Help is on the way
Fellow Alaskans,
The hard-working men and women of this state will not weather this storm alone.
With a singular focus, the Alaska Legislature is exploring every avenue and will dedicate vast resources to support Alaskans during this difficult time.
This support features enhanced unemployment benefits, mortgage assistance, food aid, interest free loans, expanded child and health care services, direct aid to communities, and more.
No Alaskan in need will be left behind.
As our nation mobilizes against the coronavirus pandemic, and our leaders enact stringent, life-saving measures, we know that everyday Alaskans are suffering from the economic fallout.
We see this global conflict being fought daily by dedicated nurses, doctors and scientists, as well as Americans engaged in best practices, such as hand washing and social distancing. But a second front exists, one involving paychecks and jobs.
This virus has wreaked havoc on the price of oil, the stock market is in retreat, and now countless workers will go without paychecks as business owners are forced to close. The uncertainty of the next weeks and months will only compound the harm to the private sector of our economy. Without a swift response, this virus could cause long-term damage beyond the health impacts.
Lawmakers are keenly aware of these realities, and Alaskans should rest assured that we are taking action. A bipartisan group of legislators will, in the coming days, provide critical aid to Alaska workers and business owners. Hard-working men and women — who through no fault of their own are struggling to pay bills and put food on the table — will have a helping hand.
These are extraordinary times, and extraordinary times call for extraordinary measures.
If we act decisively — and with the help and support of the Alaskan people — we can achieve success on both fronts by ensuring our healthcare professionals are not overwhelmed by the spread of this virus and by alleviating the impacts on everyday Alaskans’ pocketbooks.
During these present difficulties, it’s important we remain calm, listen to the advice of our medical professionals, and do what we can to help our fellow Alaskans.
Help is on the way.
Senate President Cathy Giessel, R-Anchorage, an Advanced Nurse Practitioner; Senator Bert Stedman, R-Sitka, co-chairman of the Senate Finance Committee; Senator Natasha von Imhof, R-Anchorage, co-chairwoman of the Senate Finance Committee
Thanks to 100 Women Who Care
Homer Animal Friends has been active since the mid 1980s, assisting all dog and cat owners with the cost of spay/neuter, and working hand in hand with our shelter. We also help educate our community about pet owner responsibilities and benefits through community events, as well as through Homer Dog Trainers. HDT instructors teach dog owners to train using humane methods. Over the years, the demand for spay/neuter assistance has continued to grow.
Last year we spent around $40,000 helping our shelter and our community with these costs. Over the course of the last 34 years, we’ve spent over $500,000.00 on the spay/neuter of around 10,000 cats and dogs. We’ve also spent around $200,000.00 providing our shelter with those extras (and sometimes needs) that make it nicer for our lost and surrendered pets. We were the driving force behind the building of our current shelter. We do this as a grass roots, all volunteer organization.
The majority of the funds listed came to us from you, our community of pet lovers. We can’t thank you enough for your continued support of our programs. In March, 100 Women Who Care chose to support Homer Animal Friends. That money — close to $10,000 — will help us continue our mission of caring.
If you are unfamiliar with 100 Women Who Care, it is an all-volunteer organization that meets four times a year to give a boost to a local charity, nonprofit or project. At the meeting, three names are drawn out of a hat, and those people are allowed to pitch for their cause. A cause is chosen, and each member supports that choice by donating $100. Currently 100 Women Who Care has over 100 members, so it represents more than a $10,000 boost for the chosen charity. As the person who presented the case for HAF, I am beyond honored and grateful that HAF was the choice for this quarter.
100 Women Who Care has opened my eyes to our community’s depth and needs. I am proud to be a part of it. Thank you to all who contributed, and I encourage more women to join.
Pat Moss HAF Board Member and member of 100 Women Who Care
A simple idea for HEA rates
Dear Editor and Eager Readers,
Bandajax is back with the suggestion of a two-line rate Homer Electric Association schedule. If we take his suggestion, he’ll be gone.
All residential customers: X (amount) per kilowatt hour.
This form of rate schedule is fair, equal and understandable, traits that are befitting a co-operative. The X (amount) is a four way blended rate. X is the sum of cost/kilowatt hour, the cost of power adjustment (COPA) and the Regulatory Commission of Alaska charge.
The average system delivery charge of $20 divided by 550 equals $0.3636/kwh. The total = X (amount) per kilowatt hour.
Highest regards to all ,
Tom Maloney
Democrats can vote by mail
If you haven’t voted yet and want to in the Alaska Democratic Presidential Primary, you haven’t missed your opportunity. Although in-person voting on April 4h has been canceled due to the coronavirus, you can download a ballot and a voter registration form (in case you have to change your affiliation to Democrat or vote for the first time). You’ll need a computer and printer, stamped envelope and a pen. Just go to alaskademocrats.org.
Ballots must be received in the mail by April 10.
Lela Ryterski, Chair, District 31 Democrats
