Torrent of anti-dam sentiment
Mr. Monetti's letter of May 21, "Fund education, not a dam ..." is right on point. After Ms. Moore published the email address to access all legislators at once in her column, I was pleased to add my voice to all the others who are against the Susitna-Watana dam. After experiencing the "small" 4.5 earthquake the other day, I am even more averse to being down valley from a mega-dam.
-- Della Dempsey
Wasilla
Production isnt in line with profit
Regarding Ray Metcalfe's May 22 commentary on oil company profits being so much higher per barrel in Alaska than anywhere else in the world: If that is so, then why are they not rapidly increasing production here in Alaska? Do the oil companies simply not understand where they make their best margin of profit?
-- John D Frost, M.D.
Anchorage
I know who you work for, Legislature
Dear Legislators,
Please remember who you work for. You work for "We, the People." Stop behaving like a bunch of unruly brats. Do your jobs in the allotted time and location. I know who you work for and I won't be voting for any of you the next time you come up for re-election.
-- Cathy Guay
Anchorage
Hefty bills left out of FSED debate
I attended the public forum last Monday and listened to both Alaska Regional and Providence Hospital present their reasons for expanding their services. Alaska Regional wants to put freestanding emergency departments (FSEDs) in Eagle River and South Anchorage. Providence wants to expend its footprint to allow them to serve pediatric patients (Alaska is the only state without a pediatric emergency department).
However, neither side presented an explanation that centered on the cost to the consumer. I have many years of experience with physician billing and for a consumer to go to an FSED compared to going to an urgent care center, the cost is much greater for the ED-designated facility. Getting the "ED designation" allows these centers to charge a much different set of billing codes and charge more money even though they do not offer full ED services. As the saying goes -- if it's not about the money, it is about the money.
I believe something is needed to provide 24/7 physician availability to the Eagle River population -- I am just not convinced that it needs to be a designated emergency room facility that will increase the cost to the consumer. Typically ED departments are swamped with a lot of "non-emergent" illnesses which could be handled at any urgent care facility at much less consumer cost. I have no doubt that these freestanding emergency departments will have many patients who will suffer "sticker-shock" when they open their bill -- and at that time they may truly need to be transported for a heart attack!
-- Kay Bias
Anchorage
Force lawmakers back to Juneau
"No man's life, liberty, or property are safe while the legislature is in session." -- Mark Twain
It will do no good to recall these legislators. Their constituents won't act. We must recall the dunderheads who voted them into office in the first place. Those voters should face censure for infecting Alaska with these "people." Yes, I know, wishful thinking.
The governor needs to keep his word to the voters and force the Legislature back into session, in Juneau, continuously if need be, until we get fully funded education, Medicaid expansion and an end to the oil tax giveaway credits. I don't care if they're in Juneau until Christmas. Stay and do what the people want, not what your employers want.
-- Greg Poynor
Anchorage
PSAs inclusion of children with disabilities empowers community
In the midst of major challenges our state is facing I wanted to highlight the current television spot highlighting the Play 60 Minutes Every Day initiative, a bright spot of collaboration. The seamless inclusion of children experiencing disabilities into this commercial was a powerful visual of community, where everyone has gifts and talents and belongs. The production concept was brilliant and The Department of Health and Social Services, and the specific team members responsible for the production, deserve a standing ovation for showcasing the fact children are children first, and are not defined or limited by what the world still defines as disability.
The spot is 30 seconds of joy, and highlights a shared vision so many of us in the field of disability supports have longed to achieve. Well done!
-- Michele Girault,
senior deputy director,
Hope Community Resources
Anchorage
Protecting country is ultimate mission
I served in the Army during two hot wars and most of the Cold War. I often heard service people complain (and probably did so myself) that their service was never appreciated by the public.
That civilians back home could never imagine or understand how it was to live under miserable conditions, or to be in danger for long periods of time.
I would now say to all who served or will serve: Whether you served two years, or 10 years, or 20 or 30 years, if the people back home NEVER know what it is to live in misery, or to be in constant danger, then you have accomplished your mission. You have done your job well. You can be proud! I am.
-- Don Neal
Anchorage
Waiting to witness divine guidance
I read that Sen. John Coghill, R-North Pole, asked for "divine guidance" in the opening prayer at the most recent legislative session.
If any of the religious teachings that I have been exposed to are an indication of what kind of guidance he and his fellow legislators will be receiving, it will be about loving their neighbors, aiding the poor and sick and taking care of children.
If they get guidance telling them otherwise, I am sure it will be coming from below, not above.
-- Fred Nelius
Houston
State caucuses operate as politburos
I did a word search of the Alaska State Constitution or the Joint Uniform Legislative Rules and could not find the word "caucus." Yet we in Alaska are ruled by the caucus system intended to function exactly like a Soviet politburo where only senior party apparatchiks have influence.
Now the majority caucus leadership has simply excused themselves from having to deal with critical public policy issues as directed by Gov. Bill Walker. Despite an opinion by legislative council that their actions appear to be in violation of the state constitution, the majority caucus leaders intended to create an agenda more to their liking. They did this by ending the first special session and immediately starting a second special session.
After this stunt to create a second special session with a chosen agenda, Gov. Walker should now pursue the legal effort to force a decision by the Supreme Court on the ability of the legislative leadership to so easily "void" the agenda of a special session directed by the current or any future governor.
-- Lynn Willis
Eagle River
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