appropriate, and looking for projects and economic opportunities that bring new revenue into Sitka rather than continually relying on the same taxpayers.
Housing and childcare are significant pieces of affordability, and both require us to move from repeatedly discussing the problems toward implementing solutions. With childcare specifically, I believe some of our largest employers and organizations need to become active partners in funding and strengthening the system their workforces depend on.
I also think affordability and population decline are directly connected. We can talk about attracting and retaining younger people and families, but if they cannot afford to build a life here, we will continue to lose them. Addressing that requires more than lowering one particular cost. It means strengthening our economy, creating good jobs and educational opportunities, supporting local businesses, expanding housing opportunities and building the support systems that allow people to stay.
The goal should not simply be making Sitka less expensive. It should be making it more possible for people to build a sustainable life here.
Tourism:
The commercial passenger vessel excise tax – also known as the CPV – is a “head tax” collected by the state and distributed to port cities. The funds are highly restricted, and can only go toward harbor or other infrastructure related to services or facilities used by cruise ships and their passengers. As an assembly member, how would you prioritize spending CPV money, considering the restrictions?
I believe the restrictions surrounding CPV funding deserve to be revisited. The impacts of cruise tourism on a community extend beyond a narrow definition of port infrastructure, and I would support advocating at both the state and federal level for greater flexibility in how communities impacted by cruise tourism can use those revenues.
Until those rules change, however, we have to work responsibly within the guidelines we have.
I would prioritize projects that have already been identified and discussed by the community, while also developing a clear list of eligible needs based on urgency, community benefit and how long those needs have gone unaddressed. I don’t think we should create projects simply because CPV money is available. The funding should be directed toward projects we actually need and that provide long term value to Sitka.
We also have to recognize that many major infrastructure projects will cost considerably more than the CPV funds available. That means looking strategically at how CPV dollars can be combined with grants, state or federal funding and other eligible funding sources to accomplish larger projects without unnecessarily placing the remaining cost on Sitka residents.
These funding programs can be restrictive and often move slowly, so good planning matters. If we establish our priorities ahead of time and have projects ready, we are in a much stronger position to pursue and leverage additional funding opportunities when they become available.
The city has expanded its tourism management in recent years, adding a tourism commission and hiring on a new tourism director in response to growth in the sector. From your perspective, what should be the city’s role in tourism moving forward?
I believe the City’s role should be to support a strong and sustainable tourism economy while making sure the industry continues to benefit Sitka as a whole.
Tourism is an important economic driver for our community. It supports local businesses, creates jobs, generates City revenue and brings outside dollars into Sitka. I believe the City should recognize that value and work collaboratively with the businesses, organizations and industries that make our visitor economy successful.
Moving forward, I would like to see the City focus on strengthening those partnerships, supporting local businesses in capturing more of the economic benefit tourism brings, and making thoughtful investments in infrastructure and services that benefit both our visitor economy and our community.
As tourism continues to be an important part of Sitka’s economy, we should be looking for opportunities to make sure that economic activity translates into meaningful benefits for our local businesses and community.
At the same time, we need to continue listening to the community as a whole and be willing to make thoughtful adjustments along the way when needed. Tourism should work for Sitka economically while also maintaining a level of balance and comfort for the people who call Sitka home.
Artificial Intelligence:
The use of artificial intelligence has proliferated over the past several years. It’s reshaping how people work, learn, and participate in daily life. What are your thoughts on using AI in your role as an assembly member or to write legislation?
I believe AI has tremendous value when it is used appropriately, but it should be a tool, not a substitute for independent thought, personal research or human judgment.
As an Assembly member, I would use AI in much the same way I use other tools and resources. It can be helpful for comparative research, organizing large amounts of information, improving grammar and clarity, and helping create flow when communicating complicated ideas. But the information it provides still needs to be questioned, verified and understood.
Some of the most valuable knowledge we have comes from homegrown conversations, listening to people with direct experience, learning from past decisions and the wisdom of mentors, and building relationships with people who understand an issue from different perspectives
AI cannot replace that.
When it comes to legislation, I would be comfortable using AI as a research or organizational tool, but I would never rely on it solely to create policy. Legislation requires legal review, factual verification, public input and ultimately human accountability.
AI can make us more efficient and help us ask better questions, but the responsibility for the decisions we make should always remain with us.
Municipal Administrator:
The city has been looking for a new municipal administrator for about a year now. You would likely be part of that hiring decision. What qualities would you look for in a leader?
I would look for someone who understands small communities, ideally through lived experience, and understands that managing a small municipality requires a different kind of leadership. I want someone who will genuinely integrate into Sitka, become invested in our community and understand the realities our families, businesses and residents experience every day. Someone who can meet people where they are.
A strong background in management and financial literacy would be very important to me. We need someone who understands budgets, people, operations and accountability, but who also recognizes that good leadership is about more than policies and procedures.
