Letters to the Editor

Flora is trustworthy, full of integrity

Dear Editor,

I am supporting Louie Flora for State House in November. I know him to be trustworthy and full of integrity. Louie has worked in Juneau as a legislative staff person and an advocate for our fisheries for two decades. He is a lifelong commercial fisherman who knows the needs of coastal communities, supports public education, and knows how to get things done in Juneau. Those are the qualities and the experience we need in our representative in the State House.

Sarah Vance will say she supports an effort, but then vote against it. For example, she claims that she had something to do with getting money for Homer’s port expansion, yet this is simply not true. She voted against the port expansion budget and every other budget considered since she’s been in office, including those that would support critical government infrastructure, public education and our University of Alaska system.

We need someone in office who will work across party lines to do what’s best for the communities they represent. Vote with me to send Louie Flora to Juneau so we can move this district ahead with clear communication and accountability.

Erica Marley

Vote no on Constitutional Convention

I am opposed to opening the Constitutional Convention because of the financial burden on Alaskans that it would cost. At a time when there is not enough budgeted money for schools, teachers, road repairs and so many other issues, it would be unacceptable to spend the estimated $17 million or more for this unnecessary action.

An issue can be amended to the Constitution and not require the Constitutional Convention to be opened.

Vote NO to opening the Constitutional Convention.

Sandra Garity

Vance voted against critical state programs

Rep. Sarah Vance voted against every budget since she has been elected — budgets to fund public safety, budgets to fund the Alaska Marine Highway System and all of the critical programs required to run state government. Now that it’s campaign season, she is using her public office, public Facebook page, and state seal to appear supportive of ferries, law enforcement, and schools.

During her time in Juneau she has passed no bills, and opposed all budgets. She is now apparently claiming some responsibility for getting money in the budget for Homer’s port expansion study. This is utterly ridiculous as the vote is right there for all to see — Vance voted against the budget this year. Anything that Vance claims to have done for the district should be fact checked against the actual record of her vote because often what she claims and what she does are two different things.

It is time to vote in a reasonable leadership to get things done and do what they say they will do. I am voting for Louie Flora in November.

Regards,

Kevin M. Short

Kachemak City Park project celebration was a success

Our hearts were full of pride as we watched families of all ages join us on a sunny day for the grand opening of the Kachemak City Park Project on Saturday, Sept. 17. We want to express our thanks to the Kachemak Bay Lions Club for cooking over 350 hot dogs. The Beachcomber Creations booth was so popular with their exquisite face paintings. Massages by Joolee offered adults a chance to relax, too. Our music entertainers were top notch. Silas Jones on acoustic guitar and his surprise keyboard duo with his brother Zephan was a real treat. The Pipeline Vocal Project shared their a capella harmony and sang a few Disney songs too. Special thanks to Mike our sound guy and to Ernest our emcee. This celebration would not have been possible though without the support of our sponsors, The Homer Dental Center with Dr. Anne Adamson, Berkshire Hathaway Homer with Gina Pelaia and Joleen Brooks, Home Run Oil, Summit Physical Therapy and Alaska Salt Company.

Our financial sponsorship with the Homer Foundation will continue until next spring. We still have more projects on our wish list and through your tax-free contributions these will be completed also. You can donate on the Homer Foundation Website by designating your gift to the Kachemak City Playground Repair Project.

Stop by the park with your family and check out our “Thanks To You Our Dreams Came True” sponsor sign. Now it’s time to enjoy our park and honor Alice Witte and “Play Like Crazy!”

Connie Isenhour and Bill Fry, Kachemak City Council members and Park Committee co-chairs

If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it

As a permanent resident of the Homer area since 1980, I have to admit I love it here. This is home. On Nov. 8 we will vote on the proposition to have a new Constitutional Convention, and let a small group of people write a new constitution or modify any parts of ours. Our Alaska constitution is one of the strongest in the nation. It ain’t broke; it does not need fixing. Please vote no as I will.

I value the freedom we all enjoy. I value the right to choose is right for me without government interference. I value having my own religious traditions without the imposition of traditions from others, nor do I want to to impose mine on others either. Our constitution provides this to us.

I know if I have a legal problem with a neighbor we will face a qualified, nonpartisan, impartial judge through our judicial selection process.

