Letters – Dec. 9

Sometimes ‘thank you’ is enough
I have lived here for two years. I can honestly say that people here do help others out and give what they can. The organizations here really come together during the holiday time.
The last two holiday seasons my family and I have been here, we have received help from these organizations. I would like to thank them. First off, the Homer Food Pantry. The people there work and they are a great group. What I do get there helps supplement what I can bring into my family. The Thanksgiving basket and Christmas baskets are really nice, and I know I have received one or the other. Thank you. The other organization I want to thank is Share the Spirit.
They helped me bring some Christmas to my daughter. I didn’t care whether I received anything or not, but my daughter had a nice Christmas in the past and that was good enough for me. I know I received baskets from them. Thank you so very much.
Another organization I want to thank is the Anchor Point VFW. They helped us one Christmas and/or Thanksgiving. I know what we received was really terrific.
This year, me and my family are doing good. These organizations have called me this year and wanted to know if I needed help again.
I was happy in telling them that if someone is in more need than my family, give it to them, we are doing good this year. If the person reading this letter is one of the people who needs and have received or is going to receive help this year, I am glad. I was there, and it can and will get better. I am glad I can pass up the gracious and warmhearted help that has been so generously offered. Thank you everybody.
Gene Gentry and family

I am my brother’s keeper
It is always sad to lose someone we know and care about like Raegin Romero. I had the pleasure of teaching and coaching this fine young man, where he excelled in running. Beth and I also employed him as a 15-year-old in helping build our first house at the golf course. He was very well-mannered, polite and open to supervision.
We are all somewhat responsible for the Raegin Romeros of this world. Darren Williams and a few others do a lot more than the rest of us in confronting this problem. Although Raegin may have somewhat chosen the lifestyle he led, those of us who knew him could have done more to guide and help him.
Rest in peace, Raegin.
Dave and Beth Schroer

The ‘homeless’ are us
“No man is an island entire of itself. Every man is a piece of the continent, a part of the main. Any man’s death diminishes me, because I am involved in Mankind … ”  – John Donne
You want to help the homeless? Don’t try to drive them into places we find suitable, help them survive in places they find suitable. Reform begins on a personal level.
“The destiny of human rights is in the hands of all our citizens in all our communities,” said Eleanor Roosevelt, the driving force behind the 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights. It stated, in Article 25: 
1. Everyone has the right to a standard of living adequate for the health and well-being of himself and of his family, including food, clothing, housing and medical care and necessary social services.
“The homeless” are not to be thought of as a separate entity; they are you; us.  
George Orwell stayed in homeless shelters; Ella Fitzgerald was living on the streets before being discovered in a singing competition; the Buddha renounced an opulent and luxurious life to live in simple poverty; even Captain Kirk himself – William Shatner – lived in the back of a pickup truck before hitting the “big time.”
I, myself, have lived out of my army pack, in abandoned buildings, under bridges, on rooftops, in tents and under stars and storms. I was never homeless, simply home-free. And nothing or no one could get me to ever stay in a shelter. I didn’t want to have someone, consciously or otherwise, impose their primarily Christian-oriented views on me while thinking they were doing me a favor. People don’t like to be pitied, placated or patronized. And they especially don’t enjoy being preached to.
Let’s take God completely out of the equation. Instead, we should act on an individual level to strengthen the well-being of our community. Sometimes the small acts are the most humble and sublime. A bowl of soup, a sincere smile, a sleeping bag, a good conversation: these, at times, can be the most sustaining acts of love and compassion.
Desiree Hagen

 Investing in your health
I am writing in regard to the proposal by city councilmember Kevin Hogan to have the employees of the City of Homer contribute a monthly amount to help pay for their health insurance coverage. I don’t know what that amount should be, but I do believe this is a step in the right direction. And it is another way the city can save additional money. 
I work for the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District, and I have $233 deducted from each of my paychecks as my co-pay for health insurance coverage. All school district employees – regardless if you are certified staff or support personnel – pay the same amount. It doesn’t matter what your salary is.
We are all very fortunate to have health insurance coverage, and I don’t think it is too much to ask the employees of the city of Homer to contribute to their coverage.    
Thank you.
Debbie Turkington
 
‘Misguiding’ down the Chuitna River?
After reading a recent letter to the editor entitled, “Conservation Efforts Go Too Far,” I feel compelled to respond. The letter uses the efforts by Cook InletKeepers and Chuitna Citizen’s Coalition regarding a rally in downtown Salt Lake City as an example of misplaced conservation efforts that impact Alaska.
I would urge the author – and any other Alaskan with similar attitudes – to do some research on the Chuitna Coal Project and its impact on geography and population of Beluga, Alaska. To lump the people impacted by this proposed huge, open-pit coal mine and shipping operations with what the author considers aimless conservation efforts is misguided.
The Chuitna River area inclusive of Beluga and the Native village of Tyonek, is a pristine geography that supports a major sport and commercial fishing industry, as well as people who wish to maintain their current lifestyles. The proposed Chuitna Coal development will destroy all of this.
My family and friends have lived and worked in this area since the 1940s. We are blue-collar, down-to-earth, tax-paying citizens of Alaska. In the past, we have worked successfully with gas and oil companies. But we choose to not have a coal mine with its pollution in our backyard.
Would you?
The people who want the mine are from Texas and Utah, and they want to sell the coal to Asia. I suggest you aim your criticism at the correct target.     
Ward Grant

