Leman, not Mallott, was first
Is it the intention of the Alaska Dispatch News, a major Alaska newspaper of record, to take away from former Lt. Gov. Loren Leman the distinction of being the first Alaska Native to be elected to that statewide office?
In Pat Forgey's Jan. 29 article it is stated that Lt. Gov. Byron Mallott is the first Alaska Native to hold such a statewide office. However, Loren Leman, an Alaska Native whose Alutiiq and mixed stock heritage hails from Afognak, Kodiak and Ninilchik, was elected as Alaska's lieutenant governor in 2002.
— Andrée McLeod
Anchorage
UAA is dropping the ball
I was a UAA grad student when Dr. Marie Doyle planned Tanaina as a child development center — a creative early education learning lab for students. The center provides child care so student parents and faculty can continue education. Closing this center is a shameful, short-sighted attempt to balance the budget at the expense of vulnerable women and children. Closing the center will increase student drop-outs. Replacing it sends the message that sports are more important than children and education.
UA's claim to "boost the number of homegrown teachers" is ambitious given that UA's graduation rate ranks last in the nation. By using antiquated boring curriculums, and frequently changing credit requirements, UAA burns out students, drains their scholarships and adds years to the degree. Our Alaska students, who were eager for their degree, drop out. Sadly, less than 15 UAA students will receive an elementary education degree this June.
The university is led by a military strategist. Instead, UA needs to hire a pragmatic academician as president to lead in creative curriculum revision, and comprehensive degree requirement revisions — someone who can encourage professorial morale and student mentoring which brings degree completion. We should not rank last in graduation rates — Alaska deserves better.
— Marty Margeson
Anchorage
Medicaid newsflash
To all the legislators and residents of Alaska who oppose Medicaid expansion — NEWSFLASH: You are already paying. People who do not have insurance are forced into using the ER as a primary care giver. Those costs are passed on to us. Would you rather have the federal government pick up the tab or do you still want to continue paying through your insurance?
Thank you to Gov. Walker for doing the right thing.
— Anita Thorne
Anchorage
Tanaina should be top priority for UAA
On Jan. 28, there was a showing of a nationally distributed documentary entitled "The Raising of America: Early Childhood and the Future of our Nation." This film highlighted the economic importance of having a strong early childhood network of high-quality programs and parent support systems for the American workforce. Behind working parents are the early childhood teachers and family child care programs that make it possible to go to work and school each day.
Imagine my shock to learn that the University of Alaska Anchorage has EVICTED its long-standing early childhood program serving the UAA students and faculty since 1979! I have over 20 years of involvement with Tanaina Child Development Center as a former instructor in the Early Childhood Program at ASD's King Career Center. The close proximity of Tanaina to KCC made it an ideal setting for reciprocity between programs.
This is especially true in the late afternoon classes at KCC that meet after 3 p.m. Tanaina provides a perfect setting to walk KCC students to and see a quality early childhood program in action. The staff at Tanaina has always been professional and engaging in their work. Many of the KCC students have gone on to work at Tanaina while they attend UAA classes in early childhood or elementary education. I know of one former KCC student who has worked there since she did a job practicum at Tanaina in her senior year over 20 years ago!
UAA's Bill Spindle, is quoted saying the eviction is based on "the fiscal situation …and tough times," as well as "liability issues with minors on campus." Many of Anchorage's early childhood programs are in employer-sponsored properties including; Providence Child Development and Credit Union One, and all child care centers are required to carry liability insurance regardless of location. This program should be one of UAA's top priorities, because Tanaina is helping its students and faculty and their families. It is not just a child care center you are evicting, but 60 families and over 20 employed staff.
Available, affordable, and most importantly, "quality" child care spaces are not just something that you can find around the corner. Many of you in Anchorage have had positive experiences with Tanaina Child Development Center since its inception in 1979. Speak OUT & UP! This eviction is a travesty on our community and our youngest economic resource.
— Kerry Reardon
retired ASD early childhood teacher
Anchorage
Senior 'dog food a myth
In a recent letter to the editor, Jamelia Saied commented that "Senior Benefits program with monthly payments from $125 to $250 prevents many seniors from eating dog food."
That has to be nothing but an urban legend. Who are all these seniors Jamelia knows who are "eating dog food"?
When I go grocery shopping, I see plenty of options for eating on the cheap without resorting to dog or cat food. You can often buy a 10-pound bag of potatoes for under $4. 20-pound sack of rice, $3, beans, cans of chili … the list goes on. I seriously doubt anyone is eating dog food out of necessity. By choice perhaps if they like the taste, but certainly not because the alternatives cost more.
In my opinion, urban legend, busted.
— Joseph Ross
Nikiski
PFD pot licensees
Mr. Guaneli's Jan. 31 column on marijuana was well written. One of the ways to keep marijuana on a smaller level is to limit who can receive a license to grow or sell marijuana and its products.
The politicians are talking about licensing on the model of alcohol, which would be a disaster. We do not need marijuana licenses held by corporations which control the market and limit competition by economic force. Instead marijuana licenses should be held only by individuals who are qualified and do receive an Alaska Permanent Fund dividend. They should be for a nominal fee, such as $25, and nontransferable.
These limits mean no corporations, limited liability corporations or partnerships could hold licenses. The limit to PFD recipients means no one from Outside could hold a license. If you limited operations to when the license holder was present, similar to a limited entry permit, then it would limit marijuana operations to smaller operations.
— J.B. Friderici
Willow
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