Restless sea in Republican ranks

Because I’m not part of what’s been referred to as the, “Washington Political Establishment,” and therefore don’t understand all the undercurrent that’s been so strong in this election cycle then you may have to forgive my ignorance, if in fact that’s what it is.

There are many of us who don’t understand completely why some Republican representatives won’t offer their support to the Trump/Pence presidential ticket. My concern with Trump throughout the primaries was his lack of a voting record and that, therefore as with Ben Carson, was problematic for me. But now that he’s the nominee I look at the support of him in this way.

I see the possibility of a Trump presidency as having potential to refocus the mindset of American people back to a more constitutionally correct view of the role of United States president. In general, that role has digressed from what it was constitutionally meant to be to a position more like a king which creates a host of problems since we’re not a monarchy.

I understand why Republican representatives may not like Mr. Trump as a person but I think their apparent demand for a more perfect nominee is unreasonable.

Based on a pattern of deception I can see that it’s extremely unlikely a corrupted liberal political machine (corrupted Democrat and Republican officials, much of the influential popular media, some in the courts and Department of Justice, perhaps even some in the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)- in general those who feel entitled to their power and will do whatever it takes to keep it) will constrain a Democrat president to Constitutional law and rules of the state because they have a history of shielding their own from prosecution. And no matter how smug those reading this may feel when their party gets away with corruption it’s a house of cards to believe that our nation can thrive under a corrupt system.

We know both candidates have issues and if the charges against them are true then the citizens of this country need to be given honest answers and see just punishment set in the case of guilt. The corrupted liberal political machine will shield Mrs. Clinton if she’s elected as president. Mr. Trump will have the machine and principled Republicans to answer to.

I don’t understand elected Republicans who won’t support the Trump/Pence ticket. Perhaps it’s because I think of the president in terms born of my understanding in the U.S. Constitution and perhaps they think of the president as king and demand perfection of that person and that individual’s rise to the pinnacle of their power structure on their terms.

Is that what’s going on?

Thank you for allowing me to share.

Leonard Miller

Here’s why I’m voting for Clinton

I voted in my first presidential election in 1968: Hubert Humphrey vs. Richard Nixon (vs., incidentally, George Wallace, which still bears some relevance today). Humphrey was the clear winner as the Democrat nominee because Robert Kennedy, a serious contender, was assassinated — on TV, live (or as live as it was those days). I watched it. We all did. Following closely on the assassination of Martin Luther King some months before, we mourned. Our world changed.

In one week I will vote in my 13th presidential election. In the intervening years I have not missed a single election, primary or general, except for some local offices when we were traveling out of the country. But this election, the ominous 13th, I think may be the most important one of all. We are faced with some very stark choices.

I am going to vote for Hillary Clinton, not because I think she’s the best America has to offer, but because I think Donald Trump is the worst America has to offer. He represents what is the lowest and basest in our natures: racism, misogyny and narrow-mindedness. The only church he worships at is the altar of the almighty dollar, and the only god he worships is himself. He is a con man, and in this election, the sucker he is conning is the American voter.

I believe that voting is not only your right, it is your responsibility. Please vote. If you fall on the side of Donald Trump, so be it.

I am 69 years old, and have seen worse. Actually — I haven’t. But I have to hope that this country will survive this election, even as it did in 1968.

Marylou Burton

Shelter slated for renovations

It is hard to believe November is already upon us. As exciting as the last five months as the new executive director of the South Peninsula Haven House, I am happy to share updated news regarding shelter renovations.

In 2014, the State of Alaska and the Rasmuson Foundation, in collaboration with The Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority, Mat-Su Health Foundation, Wells Fargo, and The Alaska Community Foundation, launched the Domestic Violence Shelter Improvements Program to address the immediate needs of the 17 shelters throughout the state. The first phase of these improvements begins at Haven House later this month, consisting of interior shelter renovations that required an adjustment to our emergency shelter operations for the safety and security of our clients.

