Homer Opinion

There are better options to bed tax

Look at those mountains! Looks at that sunset! Looks at all those boats! Look at that sea otter! Overheard cries of joy, while I walk and work on the Homer Spit this summer. Perhaps only we visitors and newcomers can truly enjoy a magical mystical place like Homer, oblivious to the recent political infighting.

Dipnetters: Remember where China Poot reds come from

Let’s talk about the political elephant in the room:

An ad in Editor & Publisher magazine in the summer of 1976 changed my life. It read something like this:

Homer City Council shows support

Remember when First Lady Nancy Reagan came up with “just say no,” a chant meant to steer children away from the nightmare of a drug-addicted life? Its simplicity and hoped-for-power made it spread like wildfire. Thousands of “Just Say No” clubs sprang up. The Girl Scouts of the United States of America and the Coalition of Parents for a Drug-Free Youth helped broadcast the message. Britain and Australia gave it an international reach.

Alaska could use a lottery

Alaska does not need a state income tax, nor a statewide sales tax, nor a school tax! But it could use a “volunteer tax,” otherwise known as a lottery. The state of New Jersey is doing wonders with its lottery.

So, why not Alaska?

With the Russian-Trump investigation of the 2016 election, why not an investigation into the payment of $35,000,000 by the Russians to the Clinton Foundation?

The answer might be explosive, even nuclear. Is it true?

The streets are swept. School is out. Sunset is past 11 p.m. and the Homer Farmers Market is open. It must be summer.

Last month community members from all over the Southern Kenai Peninsula came together to discuss Alaska’s struggle with opioid addiction, and to find ways to come together as a community to respond to this epidemic in a constructive way. The road to recovery is not simple. What is clear is that strong and healthy connections within the community, coupled with institutional support for individuals in recovery, are key to decreasing rates of opioid use and addiction.

To recall or not to recall. That is the question all city voters must ask themselves on June 13th.

In 2014 I was elected to City Council from of a field of four candidates and received 597 votes; I was humbled by this show of confidence in my abilities and have worked hard to represent those who voted for me, along with the entire community.

I encourage you to vote NO at the special election on June 13. The allegations of misconduct against David Lewis, Catriona Reynolds and me in the recall petition and ballot are false. Sponsoring resolutions brought forth by Homer citizens, allowing the resolutions to be heard at a council meeting, and voting on them is an important role of city council. It is appropriate conduct, not misconduct.

This recall process has undoubtedly been a bumpy road. We knew it would be filled with challenges. Is recalling Aderhold, Lewis, and Reynolds worth risking friendships and social connections? The answer, is apparently, “yes.” Why? Because honesty matters.

Editor’s Note: MAPP, Mobilizing for Action through Planning &Partnerships, is a local coalition that aims to use and build upon our strengths to improve our individual, family and community health. Health is defined broadly to include cultural, economic, educational, environmental, mental, physical and spiritual health.

With a new year upon us, we mark a new season of Pick.Click.Give., the charitable check-off program that allows all Alaska Permanent Fund filers to give back to causes that they care most about. It is hard to find an easier way to pay it forward.

Note: I wrote this Opinion Piece two weeks ago. At that time I had been instructed to submit

On Feb. 27, the community of Homer missed an opportunity to reaffirm in one collective public voice that which it has always professed itself to be — inclusive, welcoming, live and let live.

Editor’s Note: MAPP, Mobilizing for Action through Planning &Partnerships, is a local coalition that aims to use and build upon our strengths to improve our individual, family and community health. Health is defined broadly to include cultural, economic, educational, environmental, mental, physical and spiritual health.

A mid-winter musing and suggestion. I would like to suggest a direction HEA could take. Call it whole control, which has a nice ring. You can repeat it if you wish.