Dear Editor,
It only took three clerks to keep our local Division of Motor Vehicles humming along perfectly and inexpensively for many years, but now it seems that the Gov. Mike Dunleavy administration would rather look good by setting up private DMVs that will cost the public travel, time and money.
No thanks offered to the women who neatly organized racks of needed applications, treated we elderly people with great patience and respect, and by the way tested our vision, while making us look great on our driver’s license. They taught me how to replace the license plates stolen (by tourists?) on the Homer Spit and how to transfer my old car registration to a more needy family. And when the U.S. government suddenly required so called Real I.Ds.The Homer DMV experts knew how to expedite that process.
Has anybody ever thanked Homer DMV agents enough over the years, handing out rules of the road brochures and taking clients through test drives? Don’t let the idea of private DMVs distract you. We’ve got a good thing going with our Homer State of Alaska DMV.
Diana Conway, Halibut Cove
Thanks for state arts council support
Why are the arts a vital part of education? One of the many answers to this question is that students are able to demonstrate a variety of hidden talents when they are provided with an opportunity to participate in visual or performance arts activities. At Fireweed Academy, the staff take every opportunity they have to bring the art education to their students. This past week, the school wrapped up an engaging Artist in Schools residency with our guest artist Sharlene Cline.
Sharlene worked with the students at Little Fireweed during a two-week residency. The residency focused on our quarterly theme, Conservation, and was a fusion of science and the arts. The students were first introduced to the project with the help of Henry Rieske of the Center for Alaskan Coastal Studies, who provided them with information on marine plastics and their impact on the environment.
For the art project itself, the students used recyclable materials and plastics, some collected from local beaches, to create a myriad of sea creatures found in Kachemak Bay. Their creations were combined to form hanging art installations in the school’s hallway and large yurt. Through their research, use of materials and artistic talents, students were be able develop a sense of stewardship for our natural world, while using their creativity and having a lot of fun.
Fireweed Academy would like to thank Alaska State Legislature for its support of the Alaska State Council on the Arts (ASCA). Through the support of the ASCA, the Bunnell Street Arts Center is able to provide the Artists in School Program to Fireweed and other local schools.
Todd Hindman, Principal, Fireweed Academy
Need for firewood
The Homer Food Pantry serves our community with more than just food. One commodity that we find challenging to find is firewood. If you have firewood to donate, or have downed, dry, and accessible trees our volunteers could come and remove, we would love to hear from you. While the days are getting warmer, there is still a need and we want to be ready for next year too. Call us at 907-235-1968.
Our community has been extremely generous in taking care of each other.
Thomas McDonough, Board President, Homer Community Food Pantry
Appreciation
Just a quick thank you to all of our public employees, from police , fire and rescue to all the Public Works departments. Please accept my family’s personal thank you for all you do, that sometimes we take for granted because you are always there behind the scenes keeping us safe in these very troubling times. Thank you.
Jim Nelson and family
SPBHS says thanks
Thanks to the Homer City Council for their help and support during this past year. The City’s efforts in distributing emergency CARES Act funding during the pandemic went a long way in helping keep South Peninsula Behavioral Health Services operating. We’d especially like to thank council member Storm Hansen-Cavasos for bringing our need forward. This funding helped keep over 100 people employed and over 350 people connected to important health services during a time when health and wellness were stretched thin.
For the last 40 years SPBHS has helped individuals transform their lives. With the on-going support and collaboration from our city partners, we look forward to doing so for many years to come.
Sincerely,
Jay Bechtol, South Peninsula Behavioral Health Services
Dear editor,
There are a lot of people in this country that believe, as I do, that the last election was stolen from us by illegal means. Whether this is true or not is now irrelevant. What is relevant is that our country is in serious trouble and our southern border is just the start.
Ray Dawson
Dear Editor,
The more I think about it, the more appalling it is that our current representative, Sarah Vance’s, public announcement was to hear. She held a public informational meeting at Captain’s Coffee on Monday, March 29. Before the meeting our radio station stated from her office that no masks or social distancing were needed. Our national COVID-19 numbers are still on an increase. Why invite the town to not protect each other in a very social scene is very disturbing.
Sincerely,
Carole Hamik
