Anchorage Daily News

Entities have a right to funding

Your editorial about Lisa Murkowski is just wrong ("It's all borrowed: Sen. Murkowski doesn't worry how to pay for these goodies," Feb. 26). She is our senior senator, and we look to her for leadership on federal issues, including federal funding. The City of Kotzebue has high unemployment and a very small tax base. We regularly ask our congressional delegation for help in funding projects other large communities might fund differently. Senator Murkowski responds just like her colleagues and predecessors.

Congress has well-defined programs for these requests, including the Economic Development Initiative (which Kotzebue qualifies for). Our economy needs this help and we are thankful Senator Murkowski is there to help us.

I urge the ADN to be more balanced in its editorials on what the congressional delegation does. They have a hard enough job without being unfairly criticized by the local paper.

-- Eugene S. Smith, Mayor

Kotzebue

Canada wants our gas to get oil

I have just read the latest National Geographic (March 9). They have a big article about Alberta's tar sands being worth billions. They are willing to move four tons of earth for a single barrel of oil!

It is estimated that the 45,000 gallons a day of contaminated water from the tar sands could be reaching the river. It is already killing fish, birds, and other wildlife, and people in Fort Chipewyan are getting cancer. And they want our gas to heat up their sands. So this is why they want the gas pipeline from Alaska!

-- Bill Bacon

Anchorage

Only bipartisan push will save us

This is to echo Clarence Crawford's concern with the path Sen. Lisa Murkowski has chosen to follow in the U.S. Senate ("Murkowski had chance to be independent, but she blew it," ADN March 12, 2009).

As she had been a moderate Republican in the Alaska Legislature, I was disappointed but not upset that she was appointed by her father to the Senate. I considered her among the "least worst" choices. What if Frank had appointed Pete Kott, John Cowdery, Vic Kohring, Tom Anderson, Bruce Weyhrauch or Jim Clark, all "good" Republicans at the time?

But instead of following her own conscience, while publicly questioning some of the prior Cheney-Bush administration's disastrous Iraqi War and deregulation policies and agendas, she consistently voted in lockstep with the national Republican manifesto of world domination by corporate America.

If ever this country more desperately needed bipartisan cooperation in federal legislation, it is now to support President Obama's leadership in pulling our country and the world out of a widening financial black hole.

I have been honored to meet Lisa Murkowski. She is a gracious and intelligent person. I wish her well in recovery from her knee injury and from political party blind rigidity.

-- Jerald Stroebele

Anchorage

Claman sensitive to diverse voices

When we held our Juneteenth Celebration in 2008, Matt Claman and Elvi Gray-Jackson were the only public officials who came out to show their support for an event of important historical significance.

It is imperative that our elected officials recognize, understand and learn firsthand the diverse voices and needs of our community. Matt Claman has continued to support us by answering our inquiries and being an advocate for issues concerning all of Anchorage. I am convinced that these qualities are in Anchorage's best interest. He could have been political while acting as mayor but instead chose to make rational, careful decisions regarding his community.

Anchorage needs a mayor that is in touch with the people, a mayor who cares about the people, and a mayor who encourages the collective strength of the people.

-- Gwendolyn Alexander

Anchorage

Please don't miss funding deadline

The federal government has a great deal of money available to Alaska through the stimulus bill. However, to receive it our governor must sign up for it by April 3. Governor, please, please, please do this now.

-- Martha Levensaler

Anchorage

Rate reviews would help nonprofit

I work for The Arc of Anchorage, a private nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting community integration and quality of life for children and adults who experience developmental disabilities, behavioral health issues, or deafness. For several years we have been providing services under a rate freeze. Sen. Johnny Ellis has sponsored Senate Bill 32. This bill would create fair and reasonable rate reviews, which would allow my agency to better plan for the needs of the people we serve. Please take the time to review this bill and consider how your support would help thousands of individuals live as productive members of our community.

-- Emily Cadle

Elmendorf AFB

Video just pretty picture of crooks

Comment on John Reece's letter to the editor dated March 9: His car window was broken by vandals and he states the APD "can't do much." He also states the next time he will have them on video security camera.

My bicycle was stolen a couple of years ago. This felony (the bike was worth over $1,000) was recorded on video security camera and I found out the APD won't do much even with clear video of the crime. I had to pressure them into even making a report, and they did not pursue the evidence at all.

I am sure these young people are continuing their criminal activity. They do not need to worry about being caught on video in Anchorage.

I do have insurance -- $1,000 deductible.

-- James Toussaint

Anchorage

Politicians deserve family support

Our dark ages policies of not allowing young children to stay near a traveling governor have to go. A lot of our present governor's charm was her stated respect for a strong family. We need to support families when their leaders are parents. Not only will we encourage public service from leaders who are in touch with voters but we also show that Alaskans care and respect children.

Legislators in Juneau need to pursue very clear guidelines for our top leader (whether a Republican, Democrat or other) to keep her/his family nearby as much as possible as she/he travels on business so frequently. These governor family travel guidelines must be sure that the spending is reasonable and accountable.

I would love to see more babes on laps, and teens sharing their brilliant and thoughtful ideas as policies are formed.

Sometimes I wonder if we would have a different work product out of Juneau if more of our greater Alaskan family of children and young adults were present, keeping folks centered on the heart of issues.

-- Alyse Galvin

Anchorage

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