In The News - Proposition 1

Dear Editor, 

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I support a ye vote on Proposition 1. 

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After serving 18 years or so on Sitka's Parks and Recreation Committee and three years on Sitka Recreation Foundation. I have seen so may good athletic and recreation projects be proposed but never constructed - often due to lack of funding.

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Voting yes is a specific step I can take that prioritizes athletic and recreation facilities as vital components of a healthy community. 

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A yes vote for Proposition No. 1 does not mean other needs will not be/or should not be addressed. A test vote does represent specific support for future athletic/recreation projects (to be approved separately in the future with the public process) that primarily are for the benefit of local Sitkans. A yes vote will enhance the quality of life in Sitka. A quality of life that supports young families and others staying in Sitka and supports economic activity. 

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Bart Meyer

37-Year Sitka resident

Good morning, Sitka! My name is Brian McLaughlin and I represent SCORE, or Sitkans for Community Outdoor Recreation Enhancement. I’ve lived in Sitka for over 5 years now, am currently a volunteer at the Sitka Fire Department, a substitute teacher in the Sitka School District, a tour van driver, and was the Commanding Officer of the Coast Guard Air Station here in Sitka. On October 7th, Sitkans will have an opportunity to vote on Sitka Ballot Proposition 1. Proposition 1 asks voters to consider allowing the funds from the sale of the Sitka Community Hospital and the Tobacco Tax to be used to support recreational facilities throughout Sitka, both existing and new. Unlike many other cities throughout Alaska, such as Juneau and Anchorage, Sitka does not have any funding source for necessary rehabilitation, upgrades, and new builds for recreational infrastructure. Using the funds collected from the Tobacco Tax and Hospital Fund would provide a long-term and lasting means of keeping our city and borough active and healthy.

Proposition 1 helps to meet the purpose and spirit of the tobacco taxes, which were originally intended to mitigate the impacts of tobacco use. It helps signal to state, federal and local governments, private donors and grant agencies that recreational facilities are an important priority for Sitkans, helping to bring in more funding to support the health of our community. This could support facilities like Whale Park, the Swan Lake Dock, the playground, tennis courts and basketball courts at Crescent Harbor, Moller and Kimsham fields, and future development of new initiatives.

Some very legitimate and valuable concerns regarding competing priorities have been raised about this proposition. For example, Sitka has been struggling to support adequate availability of childcare for working families with young kids for quite some time. As the former Commanding Officer of the base and the 125 families there, I saw this all too often. While steady funding is certainly needed, the Hospital Fund and Tobacco Tax will not provide adequate funds in a timeline necessary to support the immediate childcare needs, as the funding may not be available for many years still. Fortunately, this has been identified by the City Assembly who is actively working on a funding solution specifically for childcare that is independent of the Hospital Fund and Tobacco Tax. On the other hand, the recreation infrastructure can stand to suffer a little more of a delay in funding that is likely with this mechanism.

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It should also be noted that all beneficiaries of the funds from the Sitka Community Hospital will continue to receive their full retirement benefits. Only funds that are remaining after all obligations have been met will be considered for the recreation fund. Additionally, Proposition 1 will not affect tax rates.

I invite you to learn more at www.scoreforsitka.org. I’m Brian McLaughlin with SCORE, where we’re investing in recreation to foster healthy living and create community connections. Thank you and have a great day!

Dear Editor:

Sitka has always been a community deeply rooted in the outdoors. From softball and baseball games under the lights to walking laps around the track in the drizzle, our outdoor recreation spaces have long been at the heart of our shared experiences. These facilities are more than just places to play - they're where we gather, grow and connect as a community.

I urge fellow Sitkans to support the upcoming Ballot Proposition 1 to use city funds to upgrade our outdoor sports and recreation facilities.

Imagine a modern turf track and field that welcomes everyone – from early morning walkers to high school runners training for their next state title. Our Sitka High track team has brought home

multiple state championships, achieving excellence despite facilities that haven't kept pace with their talent and dedication.

They deserve a space that matches their level of commitment, and our community deserves a facility that's accessible and inviting year-round.

A modern, multipurpose facility means no child feels left out. Whether a student is passionate about soccer, football, baseball - or just wants to run and play with friends - expanded space means more opportunity for everyone. It means equity, access, and the chance for every child to pursue their passion in a safe, well-maintained environment.

These fields also serve vital roles outside of sports. Events like National Night Out, elementary field days, and physical education classes all depend on these shared community spaces. With better facilities, we can expand these programs and create even more opportunities for healthy, family centered activities, rain or shine.

