Alaska needs realignment
Should there be a Constitutional Convention? Aside from the usual culprits – Alaska Permanent Fund dividend, right-to-life, environmental concerns, educational overhaul, etc. — I believe there’s an overlooked element of crucial future importance. It’s this: Alaska and its municipalities can no longer afford to be solely bastions of conservative stability; there are too many centrifugal forces threatening to tear American society apart. In response to the 24/7 deluge of threatening news at all levels, whether of COVID-19, inflation, cataclysmic climatic events, nuclear brinkmanship, environmental degradation, drug abuse, school shooters, or splinter groups demands, the individual is being psychically overwhelmed. Our old social institutions are dissolving, hence we are psychologically left adrift in a fragmenting society, incessantly distracted by trivia, feted and entertained by media, and saturated with non-stop divisive political propaganda.
Yes, our intellect has incredible capability to resolve problems and positively benefit mankind. With proper international cooperation every human on earth could be adequately fed and housed. Yet when confronted with our deep-rooted human fears, with our archaic instincts of insularity, suspicion and jealousy, our intellect is helpless. It’s simply not possible on our current trajectory to overcome our pervasive social differences and perspectives which are leading to the current prevalence of narrow-minded political polarization. This widening disconnect between our technical capability and our temperament spells disaster. But I see no way out without a massive realignment, a maturing, of Alaska minds, with such a process – whatever it might be – established formally in the Constitution as future guiding policy.
Larry Slone
To the Editor,
As a lifetime student of Alaska history, I believe the Dunleavy administration is the most corrupt administration in the history of Alaska. (He has some stiff competition from both parties) Fortunately, ranked choice voting gives, “We the People” a chance to unseat him. All Gara voters need to rank Walker second. All Walker voters need to rank Gara second. Vote your conscience first and the other guy second. If all Gara and Walker voters adhere to this, we stand a chance of unseating the most corrupt administration in Alaska history. If all Walker and Gara voters adhere to this, for the first time in modern history, we could have a governor that the majority of Alaska voters actually voted for. Democracy is work. Please vote.
Brad Faulkner
Girl Scouts grateful
Dear Editor,
We are Girl Scouts Troop 258. The Girl Scout travel fund donated us money to go to Encampment. Encampment is a camp for Girl Scouts all over Alaska. We get together and participate in an assortment of activities. We participated in helping the younger girls with plant identification activities, paracord bracelets, and tie dye.
We just want to thank the Girl Scout travel fund for helping us make this opportunity possible.
Yours truly
Evalyn Trejo for Troop 258
HCOA appreciates Willow Fund support
Homer Council on the Arts would like to thank the donor advised Willow Fund of the Homer Foundation for supporting final installation of a new ceramic studio at HCOA. These funds allowed for purchase of supplies and materials, as well as the installation of shelving and counters. We couldn’t have done this without a dedicated group of volunteers and this grant support! Thank you! We look forward to hosting ceramic classes at HCOA soon!
Scott Bartlett, Executive Director, Homer Council on the Arts
Putin’s Hat
After annexing part of the Ukraine, Putin, wearing his red “MRGA” (Make Russia Great Again) hat, must be proud waving to his adoring people.
Art Kruski
Anchor Point, AK
NO To Outside Special Interests
I’ve been an Alaskan for a long time. I love my state and I believe that we should not have a constitutional convention.
For me, one of the strongest reasons is the influx of outside influence that is actually already at work promoting this convention. We should ask: Who are these outsider folks and why are they doing this?
Special interests, corporate interests … they must be people who would somehow benefit from the changes they hope to influence. These folks are NOT Alaskans, but because of the ease and clandestine nature of “dark money” coming from outside, their voices will be magnified.
This is our state. We are the folks who should be making decisions about our businesses and industries (fishing, mining, tourism, etc.), about how we Alaskans want to live, and ultimately about the Alaska we want to leave to future generations —our children, grandchildren.
Outside special interests are … from the outside. Not from us and they’re not our interests. As Alaskans we need to continue to be making decisions about our own state. We Alaskans can change anything in our Constitution by using the existing amendment process; We do not need to risk everything with a constitutional convention.
