Letters – April 7

Helping Homer’s lost
The article “Getting an early start on homelessness” (Homer Tribune, March 31) is wonderful. I would love to see more on this topic. Another tragedy is only a matter of time. Over the past two years, I have been painfully aware of the plight of the homeless youth here in Homer. When the “misfits” came to me, I took them in. There were about three extra people sleeping in our living room.
I jokingly referred to our home as “Misfit Island.”  I had to make rules and stick to them. Number one rule was that at any time I could ask for a UA to screen for drugs. If a kid was known to be on drugs, I would simply ask them to leave our property until they could prove that they were clean and sober. Harsh, I know, but effective. No lying and no excuses. Handle your business. Do these simple things and I will have your back. One of the kids said, “Aunt Genny you are the first adult that has ever drawn boundaries with me, I like them.”
Mrs. Luck is an angel. She was able to help one of my misfits who had some serious health issues. Not only did she help with Denali Kid Care, she took care of food assistance, school needs, assisting the child with paperwork. These are everyday tasks for an adult. Imagine being a kid, with no help offered from those that chose to bring you into the world.
At Flex High School the kids commit to being students, by signing a contract. Your child goes to school on their own initiative, no one sends them. If they want a diploma, the staff there will work as hard as the child works to achieve that goal. Violate the contract and the consequences are real.
In addition to Mrs. Luck and Flex, I am also a big fan of parenting.
The kids that are succeeding are the ones that made up their mind to succeed. The kids that have yet to succeed, are just in need of someone to ask a question, extend a hand and understand.
There are so many lost kids here in Homer. I would encourage Homerites to look past the silly clothes and the backwards hat. These are some really cool humans that are trying their best, with their current skill set, to find their way in the world.
Genny Lyda

Quality medical care
We are writing this letter in response to the front page articles in both papers two weeks ago concerning the doctor, South Peninsula Hospital court case.
My husband and I and all three of our children were born in the Homer Hospital. We have seen many changes in Homer over the years and we are very thankful for the fine doctors and other medical staff that Homer has and also for our expanded hospital. One occasion, we have needed the medical services of Dr. Rene Alvarez and he has always been a very professional, competent surgeon.
These same doctors and medical staff are also involved in our community in such things as sporting events, charity events and the arts.
Homer is very fortunate to have the level of quality care that we sometimes take for granted and to have a hospital.
Thank you to all medical staff.
Charlie and Debbie Rehder

Honoring our knight
What makes a community great? Generosity, a feeling of welcome, safety, and people who work hard to keep making it better along the way.
Rowan Springer represented all of these during his all-too-short time with us. Whether it be selflessly putting up a winter’s worth of firewood to those in need, burning the candle at both ends in order to get a friend’s boat in the water in time for the opener, taking care of his mom, diffusing a bad situation with a sarcastic remark, helping out at the tow rope, or rallying down an impassable, muddy mess of a road during break up on his motorcycle to save the sanity of a buddy stuck at the end of it with a six pack of beer and burger fixings, our community has lost a great person and a tremendous friend with his untimely passing.
May we honor his spirit by keeping his generosity alive in us all.
We miss you, Rowan.
Liz Villarreal

Softball clinic big success
The Homer Mariner Softball team, in their quest for another state title was fortunate to have a challenging two-day clinic with Cindy Bristow, an incredible teacher with All-American, Olympic and Professional credits to her resume.
We could not have done it without the support of Land’s End, Pathfinder Aviation, Sue Polis DDS and Twin Peaks Construction. Thanks from all 36 players to the extended community  that is helping us be the best we can be and get back to the state tournament.
Bill Bell and the entire coaching staff

Protecting against drilling
I felt a collective sigh of relief statewide last week when news came down that the Obama Administration had taken the North Aleutian Basin off the table for oil drilling.   Salazar came and with his big hat he listened with an open mind to the people of the Bristol Bay watershed and those of us in other parts that rely on this part of the state.
It is time to work for permanent protection of this part of our world.    Let’s take this momentum and designate this unique area off limits to off shore drilling.   It is just not worth the risk. I have worked for the oil industry and reaped the benefits of oil, as have we all. It is OK to say that some areas are simply too valuable and vulnerable.
Pressure will only increase to exploit sensitive areas such as Bristol Bay as time goes on.  Now is the time to move to permanently set this area aside and out of the political arena.
Mark Munro

Something might be better than nothing
Dan, that was a very good letter (Homer Tribune, March 31).  I have moved my stance on this issue a little to the left because of you.  I agree that we got a good thing started, but the end game of this particular bill scares me back to the right.  I don’t have space to describe my fears of what will come later as this bill’s timeline matures, but it sucks hind tit on any sow.  There are way too many definitions on how I shall give up my freedom to deviate from the United States Government’s idea of how I should live my life.
Dan, I’ve been working all my life to better myself and those that are dear to me.  As well as serving my country, both in military service, and civilian contracting for the military, to support the war on terror, and help provide safety against all enemies, foreign and domestic.
If I get an “owwy,” I may just bandage, or stitch it, or superglue it myself, and forego a doctor visit.  If I want to smoke a cigar and become subdued by a serious ailment due to smoking, I will suffer to the end, or to the cure, on my own credit, or lack thereof.  The bill I incur, should be my responsibility, not you and yours Dan.  But the cost should fall to my heirs and me.  I admit that in such a case, I should have had the foresight and put money away for such a predicament.  I spent a lot of my money on special times with friends and family, and chose not to look so far ahead, but I lived freely on my own dime, not yours, Dan.  I know those dear to me would cover my deficit if things don’t balance out, because they learned from me, the value of family and responsibility.
I think my beef is with those that wish to live freely, but want the government, (that is to say, you and I, and a lot of other tax payers) to pay the check for their efforts, by way of entitlement programs, and well written “science” or “art” sounding grants.
Richard A Sutherland

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