I'll admit I'm a bit biased - I'd love to see a dedicated softball field become the new home of the Sitka Lady Wolves - but this isn't just about one team. This is a community-wide investment in our kids, our families and our future.

Let's build a stronger, healthier, more inclusive Sitka - together.

Jael McCarty, Sitka

Dear Editor: 

On October 7, Sitkans will have the opportunity to vote on Proposition 1. This measure would dedicate funds from the Sitka Community Hospital Fund (funded primarily through the Tobacco Tax) to repairing, maintaining, and building recreation and athletic infrastructure in our community. We strongly encourage you to vote YES on Prop 1.

We'd like to address a few of the most common questions we've heard:

1. Why not use this money for childcare instead?

This fund simply cannot generate enough money quickly enough to make a meaningful impact on childcare. Childcare also requires a much larger investment. That said, we agree childcare is a critical need in Sitka. Along with another Assembly member, we are actively exploring two separate funding sources that would allow the City to support providers - helping lower costs for parents while encouraging more providers to open. This effort should have begun sooner, and we acknowledge that. In the coming months, we will bring forward more information and invite public input. If possible, we hope to bring a childcare funding proposal to the voters in October 2026. Childcare deserves a plan done right.

2. Will this funding go to new facilities, or fixing what we already have?

Both. If Prop 1 passes, the funds can be used for maintenance, rehabilitation, or replacement of existing facilities - as well as new projects - so long as they support recreation or athletics.

3. Why do this now?

Investing in recreation and athletics is a long-term plan, but Prop 1 is the foundation. By approving this dedicated funding, Sitka sends a clear signal that we are committed to improving our recreational infrastructure. That signal will strengthen our ability to pursue state, federal, local, and private grants. There has even been discussion at the state level of future general obligation (GO) bonds. If that happens, Sitka could request funds for both housing and recreation/athletics.

While not every opportunity is guaranteed, passing Prop 1 positions Sitka to leverage these funds and multiply their impact. This could mean repairing and modernizing existing facilities, and eventually building new ones.

Please join us in voting YES on Proposition 1 on October 7th. Together, we

can invest in Sitka's future.

Chris Ysted, Kevin Mosher, Sitka

Dear Editor:

The Board of the Sitka Community Land Trust urges you to vote "No" on Proposition 1.

The Sitka Economic Development Association annually commissions Rain-coast Data to report on the status of Sitka's economy. The September 2024 report shows alarming demographic changes in our community.

In Sitka, from 2010 to 2023, the population of kids (aged 0 to 18) dropped by 500. The population of working age people (19-59) dropped by 800 while the population of people aged 60 and older increased by 650. Take a moment to let that sink in.

This profound demographic change is not about jobs. The report states that there are 150 more jobs in this economy than in 2010. We join most people in seeing this demographic change as being about housing more than any other factor.

Every study done and every strategic plan completed since 2007, has noted the vexing problem of adequate and affordable housing. Child care issues are also increasingly understood to be a significant problem for young families. The Rain Coast report says that 88% of Sitka's business leaders call the lack of housing availability a barrier to their businesses.

Once the Planning Department's study on city owned land is complete we will need many millions to put in the roads and utilities to make this land able to be developed for housing.

We are not against improved facilities for student activities, but given these alarming demographics and economics, we believe that any remaining revenue generated from the sale of the community hospital and the tobacco tax would be more wisely spent on housing and child care than on recreation facilities.

We urge voting "No" on Proposition 1.

Sitka Community Land Trust Board

Zaide Allen, Carol Voisin, Sarah Allison, Will Peterson, Bobby Pendleton, Annette Evans, Cody Mosely, Laura Rogers

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September 17, 2025

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SCORE response to the above, September 17, letter:

We believe the tobacco tax was never meant to be a housing tax. From the beginning, Sitkans supported it because it was a public health measure—a way to both reduce smoking and fund the local hospital. That connection between tobacco, health, and community well-being was what won voters over.

Some are calling to use the tax for affordable housing. But housing, while important, is not public health. It is not in spirit with the original case made to voters. Recreation, on the other hand, fits perfectly. Parks, fields, trails, and other facilities are preventive health investments. They keep families active, give kids positive alternatives, and help counter exactly the kinds of chronic diseases tobacco causes. If we want young families to stay in Sitka, safe and affordable recreation is one of the best tools we have.

