Letters to the Editor

Readers write: Letters to the editor, May 2, 2015

Firefighters are lifesavers

I would like to thank the paramedics and firemen at Fire Station 7 near Jewel Lake for saving my father's life last Friday night. I called 911 when my father started complaining he was not feeling well and then was completely unconscious. When the emergency personnel arrived my father was unresponsive. The paramedics arrived quickly, assessed the situation, used the AED to shock my father's heart and performed CPR until he responded. My father is alive today thanks to the quick response of these well-trained professionals. You are heroes in my book.

— Tina Suellentrop

Anchorage

Carrs respects its employees

Yesterday, when I was at the Carrs Aurora Village store, there was mistake that ended up with me not receiving all of my grocery bags. I returned to the store and spoke with the manager on duty, and they immediately found a way to fix the issue. I was worried about getting an employee in trouble, but I was very pleasantly surprised at the positive way the situation was handled. Way to go Carrs! I didn't know how much dignity and respect you give your employees, and it really made my day.

Dallas Price

Anchorage

Missing beat of heart radio

Bring back KHAR-AM Heart radio. Today's music is nothing but noise. I want Heart radio back.

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Carla Riley

Anchorage

Alaska deserves fair return

If the Roger Marks' opinion piece (ADN, April 25) on oil tax credits could be believed then all of Alaska should shed a collective tear for the poor producers of oil. What he fails to say when listing all of the costs that go into producing a barrel of oil is that each one of those costs is a profit point with a healthy return on investment, that they pay to themselves for transportation, processing and marketing of that barrel of oil. Who owns the pipeline, terminals, tankers, refineries and retail stores that provide that oil to us, the consumers? Why, it's the poor oil giants.

The simple fact remains that North Slope oil is the most profitable oil field in North America and one of the most profitable in the world. As the much more expensive to produce shale oil drops out of production, more investment dollars will migrate to where the profits are. Alaska doesn't need to pay more out in credits than it takes in from its production tax. It's our oil. Its time to make sure we get fair return for it.

Harry Crawford

Anchorage

Don’t put dam ahead of kids

The Alaska Legislature and Gov. Bill Walker have done a huge disservice to all Alaskans and tourists who live, work, and play in the Talkeetna area when they cut the Alaska State Trooper services in Talkeetna out of the budget, yet continued to support funding for the nearby Susitna dam. The Susitna dam is both egregiously expensive and highly controversial, and it is not appropriate to prioritize it over public safety.

I heard from one legislator who told me "It's not that easy to cut funding for big projects." Frankly, I don't care whether or not it is easy. "Easy" is not in their job description.

We sent them to Juneau to ensure the constitutionally required mandates such as public safety and public education are met. To continue supporting the Susitna dam at the expense of critical public services is unconscionable.

Kristi Wood

Anchorage

Demboski will sink values

As a local Realtor, I'm concerned about Amy Demboski's destructive economic policies. She supports the Knik Arm bridge boondoggle, which would depress property values here in Anchorage. We need a mayor who understands economic fundamentals. I'm voting for Berkowitz.

Patti Higgins

Anchorage

Payback will be stunning

The unions sending tens of thousands of dollars to the Berkowitz's campaign, plus unions paying for their own professionally made ads is worrisome. Claiming to care about police, fire, safety when we know it's about hefty contracts.

The transparency of promises already being made from our wallets makes me believe the leverage of payback will be stunning.

Bernadette Bradley

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Anchorage

Where is Catholic voice?

Thank you to those members of the clergy who live the Gospel teachings and stand with the marginalized in our community. The Rev. Matt Schultz and those who endorsed his commentary ("Prejudice, inequality are simply not the way of Christ," ADN, April 29) speak truth to injustice when they state that "discrimination is not only un-American. It is also un-Christian." How unfortunate that the Catholic clerical voice is absent in this list. Catholic clergy walked with Dr. King. They were a consistent moral voice whenever injustice threatened the common good whether the cause was racial discrimination, unjust labor practices, or unfair immigration policy.

Today, their voices and participation are all but nonexistent. In recent years, the Church has withdrawn, using its energy to shore up its battlements, and steer itself backward into a pre-Vatican II mindset. In contrast, Pope Francis has consistently urged the church to spend less time denouncing the sins of others, particularly on issues of sexual morality, and to reach out, instead, to the poor and the outcast in society. Perhaps many of our clergy need a refresher course in what it means to be a follower of Christ Jesus.