On Nov. 8, I encourage you to vote NO on Ballot Measure 1.
Lani Raymond
Homer, AK
Fall Book and Plant Sale a success
Tremendous thanks to the generous folks who donated books and plants for our Fall Book and Plant Sale. Because of your support, many readers and plant lovers left the library very happy.
Thank you also to all the amazing volunteers who helped set up, run, and clean up at sale’s end! Your hard work and good company made the sale fun and successful.
Keep in mind that good used books continue to be available for sale throughout the year, and due to continued interest, FHPL will be selling a few select plants as well. Find the Use Book Sale shelves and Plants for Sale, on the above counter, as you walk down the ramp leading to the Fireplace Reading Lounge.
The community’s ongoing support of our library helps make it the wonderful place we know it to be. Stay tuned for the Spring Book and Plant Sale coming in April!
Cheryl Illg, Friends of the Homer Public Library (FHPL) Coordinator and FHLP Board Members
We appreciate all you do for our community!
Cheryl Illg
More appreciation for Homer Foundation
Homer Trails Alliance would like to acknowledge and deeply thank the Martha H. Briscoe Environmental Science and Conservation Fund and the Opportunity Fund of the Homer Foundation for their generous $5,000 grant funding our “mud to wood project” for the Homestead Trail. Their funds are helping us build boardwalks in swampy and wet areas of the Homestead Trail. We are beginning to implement the project through these persistent rains, and we guarantee that these slimy areas will be more pleasant for all those enjoying the outdoors and hiking in years ahead.
As a new non-profit in Homer committed to stewarding a robust trail system in the northern Kachemak Bay area, the Homer Foundation’s support is vital as we move forward making Homer trails more user-friendly, well-marked and well maintained. HTA is moving ahead with plans for more trails, more access and walkability in Homer and our surrounding areas. We encourage all those interested in walking and trails to participate and join us in this effort. We could not do what we do without community backing, and again, our profound thanks to The Homer Foundation.
Kim Smith
Homer Trails Alliance
Thanks to fast KESA response
On last week’s equinox, I contracted a local wood stove company to install a two-story insulated stove pipe in my new house construction. Their worker moved my heavy stove from my house to the new one, cut through the upper floor and roof, and installed some 20 feet of pipe in an efficient and professional manner.
Unfortunately, the rain came on his last trip up the ladder to put on the stove caps. He lost his footing, slid 15-feet down the metal and fell 18 feet to the gravel pad. I heard the crash, ran to him unconsious on the ground, checked his pulse and called 911.
The dispatcher went into action, and within a couple of minutes, the first responder from Kachemak Emergency Services was at the scene, followed by two more vehicles and an ambulance. Their speed in responding and efficienty in caring for his injuries was most impressive. He was bubble wrapped and on his way to the hospital in maybe 20 minutes. He’s on his way to recovery at home.
I want to send my heartfelt thanks to the Kachemak Emergency Services team for their incredible response to this shocking accident. Thank you all so much.
Grantland Lane
Thanks, Alaska Farmers Market Association
My name is Emily Garrity and I am a local farmer. We farm just under two acres of diversified vegetables off Ohlson Mountain Road. Our team has been developing our farm for seventeen years and have been shown continuous support from our community members and local agencies.
In 2022 we were granted $1000 from the Alaska Farmers Market Association to subsidize the cost of marketing and advertisement. These funds were administered by Cook lnletkeeper. With our funds,we were able to purchase a line of merchandise displaying our logo,pay for our website fee,and renew our Mailchimp subscription to get information out to our customers. Name recognition goes a long way and I really appreciate the support to make sure our logo is spread far and wide.
We fully stand behind our product and guarantee quality,consistency,and affordability.We are proud to put our Twitter Creek Gardens name on all of our products and feelvery fortunate that agencies like the Alaska Farmers Market Association and Cook lnletkeeper are here to support our efforts.
My hope is that you will commend the work of Cook lnletkeeper and continue to acknowledge and uplift agencies that are helping get quality food to our families.
