Previous school board member called in -- and little made of it

During the 2001-2002 school year, one school board member called into meetings for almost the whole year. He said that he had medical issues that prevented him from attending in person, although he was in Anchorage during the entire time. He rarely called in for the special meetings and I don't recall him attending school related community events. And no one complained, at least publicly! It sure didn't make it to the front page of the newspaper and on the evening news. The minutes from those board meetings are on ASD's website, with board member attendance noted.

I know Pat Higgins and his commitment to ASD. He is a more active member on the board, regardless of his physical location, than some other members have been through the years.

Serving on the board is very time consuming. We should all be thanking him for his efforts. He will come back to Anchorage and continue to serve, in person, for the rest of his term.

-- Peggy Robinson

Anchorage School Board member 1993-2002

Wisconsin governor on right track in supporting voter ID measures

One of the reasons Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker handily defeated the Democrat-backed recall effort is because of Walker's unapologetic support of voter ID laws. Like many other states, Wisconsin recently enacted a voter ID law after investigations revealed widespread voter fraud in that state.

Voter ID laws are a popular and effective way to fight persistent voter fraud. Voter ID laws have also been approved by the U.S. Supreme Court in a 2008 decision regarding their constitutionality. Unfortunately, U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder is waging war against voter ID laws.

Voter fraud is a path to political corruption and tyranny. Does Eric "Hold-your-nose" Holder really want to lead us down that path?

-- August Cisar

Seward

State needs to provide affordable dentistry to those who require it

It alarms me how many people working in fast food places have bad dental work lately. There is no affordable dentistry in Alaska. I propose a dental clinic based on sliding scale for dental repairs and inexpensive dentures. Area dentists could volunteer -- hours a month. That way we're taking care of the problem before tourists start noticing it. Isn't this a great idea? Let's do it!

-- Liza Harper

Anchorage

Fish and Game needs to come up with protection for Valley's kings

The Alaska Fish and Game closed the Little Su river for king salmon fishing as of last Friday. I'd like to say thank you to them for doing that. I've been fishing for kings in the Little Su for over 20 years and have never seen it this bad.

I wonder if they have closed commercial fishing in the Inlet to the extent that we in the Valley have been closed down. The Valley king salmon are being intercepted by someone or something. Wish Fish and Game would protect them a little better so all Alaskans can have a chance.

Seems like a commercial caught fish is worth more than a sport caught one. I'd say not!

-- Roy A. May

Wasilla

Community, schools must unite to give youth the tools to succeed

There are many views on what it takes for Anchorage youth to succeed, but one thing is for sure: It takes all of us, together.

United Way of Anchorage and the Anchorage United for Youth partners thank those who joined with us to honor Superintendent Carol Comeau's 38 years of extraordinary service and to share her unfailing vision that families, the community, and schools must unite to ensure that every child has the tools and opportunity to succeed in school.

That vision is the heart of the 90 percent graduation by 2020 movement. Thank you for the poignant and humorous stories about Carol inspiring the community to unite around our youth. Thank you for the $60,000 raised that evening to connect the right supports to the right children at the right times so that every child may graduate, ready for college or career.

Ninety percent by 2020, is our community's promise to youth. Your support demonstrates the power of that vision and is a fitting legacy to one of Anchorage's strongest advocates for our kids, Carol Comeau.

-- Michele Brown, president,

United Way of Anchorage

Greg Razo, Cook Inlet Region, Inc.; Chair, Anchorage United for Youth

Sandy McClintock

director of marketing

United Way of Anchorage

Elise Patkotak column insulting

Elise Patkotak does not speak for all women. Her column ("Women bristle at patriarchy for good reason," June 6) was insulting on many levels to me as a woman.

First her use of vulgarity "women are apparently valued only if their hymen is intact" was degrading. Second, her article was exploitative; equating a young women's rape in Afghanistan with the political discourse in our nation was egregious and exploitative of the young women.

Finally she claims a "direct line" between five men in Afghanistan raping and chaining a women to a wall, and Republican policy, stating "it's all about control."

As a woman I reject the government mandate which will dictate that I violate my beliefs. I reject the assumption that birth control gives women freedom; I believe it only further enslaves us to a pharmaceutical pill, instead of teaching us to understand and control our own bodies.

Ms. Patkotak states "American women no longer ... let (men) do their thinking for them." I will no longer let hyperbolized essays insult me and all women in their vulgarity, and exploit women shamelessly for political gain.

-- Ann E. Williams

Eagle River