Letters to the Editor: Dec. 22, 2016

Did Democrats start rumors about Russians hacking election?

Point 1: Tell a lie often enough, and it becomes the truth.

Point 2: The truth is what I say it is.

The Democratic Party is now saying the Russians are the ones who got Trump elected. See points 1 and 2! The Democratic Party cannot accept defeat, they are poor losers. That is a fact.

Quite possibly, the Democratic Party started the rumor of Russians “hacking” the presidential election all by themselves. See point 2.

Are the movie stars really going to move to Canada now?

Earth warming, see points 1 and 2. Climatic change, true. Without climatic change, all of Canada, Alaska and the top third of the United States would all be covered in 4 to 5 miles of ice. Climatic change has occurred several times, according to scientists. This last climatic change has been going on for the last 11,000 years.

Thanks,

Jim Hadley

 

Who needs honesty?

Regarding the three state representatives who abandoned their party: Paul Seaton, Louise Stutes and Gabriel Ledoux should drop the “R” after their name and replace it with an “O” — as in “Opportunist.”

They ran as Republicans but immediately after the election, (which leads one to believe their defection was premeditated) betrayed the voters by claiming to know — more than anyone else — what is best for Alaska.

Too bad deception isn’t grounds for a re-call.

Tape this letter to your fridge as a reminder when they run for re-election in two years.

Oliver Makin

 

It’s now easier to take deep breath

Take a deep breath — and appreciate it! I would like to thank the management at Save-U-More for respectfully responding to my request that their cigarette can be moved away from the front door of the store.

While I respect the right of every adult to make their own choices concerning tobacco use, I also recognize there are those among us whose health is jeopardized by the fumes of smoke and cigarette butts. With the can in the new location, it is now possible to enter the store comfortably, and everyone’s needs have been easily met.

Thank you for caring about our community!

Kate Meyer

 

Great ski trails don’t just happen

The Homer High School Mariner Nordic Ski Team would like to wish everyone a happy holiday season​.

The Mariner Nordic Ski Team held a fantastic race on Dec. 3 at the Lookout Recreation Area. This race would not of been such a success ​without the generous support of volunteers Jan Spurkland, Richard Burton, Claire Laukitis, Sara Barrowcliff, Mark Restad, Darin Marquart, Janna Davis, Marie Alexson, Anne Anderson, Steve Soitsman, Pat and Ann Daigle, Marvin and Julieanne Super, Keri Syth, and a big thank you to whoever we forgot to mention.

We ​would also like to give a special thanks to Kachemak Nordic Ski Club, John Miles, Mike Byerly, Pete Alexson and the whole grooming team.

Remember great ski trails just don’t happen. Please join the Kachemak Nordic Ski Club.

Happy Holidays,

Alan Parks for the
Mariner Nordic Ski ​Team and coaching staff

 

May 2016 rest in peace

Dear Friends,

Yes indeedy, I’d say this has been one wild and weird year! Let’s just let it Rest in Peace, as we experience and transform each of its ripples as they arise.

In the meantime we can move forward into 2017 celebrating the joyful, funny, absurd and blissful moments this amazing lifetime has to offer. I know we can do this, with open eyes, open minds, clear hearts and a ready sense of humor.

Wayne Dyer offers a great viewpoint: “See the light in others, and treat them as if that is all you see.” So let’s please be gentle with each other, and maybe even acknowledge the Golden Thread of Divine Love that joins each of us with one other and together with all of life.

Happy NEW Year,

Kate Finn

 

Reflections of gratitude

It was the Annual Holiday Tree Lighting at the Homer Chamber of Commerce.

Mayor Bryan Zak Proclaimed “Light up Homer for the Holidays.”

Santa arrived on the Homer Fire Department engine driven by Fireman Dan Miotkeo and he and Mrs. Claus sparked children’s dreams for the holidays.

Homer High School Carolers directed by Kyle Schneider delighted guests.

First Lady of Homer and Chamber Executive Director Karen Zak lit up the Holiday Evergreen Tree.

Volunteer designers extraordinaire, Marie Walker and Lee Larsen, decorated the Chamber Visitor Center and the holiday tree with beautiful boughs, bows and ornaments.

Volunteer hosts, Patrice Krant and Dee Morizomo served hot chocolate and apple cider and provided fixings for S’mores as Jack Bennett tended the bonfire to roast marshmallows and Michael Barnes plus Zackary Peck shoveled snow to make way for guests of all ages.

Master of Ceremonies, Tom Stroozas expressed gratitude to chamber member businesses that supported the celebration with their financial gifts and in-kind services: Alaska USA Federal Credit Union, Alaska Flower Mill, AmericusCuisine, Cornerstone Lending, Cosmic Kitchen, Dutch Boy Landscaping, Enstar Natural Gas, Homer Electric, Malone Insurance Company, Save-U-More, Safeway, SVT Health & Wellness, Ulmer’s Drug & Hardware and Wells Fargo Bank.

Megumi Bean, Bernadette Gradney and Lucy Maryott offered kids holiday tattoos and craft projects.

Karen Howorth, volunteer photographer captured the visual memories.

Community connections touched us with sparks of joy and bound us together to celebrate the holiday season with each other.

A winter night lit up with reflections of the holidays past, present and future with dreams of all good things yet to be.

With Gratitude from the Homer Chamber of
Commerce and Visitor Center
Board of Directors and Staff,

Written by Jan Knutson

 

Deferred maintenance puts
national parks in Alaska at risk

As Americans usher in a new Administration to manage our federal lands, I am hopeful that a real estate perspective will be applied to our national parks and other protected lands in Alaska. My nature photography customers remind me regularly that wildlife and wildlands are a scarce resource that generates value each year for Alaskans.

Homer is perched strategically in the middle of a treasure trove of natural wonders that helps sustain its residents. Last year companies in Alaska sluiced $1.6 billion in tourism paydirt from Alaska’s national parks. This effort requires about 17,000 employees each season, from innkeepers to rangers and construction workers. Our parks are supported by our local businesses, fueled by their investments and entrepreneurial spirit that elevates the entire community. You see that spirit in your neighbors, your shops and your tax base.

Nationally, this entrepreneurial spirit and economic activity are being put at risk by poorly managed real estate practices. The park system’s deferred maintenance backlog is $12 billion and growing. Rangers and staff do what they can but they need funding to do their job.

Homer’s “home” parks are not immune to this problem. Katmai National Park and Preserve, where I take my guests, has more than $12 million in repair needs, while Kenai Fjords National Park has more than $4 million in repair needs.

For a number of years Congress has not prioritized deferred maintenance for national parks in its annual budget requests. Our local businesses know that their livelihood will erode if they don’t invest in deferred maintenance each spring. It’s no different for our parks.

When budget talks begin after the holidays, I encourage business owners and community boosters to remind our congressional delegation that we are doing our required local maintenance, and they need to do their part too.

Cathy Hart

Anchorage

 

Third complaint filed with RCA

This letter is to inform Homer Electric Association members that a third complaint has been filed with the Regulatory Commission of Alaska. The third complaint was filed Sept. 22, 2016, prior to any of the HEA/RCA meetings. Some copies of the complaint were handed out in the middle of the Homer meeting.

Tom Maloney