Emily Garrity
Owner/Operator Twitter
Creek Gardens LLC
Alaska Farmer’s Market Association Gratitude
We are super grateful to the ALASKA FARMERS MARKET ASSOCIATION for awarding us a grant that is enabling us to improve and expand upon our produce sales at our farmstand! You’ll see better signs in and outside of our farmstand and in the spring, we are setting up an online store on our website for locals (especially those living in the City of Homer or the other side of town) to order vegetables for pick up at our farmstand! We’ve been selling our AK Certified Seed Potatoes (grown using organic and natural farming methods) online for mailing, but are excited to offer our produce for on the farm pick up, assuring our customers that their drive out will yield them some of the in season produce that they are looking for! We are currently working hard digging potatoes (anyone who wants to join us come on over to the farm and come out to the field with your mudboots on!) We are also custom cold pressing APPLE CIDER for those of you with apples – and there are quarts and gallons at the farmstand. (If you call us and bring your own container, you’ll save money and help save the planet!) This mid-late season cider is sweet and delicious and can be frozen! Hard work and continuous improvement! Thank you so much, to our community, other local farmers, and the AK Farmers Market Association for all of your support!
Warmly,
Donna Rae Faulkner and
Don “Iceman” McNamara
Fun Successful Oktoberfest!
What a joy to celebrate together once again! Our community’s open heartedness made Homer Council on the Arts’ Oktoberfest fundraiser.
Alaska Blaskapelle had the room toasting and dancing with their traditional German music in the Bavarian style. Lots of toe tapping, polka and swing!
Homer Brewing Company donated their special Oktoberfest Ale served by head brewer and owner Steve McCasland. Grace Ridge Brewery and Kenai River Brewing both donated their signature brews. McNeil Canyon Meats donated a custom order of delicious bratwurst.
Finally thank you to the volunteers that worked the event and provided side dishes and desserts, and our amazing community for celebrating this traditional harvest celebration. Dig out your lederhosen and dirndls and join us next year!
Prost!
Sharlene Cline
Board President, Homer Council on the Arts
Fall Book and Plant Sale a Success
Tremendous thanks to the generous folks who donated books and plants for our Fall Book and Plant Sale. Because of your support, many readers and plant lovers left the library very happy.
Thank you also to all the amazing volunteers who helped set up, run, and clean up at sale’s end! Your hard work and good company made the sale fun and successful.
Keep in mind that good used books continue to be available for sale throughout the year, and due to continued interest, FHPL will be selling a few select plants as well. Find the Use Book Sale shelves and Plants for Sale, on the above counter, as you walk down the ramp leading to the Fireplace Reading Lounge.
The community’s ongoing support of our library helps make it the wonderful place we know it to be. Stay tuned for the Spring Book and Plant Sale coming in April!
Cheryl Illg, Friends of the Homer Public Library (FHPL) Coordinator and FHLP Board Members
More COVID-19 vax news
Dear Editor,
For the curious, here are two more revealing news stories about COVID-19 vaccinations in young people you won’t see on CNN or MSNBC. First, the country of Denmark has halted all COVID-19 vaccinations for individuals under the age of 50. No shots or boosters are permitted now for those below 50 unless you are in a high-risk group and have a doctor’s recommendation. One interpretation you could make from this change is that the Danish National Health Authority has recognized — without saying it directly — that for younger people COVID-19 is not a deadly disease and these vaccinations have some risks.
Here in America, a new study confirms what doctors from Denmark could be seeing. This study was written by nine doctors from Harvard, Johns Hopkins, and other major universities, and reviews the risk vs. benefit of mRNA vaccines for those under 40 years of age. The study has shown that the COVID-19 vaccine is up to 98 times more harmful than catching the disease for this age group. Even worse, it appears that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has intentionally provided false information regarding their tracking of adverse reactions to the vaccines, making it difficult for us to evaluate the actual risk vs. benefit of this shot. At this point, otherwise healthy young people still considering the COVID-19 mRNA shots may wish to reevaluate that decision and the doctor that recommended it.
Respectfully,
Greg Sarber