All of these are at risk of change with a new constitutional convention. It ain’t broke. Don’t fix it. Again, I ask you please to vote No, on ballot measure number 1. And also, Please vote.

Thank you.

Sincerely,

Milli Martin

Sarber needs a break

With respect for all at the Homer News and little respect for Greg Sarber’s letter writing campaign, why do you continue to publish his easily verifiable lies and misinformation?

Mr. Sarber’s content is invariably inaccurate — and usually perpetuates one or another myth originating in distorted facts. He regurgitates disinformation he lifts from fringe right-wing screeds and presents them with a lens of conspiracy theory as the reason the issue isn’t getting attention in the media.

Case in point, last week’s nonsense about COVID-19 vaccination for under twelves in the United Kingdom. It appears his source was likely The Counter Signal, and even that platform has since updated its article. Blank space would be better than his drivel, and a whole lot less toxic.

Catriona Reynolds

Vote Flora

I’ve only lived here 44 years. For those 44 years I’ve always voted for candidates based on their intentions and commitments that are consistent with the independent Alaska life I value, not on their party affiliation or campaign budget.

I’ve known Louie Flora for 30 of those years. I’m voting for him because:

1. He’s smart. He’s not just book smart, he’s savvy smart. He can read and understand the implications of budgets, statutes, legal documents, and court rulings.

2. He listens. He takes in the whole picture and gathers all the facts and opinions to make thoughtful decisions. He will truly represent all his constituents.

3. He is committed to our families and community, to education, to responsible resource development, to economic growth, to quality of life.

4. He works hard. At his job. Independently. With the team. And, he gets things done!

Please join me in sending an intelligent, hard-working, independent representative to Juneau. Vote Flora!

Kiki Abrahamson

A clash of visions

Prior to the moderating effort led by Homer City Council member Shelly Erickson, the city council’s recent “Resolution to Oppose a Constitutional Convention” — in its initial form as authored by the Mayor and a council member — in my opinion would have constituted a disturbingly improper effort by city government to influence and thereby interfere with the most fundamental right of our democracy: the individual vote.

Particularly disturbing is that these same council members during elections eagerly exhort the public to “be sure and vote!” and “Don’t forget to vote!” The clear implication is that, while dutifully subscribing outwardly to the form of democracy, in the deepest recesses of their souls these council members oppose any effort, however fundamentally justified by the basic principle of universal suffrage, to attempts perceived as upsetting their apple cart.

I fully appreciate the threat such a Convention presents to the settled values, stream of income (fundamentally no different — conceptually — than the Alaska Permanent Fund dividend for individual recipients) and assured benefits of a municipality, and to those charged with directing its actions. Nonetheless, this effort, buttressed by a sheaf of similarly defensive resolutions from other Alaska municipalities presented by our ex-state representative, vividly demonstrates how political power subtly erodes the judgment and democratic instincts of even the most intelligent, well-meaning public official, inducing him to rationalize and officially adopt an insular “circle-the-wagons” behavioral mode. Such an instinctive defensive reaction to the rough-and-tumble threat of pure democracy in this bitterly divisive political climate ultimately inflames (this letter) rather than ameliorates the clash of visions.

Larry Slone

This is our borough and city

Another election already? Yes! These are our local elections – Kenai Peninsula Borough and City of Homer. It’s not as popular and you may think it a bit of a yawner, but this is probably the election that affects our day-to-day lives the most.

Voters will elect representation for Kenai Peninsula Borough assembly seats in their district and for city council seats.

In Homer there are no borough assembly seats up this year. You will see on the ballot a school district seat and three hospital service area board seats. These are probably people you know, your neighbors. They are committing their time to serve on these boards and deserve our attention. Homer has two City Council and the Mayoral seats up.

There are three borough propositions in all, but only two for the Homer area. Proposition One has to do with reapportionment of districts which could change our representation. We have two options: stay with the nine districts we currently have or increase to 11 districts. Both options have some district border changes. Proposition Two asks voters to approve a bond in order to do some structural maintenance on some of our school buildings.

Did you get the borough voting pamphlet? It’s got a cute otter picture on the front. Inside is all the election news you need – candidate photos and statements, sample ballots, district maps, where to vote, dates and deadlines. Even a quick look-through will inform you.

