Defeat bill; protect community

S. 881, the "Sealaska Lands Bill," with its current selection of almost 32,000 acres of public lands on Kosciusko Island, should not be allowed to pass. The remote Southeast community of Edna Bay stands to lose all of the public land residents have traditionally relied on to provide for their families. We have businesses that depend on continued access to these lands. Over 1,200 letters have been written to our representatives asking them to take a closer look at the devastating impact this legislation will have on our community.

Sealaska Corporation does not have to take public lands on this island to complete their land selections. Congress already provided them lands to choose from.

We understand and support the commitment to the finalization of the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act and its goal of creating economic prosperity for Native Alaskans. But small communities such as ours should not have to sacrifice our existence for the completion of Sealaska's land selections. Remote communities must have guaranteed access to public lands to survive.

-- Myla Poelstra

Edna Bay

You're welcome to the Kleenex

To the thieves who broke through my car window on Oct. 3 in Kincaid Park and stole my used Kleenex and backpack:

First, the auto glass repair shop appreciates the business.

Second, if you intend to re-use my used Kleenex, know that I had the flu last week.

Finally, the laundromat also appreciates your business as I presume you will wash my rather aromatic running clothes, possibly also infected with the flu virus, especially before wearing the Arizona City golf course sweatshirt. I blew my nose into that one.

To my fellow bikers, runners and skiers, you now have an alternative way to dispose of used Kleenex. Leave it on a car seat for thieves at Kincaid Park. However, I would recommend you leave the car door unlocked, so you don't have to deal with the broken glass.

-- Steve Crupi

Anchorage

Babbitt picks on Alaska's Aleuts

It's appalling that Bruce Babbitt would send a letter asking Interior Secretary Ken Salazar to find that a land exchange (which would add 61,000 acres of new refuge and wilderness in return for a 206-acre road easement from King Cove to Cold Bay) is not in the public interest. As a former Interior secretary, Babbitt knows better. He's asking Secretary Salazar to ignore the law signed by the president.

The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) requires that a neutral study (Environmental Impact Statement) be conducted before the secretary makes his decision. Furthermore, Babbitt is asking Salazar to violate his trust responsibility to the Native Aleut people of King Cove.

It is incomprehensible that Babbitt would do this to the indigenous people in his home state of Arizona. Then why is he picking on the Aleuts of Alaska?

I am a member of the Agdaagux Tribe of King Cove and a shareholder of the King Cove Corporation. As an Aleut, I and others in King Cove trust that Secretary Salazar will do the right thing.

-- Della Trumble

King Cove

Headlights no help if they're off

Turn your headlights on, people!

Driving around Anchorage, far too often I encounter drivers who do not have their headlights on. I have even seen drivers at night, in darkness, without their headlights on.

In a climate such as ours, where we have a lot of dark, wet or hazy days, it is sometimes very hard to see vehicles approaching. Having your headlights on, day or night, provides more visibility to the traffic around you, and may prevent an avoidable accident and/or bodily injury or death to you or others.

-- Kenneth W. Southerland

Anchorage

Public health clinic is place to go

Today I went to the Homer Public Health Clinic to discuss my vaccination needs.

The professional staff behind the desk gave me a printed copy of my vaccinations over the last 10 years. Then off I went for a "sit down" with a public health nurse.

She answered my questions. I wrote some notes and when I was done I had a personal vaccination schedule that was right for me.

And what did this service cost? Just the small charge for a vaccination. (Seniors can pay with Medicare, children under 18 are free and the fees can be waived at your request.)

I thought when I left, why would anyone want to get advice on vaccinations from a neighbor or someone pushing a grocery cart when you can visit with a real live public health nurse who is an RN with a college nursing degree, and all for the costs of a shot?

Check out the Alaska State Department of Public Health Clinic in your area. Try it; you'll like it!

-- Lee Mayhan

Homer

Insurance premiums strap family

I am a single mom, head of household, sole support for myself and two children. Our "healthy"-family, $2,000-deductible insurance plan without dental/vision costs $1,567 monthly -- $23,000 annually with exclusions. The majority of our income goes to medical; our Permanent Fund dividends pay premiums. Without insurance, we could lose our home if we sustained a medical catastrophe.

If members of Congress paid premiums like mine, they would fix the health care system immediately.

Most politicians listen to the medical industry's $1 million-a-day lobbying -- propaganda and false advertising -- claiming our medical industry is fine and should continue status quo.

Five years ago, I stopped saving for retirement and college. Health care is not affordable. Insurance companies merge/collude to profit, so rates are not competitive. We need public options/co-ops to create competition and affordable rates.

We need courageous Alaska politicians to work nationally and locally without partisanship and presidential bias, ones who will work now to confront our problematic health care system -- to protect consumers and be our advocates.

-- Marty Margeson

Anchorage

Make methadone more available

I would like to suggest a possible source of revenue to the municipality's administrators. I believe the city would benefit from a policy that increases the availability of methadone. Consumers would pay a slight tax at the point of sale like any other vice. Continued cuts to social programs will increase demand, while the free market benefits the people by turning a serious treatment program into something more convenient.

-- Christopher Stefanovich