Anchorage Daily News

Web edition of newspaper can't compare with print version

In a recent statement, Daily News editor Pat Dougherty made the case for the efficiencies of electronic delivery compared with physical delivery of a daily printed newspaper. I agree that this is highly efficient for the newspaper company but do not agree that I, as the customer, gain the same benefits.

Given the plethora of sources available electronically today, my reason for subscribing to the local paper is to outsource the editorial functions of a newspaper. In a good newspaper, the various editors provide tremendous value by selecting and presenting information from a variety of national sources as well as the local news. I see my subscription to the paper as outsourcing the process of finding relevant and interesting news, national columnists, comics, local advertisements and other materials.

Until the online content matches the print content, I don't find the two forms to be equivalent. I have many sources of timely news and expect the ADN to provide thoughtful reporting more than immediate reporting. I can search the Internet and find the missing content, but not as efficiently as when it is delivered to my front door and available for me to read anywhere.

-- Diane Thompson

Anchorage

We go green when it's profitable

Re: "Alaska recycling market suffers steep, rapid decline" (Jan. 1):

So preserving our planet (recycling anything) is something we only do when it is convenient and going green really boils down to exchanging green ($)?

-- Judie Wolfe

Anchorage

Mother Lawrence's devotion to needy could use some backup

I have been a locksmith for almost 10 years now, and in my travels while doing field work I have had the pleasure of meeting, talking with and learning from Mother Lawrence. Regardless of how brief our meetings can be, I always left feeling inspired.

I have seen the incredible line form at her back door, I have seen multiple rooms of her house dedicated to preparing the food for the line. I have seen her living room that she offers as a place of worship to anyone who would like to make use of it, I have seen her offer an apartment to someone needing safe haven whether they showed up barefoot or in a Mercedes, and I have seen her offer people one of her apartments to get back on their feet.

What I have seen that disappoints me is people taking advantage of her kindness. Not paying for their boarding once a payment schedule is agreed on, damaging her property, remaining stagnant while taking advantage of her offerings, and, believe this -- holding fundraisers in her name and keeping the proceeds.

I fully understand that she has made herself totally vulnerable to these things by opening her doors, but she persists and so should we. Foundations like hers always need help, even the smallest gesture.

We need to step it up again for Mother Lawrence. She needs another tidal wave of help. Community support trickles in but it is not enough right now. Anything you can do to help is important: Donate, volunteer, comp your services or offer a reduced rate, bring her good food that can be given to those that need it, bring clothes and bedding, etc. Please do what you can to help.

-- Tyler Duncan

Anchorage

Alaska voters made good picks

I want to compliment your governor and the Legislature for their awareness of the state's budget and the handling of your tax dollars. Alaska is one of just a few states that are not running under the curve. California is billions in debt along with New York and quite a few others that need to be bailed out by the government. Congratulations to you voters that have elected the right kind of legislators, congressmen and a great, great governor who is so aware of the people's needs.

-- Robert Reese Sr.

Fredericksburg, Va.

Transplant is good news

I was glad to see your story on Christmas Day about Troy Chapman receiving a lung transplant -- thanks largely to the efforts of Rep. Les Gara in pressuring the state of Alaska to change the Medicare regulations regarding lung transplants for people over 21. With all of the negative political press from and about both sides over the last few months, it's refreshing to hear about people in politics who are willing to help others when it matters the most.

-- Angela Pittman

Anchorage

Lights would make path safer

I am a student at Dimond High School, and I like to use the bike path to ride and walk to school, but there are no lights on the path. When visibility is not clear, I cannot see what's going on. Lights would make it easier to see moose, other people and other hazards. It also makes you feel safer because other people can see you and more people would be using the trail during the darker seasons. Fewer people would want to vandalize because of the increased exposure. It would make people want to spend more time on the trail, decreasing obesity in the community.

-- Nick Schmitz

Anchorage

Paper's changes give readers less

With annoying regularity, Patrick Dougherty, editor of the Anchorage Daily News, periodically lectures us about how the newspaper business is changing and readership and advertising revenue of printed papers are down. He then announces a bunch of changes to the format of the paper that he prefaces with "I know that many readers will not be happy to see more changes in the paper." True to his word, the announced changes give the readers less reason to subscribe to the printed paper. Dougherty might want to consider breaking this cycle rather than perpetuating it.

-- Gregory Smith

Anchorage

Time can be one of a company's most valuable gifts to our schools

David Cuddy's Compass column ("A good teacher's influence never ends with graduation," Jan. 5) spreads a great message -- the Anchorage community can do a better job in supporting teachers in our schools with their time. Many Anchorage businesses have stepped up to the plate and are involved in the Anchorage School Business Partnerships, a program of the Chamber and the School District.

Yes, many do give resources or materials, but one of the most valuable donations made is of their time. Some companies allow their employees to remain on the clock while giving an hour a week to work with students. CEOs of other companies do the volunteering themselves.

When asked what the No. 1 need is at Creekside Elementary School, we were told, "more tutors to work with kids on math and reading." This school has succeeded in dramatically improving their test scores over the past five years, but students are in jeopardy of losing that momentum unless they can recruit caring adults to work one-on-one with students for an hour a week.

Perhaps one of your New Year resolutions might be "more direct involvement in our schools."

-- Tam Agosti-Gisler

executive director

Anchorage School Business Partners, Inc.

Anchorage

Already Begich is preparing Alaska for a diet of scraps

Over the Begich years on the Anchorage Assembly (1988-1998) and until he left his second term as mayor, the Anchorage municipal budget grew from $188.6 million to $431 million. That was a growth of more than $242 million and six of those years had fiscally conservative Mayor Fink riding herd.

Recently Begich was boasting that the 2008 People Mover ridership set a record of 4.2 million passengers. What Mayor Mark failed to tell Anchorage taxpayers was the fact that the People Mover budget in 2008 was $21,246,629. That means that each People Mover rider cost taxpayers $5.05 each time they got on a bus. That amounts to a subsidy by every Anchorage family of approximately $225!

It was also amusing to recently watch on TV our newly elected U.S. senator downplaying his future role as the junior senator from Alaska. It's interesting how now it's a "new" time in America and Alaskans shouldn't expect to see the kind of funding that Ted Stevens was able to secure during his terms as Alaska's U.S. senator.

I can see it so clearly ... young Sen. Mark Begich sitting at the feet of N.Y. Sen. Charles Schumer -- begging for a few scraps for his Alaska.

Alaska will be getting just what we deserve -- scraps! How wonderful!

-- Don Smith

Anchorage

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