Sign up to vote on the oil-tax giveaway
People across the state are gathering 40,000 petition signatures, needed by mid-July, so Alaskans can vote to reject or approve the recent oil-tax giveaway. While it makes no sense to give away billions of state dollars for nothing in return, there is a larger issue: another attack on the Permanent Fund.
The governor recently said he might dip into the Constitutional Budget Reserve, and even the Alaska Permanent Fund’s earnings reserve to meet huge budget shortfalls next year. That means we are about to give away millions, or billions, of dollars from our state savings account to some of the most profitable corporations in the world.
City should drop lawsuit
It’s come to my attention that the city of Homer is currently engaged in a lawsuit against Mike Kennedy concerning his property on Ocean Drive Loop.
I’ve driven past the property prior to the city zoning enforcement action, and after his subsequent clean-up. His argument for homesteader status not withstanding, it would appear the city got what it wanted. The property is cleaned up and surely the neighbors are happy.
Letters to the Editor – June 19
Kudos to Project Grad In case you missed the opening First Friday of the Project Grad “Create the Mask of Your Future” show at Homer Council on the Arts, be sure to go by and see this amazing exhibit of student work. The mission of Project Grad Kenai Peninsula is to ensure a rigorous public education [...]
Fueling up for the summer boating season
Summer is finally here, and with it comes a busy and exciting season of boating. As boaters, we regularly handle fuel, oil and batteries. Other potential pollutants you might deal with on your boat include antifreeze, sewage, graywater (from the galley or on-board shower), hydraulic oil, cleaning and maintenance products. Knowing how to most effectively and responsibly handle these things helps you keep the water clean, protects salmon, saves money and ensures a safe and fun boating experience.
We are being ‘eaten alive’
There are approximately 100 mosquito bites from my head to my toes in various stages of development. And, according to most other people I’ve spoken to, they are in the same situation. This year, the buzzing demons are not discriminating. Those who say, “Mosquitos don’t like me; I guess I’m not sweet enough,” are also [...]
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)
Letters to the Editor – June 12
Safe wildlife trails I just drove from South Dakota to Alaska and I wanted to bring attention to the fact that Lower 48 is so built up that the only places left for wild animals are in the parks and protected areas. As their own habitat degrades, either from climatic changes or fragmentation, the animals [...]
One mistake does not a terrorist make
There is a long-standing tradition of senior pranks in high school, but how do you teach teens the difference between a funny joke and a felony? The line between harmless prank and criminal activity is a fine one.
I seriously doubt anyone will tell you the decision made by two Homer High School teens last month to use a coffee can, an eraser and a few wires to questionably resemble some sort of incendiary device and leave it in the school stairwell as a prank was a good idea.
Was it harmless? Not entirely. No one was hurt, but students and teachers may have lost some valuable education time — even if it is during the final weeks of the school year. And, who’s to say if the “prank” had any kind of lasting psychological effect on those at the receiving end of it?
