Compass

COMPASS: TIM TROLL

Standards can help us develop our resources in a responsible way

Commissioner Dan Sullivan of the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has come under attack for proposing the department's mission statement be changed. The discussion so far has focused on what he has removed from the mission statement. The better course may be to discuss what he has added.

COMPASS: WANDA GREENE

Gays seek the same protections others have

Since 1909, the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) has led the mission to promote equality in the United States of America. As an organization, we believe intolerance for one another can be a destructive emotion, and through combined efforts we can eliminate this dark stain within the fabric of our great country.

COMPASS: ANNE ADASIAK-ANDREWS

Competition isn't the answer in education

Former Mayor Fink states that "there is a strong belief good education comes from competition." The research I have seen shows very marginal gains on tests in certain private schools compared to public schools. Competition may work well as a business model, but has not proven to work as well in education.

COMPASS: JAMEY DUHAMEL

Mat-Su coal mines would be bad neighbors

Like any mother, I want my children to grow up in a healthy, safe and economically vibrant community. As a lifelong resident of the Matanuska Valley, seeing my family experience the rare and spectacular beauty of Southcentral Alaska is something I have always envisioned for their future.

COMPASS: KARL BRAENDEL

'Predator control' demeans us all

There's terrific irony in that the State of Alaska spent large amounts of money and effort in the late 1960s through the 1970s to end the unethical same-day airborne hunting of grizzlies, and now in 2012 is trying to resuscitate that and a heck of a lot more.

COMPASS: PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA

Responsible homeowners deserve help

In my State of the Union address, I laid out a blueprint for an economy that's built to last -- an economy built on American manufacturing, American energy, skills for American workers and a renewal of American values of fairness and responsibility.

COMPASS: TOM FINK

Competition makes for better schools

An important piece of legislation pending this year is a K-12 parental school choice providing parents the choice for the school their child attends, with government money following the child. It further requires passage of a constitutional amendment permitting tax money to go to a private or religious school.

COMPASS: VIC VAN BALLENBERGHE

Science, not politics, must rule again at Fish and Game

When Corey Rossi was appointed director of Wildlife Conservation in the Department of Fish and Game, over 50 former ADF&G wildlife biologists sent a strongly worded letter of "no confidence" to Commissioner Cora Campbell.

COMPASS: MAYOR DAN SULLIVAN

Tell the state how to improve its schools

Late last year, I convened the Mayor's Education Summit, a two-day event that brought together 100 key policymakers and community members to work with national education reform experts on how to make Anchorage schools the best in the country.

COMPASS: JOHN WEDDLETON

Comics get no respect -- but they should

For 20-something years, I've had a comic strip on my office wall. The first panel shows a fellow holding up a framed painting for a well-coiffed critic who throws up his hands with joy, exclaiming, "ART!" In the next frame, he holds a leather-bound book. The critic sings, "LITERATURE!" In the last frame, he holds another creative work with words and pictures together -- a comic book. "Worthless TRASH!" the critic snorts.

COMPASS: BILL SHERWONIT

Board covers its tracks, keeps loopholes

There are many reasons to be disturbed, disgusted and dismayed by our state's current wildlife management regime, if you're someone who wants more than moose or caribou meat in the freezer or trophies for the floor and walls. This was proved once again at the recent Board of Game meeting in Anchorage.

COMPASS: REV. CONNIE JONES

Choice helps families be healthy, happy

Jan. 22 marks the 39th anniversary of Roe v. Wade, the historic Supreme Court decision that made abortion care safe and legal in the United States. Since 1973, we have seen an onslaught of tactics to try to overturn this decision -- laws have been passed, protests have been waged (both peaceful and not) and prayers have been said.

COMPASS: REPS. MIKE CHENAULT and MIKE HAWKER

AGDC can be strong force for Alaska gas

We applaud Gov. Parnell for recognizing the potential for an Alaska gas pipeline project unlike any we have seen on the table, a hybrid of multiple plans committed Alaskans have worked on for many years. We believe this alignment -- of stakeholders, of goals, of work done to date -- is the elusive answer to Alaska gas.

COMPASS: AMY RHYNEER

Independent schools deserve our respect

In a state that wants to be known for its independence and frontier spirit, Alaska's attitude toward independent education is a contradiction. We Alaskans take pride in our unfettered approach to life. We like to make our own rules for our own resources. We admire those with vision and the grit to make the vision come to life.

COMPASS: CLOVER SIMON

To limit abortions, boost Denali KidCare

I am deeply disappointed that the Anchorage Daily News would endorse a Denali KidCare compromise that ignores the health of uninsured pregnant mothers.

COMPASS:ANDY HOLLEMAN

Private schools are solution to problems Anchorage doesn't have

When the mayor reconvenes people from his Education Summit, some of the recommendations will almost certainly lean toward encouraging private schools.

COMPASS: ZACH MANZELLA

Martin Luther King Jr. Day a time to serve

Monday is Martin Luther King Jr. Day. This federal holiday commemorates Dr. King's contributions to our country. Unlike most holidays, it is a day of service -- a day "on" rather than a day "off."

COMPASS: SUE LINFORD

Sheffield has helped lead port toward success

As a business woman and owner of a local food distribution company, I know how dependent Alaska is on the Port of Anchorage. My company's customers are not only in Anchorage but extend anywhere in Alaska.

COMPASS: GRANT BAKER, ROB LANG and TODD BERGMAN

Engineering program growing, needs support

The engineering profession is directly tied to the generation of income. For example, every construction project for new development or infrastructure depends upon engineers. It is important to the future of Alaska to keep engineering jobs in the state

COMPASS: PETER GARAY

Alaska pilot for the Renda links fuel trip to serum run

As Alaska turns from 2011 to the New Year, a team effort reminiscent of the famous serum run to Nome is under way to bring desperately needed fuel supplies to Nome.

COMPASS: BRUCE BOTELHO

Coastal plan sorely needed for each and every Alaskan

Thousands of Alaskans live, work and play along Alaska's 44,000 miles of coastline. We fish for salmon and halibut, harvest herring, shrimp, herring roe, crabs, and seaweed, dig for clams, watch the whales for fun and hunt them for food, drill for oil and gas, dig for gold, pick berries, harvest timber, hunt, kayak and surf, and, in the quiet of a summer evening, stand on a rocky shore and marvel at the wonder that is Alaska's coast.