The Homer Tribune :: Homer, Alaska

The Weekender: What's Happening This Weekend in Homer?

Wednesday, August 27, 2008

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OPINION

• Editorial

• Letters to the Editor

• Bay View Column

You get what you pay for
Only two individuals have filed for the mayor’s position, and three for the three council seats. The lack of competition is not only disappointing, but also a pitiful showing.
Granted these elected positions take a great bit of an individual’s time and, in some cases, personal funds. A number of years ago, I suggested that the mayor be paid $1,200 and the council members $1,000 per month with a two-term limit, and no benefits such as city employees get. This would cost $86,400 per year. Where does the money come from? Charity begins at home. Some of the funds that are given to another entity to pass out could be used. I still think that allowing another entity to make the decisions on the distribution of city funds is on the shady side of legality.
Perhaps the city should give thought to changing the administration to a strong mayoral government. This would give residents more influence in the operation of our city.
Roy E. Hoyt Jr.

Job not suited
How could anyone believe developers and real estate brokers should ever be involved in politics? There are many new faces in Homer who have sadly proven that point of reality.
Developers can gain government grants for land development. For survival, citizens must draw the line against these thieves of change. Developers change the lay of the land, killing the entire habitat accustomed to natural process, for what? For the money, that’s what. Fair play doesn’t create money. Do real estate brokers work for the betterment of mankind? No. Real estate is all about money, dividing and who get there first.
It is hard to digest people who come to Alaska with a fistful of taxpayer’s money, to rearrange the land and live off those who worked hard to have a simple life in Alaska. Vote for real Alaskans to make the real difference. Party affiliation doesn’t matter. It never did. Study the bios before you vote. Do not vote for ones who can’t realize change without abusing taxpayer’s money.
Maka Fairman

Thieves spoil Homer visit
My husband and I chose Alaska to celebrate our 35th wedding anniversary. It was a wonderful trip that we totally enjoyed with the exception of the evening of Aug. 14. That evening, we had been fishing at the fishing hole when my husband landed a nice silver salmon. We were back at our rental van when I used my Canon digital camera to take his picture. When I finished, I put my camera in the front of the van, closed the door, and went to the rear to remove my wading boots, waders, rain gear, etc. At that time, someone in the car parked beside us opened the door to the van, stole my camera and drove off. We were preoccupied and did not realize what had happened until it was too late. The camera had all of the pictures we had taken in Alaska along with our granddaughter’s birthday pictures on the disk.   The camera is valued at $600. The case had a new card along with the card that was being used. If the person who stole it would only return the used card it would cost them less than $1.    The card can be mailed to:

Sharon & Dwight McMillion
4135 Brandon Rd.
Huntington, WV 25704
Thank you so much for your cooperation, and again we truly enjoyed visiting the beautiful state of Alaska.
Sharon McMillion
Complainer beware
Ever complain about the price of gasoline? I know I have.
However, I’m sick and tired of hearing: “Those evil gas companies! Why does it cost so much more to buy gas here in Homer? It doesn’t cost that much to transport it!”
Why am I sick and tired of hearing that? To begin with, let’s compare the price of a gallon of gas in Anchorage to one here in Homer. I was up there about a week ago, and it was $4.33, while here in Homer it was $4.71.
Since there is no sales tax in Anchorage, that’s $4.33 going to the gas station. If we apply our wonderful 7.5 percent sales tax to that $4.33, we get $4.65.5. So, we pay a total of $.04.5 more per gallon here. Not too bad! How much more do we pay for building materials, etc. down here?
So, instead of complaining about those “evil” gas companies, why not complain about those “evil” politicians who tax and spend at the behest of those “evil” voters who want all that free stuff at the expense of others?
Danny Shannon

Feed you next year
A “fair” thanks for all of the support the Kachemak Bay Lions Club received at our Ninilchik Fair food booth. A special thanks to Icicle Seafood for the halibut donation, and to “Winter” and the kitchen staff at the Homer Senior Center, for their continued support.   We can’t wait to feed everyone next year.
Cheers,
Kurt Weichhand
KBay Lions Fair Chairman