Protect our pets
The puppies found stuffed in a crate and abandoned in the snow are lucky to be alive (“Puppies rescued from Dumpster drop-off”). Our animal companions depend on us for survival. On their own, they are helpless against starvation, traffic, the elements and cruel people.
Abandoning animals is illegal and a virtual death sentence for dogs and cats. There is never an excuse for leaving animals to starve; denying them veterinary treatment; or abandoning them to die slowly on the streets, in the woods, or in empty homes or yards.
If you have animals you can no longer care for, please do the humane thing and bring them to an animal shelter. There, they will be safe, cared-for and loved, and will have a chance at finding new homes. Never offer animals “free to a good home.” Unscrupulous people frequently obtain animals through ads and sell them to laboratories, use them in dogfights, or even torture and kill them.
Please help prevent more dogs and cats from being born only to end up homeless by having your animals spayed or neutered. To learn more, visit www.HelpingAnimals.com.
Martin Mersereau
Director
Cruelty Investigations Department
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals

Painting Palin out of proportion
I haven’t read the book, but can say with confidence that many dislike – even hate Palin – simply because she motivates people. If she motivated the left, the right would react the same. Truth is, she is a moderate with a slight religious slant. Is that a bad thing? Not unless her policies violate the Constitution. Another thing the left dislikes about her is that she confronts them with the ages-old dilemma of faith vs. reason.
In his recent speech, President Obama said the Afghan war is a “just war.” I believe that after becoming president, Mr. Obama became privy to reasons to continue warring and must justify, just as past presidents have had to do.
History is a great teacher, but each generation is subject to the same learning process. Palin might do a good job as vice president, or even president. We can’t know that, just as we won’t know President Obama’s record until he “cuts” it. My point is: the hate and fear expressed against Sarah Palin are way out of proportion to her achievements.
Wes Cannon

A little opera, anyone?
For more than two years, the Homer Theatre has been trying to enrich the cultural and artistic life of Homer by securing a contract to bring the live, up-close telecasts of the Metropolitan Opera that have been a sensation throughout the country. The most remarkable singers in the world are shown as if they were feet away. 
For many who are either unfamiliar or intimidated by opera, these “live” telecasts from New York are introduced and explained. There are also live, behind-the-scenes interviews with singers between acts.
We plan to show Aida, Tosca, Rosenkavalier, Tales of Hoffman and Carmen from mid-January to mid-March. Tickets for each show would probably be about $13 for adults, $9 for seniors and $5 for kids and all students. (There will be a discount for the “Series Pass”). Shows will play on Sundays at noon.
We are trying to gauge if this offering would find an audience in Homer.  Please email jamie@v-dac.com if you would be committed to attending.  If you have any additional comments, please include those, too.
Jamie Sutton and Robin Daugherty
Homer Theatre

Watch it!
It was Wednesday morning, Dec. 2 around 8 a.m., and I was headed to work. I was in the process of dropping a friend off at work on Pioneer, and making a left-hand turn into a business was almost impossible due to the snow not being removed from the turn lanes. Awaiting my turn, I had stopped all traffic in the right lane. Feeling terrible about making people stop on their way to work, or to drop off kiddos at school, I pulled over as far as I could without getting stuck in the median and waited until I could make my turn. The traffic behind me then started to proceed past me with caution.
Well, at least I thought it was with caution. One car, two cars, three cars … and then I heard a big “scratch.” What in the world? A dark pickup – I couldn’t say the color due to darkness – with a white plow attached to the front, didn’t move over far enough. He proceeded to pass us, looked down at my front-seat passenger and drove right on by. He did not even attempt to stop to see the damage he caused. He had to know he hit me; we sure did.
So, to the man in the dark pickup, I wish you a happy holiday. I only hope that if you do this to someone else, you at least take the time to stop and take care of the situation.
Jennifer Henley

Prioritizing parental consent
First of all, I want to thank the hundreds of you in our area who have signed the initiative petition that would require notice or consent from a parent, guardian or judicial bypass for a minor to obtain an abortion in the state of Alaska.
Many Alaskans are not aware that the Alaska Supreme Court struck down a 1997 law requiring parental consent for a minor to obtain an abortion, and feel that this was certainly an overreach by judges rewriting laws. There are currently 36 states that have parental involvement in their minors’ decision to have an abortion. Right now, in the state of Alaska, any adult can take a minor girl into an abortion center, have this critical surgery performed and parents never know.
We have Sen. Hollis French to thank for failing to allow the consideration of such a law to be heard in the Senate Judicial Committee. Also, with the pro-abortion liberal agenda, Chairman and Sen. Bettye Davis brings to the Senate Health and Social services Committee, the bill will probably never pass out of her committee. 
We have our own Sen. Gary Stevens to thank for the various appointments and compromises he implemented during his time as Senate president, gave committee appointments to Democrats and blocked the effectiveness of several elected Republican senators.  Hopefully, with the appointment of John Coghill Jr. to the Senate, we can see wisdom and moral value brought back to the Senate.
The gathering of signatures is still open for a short time. If you would like to sign, there are still petitions available. Please call 235-7899, and we will make sure you have the chance to sign. Once all the signatures are verified, we can go forward with the initiative process and get the issue on an upcoming ballot to be decided by the voters of Alaska. 
Why should a class field trip, getting an aspirin, and getting a driver’s permit or a flu shot be more important than a young person being given an abortion without parent or guardian knowledge? 
Thank you for caring.
Eileen Becker
Director, Pregnancy Care Center of Homer

Thanks for ‘Compassion in Action’
Hospice of Homer would like to thank Wells Fargo Bank for their many ways of support, including their generous assistance in helping Hospice receive donations via credit cards. We hope contributors will take advantage of this new program.
If you are interested in learning more about Hospice of Homer, making a donation or becoming a volunteer, please call the office at 235-6899.
Darlene Hilderbrand
Executive Director-Hospice of Homer

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