Author: Robert Woolsey

The sheer magnitude of the problems presented by global climate change can have a chilling effect on action for small communities. But that hasn’t stopped places like Homer from developing a Climate Change action plan – and now Sitka may not be far behind. A group of about three dozen Sitkans met last night (Thu 3-13-08) to identify meaningful solutions to climate change that can happen within the community – and in the near term.

Climate change has been making the headlines lately, particularly in its effects on the arctic. But what about Southeast Alaska? Jeffrey Short, a chemist with the National Marine Fisheries Service in Juneau, addressed that question for a group of concerned Sitkans Wednesday night (3/12), and the message was not pretty. Melissa Marconi Wentzel reports,

The city of Sitka is going to tighten up its review of building permit requests for projects involving historic properties. The Sitka assembly last night (2-11-08) affirmed the authority of the Sitka Historic Preservation Commission to play a significant role in the review of building permits for – or near to – the community’s inventoried historic resources.

Nearly $2-million dollars in transportation funding for Sawmill Cove Industrial Park has been restored by congress, and could be turned into pavement within a year.

A top name in the world of Northwest Coast art recently spent a few days in Sitka this month (March), passing on his craft. Ketchikan master carver Nathan Jackson led a three-day Alaskan Masterpieces Carving Workshop at The Southeast Alaska Indian Cultural Center. The class was modeled after the 1980’s Ketchikan Area Carvers’ Colloquium, which brought together accomplished artists carving in the traditional style of the northern Northwest Coast people. Jackson and four students spent three days carving bentwood boxes with traditional hand tools. Melissa Marconi Wentzel stopped by to speak with Jackson and one of his students and brought back this audio postcard.

Despite being low in reserves, the Sitka assembly has put up over $400-thousand dollars to replace at CT scanner at Sitka community hospital.

Sitka residents collaborating on a land use plan for the Benchlands subdivision are emphasizing a diversity of home types, and an innovative affordability scheme. About thirty Sitkans attended last week’s (3-5-08) land-use planning meeting – the second of three such meetings scheduled for the Benchlands before the development enters the political hearing process at the Planning and Zoning Commission and the assembly.

Governor Palin has appointed Sitka police chief Sheldon Schmidt to the Alaksa Police Standards Council.

Recent controversy over the protection of a Russian colonial-era building in Sitka has called attention to how property owners and communities protect their historic resources. Interview excerpt from the program "Give & Take" with National Park Service historian Kristen Griffin.

A helicopter crew from Air Station Sitka endured tough weather conditions on a medevac mission to the Petersburg area on Thursday (2-6-08). See co-pilot Dave Hall tell the story in his own words at the following link:http://cgvi.uscg.mil/media/main.php?g2_itemId=237728