Letters to the Editor

Readers write: Letters to the editor, March 13, 2018

Iditarod sled dogs love to run

I hope that detractors of the Iditarod have seen Loren Holmes' great photo (March 7) of a lead dog's enthusiasm about racing. Of course, every effort must be made to keep the dogs healthy, comfortable and getting rest. But opponents of the race have no idea that dogs actually love to run — especially dogs that are bred, trained and rewarded for it.

— Vivian Mendenhall
Anchorage

Not sold on Chugach, ML&P deal

I find the reasons given in the March 8 front page piece concerning Chugach buying ML&P unconvincing. Until I can be convinced that Chugach's assuming a half-billion dollar debt and not laying off any workers, I will vote "no" on the deal. I want Chugach, of which I am a member, to explain why that would be in my best interest. It's easy to see why ML&P wants to unload their utility. But I see no advantage for Chugach to buy it. It would make sense to pay off the ML&P debt if Chugach didn't have to pay anything for the utility itself.

— Laverne Buller
Anchorage

Open your mind and reject Prop. 1

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A year or two ago, I was exiting the restroom of a prestigious hotel. As I opened the door to go out, a young man walked in. Startled, I said, "This is the women's." She said calmly, "I know." I have thought so often of that young person and am grateful for the change in perspective the incident gave me. For him, I will be voting "no" on Proposition 1. Please join me.

— Sheila Lankford
Anchorage

State overreach has gone too far

In the Legislature, the plastic bag ban measure, House Bill 264 " … has sparked a debate over whether states or cities should be empowered to make the rules over plastic bags." I agree with Wasilla GOP Sen. David Wilson who wants to "let local communities make that decision."

This brings to mind something I read in the paper recently, which is that the Legislature has apparently taken any power away from Alaska cities and municipalities with reference to Uber and Lyft. It seems to me that Anchorage and Bethel, Fairbanks and Juneau and any other Alaska community with taxi service should be the ones to regulate such taxi services (but I suppose Lyft and Uber claim, of course, to be something other than a taxi service.)I have to wonder how David Wilson and other legislators voted on that one.

In any event, the Legislature's action overriding municipal powers like taxi regulation is what I would call state overreach. Does that word "overreach" have a familiar ring? Does the shoe fit?

— John Jensen
Anchorage

Try working for your benefits

Didn't know whether to laugh, cry or be just plain disgusted when I read Sen. Kelly's March 7 op-ed proposal to impose work requirements for Medicaid recipients. Think I'll go for disgusted. Consider all that extra pay and per diem Pete Kelly (and some friends) have accumulated for prolonging three legislative sessions in their quest for cutting essential public services while imposing what amounts to very regressive taxes on Alaskans that can least afford it in order to avoid a reasonable fair progressive tax. All this not to mention destabilizing Alaska's economic health and financial ratings in the process. If we're going to have work requirements for "receiving public benefits,", let's start with Pete Kelly (and some friends).

As Kelly points out "work opens doors to a larger community of friends" rather than a "life of government dependency (which) can be isolating and unfulfilling" I believe Sen. Kelly (along with some friends) would indeed benefit and contribute enormously to Alaska from getting down to work. Of course, if they just don't want to work, just receive benefits, maybe we, the public, need to remove them from the rolls.

— Tony Kaaliss
Anchorage

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