Tanainas eviction reveals
UAA's true priorities
I read the article in ADN that UAA had issued an eviction notice to Tanaina Child Development Center, citing "the fiscal situation" and giving it only until May 1 to get out.
UAA hasn't yet determined what will become of Tanaina's space, but UAA does know it has $9.2 million available to renovate the hockey team locker room, ice rink renewal and electrical work.
My daughter could not have attended nor graduated from UAA in psychology without Tanaina caring for her young son while she was in class.
Students and faculty alike depend on the reliable, quality child care provided by Tanaina. Sacrificing such an integral component of obtaining a college education for a hockey team locker room and ice rink renewal is unconscionable. Blaming the eviction on the current fiscal situation is disingenuous.
I urge Vice Chancellor Bill Spindle to reconsider evicting Tanaina. The choice between a hockey rink and reliable child care seems obvious.
— Patricia Gaedeke
Fairbanks
Focus on united in USA
"This is a test. It is only a test. If it were an actual emergency…" Wait, it's rapidly becoming one … What is? Fixating on what separates Americans rather than what unites on almost every issue facing our U.S. today.
Example: Sen. Pete Kelly's statement (ADN, Friday) responding to Pastor Matt: "… Why should I waste the few words allotted to me in this commentary addressing the worn-out positions of the left," although he did, he does and he will continue to do so. Why not skip the "distraction" and start with the point? Because too many politicians — too many Americans — want to live in black or white.
Try this test. See how many questions/answers it takes to be pigeonholed into one "side" or the other. I'd say four. Life in the gray may be challenging but hey, fellow independent nonpartisans! It's way past time to put the "united" back in our "USA"!
By the way, would you have read this far if my opening volley was, "I see Sen. Pete Panderer earned his BS from Liberty University." If more lawyers actually put their legal training into action — "OK, now argue the OTHER side of the 'facts' "— perhaps we'd inch closer to united.
— Keith Muschinke
Fairbanks
Dig deeper on new offices
In the Jan. 20 ADN, reporter Pat Forgey mentions the Republican majority denying seats to members of the Democrat minority on the Legislative Council and Audit Committee, two influential joint committees that operate between legislative sessions.
Forgey adds, "Among the actions of those committees last session was an expensive remodel and expansion of the Legislature's Anchorage office building."
These are the new offices that will cost the state more than twice in lease costs than had previously been paid. An abundance of existing office space abounds, and imagine this, with constituent parking spaces, priced significantly more affordable.
An enterprising reporter, Forgey perhaps might request a transcript of committee discussions on this matter.
Who's responsible for "giving away the store" during the improbable negotiations with the building owners? What possible justification was considered?
This episode may rival the Fairbanks office episode and impeachment proceedings involving then Gov. Sheffield many years ago.
— Ken Flynn
Anchorage
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