I would look for someone who understands that policy and structure are necessary, but they don’t replace common sense, compassion and good judgment. More government does not automatically mean better government, and more control does not necessarily create better outcomes.
I would also look closely at someone’s entire leadership history, including their failures. I don’t expect a great leader to have a perfect record. I would rather see someone who has faced difficult situations, made mistakes, learned from them and demonstrated a pattern of stronger decisions and success afterward….
Most importantly, I would look for someone with integrity, humility and the ability to listen. Sitka needs an administrator who can lead effectively while remembering that municipal government ultimately exists to serve the community.
Questions from the Daily Sitka Sentinel:
A group in Sitka is laying the groundwork for new city recreation facilities, such as an upgraded track and field complex. How do you feel about developing new recreation infrastructure and expanding capacity for recreation in Sitka?
I am absolutely supportive of expanding recreational infrastructure in Sitka. Creating more opportunities for recreation benefits our youth, families, and the community as a whole.
I also think it plays an important role in retaining and attracting younger people and families. If we want people to build their lives here, we need to continue investing in the quality of life that makes Sitka a great place to live and raise a family.
Do you think the city general fund is at a healthy level? How would you cut or add spending?
I think our General Fund is currently stable, but we need to be thoughtful about how we manage it moving forward. I would be cautious about adding new recurring expenses without identifying sustainable revenue to support them.
Rather than simply cutting services, I would look closely at where we can operate more efficiently and prioritize spending that directly benefits our community. I also think we need to be much more aggressive about leveraging grants, partnerships and private-sector participation before putting additional financial pressure on Sitka residents
What are your ideas for stemming the decline in Sitka’s population, particularly the loss of young families, and the associated decline in Sitka School District enrollment?
I believe the loss of young families is one of the most important issues facing Sitka, and declining school enrollment is a symptom of that larger problem.
We need to make it possible for young people who grow up here, and young families who want to make Sitka their permanent home, to actually stay. That means attainable housing, accessible childcare, strong schools, stable year-round jobs and career opportunities, and continuing to invest in the quality of life that makes people want to build their lives here.
There isn’t one solution. It will take the City, School District, businesses and our largest employers working together to address the barriers that are pushing young families out.
The city has long deferred a project of improvements along Lincoln Street. Should the city prioritize this project, and if so, what changes should be made along Lincoln Street?
I voted yes on the Tourism Commission to prioritize the Lincoln Street project. It is long overdue, and our downtown is in desperate need of repair and rehabilitation. We need a vibrant, living downtown that our own residents are drawn to and that our visitors can enjoy as well.
There have been several ideas discussed about what the final Lincoln Street project could look like, but I don’t believe those discussions have progressed far enough yet to commit to a specific design without further public input.
What I can speak to are some of the issues that clearly need to be addressed. Our sidewalks need improvement and, where possible, should be slightly widened. The sidewalk edges also need to be safer and better defined. I have personally seen people step or slip off them, and I know both residents and visitors have experienced this.
Whatever the final design looks like, I want it to improve safety, accessibility and the overall appearance of downtown while preserving the character that makes Lincoln Street uniquely Sitka.
Do you believe that the city should keep Lincoln Street open to vehicle traffic throughout the summer cruise ship season, or close the street to vehicles on some days? Why?
Yes, I believe Lincoln Street should remain open to vehicle traffic throughout the summer. Our residents should continue to have access without unnecessary barriers to their own downtown area.
Keeping traffic moving also helps visitors disperse more naturally into the surrounding areas rather than concentrating everyone within the downtown core. That can help reduce congestion while also spreading the economic benefits of tourism to businesses beyond Lincoln Street.
I believe we can create a downtown that is safe and welcoming for pedestrians without limiting access for the people who live here.
How can the city provide adequate restroom facilities for tourists? Do you think the city should continue operating portable restrooms throughout the summer, and if so, where should the portable restrooms be placed?
Adequate public restrooms are absolutely necessary during our visitor season, but I don’t believe the current location is a good long-term solution. Closing a downtown access street for several months to accommodate temporary restrooms creates its own challenges, and the appearance of the facilities in the middle of our downtown is also something we should address.
For the immediate future, temporary restrooms may still be necessary, but I would like to see us seriously evaluate better locations and ultimately work toward permanent, well-designed public restrooms that serve both residents and visitors.
This is a need we know will continue year after year, and I think it is time to find a solution that functions better and fits more naturally into our downtown.
How do you see the role of public safety and policing in keeping our community safe?
This is a fairly broad question because public safety encompasses so many different responsibilities within our community.
I do believe we have made incredible improvements in public safety and policing over the last year, and I think it is important to recognize that progress. Continuing to adequately staff, train and support our police department while building strong relationships between officers and the community is incredibly important.
In a small community like Sitka, trust, communication and accountability between law enforcement and the people they serve are essential. I believe we should continue building on the progress we have made while making sure our officers have the resources and community support they need to keep Sitka safe.
