For Sitka Assembly
Sherri Blankenship
Ensuring Sitka Benefits from Growth.
Priorities
Sitka is changing, and the decisions we make today will shape whether that growth strengthens our community for the long term. I believe we should be thoughtful about how we capture revenue generated in Sitka, how we put those dollars to work, and how much of the burden we ask local residents and users to carry.
My priorities focus on making better use of the resources already generated here while advocating for the flexibility and outside investment Sitka needs.
Capture Full Value of Cruise Ship Sales Tax
I believe Sitka should receive an appropriate share of the revenue generated by the significant economic activity taking place in our community.
I want to examine how Sitka’s sales tax cap applies to large cruise ship transactions and whether changes could allow us to capture more of that revenue.
Unlike cruise-specific funding, general sales tax dollars give the Assembly greater flexibility to address community needs.
If there are opportunities to strengthen our revenue base through the activity already happening here, I believe we should explore them.
_edited.jpg)
Modernize CPV Funding Rules
Cruise tourism affects more than our docks and harbors. Increased visitation can place demands on transportation, infrastructure, public services, and other parts of our community, yet the rules governing Commercial Passenger Vessel funds limit how those dollars can be used.
I want to work with Assembly members and leaders across Southeast Alaska to identify restrictions that no longer reflect the realities our communities face.
By developing a coordinated regional approach and advocating together at the state and federal levels, I believe we can make a stronger case for giving communities more flexibility to invest cruise-generated revenue where it is genuinely needed.
Ensure Seawall Legislative Funding
I believe Sitka’s seawall is critical public infrastructure that protects and supports more than individual harbor users. Its long-term condition is a community issue, and funding its repair should reflect that broader importance.
I want to make the seawall a legislative funding priority and aggressively pursue state, federal, and other outside funding opportunities.
Before asking harbor users or local residents to absorb more of the cost, I believe we should pursue every reasonable opportunity to bring outside infrastructure funding back to Sitka.
Decisions we make today shape who can call Sitka home tomorrow.
Issues
Sitka’s biggest challenges are connected. Housing affects our workforce. Childcare affects whether families can stay. Education shapes the opportunities our young people see for their future. And strong infrastructure supports the industries that keep our community moving.
My focus is on practical solutions that build on what Sitka already has, make responsible use of our resources, and turn good ideas and long-term planning into measurable progress for the people who live and work here.
Housing and Community Growth
Housing is one of the biggest barriers to retaining young families, strengthening our workforce, and maintaining a stable year-round community. Sitka has already spent significant time studying the problem and considering possible solutions. I believe it is time to move from planning housing to producing it.
I want to continue identifying appropriate municipal land for housing and establish clear timelines and development goals that move suitable properties toward actual construction. I also believe public land can be used more strategically than simply selling it. We should explore partnerships where land can be offered at a reduced cost in exchange for clear community outcomes, such as attainable price points, greater density, or firm development timelines.
We also need more types of housing. Duplexes, townhomes, condominiums, smaller lots, accessory dwelling units, and thoughtfully designed higher-density developments can create more options while making better use of Sitka’s limited land.
When public land or resources help make a project possible, I want us to explore legally sound ways to help local residents prepare, qualify, and connect with those homes. At the same time, we should continue examining zoning, permitting, and development requirements that unnecessarily add time or cost while responsibly planning for roads, utilities, and other infrastructure.
Community Wellness and Workforce Development
I believe a strong community gives people the opportunity, resources, and connections they need to build a life and a future in Sitka. Housing, childcare, education, recreation, mental wellness, and workforce opportunities are interconnected. Together, they help determine whether people can stay here, participate in our community, and see a future for themselves and their families.
My focus is on strengthening what Sitka already has, identifying where gaps exist, and helping create practical pathways where they’re needed. That includes better coordination between organizations so we can reduce duplication and connect people with existing resources, as well as investing in recreation, after-school opportunities, and gathering spaces that create connection for youth, families, and seniors.
I also want to strengthen the path from education into local careers through vocational training, certifications, mentorships, apprenticeships, and direct partnerships with Sitka employers. I believe workforce development starts before someone begins looking for a job. Young people should be able to see the opportunities that exist here and imagine building their future in Sitka.
I believe the City can be to bring people together, remove barriers, pursue outside resources, and help turn strong community ideas into action.
Economic Development
I believe economic development starts with protecting and strengthening the industries that already sustain Sitka while creating opportunities for responsible investment and growth. Attracting something new matters, but so does making sure the businesses and industries already here have what they need to remain, grow, and compete.
Our ports and harbors are central to that effort. They support commercial fishing, charter operations, marine trades, tourism, and businesses throughout our community. I want to prioritize responsible maintenance, long-term planning, and outside funding and partnerships that can help us improve this infrastructure without continually shifting costs onto individual users. I also want us thinking beyond what our waterfront needs today.
We should be asking where we can expand capacity, strengthen commercial fishing and marine trades, improve efficiency, and create opportunities for private investment alongside public infrastructure. The decisions we make now should position Sitka to support the maritime economy we want 20 years from now.
Tourism is also an important part of Sitka’s economy, and I believe managing its growth is a shared responsibility. I support stronger coordination between the City, private dock operators, and the cruise industry, including earlier planning around cruise schedules to help manage significant passenger peaks while preserving the economic benefits tourism brings to local businesses and our community.
Accessible and Affordable Childcare
I believe accessible and affordable childcare is essential to Sitka’s ability to retain young families, support working parents, and maintain a strong local workforce. Childcare isn’t only a family issue; it is part of the infrastructure that allows our community and economy to function.
I support moving forward with solutions, but I also believe we need to be thoughtful about how those solutions are funded. I want us to aggressively pursue state and federal funding, private-sector partnerships, and organizational contributions before determining what additional public investment is necessary. Sitka’s larger employers also have a stake in a reliable childcare system because their ability to recruit and retain employees is directly connected to whether families can find care.
If significant public dollars are invested, I believe the community should be able to see what that investment accomplished. We should be looking for measurable results: more childcare spaces, shorter waitlists, greater stability for providers, and more working families able to find the care they need.
Schools and Education
I believe education is paramount. I support funding Sitka’s school district to the maximum level allowed under Alaska law and keeping that commitment a priority.
At the same time, there is a limit to what we can provide locally. That makes it especially important for Sitka to advocate for strong, predictable education funding at the state level while pursuing grants and other resources that can strengthen our schools without continually placing additional pressure on local taxpayers.
Supporting education also means taking care of what we already have. I want us to responsibly maintain our school buildings, plan for future needs, and make sure our educators and students have an environment where they can succeed.
I also want to strengthen the connection between education and life after graduation. College is an important path, but it isn’t the only one. Vocational training, trades, certifications, apprenticeships, and direct relationships with local employers can give students additional ways to build successful careers. I want Sitka students to leave school prepared for what comes next and aware of the opportunities available to them.