Town Crier question
I really look forward to the weekly Town Crier police and court reports in the paper.
Even the casual observer must be impressed by the prevalence of alcohol and vehicle operator related offenses that either apparently go unpunished or have court applied penalties that are significantly less than what is called for by statute. This past week the paper’s court report showed charges dismissed in 11 of 13 cases and penalties reduced significantly in the each of the other cases.
I am asking that the Homer News publish an educational article with interviews of the appropriate
Homer court officials explaining why so many alleged violators have their charges dismissed when they appear in court. These regrettable conditions existed long before SB91.
Whatever the explanation/excuse, it looks bad unless you are the person accused of the alleged violation. If the police aren’t doing their job correctly we need to know.
If the courts are soft on crime we need to know. If everyone involved is doing what they are supposed to do under the circumstances then what needs to be done to fix this?
If this is a conspiracy to protect impaired drivers and those who fail to register or insure their cars, then let us know so we can tweet about it. If it is the Homer News reporting on the police and court activity that is inaccurate and misleading like the rest of the fake news these days, go ahead and ignore this request we’ll go to Fox or Breitbart.
Thank you.
Bernie Gareau
Homer
Call for help with Thanksgiving baskets
Greetings to all the wonderful people of Homer. Thanksgiving Basket time is fast approaching and I could really use your help financially and well as during the basket packing.
To those of you who have already donated, thank you so very much; to those of you who have called to help, remember to call me again on Nov. 16 for times and duties.
Applications for a basket are available at The Food Pantry and First National Bank until Nov. 15, 2017. Please get them filled out and turned in so that we have an idea of how many people we can help.
The number of people helped always depends on how much money is collected. Every dollar helps so we take all donations. Thank you for your consideration and help with this very worthy project.
Make your checks out to: Kachemak Bay Lions P.O. Box 1824 Homer, AK 99603.
Questions can be left on my answering machine and I will call you back: 235-8761.
Thank you again for your help with this project.
Yours in Service,
Fran Van Sandt,
Chairman, Kachemak Bay Lions
Real Pain Points
Not sure why this is so difficult to understand. Alaska currently has an operating budget of over $5 billion. Our revenue is currently short by half that, neighborhood of $2.6 billion.
If an income tax is implemented, the initial additional revenue will be between $300-400 million, which leaves a shortfall of about $2 billion. If oil production and WTI price per barrel stays stagnant, we will have to spend down our Permanent Fund, Earnings Reserve and Constitutional Reserve and in the end we will only have the income tax to draw from.
Even JFK understood economics 101, that any form of taxation is regressive; meaning that any form of government-based forced confiscation from wealth creators for the purposes of funding said government negatively impacts the economy of those being governed. To suggest that an income tax would not negatively affect our state-wide economy is to operate in a fictitional bubble void of facts or historical data.
Governor Walker, aided and abetted by our House lead by Mr. Seaton stole a total of $1.5 billion from every man, woman and child resident of Alaska over the last 2 years.
That had a huge negative impact on our economy. Not only that, but did not use those funds to pay down our debt. Nor are we making interest any longer on this pool of money.
We do not have a revenue problem, all we need do is unleash oil production potential.
We have a spending problem and a management problem.
It is way past time to elect adult, honorable folks who will manage our affairs properly.
Duane Christensen
Homer
Museum thanks community for support
Dear Community Members,
The Pratt Museum sincerely thanks all of those who were able to attend the 2017 Ritz Noir fundraiser at the Museum on Oct. 21. Attendees brought their enthusiasm for the Museum and some uniquely elegant style to this fun celebration. The money raised through this event will support ongoing education programs and collections care.
Our Thanksgiving wish, to assist another community in need, also came true this year. Thanks to the generous support of those who purchased tickets and participated in the auctions at the Ritz, the Pratt Museum will be sending $1,500 to the organization Direct Relief. Direct Relief is currently focused on supporting healthcare services in the Caribbean and Puerto Rican communities most impacted by Hurricane Maria.
The lack of electricity and supplies in those areas has made people who rely on the healthcare network particularly vulnerable. The museum is grateful to live and operate in a community that values sustainability, resilience, and neighborliness.
The museum also thanks First National Bank of Alaska for their event sponsorship, as well as the Grog Shop for their generous supply of libations. Next year, the Pratt Museum marks its 50th anniversary as a community museum and we can’t wait to celebrate with you.
Laurie Stuart
Executive Director
Pratt Museum
Fireweed thanks Gear Shed for support
The Kachemak Gear Shed has proven to be a great supporter of Fireweed Academy over the last six months. The Gear Shed has provided reduced shipping rates for a variety of school materials including swing sets, student furniture, books, etc.
Providing Fireweed with reduced rates, allows us to put more resources directly in the classrooms for the benefit of our students.
Thank you for your support.
Todd Hindman
Principal, Fireweed Academy
Thanks to HCOA for highlighting local talent
I am on the board for Homer Council on the Arts, an organization whose mission and programs I believe in.
This past Friday night was the premier of Salon Series: Tiny Dances, an original event that brought audience and performers together in an intimate and open atmosphere.
It was an amazing experience to have the dancers so close I could almost touch them, and the space between performances to connect with the people in the room. The evening included tiny, delicious homemade appetizers, tiny drinks, and a room full of wonderful people. Every seat was the best in the house.
If you missed it this time, make sure you don’t next time around. I hear January is the next event; maybe next time it will be music? Thank you, HCOA, for continuing to shine the spotlight on our local talent.
Cindy Nelson
Homer
