Readers write: Letters to the editor, May 22, 2017

Public employees are dedicated

I really appreciated the commentary by Mark Lovegreen (ADN, May 17). I was also disturbed by the tone of Sen. Cathy Giessel's editorial, but had a difficult time articulating the source of that disturbance. Mr. Lovegreen hit several nails on the head with a perfectly crafted hammer. We owe much of the quality of life we enjoy in this city to the work and efforts of public employees — not to mention our graduating seniors and our safety and security!

— Jim Thiele
Anchorage

Russia spills on Oval Office visit

From the department of "You can't make this stuff up" comes a real doozy. Evidently Vladimir Putin is offering a transcript of the meeting between Trump and the Russian officials. Now this meeting was held in the Oval Office of the White House. The building used to belong to the American people, but is now an extension of Trump's businesses and the Kremlin.

The Republicans in Congress are acting like this is no big deal. I wonder where their money for elections is coming from. I don't want to hear any more patriotic drivel coming from their mouths. They swore to uphold the Constitution of the United States. We will see if they can bring themselves to do this.

— Jay Cross
Big Lake

Human Rights Commission loses out on excellent contributor

This letter is in reaction to the Legislature's failure to confirm the appointment of Drew Phoenix to the Alaska Commission on Human Rights, ("After weeks of waiting, Legislature OKs most Walker appointees," ADN, May 17). I was privileged to listen to Mr. Phoenix during his "Arctic Entries" presentation and discussion of his experiences as a transgender individual. I was moved by his honesty and courage, as well as his struggle to live in our phobic society.

In explaining his reasoning for voting against Mr. Phoenix's confirmation, North Pole Republican Sen. John Coghill said during debate (regarding Phoenix's experiences of discrimination), "that's no reason to put discrimination on somebody else if they don't agree with you." What?! Mr. Phoenix's life experiences and efforts to protect individuals from discrimination and hateful actions is precisely what the commission needs.

It is also no surprise the so-called Alaska Family Council waged a hostile effort to keep Mr. Phoenix from being confirmed. Anyone who is seen as "different" in its eyes would be a target, with its narrow-minded vision of society.

I thank Mr. Phoenix's consideration in serving our community, as well as Gov. Walker for his appointment. Please, Mr. Phoenix, don't be discouraged by this experience. I hope you continue with your efforts at enabling all Alaskans in their fight for human rights.

— Thomas R. Schmidt
Anchorage

Swamp now attracting flies

I thought Mr. Trump said he was going to "drain the swamp." Seems like the fetid level of inability and instability is actually on the rise.

— Ken Flynn
Anchorage

Please bring back TV guide

My Sunday TV listings for the week is what I depend on to see what's on every night. You should expand it with more channels, not take it away. Horrid change on this one. Please bring it back.

I do love the section We Alaskans so don't change that too — if that goes then what's the use in getting the paper, guys? All the things we love about it are being taken away. Careful you don't discontinue more or you will lose this lifelong reader too.

— Rosie Barlow
Anchorage

Shoutout to Jan Buron, Scott Patterson's 1st ski coach

Thank you to Beth Bragg for acknowledging the accomplishment of Scott Patterson and the Nordic Skiers of Alaska. I would like to point out the start of Mr. Patterson's career on the U.S. Ski Team began with the Alaska Winter Stars, a ski club in Anchorage founded by head coach Jan Buron. This club focuses on developing young skiers and has been the top ski club in the nation at multiple Junior National Championships. Some of the top APU Elite Team skiers are graduates of Alaska Winter Stars. Behind these amazing athletes is the support and hard work of this skilled and dedicated coach!

— June Takagi
Anchorage

Unjust exemptions cut revenue

Jesus said, "Give unto Caesar what is Caesar's." But, local politicians create exemptions for seniors and religious organizations and godly corporations just to get more votes from the less-knowledgeable masses.

Please email our most honorable Anchorage Assembly to repeal property tax exemptions for seniors and religious entities. This will generate new sources of stable revenue, while lowering and evening out the tax burden for all. It will simplify the local tax code. We must convince our politicians to act in our interests for which they are put in power, rather than acting in their own interests in order to be elected and re-elected to public offices.

— Daniel Russell
Anchorage

Thanks to House for wolf buffer bill, a decision based on science

Kudos to Rep. Josephson and the state House for trying to reinstate the Denali Park wolf buffer (which would prohibit trapping in the Stampede Road "inholding" of the park).

The buffer existed until 2010. The Alaska Board of Game rejected it again in 2016, claiming science doesn't support it, which is wrong. Wolf populations overall seem healthy (good), but that isn't the only fact. The National Park Service is required to manage both wildlife and visitor experience. And everyone agrees that trapping will reduce local wolf populations. Wolf sightings from the park road are already down 90 percent.

The Game Board only listened to trappers. But the Alaska Constitution gives all Alaskans the right to enjoy wildlife, and visitors are included on federal lands. Trappers too, but let's get some balance here.

Now the Game Board says it's their business — the Legislature should not be involved. Oh, come on! The Game Board is not doing its job. And the Legislature can, and does, pass laws on wildlife management.