The Haven House Emergency Shelter will close Nov. 9 for shelter intakes and residency; alternate plans are in place to assist individuals requiring safe accommodations during the renovation period. The Haven House 24-hour crisis hotline will remain operational as well as legal and individual advocacy and other assistance traditionally accessed through the emergency shelter. During this time, advocates will be available through the 24-hour crisis line or by visiting the Haven House administrative offices from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. We expect to resume normal emergency shelter operations on Dec. 3.

To celebrate the first phase of renovations, Haven House staff and I invite you for a tour of the emergency shelter on Dec. 2 from 3 to 6 p.m. and to participate in an interactive awareness simulation, In Their Shoes. The activity is designed for community members to learn more about domestic and sexual violence by participating in simulation that has you move, do, think, and experience the elements experiencing interpersonal violence. Please mark your calendars and follow our Facebook page for updates on renovation projects and information regarding the open house.

Dr. Melissa (Missi) White, executive director

South Peninsula Haven House

Where have all the Spit trees gone?

I was walking on the Spit Trail last week with a friend. We slowed down at the HEA green shack. Something didn’t seem right. We were dumbstruck that all the trees had been cut to their quicks. The Lorax had been there.

OK, I understand that possibly it’s easier to cut them all down than to trim them? Budget cuts, and all that.

Or, the quiet from the traffic noise on the Spit Road there was too quiet?

Or, the spruce aphids were infesting the few spruce there?

Or, wires under the trail were threatened?

Or, the roots of the trees were starting to interfere with the paving.

Or, the old growth alders were hiding the homeless Visqueen tents?

Or, the tunnels to Mexico were caving?

Or, I don’t know. I just don’t know.

The saddest thing to me is that this miniature forest was a small recreation of the original Green Timbers, Homer’s picnic gathering place, that existed adjacent in Mud Bay, before the 1964 Earthquake.

The trees along the Spit Road were our present day Green Timbers. This little forest was nurtured by good intentions, the sprinkling of seeds of rye grasses, lupine and poppies, and the transplanting of small spruce. The vegetation was taking hold, conserving the erosion of the bank, and sheltering the walkers on the trail. Quietly and knowingly, people on the trail trusted that it was all good and that it was there.

It’s not there anymore. What to do?

Susan Phillips Cushing

Haunted Hickory screaming success

Thanks to all who came down to Pioneer Dock last week for a “screaming” good time. More than 1,000 people toured Haunted Hickory and generously donated over 1.1 tons of canned food for the Homer Community Food Pantry.

While this event is technically put on by the Hickory crew, we could not have done it without additional volunteers from the Cutter Naushon, the Marine Safety Detachment on Pioneer Avenue, and members of the local Coast Guard Auxiliary.

Additionally, many of our family and friends pitch in to help out on the day of the event. It truly is an “all hands on deck” evolution and we take pride in all the smiles and laughs (and a few tears!) from you upon completion of your tour. We’re already thinking of ideas to make the 2017 version even bigger and better and look forward to seeing you again.

Lieutenant Commander Andrew Passic

Commanding Officer, USCGC Hickory

Help needed for basket program

Greetings Everyone,

Just wanted to get another information letter out to everyone about the Thanksgiving Basket Program. Applications are available Nov. 7 and Nov. 14 at the Homer Community Food Pantry. There will be someone there to help you fill them out. Applications also are available at First National Bank Alaska.

The deadline is Nov. 15, so please get them back to the bank as soon as possible. There also will be applications available in Anchor Point at The Food Pantry located at the Lighthouse Church on School Street.

Please remember to send your donation to help with this very worthy cause to Kachemak Bay Lions, P.O. Box 1824, Homer, AK 99603. The workers are needed on Nov. 18 to set up at 6 p.m. in the basement of the Methodist Church. Saturday, Nov. 19, will be packing day and we will start at 8:30 a.m. until we have all the boxes done. All are welcome to come and help and we look forward to seeing you there. Thanks for all you do for our community.

Yours in Service,

Fran Van Sandt, community chairman

Christian Fankhauser, co-chairman

Thanksgiving Basket Program

Kachemak Bay Lions