Letters to the Editor

Wrangell children need an OCS worker stationed here

Because it often takes days for the state Office of Children's Services to send an investigator to Wrangell, I was forced to send a frightened kid to a home where she had recently experienced serious domestic violence.

I cannot describe my anger and frustration.

I cannot describe my anger and frustration at hearing a student say, "Why bother? They never do anything," when I told her I was referring her situation to OCS.

I cannot describe the anger and frustration of being told by an OCS worker, "The state's not taking custody of anyone unless they're hurt enough to be in the hospital." (The worker was not callous; she was as frustrated by this situation as I was).

I cannot describe the anger and frustration I feel when a student's cries for help are ignored until they take the form of an attempted suicide.

After 33 years of working with kids, 27 years in Wrangell, I want to state loudly and unequivocally that Wrangell students need - desperately need - an OCS worker stationed here.

A few years ago, people in Wrangell died because the severity of the situation they were in was lost in the cracks between here and Juneau or here and Anchorage. I believe this tragedy might have been avoided if we had had an OCS worker in Wrangell.

OCS is underfunded and overwhelmed, and so they deal with what is closest to hand, to the obvious. That means situations in outlying communities like Wrangell are often left as second thoughts, as situations "we'll get to when we have time." Without an OCS worker in Wrangell, it's not a matter of if we are going to see a similar tragedy; it's a matter of when. Wrangell's children deserve better.

The 2019 Alaska Youth Risk Behaviors Survey, the gold standard for this type of information, reported that 19.7% of Alaska's traditional high school students attempted suicide during the previous year. That's one in five. By all reports, this number will skyrocket when this survey is conducted again this fall.

The isolation, unemployment and social stresses caused by COVID-19 have hit Alaska families hard. Not only have child welfare cases increased, the ones that are being reported are more severe. Wrangell students and families need help.

Over the years, I've heard many people badmouth OCS. I've done it myself - not, however, because they abuse the power they have to investigate and remove children from dangerous situations. My anger at OCS rests in the fact that in their efforts to keep families together, they too often leave children in truly awful situations. They do not act soon enough.

I've also realized that - like the school - they are often handcuffed by the laws and policies that require confidentiality. They cannot publicly defend themselves when they are accused with lies, half-truths and twisted justifications. 

Obviously, assigning a single OCS worker to Wrangell won't solve all of the situations I've described, but it will certainly help. If the community of Wrangell does not loudly and unequivocally support the hiring of an OCS worker here, shame on us. And if the governor vetoes it again, shame on him.

Bob Davis

Assistant principal and lead teacher

Wrangell High School

Stikine Middle School

Visit reminds former resident

Wrangell is a special place

I recently returned to Wrangell (May 27-30) to attend a Celebration of Life for Sig and Helen Decker. It had been three and a half years since I had been in Wrangell and I felt compelled to share my thoughts (and more importantly my thanks) through a letter to the editor.

I was fortunate enough to have my mom accompany me on this trip. Everywhere we went - and I mean everywhere - the hospitality we received was off the charts. From the TSA and Alaska Airlines staff, to the friendly and accommodating people at the Stikine Inn and the terrific coffee/sandwich shop there, to the many merchants we visited (City Market, Wrangell IGA, Angerman's, Alpine Mini-Mart, even a bar or two) all were pleasant and welcoming.

Both the Friday evening event at the golf course, as well as Saturday evening's event at City Park, required a lot of work. While I cannot possibly name all of those that were involved in planning each aspect of the Celebration of Life, everything went off without a hitch and was certainly reflective of the lives that were being celebrated. In addition, thanks to everyone in the charter boat industry that helped us all get over to Banana Point to see the memorial.

While Wrangell and the rest of the world has navigated a pandemic, I wasn't sure what 2021 Wrangell would be like as I look back on the four years I lived in Wrangell very fondly. Everything I described above - as well as the hugs, the waives while walking the loop, the short discussions and visits I was able to have with friends and people I consider family - were all uplifting to me.

Looking back, I can't think of better and more fitting way in which to celebrate the lives of Sig and Helen. I like to refer to all of this as the "Wrangell Standard" and it is the people of your community that make that happen. Be proud of that. What you have is special.

Timothy D. Rooney

Mustang, Oklahoma

Graduates say thank you

The parents and graduates of the class of 2021 would like to thank the following businesses and people for their generous donations to the senior class party:

Nic's Place, Angerman's, J&W's, Becky Gile, Ottesen's, the Stik Café, Stikine Sportsmen, Vince Photography, Wrangell IGA, The Bay Co., City Market, All American Mechanical, 56 North, the Compass Line, the Guggenbickler family, Wrangell Elks Lodge 1595, Wrangell Emblem Club 87, Shop Groundswell, Sirene Spa, the Booker family, Drive Thru Brew, L&M, Sunkist Tanning and Rob and Sherry Rooney.

Correction

Due to an editing error, the Sentinel incorrectly identified the Carroll Inlet release site as a salmon hatchery in a letter to the editor in the May 27 edition.

A history paper on the Southern Southeast Regional Aquaculture Association, written by the late Pat Roppel, is available at https://ssraa.org/in-the-beginning/