Taxing divide – four reasons to repeal SB-21
Missing from discussions surrounding passage of SB-21, the oil tax giveaway estimated to be in the billions of dollars over several years, was acknowledgement of a vision of what that money could do for Alaska.
In the past decades Alaska’s economy and state funding have been driven by oil, first from Cook Inlet then from the North Slope. But two factors mitigate against Alaska as a continuing oil state — the emergence of new technologies resulting in relatively cheap, accessible oil in the Lower 48 states, Canada and the Pacific Rim, and the inevitable emptying of the large basins that feed the 48-inch, Trans-Alaska Oil Pipeline. According to annual reports, Alaska is no longer a prime focus of the major multinationals.
Someone needs to speak up for salmon
Re: the call to repeal Ord. 2011-12.
Wasn’t it interesting to receive the mailed flyers recommending the repeal of Ord. 2011-12 from Chicago, Ill? Wow, with all their big-city problems, it’s amazing that they take an interest in the Kenai Peninsula of Alaska.
First off, if the Assembly accepts Ord. 2013-18, Ord. 2011-12, which was never enacted on the Kenai Peninsula, will be history.
As so carefully explained by Chief of Staff Paul Ostrander at the Assembly meeting on June 4, every issue brought forward by the public during the Task Force meetings has been addressed in Ordinance 2013-18.
Labels create obstacles that obscure truth
Some years ago when our little town of Homer began a discussion on how to improve the traffic intersections, I was surprised to see the discussion quickly break down into two camps: traffic lights vs. roundabouts. Why did such an apparently innocuous subject devolve so quickly into two opposing views? A reflection process of nearly two years has led me to share a few thoughts.
I once read a story in which God was querying man. The question asked by God was, “Do you think my creation is imperfect?”
My initial reaction was “of course,” but then I remembered it was God asking the question. Upon realizing that creation is perfect, followed the realization that my perception of creation was imperfect. (again)
Uncle Neil’s dishes up wood-fired pizza
Homer resident Neil Wagner has contemplated building a wood-fired brick oven at his house for years, but just could not find the time. Then, a few months ago while he and his wife, Kyra were visiting an Artisan Bread Festival in Ashville, N.C., they came across a mobile wood-fired oven that happened to be for sale.
“Kyra suggested I buy it,” Neil said. “I thought, well, it’s portable, and in the food business, location is everything. So, that was even better yet – and it will be fun to do.”
Neil loves to cook and began surfing the Internet to find ideas on different types of crusts, sauces, toppings and anything else related to pizza.
“There are just so many resources out there from around the world; from different types of doughs that you can adapt – to what supplies to get,” he said. After much experimenting at taste-testing pizza parties at their house, “Uncle Neil’s Pizza Wagon” became a reality at the Homer Farmer’s Market.
It may sound simple, but there is much going on behind the scenes.
For The Record – June 12
Indictment Brionna M. Campbell, 23, second-degree burglary, second-degree theft, tampering with evidence Travis K. Catron, 19, second-degree burglary, second-degree theft John R. Blackman, 32, two counts of criminal use of a computer Misdemeanor Carl Alanson Moonin, 32, four counts of assault in the fourth degree, driving while license was suspended Ronald John Hildebrand III, 35, [...]
Obituary – June 12
Ninilchik resident, Ernest H. Wentworth, 84, died Tuesday, May 19, 2013 at South Peninsula Hospital in Homer. No services will be held at Ernie’s request. Ernie was born Aug. 20, 1928. He entered into the U.S. Navy during WWII in the South Pacific aboard the aircraft carrier U.S.S. Tarawa. After serving in the Navy, he [...]
Homer, Anchor Point extreme athletes ‘Tri-the-Kenai’
Nearly 200 athletes from across the Peninsula — and some from further away — gathered at the Skyview High School pool early Sunday morning to test their mettle in the 2013 “Tri-the-Kenai” triathlon. The three-event marathon for adults consisted of swimming 500 yards, (that’s 20 lengths of the Skyview pool for those of you keeping track), a 10-mile bike ride around Soldotna and a 5-kilometer run along Tsalteshi Trails.
Organizers of the event choose a different beneficiary each year to donate proceeds from the event. This year, funds collected at the race were donated to the Kenai Food Bank.
Sport Briefs – June 12
Lady M’s earn All-Conference honors Following an impressive season and a near-miss at the State Championships, five Homer softball players were chosen for All-Conference softball teams for the Northern Lights Conference. First Team: Miranda Beach, Katie Kirsis, Hannah LaRue, Maggie LaRue. Second Team: McKi Needham Holes “Fore” Hospice looks to raise funds The fourth-annual Holes [...]
Go ride a kite; Homer Kite Fest 2013
When kite-surfing enthusiast Trace Carlos joined friends and fellow kite surfers Traveler Terpening and Tom Fredericks to organize Homer’s first kite festival in 2008, none of them knew what kind of response they might get.
It turns out, quite a few people were interested, and organizers of Homer’s inaugural kite fest were impressed with such a positive response to a relatively new extreme sport.
It’s not so new anymore.
Police Report – June 12
June 3 Welfare Check: A man requested medical assistance, but then refused help. An officer responded to the area for a welfare check, but the man continued to refuse treatment and transport. Disturbance: A caller reported gun shots fired from a passing vehicle on West Hill, but did not know the plate number. An officer [...]