Early Absentee In-Person voting began Monday at Homer City Hall, and at the Soldotna Prep School, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Sept. 27 is the deadline to apply for a Borough/City elections Absentee Mail-in Ballot. Do that at kpb.us/assembly-clerk/elections/elections

Oct. 4 is Election Day!

Be an informed voter and remember, all votes count and all voices matter.

Therese Lewandowski for Kenai Peninsula Votes

Qanon accusations are sick

Everyone has heard of Qanon and their ridiculous accusation of liberals killing children and drinking their blood. How sick is this?

Could it be that they, like extreme right wing fascists, commit their crimes and attempt to cover up by blaming Democrats of their foul, sick corruption?

I believe this may be true. How else could they dream up these accusations?

Something else to think about: Christian fascists try to invade a gay establishment and urge the sheriff to put bullets in the head of these gay people.

How Christian is this?

These are more reasons to vote blue to maintain your lifestyle and preserve our democracy.

What is this one-finger salute to Trump by the MAGA maggots? I have had a one-finger salute for him since 2016.

Don Stanfield

Rewrite our Constitution? – NO

Residents love Alaska for more than our weather. The freedoms and liberty guaranteed in our State Constitution are more explicit than in other state constitutions. Only 11 states have similar expanded rights of privacy. Now some people want to change that freedom to what is your private life and freedom in your home. The right of privacy enables a person to decide what medical treatment to get or not. That right of privacy is also the basis for personal use of marijuana in your home as explained by the Alaska Supreme Court in the case Ravin v. Alaska. That right was placed in our constitution as people viewed the abuses of government intrusion into personal lives during the times of MaCarthy U.S. Senate hearings and wanted to make sure it did not happen here!

A big problem is a convention has the power to change all provisions and all changes can be rolled into a single voter proposal, hiding undesirable changes under the cover of a popular one. We have been spared this “roll everything together” problem because our Constitution has a “single subject rule.” Article 2 Section 13 states “Every bill shall be confined to one subject…” We have escaped the worst effects of the “omnibus bill” challenge that afflicts many states and the federal government. Not only are unpopular issues hidden, but votes by legislators are less accountable to constituents because of claims they voted to support a different issue included in the omnibus package. Our constitutional convention would be the ultimate omnibus bill.

Let’s not risk creating problems for ourselves. Vote NO on #1 in November on an unnecessary and costly Constitutional Convention.

Paul Seaton

Murkowski supports bird conservation

From king eiders to American three-toed woodpeckers and willow ptarmigans, Alaska is home to diverse bird life. As Chair of the Senate Interior Appropriations Subcommittee, Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, recognized the importance of birds, supporting a funding boost in migratory bird conservation in the 116th Congress. In the current, 117th Congress Sen. Murkowski obtained $750,000 for an Invasive Species Early Detection Rapid Response Strike Team in southcentral Alaska. Combined, these efforts advance bird conservation in Alaska, protecting the state’s heritage and biodiversity.

The American Bird Conservancy Action Fund applauds Sen. Murkowski’s efforts, and encourages her to continue advancing bird conservation in Alaska and beyond.

Steve Holmer, Vice President of Policy, American Bird Conservancy Action Fund

More COVID-19 vax news

Dear Editor,

For the curious, here are two more revealing news stories about COVID-19 vaccinations in young people you won’t see on CNN or MSNBC. First, the country of Denmark has halted all COVID-19 vaccinations for individuals under the age of 50. No shots or boosters are permitted now for those below 50 unless you are in a high-risk group and have a doctor’s recommendation. One interpretation you could make from this change is that the Danish National Health Authority has recognized — without saying it directly — that for younger people COVID-19 is not a deadly disease and these vaccinations have some risks.

Here in America, a new study confirms what doctors from Denmark could be seeing. This study was written by nine doctors from Harvard, Johns Hopkins, and other major universities, and reviews the risk vs. benefit of mRNA vaccines for those under 40 years of age. The study has shown that the COVID-19 vaccine is up to 98 times more harmful than catching the disease for this age group. Even worse, it appears that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has intentionally provided false information regarding their tracking of adverse reactions to the vaccines, making it difficult for us to evaluate the actual risk vs. benefit of this shot. At this point, otherwise healthy young people still considering the COVID-19 mRNA shots may wish to reevaluate that decision and the doctor that recommended it.

Respectfully,

Greg Sarber