Tipped workers deserve more
CHARR clearly stated in its Compass piece ("Bill gives power to cap tipped wages," Jan. 16) that tipped workers should make more than minimum wage because it's hard work.
Your customers agree. If I choose to reward a server for excellent service that should not relieve you of the responsibility for paying them to do their job. You already enjoy a benefit that most small business doesn't, you are able to attract skilled workers while paying them a pittance.
-- Kristina Kurtz
Anchorage
Stick to facts on beluga area
I was pleased to see that the comment period on critical habitat for Cook Inlet's belugas has been extended. Increased opportunity for public participation can only be a good thing, so long as people stick to the facts and do not allow scare tactics to set the agenda.
Designation of critical habitat will have absolutely no effect on activities in and around the Inlet that do not require federal approval or funding. And for those projects that do, assessing the consequences of a project before embarking on it is just common sense. People are rightly concerned with protecting jobs around Cook Inlet. We all want to see Alaska's economy thrive. But to suggest that protecting the belugas' habitat and protecting jobs are somehow mutually exclusive is simply wrong.
-- Bette Rutan
Anchorage
Front-page story was garbage
We have problems with a lack of funds for hiring more firemen, paramedics and police officers. We are having budget shortfalls in the municipality and you showcase on the front page of the Daily News the "whiners" complaining about the aesthetics of their neighborhood by having trash cans on the street one day a week??? ("Abandoned alleys," Jan. 11)
We have the highest alcohol rates in the nation, our indigenous populations are losing their cultures and people are trying to afford impossible insurance rates and desperately needed medical coverage.
If anything, the people of Anchorage should rise up and support a business trying to maximize operational efficiencies and looking at better ways to do business in this down economy. Save the front page showcase articles for individuals or businesses who really deserve it.
-- Chrystina Coberly
Anchorage
Alaska students need the help
As a current UAA student and proud Alaskan who plans to spend his career in this state, I urge the Alaska Legislature to both consider and pass a comprehensive post-secondary scholarship plan this legislative session.
According to the August 2009 issue of "Post-Secondary Education Opportunity," Alaska ranks last in the United States in college enrollment rates for low- income students. Many students who are willing and able to attend college simply cannot due to the high cost. The UA Scholars Program covers less than a quarter of the costs of attending college for high school students at the top 10 percent of their graduating class.
Alaska needs a common-sense hybrid opportunity- and merit-based scholarship like the one proposed in Senate Bill 33 and House Bill 94. A balance of incentives offers Alaskans the most bang for their financial aid dollar. Investing in our students and work force is an investment in Alaska's economic engine now and for our next 50 years.
-- Nick Moe
Anchorage
Editor's note: Moe is governmental relations director for the Union of Students at UAA.
Soldier's story difficult to find
I'm disappointed in you ADN for burying the loss of Sgt. 1st Class Jason O.B. Hickman on the back page of the Jan. 12 edition of your newspaper ("Fort Rich soldier killed in combat"). I am also disappointed that I had to search for the story on the Web site. I would've thought with as much as the military contributes to our community that you would have been more considerate than that.
My thoughts and prayers go out to Sgt. 1st Class Hickman's family, as well as every other service member and their families. I am grateful for the service that they provide.
-- Vikki Gilmore
Anchorage
Put 'drunk house' elsewhere
I have attended two Fairview Community Council meetings this month about the Red Roof Inn at Fifth and Karluk. A nonprofit outfit wants to turn it into a drunk house -- that's right, I said drunk house.
They want to take all the drunks off the street and allow them to bring their booze to bed with them.
We have enough warm and fuzzy places in our neighborhood now and I want those moved to the center of town so the whole community can experience the decrease of their property value. I am tired of drunks puking in my yard and urinating on my flowers.
The people who have brought us this idea of putting another plague in our neighborhood, I say put it in yours on the hillside. They think just because they can get the property cheap, they can dump anything here.
We have worked hard to make our place a home and to enjoy a place to live in Alaska.
-- Bud Knox
Anchorage
Labor bosses running show
Today I saw that the current federal administration and the labor bosses have sunk to a new low. It seems that the unions have bartered their support for the new health care debacle for "special tax considerations" on their "Cadillac" health care. They have included government workers for cover.
It is now clear to me that the organized labor bosses in this country are officially the enemy of the free citizen.
-- James Frisby
Palmer
Look who ends up in ditch
Marcin Druzdzel has a good point ("Drivers, not highway, have gotten far worse," Jan. 12). I've lived in Alaska my whole life and the slow-moving traffic of the winter months seems to get slower every year.
Even when there isn't ice or snow plaguing the roads, drivers insist on 45 mph on the highway. I can understand inexperienced drivers who feel the need to drive slowly, but they could at least drive in the slow lane and leave the others for those who can handle Alaska's weather.
And what's with four-wheel-drive vehicles? If you pay attention to the cars in the ditches, it's typically trucks and SUVs. Just because you drive a truck with four-wheel-drive doesn't mean you can drive like a maniac and expect to stay on the road.
There is no such thing as indestructible, and the four-wheel drives flipped upside-down in the ditches certainly prove that point.
-- Shelby Brown
Anchorage
Government acted for people
These days we hear about various groups loudly complaining about how the federal government is too big, too intrusive. But when Anchorage resident Taylor Brelsford heard his daughter was seriously injured in the earthquake in Haiti, it was the federal government, in the person of Sen. Mark Begich, he turned to for help in getting his daughter out and it was the senator's staff who made the arrangements that succeeded.
Our government may indeed be big, but it can also be sensitive and responsive to the needs of the people. Thank you, Senator Begich and your staff. You've again showed us that we still have a government "for the people."
-- Susan Soule
Anchorage
Where is Palin in Haiti's need?
Sarah Palin is such a great motivator and money raiser. I fail to see her doing anything to assist in the Haiti catastrophe. Sarah, step up to the plate and show the USA and the world your foreign interest and your ability to motivate for a truly worthy cause instead of a book signing.
Put your talents where your mouth is.
-- Patti Lovett
Anchorage
Fish plight pales as a disaster
When will this ridiculous spending by Congress stop? We are now going to declare lousy runs of king salmon on the Yukon a disaster? Haiti is a disaster, not this!
I can think of many worse disasters across the country (housing, auto, banking) that have put folks in this country in far more desperate financial woes (and most caused by federal practices and policies). I bet those folks would have a few words to say about this. To now subsidize the lack of kings with emergency relief funds makes no sense.
If you cannot make a living somewhere, move to where you can, and don't burden others for your lifestyle of living in a remote place like the Yukon. Don't get me wrong, I admire those folks living up there. Just do it off the land as it should be and not off the backs of taxpayers because nature threw you a curveball.
-- Annie Rudderow
Anchorage