Let’s protect public participation

Who was it that said “Every time a new law or regulation is passed, citizens have a little less freedom”? No truer is that than now. Gov. Sean Parnell has introduced House Bill 77, which cuts the citizen right to appeal a number of agency decisions on development issues. By prohibiting a comment period, this bill would restrict Alaskans’ right to participate in the public process. Gov. Parnell has encircled himself with sycophants who implement his dogmas and now he is preventing citizens from expressing objections to his policies. Whether you are for or against an issue, public participation in these decisions is a right that we must preserve. Cindy Birkhimer