Britt Isbell

Eagle River

Legislators act like children

Sigh. Do the current legislators remind anyone else of saying, like kindergartners: "You're not the boss of me." Forget the one big job they are called to do, that is pass a budget. Poor dears worked hard for a few months and then give themselves a two-week break, They won't compromise an inch, and have had their way by voting down all amendments they don't care for. Egos abound; if only the public were as impressed with them as they are with themselves. Voters, please wake up and vote for people who care about most of us, care about allowing citizens to have medical care when our representatives have very adequate care for themselves. People who put our childrens' education first.

Marilyn Asicksik

Anchorage

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Applaud clergy’s stand

The Rev. Matt Schultz is right: Amy Demboski's support for hate speech is profoundly un-Christian. Thanks to all the clergy members who are standing up and pushing back against those who attempt to divide our community.

Rod McCoy

Anchorage

Board legislators on a ferry

So, our legislators desire a vacation and change of scenery huh? Let's give them both. Put them on a state ferry and park it in the middle of the Gulf of Alaska until they finish their work. For that matter, move the Capitol onto a ferry permanently. That way most communities can have it too.

Don Malherek

Anchorage

Story beneath ADN standard

I am trying to find the words to express my dismay at what ADN finds acceptable to feature on your front page. This morning's piece "Dembowski implies opponent is OK with incest unions" defies responsible reporting and any effort to be truly informative and truly appalls me. Such an article is what I would expect to find in a tabloid. I could not be more disappointed in ADN.

Penny Cowan

Anchorage

Leader must focus on future

Leading a city is not about determining if one is ready to bring a child into our complex world, nor about what one may choose to make their personal religious beliefs, nor how one may defines love — as in does God love and respect all equally, or in who we sincerely and faithfully love as individuals. Additionally, we may not be best guided by religious personalities in making decisions about providing for a safe community, a scientifically based, educated community, a community that provides business, housing, and recreational opportunities for everyone who lives here or visits. I sincerely hope we are looking at the qualities and experience in our next mayor that will enable him/her to face the difficult challenges we will face over the next few years.

Samuel DuBois

Anchorage

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Legislators are oil fascists

When a corporation's needs are met above the needs of the people, that is called fascism, as described by Mussolini.

The Republicans in Juneau should be fired, since they no longer deem the lives of the people they represent above the needs of the oil industry.

House Speaker Mike Chenault and state Sens. Pete Kelly, Peter Micchiche and Donny Olson, you should be utterly ashamed of yourself. People's lives, children's education are more important than you.

Now, what is the next step in recalling these imbeciles and starting another election process?

Lillian Staats

Wasilla

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Big money signals cronyism

After looking at the age-old idea of "follow the money," it looks like the big crony money is on Ethan. Big public unions and big business. Not good for those of us that are working and paying taxes. I personally want to see my property taxes go down. Ethan isn't going to have that happen. His plan is to increase government, and it is the property taxpayers that have to pay for it. I don't like this plan one bit. Oh sure, there are social issues that people like to make as a wedge to further divide us, but those need to be decided by each individual and for liberty, and not by government edict.

James Mallery

Anchorage

Demboski dismisses voters

Last November the marijuana legalization initiative passed overwhelmingly in Anchorage.

What did Amy Demboski do? She turned right around and tried to overturn the will of Anchorage voters.

Whether you supported the initiative or not, every voter should be worried about her lack of respect for the process and will of the voters.

We can't have a mayor like that.

I've known Ethan Berkowitz for years and trust him to respect the rule of law and will of the people.

Bill Parker

Anchorage

Calling out talk radio host

Hey, Casey Reynolds! Did Amy pass the character test? Are you going to vote for her a second time?

David Strait

Anchorage

Berkowitz is business savvy

As a business owner in Spenard, I wish this mayor's race focused on what's good for our local economy. For my business to prosper, people have to be able to get there safely. In Spenard, we desperately need safer streets for the drivers, bicyclists, and pedestrians who patronize local businesses. I walk and bike around to get to and from work and it is far from a pleasant experience. I'm voting for Ethan Berkowitz because he is the only candidate who has demonstrated an understanding of the issues that are important for local small businesses like mine.

Dana Drummond

The Hoarding Marmot

Anchorage

The views expressed here are the writers' own and are not necessarily endorsed by Alaska Dispatch News, which welcomes a broad range of viewpoints. To submit a letter for consideration, email letters@alaskadispatch.com, or click here to submit via any web browser. Submitting a letter to the editor constitutes granting permission for it to be edited for clarity, accuracy and brevity. Send longer works of opinion to commentary@alaskadispatch.com.

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