Democrats failed
In 2006 Democrats gained a majority in Congress, but the leadership has failed in its responsibility. Rather than acknowledging that Bush and Cheney have broken numerous laws, they have taken this issue off the table – it might be too “divisive” they say. The result: an administration that has become emboldened by the do-nothing Congress to pursue their goals, regardless of the laws:
a. The administration tried to frighten the country into a war with Iran; narrowly avoided so far by a premature CIA report that showed the threat was exaggerated.
b. Bush weakened our air quality by interfering with EPA’s scientists – dictating that higher levels of ozone are OK since they suit big business. (Washington Post March 14 2008).
c. Bush circumvented the Endangered Species Act by letting individual agencies issue permits for highways, dams and mines, without regard to endangered species. (MSNBC Aug 11, 2008). Thus, by a stroke of a pen Bush overrode a process that even a Republican-controlled Congress has not changed in 30 years.
This is what a weak leadership reaps for avoiding divisiveness - an arrogant adversary with 148 days to make more decisions that ignore the wishes of the governed - perhaps even your wishes. Perhaps you should write Democrats in leadership positions and remind them of their obligations.
Robert H. Burns

Time for a change
People are saying that the 2008 elections revolve around “change.” Supporters of Mark Begich and Ethan Berkowitz promote them as men who will bring much-needed change to Washington. But exactly what kind of change? With energy prices hurting families all over Alaska, and Nancy Pelosi and the Democratic leadership happily destroying GOP efforts to make energy cost relief a top priority (instead, telling Americans to use less heat in their homes), solidifying the current failing leadership by giving them two new seats is not the thing to do. Begich and Berkowitz have been openly supportive of, and endorsed by, the Democratic leadership; each of them boasting resumes which, with the exception of ANWR, thrill the most far-left, freedom-curbing, pro-high-tax groups and individuals in the nation. They are simply two more candidates pushing the kind of change America has been getting since it put Harry Reid and Nancy Pelosi in power. With Congress’s approval ratings at a deserved historic low, we do not need to solidify the out-of-touch policies of Reid/Pelosi.
We need politicians who have the courage to stand up for freedom, for lower taxes and for less government spending and involvement in our lives. The Reid/Pelosi leadership has been a disaster. We should not appoint two of their allies to represent Alaska. Alaska ought to demand higher standards. Consider the positions of Lt. Gov. Sean Parnell and former Alaska Legislator Dave Cuddy. They have both fought for lower taxes, less government spending with more efficiency, and are both committed to defending the freedoms that we hold dear. We will not get such representation from Begich and Berkowitz. They simply don’t believe in it.
Barnabas Firth

Showing true Alaska spirit
I was born and raised in Seward, but have lived in Colorado for the past 13 years. My wife and I have owned a cabin at the head of Kachemak Bay for almost 20 years. Since my retirement, I spend at least three months at the cabin every year.
This past year I had major back surgery which cost approximately $200,000. I had insurance, which covered some, but not all, putting me in a financial bind.
We have a boat stored at Homer Boat Yard with Mike and Jean Stockburger. I wrote them a letter and explained my financial situation due to the surgery and asked them if I could reduce my payment for a couple of months. They responded by suspending my monthly payment for those months.
I would like to publicly thank both Mike and Jean for their generosity and their true Alaska spirit. They did not have to suspend the payments, but even as business owners trying to make a living, they put my considerations above their own. It is truly heartening to see that there are still people in Alaska — and the world — that are willing to put their own interests secondary.
Thanks again, Mike and Jean, for your generosity and caring attitude.
Michael Blair

“A-D-L” ballot name unfair to Democrats
In the primary election, voters were asked to choose one of three ballots. Unfortunately, the Division of Elections selected a very poor name — “A-D-L” — for the ballot containing Democratic candidates.
The “A-D-L” ballot name was a very poor choice because it is confusing, non-descriptive and hard to remember. No one has ever heard of the “A-D-L” acronym. In contrast, the name of the ballot on which Republican candidates appeared was the “Republican Ballot,” which is easily recognizable and understood by the voters. The disparity in names created an unfair advantage for the Republican candidates when voters decided which ballot to select. The “A-D-L” ballot did not contain the word “Democrat” or “Democratic,” which put Democratic candidates at a disadvantage.
Republicans closed their primary, allowing only certain voters to participate. The Alaska Democratic Party, in contrast, had an open primary, and we welcomed and encouraged all voters to vote in our primary and to vote for Democrats.
It’s time to end the Republican culture of corruption and restore honest and open government. Your vote for Democrats will help make that happen.
Patti Higgins

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