Anchorages original bicycle guru
With the recent celebration of our parks and trails, one person has been left out. Until the push for bike trails and the more recent arrivals of REI, Sunshine and others in the bicycle market, Mike Shoup, owner of Mike's Bike Shop, was the only game in town. Starting in a tiny building on Fireweed Lane, now on Northern Lights and a big new place on Dimond, Mike developed not only a great business, but ministered to those of us who wanted to ride to work and play. Mike sold me a five-speed Schwinn in 1969 and, over time, three kid seats, new tires, regular tune-ups and lots of advice. Lots of miles and two kids on that bike. As we celebrate our city's anniversary, let's celebrate a local boy who has done so much to make our community a better place for so many. Thanks Mike!
— Heather Flynn
Anchorage
Medicaid obstructionists beware
Well, the dog and pony show is over for another year. Two people come to mind; Gov. Bill Walker and Les Gara seemed to shine with a very seemingly rare glow of common sense. I thank everybody that voted in Erin and Bree's law, and, I'm sure the many hundreds I don't know, that pressured our lawmakers to do the right thing; thank God for you and yours. As for Medicaid not being extended. Well, now. I believe the vox populi was heard through the many outraged letters to the editor concerning this. I'll give you one example; a co-worker and friend has had it, and is going back to her state where Medicaid is supported. I guess working even though she had three strokes, diabetes, is a nonsmoking trim lady, who is still working just ain't enough. Nope. 45 years of work does not extend her a helping hand, to keep working. Now that her glaucoma and cataracts are limiting her, she needs help with some of those bills. But, hey. What do you care? I believe everyone should be given a wage that allows them to live without government assistance, without Medicaid or food stamps. But, that's not what's happening for us, and even though I'm pro-oil, my wages faded until I was in need all the time. After 40 years of massive effort, labor and 63 recommendations, I could hardly feed myself. But, hey, why not give away our oil to foreign companies? It might get you nice watches and lakefront property, but I've got every one of your names in my voluminous skirts, and come election time, I'll be singin' the never-re-elect-you song. I expect a raise in the minimum wage and extension of Medicaid to be on the books next year. And for you who didn't vote for Medicaid, I'll make sure you're sent back to the farm.
— Lillian Staats
Wasilla
Depriving 40,000 Alaskans is wrong
Alaskans favor Medicaid expansion. Our tax dollars that we pay to cover the working poor and middle class who can't afford Obamacare but don't qualify for Medicaid need to stay in Alaska. It is not fair that the majority is holding to influences of the tea party and ALEC who oppose the president at every turn. Depriving 40,000 working poor and middle class Alaskans access to affordable health care is wrong.
— Richard Steele
Douglas
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