Readers write: Letters to the editor, Feb. 10, 2016

I realize in Juneau the situation is similar. Yet that is due to the layout of the city of Juneau and the distant past when the Capitol building was constructed. Anchorage, however, has lots of locations where an office building could have been located that would actually allow Alaskans access to free parking while they participated in state government.

So where do the members of the Legislature get to park when they are in that glorious monument to themselves? I have no idea as that seems to be another of the super secrets surrounding this leased facility. After all this is one of the highest rental spaces in Anchorage and why would parking be part of the package?

— John A. Parker

Kodiak

I have a pet and service animal, his name is Luie. I’ve had him for close to four months now. When I first got him he was both emotionally and physically abused. Luie is my best friend, and thanks to the Alaska SPCA’s “Pets For Life” program he is doing better and in better health. Luie has helped me become more understanding of other animals and of myself. He also helps me when I have anxiety attacks, with patience and understanding of others with various disabilities and/or emotional issues.

Right now, Luie and I are staying at the Brother Francis Shelter for the homeless, and as previously mentioned he has taught me more about myself and others. And thanks to the staff here at Brother Francis and at the Alaska SPCA “Pets For Life,” as they have helped me and Luie by gaining me part-time employment, health care for Luie and animal food from the animal food bank.

Luie is not just my best friend, pet or service animal, he is a part of my family. He is all I’ve needed since I’ve become distant from my family over the years. The way I personally see him is that he is the extension of myself, but more calm.

Luie is half chihuahua and half Yorkshire terrier. He is mild-tempered and gets along with other cats and dogs and is great around other people. Yes, I do talk about him as if he is a person and not just an animal, because to me he is just a person in fur, on four legs.

— Wolf Shadowwind

Anchorage

According to the website, www.statista.com/topics/1053/casinos/, the average annual salary of casino employees in Nevada is $45,113, and according to www.statista.com/statistics/257531/leading-casino-companies-worldwide-by-revenue/, the leading casino company in terms of revenue worldwide in 2014 was Las Vegas Sands with $14.58 billion.

If any state should allow casinos and state lotteries, it should be Alaska, because all who came here are gamblers at heart! Alaska should also put state-owned land up for sale. These things should be done long before our legislators cap our PFDs and impose any income tax on us. Please tell your representatives, and tell them again!

If you need more money, keep your grubby political hands off the PFD and tax everyone working in the state!

— Ken Smith

Anchorage

As one more person in support of Superintendent Ed Graff, I too cannot understand the school board’s decision to terminate him. I was an ASD support person with the district for 20 some years. I did not have the pleasure of working directly with Mr. Graff, but on numerous occasions I would be in his presence at the administration building or through my grandchildren’s schools. He always remembered me and was polite, professional, and very kind.

When the announcement was made to start looking for someone else, “a visionary,” I was confused. We already had a visionary. He’s one who is a parent, loves our children and wants the best for all students. He’s one person the district, community and my family can look up to and trust.

Why must the ASD spend unnecessary funds searching for another superintendent?

Join me in praise of Charles Wohlforth and Dermot Cole! These two men go straight to the heart of the issues facing Alaska today and how to solve them. They paint an unvarnished view of how we got into our present situation. I can only hope our elected officials and others in Juneau, from Gov. Walker on down, are listening.

— Rich Melms

Anchorage

Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent, the 40-day period before Easter, when many Christians abstain from animal foods in remembrance of Jesus’ 40 days of fasting in the desert before launching his ministry.

But meat-free Lent is much more than a symbol of religious devotion to Christ. It helps reduce the risk of chronic disease, environmental degradation, and animal abuse. Dozens of medical reports have linked consumption of animal products with elevated risk of heart failure, stroke, cancer, and other killer diseases. A 2007 U.N. report named meat production as the largest source of greenhouse gases and water pollution. Undercover investigations have documented farm animals being beaten, caged, crowded, deprived, mutilated, and shocked.

Lent offers a superb opportunity to honor Christ’s powerful message of compassion and love by adopting a meat-free diet for Lent and beyond.

After all, it’s the diet mandated in Genesis 1:29 and observed in the Garden of Eden.

Our supermarket offers a rich array of plant-based meat and dairy alternatives, as well as the more traditional vegetables, fruits and grains. Entering “vegan recipes” in our favorite search engine offers more products, recipes and transition tips than we can use.

— Art Doddermyer

Anchorage