Letters

On March 21, the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly will vote on an ordinance to delete invocations at its meetings. Some people see this as a war on religion. Not at all. Doing away with prayer at government functions in no way interferes with people’s right to pray at home, in their churches, out loud on radio and TV or silently all day long.

In fact, the Establishment Clause of the United States Constitution protects free exercise of religion. But it also prevents secular government from becoming a theocracy.

Please clarify to the Homer City Council and all individuals that “popular mandate” means the populous, or all Americans, NOT the electoral college. Thus, Trump cannot be said to have a popular mandate.

When did the State of Alaska start issuing clean air and water? I can walk outside and take in as much as I like. Our representatives however, feel like it’s either pony up for more taxes and they take the PFD or I no longer can breathe clean air. They list the many government services that they expect I want government to provide and add on adjectives like: strong, reasonable, reliable, well maintained, affordable, well managed and fair.

Is good old-fashioned Christian charity dead in Homer?

What if you give a meeting to facilitate charity for the temporary homeless and no one shows? Well, almost no one.

At the last city council meeting, council member Shelly Erickson’s proposal (memo 17-017) that the city approve as an allowable use temporary housing for the homeless, to be provided by local churches, got immediately pitchforked into the Planning Commission wagon as it lumbered by.

I am writing to express my strong opposition to Ordinance 2017-02, “An Ordinance Amending KPB 22.40.080 and repealing KPB 22.40.090, which Provide for an Invocation During Assembly Meetings.”

I am not a particularly religious person, but I am an American to my very core. Religious beliefs and our Judeo-Christian values are essential elements of our country. Efforts by secular members of our society to eliminate any reference to God or religion from activities of our government are wrong and should not be condoned or encouraged.

Imagine: you were unable to complete high school, so getting a job is difficult. But you have studied and you are now ready to pass the GED high school equivalency exam, which will open doors to jobs, vocational training and college. How exciting! But there is another barrier: you can’t afford the $120 national testing fee.

Dear Homer Community and HoWL supporters,

HoWL (Homer Wilderness Leaders) has been empowering young leaders through outdoor education since 2009. By leading hundreds of kids on wilderness expeditions to learn leadership, stewardship and survival skills, HoWL has challenged our youth to engage with the environment, build a healthy peer community and explore this amazing place we call home, Kachemak Bay.

The Center for Alaskan Coastal Studies (CACS) would like to thank the City of Homer Grants Program administered through the Homer Foundation for the operational grant of unrestricted funds that we received this past year and for their support of the nonprofits in Homer.

Most nonprofit organizations struggle to raise operational funds as many grantors prefer to fund projects and materials, and any operational funds that are received are extremely important to the administrative and overall functions of a nonprofit organization.

City’s grants program helps

On behalf of the Women’s March on Homer, we would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to all the women, men and children who made this march a peaceful, nonpartisan event. Six weeks ago, when we began organizing, our goal was 100 participants. On Sautuday, Jan. 21, we were astounded with an estimated 1,000 people who came to make their voices heard that women’s rights are human rights. Our march was truly an inclusive one, reflecting the diversity of our community. We all came together to speak loudly for liberty and justice for all.

A new year is here and there is so much to be thankful for at the Honer Community Food Pantry.

Many thanks to the Homer Foundation for the $250 People’s Choice Award given to support our mission to feed those in need. It went toward our Christmas special purchase of turkeys. We continue to be blessed by the Homer Foundation and are most grateful for their support.

State, nation could accomplish

more if leaders followed Seaton

Referencing the Dec. 15 article GOP sanctions Seaton, others:

Back in the 1960s we saw bumper stickers “My country right or wrong” and “Love it or leave it” — some people did leave. It was a divided time filled with turmoil not unlike our present time. Therefore, it was refreshing to see someone take the courage to reach out across the aisle and help form a bipartisan coalition in the Alaskan House.

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?