— Vivian Mendenhall​, Ph.D., certified wildlife biologist​
Anchorage

Counting on cultural leaders

Sockeye salmon are worth keeping. The Pebble mine could hurt the fish with the flow of copper in the rivers. Some people think resource development is good for Alaska; for example, drilling in the Arctic and building a Pebble mine near an area that holds Alaska Natives' homes, animal homes and rivers, lakes that are homes for the fish. In the Arctic the Porcupine caribou herd gives birth to their young where it's safe. Alaska might have problems later on that might kill the animals.

The Arctic Gwich'in people live off the Porcupine caribou. If the caribou die off, the culture of the Gwich'in will die off too. I am counting on the leaders of our cultures to teach me the way they were taught by their elders, parents, and family. I would like to teach the future generations the way I grew up, and the ways I was taught.

— Ariana Evan, 15, Yup'ik Alaskan
Anchorage

Please, Mr. President, don't drill

I am a ninth-grader at East High School in Anchorage. In my Alaska Studies class I learned about the recent executive order that could reopen the Arctic to oil and gas drilling. Personally I am very concerned about this because drilling in the Atlantic, Arctic, and Pacific oceans will not only do good but harm also. I know I may be far away from this situation, but I am afraid for the people who this could be affected around those areas. If we could prevent drilling, we could prevent major oil spills and worsening climate change. I'm writing to ask you to just please don't drill. Many people will be affected by this in a negative way. I may just be another kid writing another letter hoping you'd understand in some way, but I believe maybe you would agree with us too. I believe not drilling will support our future generation because even though drilling may give us more jobs and money, I think our safety and health is more important.

— Angilee L. Chao, 14,
Anchorage

Senate must protect Alaskans

In haphazard fashion, the U.S. House managed to pass a destructive health care bill that has now landed in the U.S. Senate. Multiple reports have highlighted how damaging this bill would be for Alaskans; some have even indicated Alaskans' health care price increases would be the highest in the nation. Considering the high cost of healthcare in Alaska already, this would be devastating to many Alaskans.

In addition to increasing costs, this bill would defund Planned Parenthood, causing even more harm to Alaskans who need affordable services the most. Alaskans simply cannot afford to lose Planned Parenthood. Alaskans already face too many barriers when it comes to accessing quality, affordable health care, and our state suffers from some of the most devastatingly high rates of STDs, teen pregnancy and child sexual assault. Thousands of Alaskans rely on the critical health care services provided at Planned Parenthood such as sexually transmitted infection testing and treatments, diabetes and cholesterol screenings and contraception. Sen. Lisa Murkowski knows how critical these services are to the health of Alaska communities, and that is why she has already explicitly stated Planned Parenthood should not be a part of the ongoing health care negotiations.

Murkowski is going to hear from a lot of Outside, special interests about why she should turn her back on Alaskans; our voices need to drown out those people who do not put our community's needs first. Tell Murkowski to do the right thing and continue to protect Alaska women. We simply cannot afford the alternative.

— Bhree Roumagoux
Anchorage

ADN, readers need TV guide

I agree with the subscriber from Palmer, "TV Guide is last straw." I have been on the fence since "Parade" was dropped, but ADN may have pushed me over with dropping the Sunday weekly TV guide. My subscription renewal is on my desk right now, which is apropos.

— Lucille Jackson
Wasilla

Tax will grow state government

I continue to hear the only way to protect Alaska's future is a complex multistep process; first, take the people's money away with a reduced PFD. Second, implement a new income tax — which effectively increases the size of government — just to take the money back. And lastly, refuse to pay earned tax credits to the one industry that brings in most of the state's income.

The oil industry came up here over 50 years ago and successfully conducted business. All of the taxes earned through industry's evolution have expanded the size of state government to the point of no return, if I understand those same voices correctly. Clearly the only reason we are in this predicament is due to the oil industry, or did I miss something?

— Al Koch
Eagle River

Tax puts our skin in the game

I haven't written a letter to this newspaper since it became the Alaska Dispatch News, but I'm writing now to support the Legislature in Juneau in passing an income tax for the workers of Alaska.

Long ago when I was working on the trans-Alaska pipeline and going to college in the winters, I paid an income tax. Sure, we all did then, but I know from experience that the income tax was not onerous, despite the fact that at the time, I made a good income.

An income tax gives all of us citizens a stake in what our politicians are doing in Juneau, because it's our money they're throwing around. People are bound to pay closer attention when they have their money at stake.

Maybe this is the basis for the resistance in the Alaska Senate, where the president, Pete Kelly, has come out again and again opposing a state income tax.
Alaskans, do not be fooled. An income tax will not hurt us and will certainly help the state dig its way out of our current financial pit. Although I now work for a nonprofit and don't make much, I am happy to pay part of my income to keep Alaska solvent.

— Molly O'Malley
Anchorage

The views expressed here are the writers' own and are not necessarily endorsed by Alaska Dispatch News, which welcomes a broad range of viewpoints. To submit a letter under 200 words for consideration, email letters@alaskadispatch.com, or click here to submit via any web browser. Submitting a letter to the editor constitutes granting permission for it to be edited for clarity, accuracy and brevity. Send longer works of opinion to commentary@alaskadispatch.com.