Affordable housing deserves attention, but it deserves its own dedicated funding mechanism. Repurposing the tobacco tax for housing would break faith with voters who supported it as a health measure. Directing it to recreation, however, keeps faith with that promise and strengthens Sitka for the long run.

My name is Woody Widmark, lifelong Sitkan, born and raised here, retired from the Sitka School District 25 years as the Sports Coordinator, and did youth and adult recreational activities. 

My passion is seeing kids grow in a healthy and a safe environment to build lifelong skills, and that’s why I’m supporting Ballot Prop 2025-18. I’ve seen how important providing safe recreational facilities for youth can be, where they can be themselves, be safe and be with their friends, build trust and grow. 

It’s important that we invest in spaces like this for our kids, elders and multi-generational activities. In a time where so many programs are being cut, it’s important for us to be investing in our kids. Our future is in our kids, and it’s priceless. 

Investing in our community is important to me, and that’s why I am supporting Ballot Proposition 2025-18.

Dear Editor:

 "1. Exercise. 2. Exercise. 3. Exercise." I well remember the "three" top pearls of wisdom gleaned from a weeklong national Internal Medicine meeting as the best scientifically proven prescription to maintain and improve the health of our patients. It was the very last slide of the conference.

By voting "Yes" on Proposition 1, we will continue to use the available tobacco tax monies to support the health and well-being of Sitkans of all ages.

The tobacco taxes were originally designated to support the mission of our city hospital. What more appropriate way to utilize the excess tobacco tax funds after the sale of Sitka Community Hospital than to create a funding stream to maintain and upgrade our town's recreational facilities, thereby continuing to promote health lifestyles through exercise.

The Assembly unanimously supported this measure. The people of Sitka will direct our Assembly on how to best utilize the monies. I encourage you to vote YES on Ballot Proposition #1 on October 7.

Bob Hunter, M.D., Sitka

Dear Editor,

On October 7th, Sitka residents will have the opportunity to vote on Ballot Proposition 1, which uses future funds from the sale of Sitka Hospital and tobacco taxes for the construction and maintenance of athletic and recreational facilities.  As thepresident of Sitka Youth Soccer and a parent of three school-aged kids, I strongly support a YES vote on Proposition 1.  

If we support the proposition, the funds can be used for a multitude of outdoor recreation projects.  A possible vision is a turfed softball field, a turfed multiuse field, a rubberized track, and LED stadium lights.  If these visions were to become reality, multiple community difficulties would be put to rest.  Our terrific softball teams would have a dedicated field to practice and play on. Our youth football and soccer teams would not have to struggle for field time on a non-regulation (baseball) field, with the only alternative being muddy, unplayable and unsafe fields like Lower Moller and Kimsham.   And our excellent track teams would have a competition-ready surface to train and race on, instead of a pothole riddled dirt track.  

Further, I can envision Sitkans of all ages using safe, well-lit and modern facilities for walking, jogging, calisthenics, or simply viewing a club or high school game from the sidelines. Our community deserves an outlet for healthy activities, and our youth deserve access to modern sports facilities.

Additionally, I know several Sitkans who have expressed hesitation about Proposition 1 because they believe these funds should be directed toward childcare. Childcare in Sitka is a tremendous issue, but the funds from the hospital sale are neither immediate nor consistent enough to solve the childcare problem.  I’m aware that our City Assembly is considering a much larger and more immediate funding proposal to solve that issue, and Proposition 1 funds are simply not adequate to meet our childcare needs. 

I encourage Sitkans to vote YES on Oct 7 for Proposition 1.  A YES vote supports youth activity, opportunities for recreation, and fosters community health and wellbeing.  Please visit www.scoreforsitka.org for more information on how this project will benefit our terrific community.  

Brian Farley

Dear Editor: 

On Oct. 7, voters in Sitka will be asked whether they support Ballot Proposition 1, to use future available funds originating from the sale of the Sitka Hospital and tobacco taxes, toward capital expenditures associated with athletic and recreational facilities.

As a parent of Sitka athletes, and as a coach of many sports and activities in Sitka over the years, I encourage voters to consider voting YES on Proposition 1.

This proposition helps improve health benefits for youths and adults and upgrades and maintains recreational facilities around town. More importantly, how-ever, a YES vote shows community support that the community can point to when seeking funds from granting organizations.

This ballot proposition is a place where our great community can collectively voice that support, and potentially turn that support into additional and separate funding for activities such as track and field, football, soccer, and women's softball - activities that currently involve hundreds of youths of all ages. This proposition could also provide seed funding for improving those activities, at no additional cost to residents.

We all know Sitka values athletics and recreation; we see it in the great trails, numerous baseball fields, parks and other facilities, and in participation in all the excellent youth and adult sports activities Sitka has to offer. Visit scoreforsitka. org for more information on the proposition and how it will affect you and your community, and join us in showing that Sitka supports its youth and adult recreational and athletic programs by voting YES on Ballot Proposition 1 on October

Aaron Prussian, Sitka

Dear Editor,

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We are members of SCORE — Sitkans for Community Outdoor Recreation Enhancement — a group of local residents working to improve and protect access to quality recreational facilities in Sitka. Our mission is simple: to promote the health and well-being of Sitkans of all ages by ensuring we have durable, usable recreation spaces that can be enjoyed year-round.

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Our current focus is on improvements to the track and field, as well as upgrading Sitka’s only women’s softball field. But our long-term goal is broader: to build reliable infrastructure that supports the many recreation activities Sitkans love. That’s why we encourage voters to vote “YES” on Ballot Proposition 1.

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An August 14 Letter to the Editor raised thoughtful concerns about the city’s financial priorities. We agree that childcare access and affordability are vital to community health. But we don’t see these efforts as competing. Both childcare and outdoor recreation are essential to making Sitka livable for families. These are important conversations, and we believe investing in recreation supports the same goal.

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We also want to clarify a common misconception: Sitka has no dedicated funding for recreation infrastructure. While the City owns several recreation spaces, there’s no budget line to maintain or improve them. School district funding doesn’t cover these facilities — not even when used by the public or local clubs. As a result, nonprofits and volunteer-led programs rely on aging, weather-damaged facilities without consistent support.

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Sitka has a strong recreation culture — from hikes and runs to youth programs and community events — but all of these rely on usable infrastructure. Without long-term funding, these opportunities become harder to sustain and less accessible, especially for families who can’t afford travel or private options.

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Ballot Proposition 1 would reallocate, when available, future city funds to recreation infrastructure as obligations from the Hospital Fund and Tobacco Tax decrease. It does not raise taxes or automatically fund specific projects — including ours. It simply supports something that has been chronically underfunded.

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We are committed to advocating for better recreation spaces in Sitka, and we support those working on child care, education, and other essential services. These efforts are not in conflict — they are all part of building a stronger and healthier community for everyone.

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Sincerely, 

Brian McLaughlin and Randy Hitchcock 

Members of SCORE – www.scoreforsitka.org

Dear Editor: 

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Why is money being set aside for recreation? Is it because of lack of school funding? If the city already owns the pool, is the money to be used for staffing it? Is the school district no longer able to support sports programs, or are the requested funds to assist in student travel?

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Sitka is a recreation paradise with so many hiking trails and cabins. Most families own a motor boat, canoe or kayak. Sitka Trail Works, SAIL, Scouts, On-the-Run, cross country and track, as well as Sitka Tribe of Alaska, offer family outdoor activities. There are also numerous runs such as the Turkey Trot, Solstice Run, Running of the Boots, Fools Run at Midnight and the Alpine Adventure Run. Basketball hoops and bike trails are also available to the public.

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In the May election, 80 percent of the voters said ‘‘no’’ to cutting jobs/school taxes, and discouraging young families from living here. Unless I get more info to persuade me otherwise, I will vote no on more city funds going to recreation.

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The Child Care Coalition requested those funds some time ago. Those funds are needed to train teens attending three local high schools. Those classes are dual enrollment, so costly! Acquiring a portion of the Sitka Hospital’s Trust would allow Sitka teens to continue to grow in the area of child development.

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There is a shortage of care for infants and toddlers in Sitka. STA grants may not always be available to fund the child development classes. The city should back child care in Sitka, financially. Yes, Betty Eliason Child Care Center owns its building but wages should be higher for their staff. The issue is wages to attract consistency and new hires. BECCC lost staff to the school district’s preschool. The school district did not need to pay more for electricity, space, or maintenance to host their preschool. They could afford higher wages for their preschool staff from the fees parents pay. Mt. Edgecumbe Preschool shares a campus with the Pioneers Home, so does not pay rent.

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Because ratios of staff to infants or toddlers is higher, those programs cost more to run. Infants and toddlers also require special equipment, preschools do not need.

In order to keep young families in Sitka, the city must support child care financially.

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Christy Williams,

60-year resident and former teacher at Head Start, BECCC, SEARHC Child Care,

Mt. Edgecumbe Preschool and at Christy’s Kids home child care