Legislators listen and respond to constituents
A few of the recent letters to the editor addressing the 'legislative impasse' have included an interesting proposal, namely, calling for the Republican cost cutters to either be "recalled" or replaced in the next appropriate election. Of course either action would involve only a legislator's "legislative district." So most likely these impassioned activists will not be able to participate in either a recall or election effort. Everyone who is so upset right now needs to consider the question of whether a legislator would knowingly go against what he knew those who elected him wanted. I would suggest that most legislators, both Republican and Democrat, have an ongoing process that monitors their constituency. If the big, bad Republicans are checking on their constituency and not backing down, what does that tell you? It suggests to me that few if any are worried about being recalled or voted out of office … probably because they're convinced they are doing what their constituency wants them to do.
— Jim Lieb
Palmer
All-weather ferry could ease Peninsula traffic
Asked in Soldotna whether I was in favor of the Cooper Landing bypass, I couldn't help but say, "Not really," and adding, "Fixing up the road as it is might be best." One thing apparently not on anyone's radar for long-term planning is an all-weather ferry from Anchorage to a terminal in Nikiski with the capacity for commercial cargo trucks and affordable passage rates that would be less than the gasoline prices spent driving the round trip Turnagain-Portage Loop. It would be a lot more convenient for Peninsula residents. Norway shows such ferry systems are possible, economical and practical. Turnagain Arm communities and the Kenai River system communities would be spared their present plague of heavy, very noisy, very speedy and very accident-prone traffic. The Kenai Lake and Upper River bottleneck would be spared a future plague of even more such traffic on a larger, higher-up-the-mountainside road. It could actually preserve the entire economy of the Kenai River area as an even better accessible fishing and tourist money-making destination. Just saying.
— Ken Green
Cooper Landing
Rasmuson Foundation a boon for the state
There is not an Alaska family that has contributed more to the health and well-being of our statewide community than the Rasmuson family. The latest example, featured in the June 9 ADN, is the Rasmuson Foundation's pledge to conduct a statewide campaign to chart a course that will successfully address our state financial crisis so that we may avoid having to deny the opportunities to our children that we adult Alaskans have enjoyed. Chairman Ed Rasmuson and his board are certainly putting forth the kind of leadership that built our state. Gov. Bill Walker's weekend retreat focused primarily on revenue generation via taxation options without due consideration of other major factors affecting the cost and funding of state government, i.e. future resource development, a prioritization of programs and service provided by the state; service and operational effectiveness and efficiency of state government; assessment of likely overlaps and duplication of services funded via stare grants; potential privatization of some state-provided services, and maximizing the use of the Permanent Fund. I wish the Rasmuson Foundation Godspeed as it hopes to "inspire a mandate from the public for elected officials to make the tough choices that are required."
Thank you, Rasmuson Foundation.
— Dan Meddleton
Anchorage
Why were troopers cut?
Now that, thanks to Alaska Dispatch News coverage of our state government in action (or inaction), we are more aware than we ever wanted to be about the doings (or undoings) of our elected legislators, I would like to know how statewide staffing cuts to the Alaska State Troopers came about before we started paying attention. Anchorage, is it practical for your police department to be out patrolling the Seward Highway? State funding for law enforcement and highway safety should've been added to the public policy agendas considered at the Taj and in Fairbanks.
— Sue Scherwin
Girdwood
Drinking might've helped
I have a new definition of the acronym for the LIO here in Anchorage. How about "Let's Intoxicate Ourselves"? Maybe if the legislators actually did that we could finally get a real budget.
George Faust Jr.
— Anchorage
Thanks to Samaritans
I'd like to express my thanks to the people who stopped to help on Friday, May 5, when I had a bicycle accident: a couple in a van, another biker, a woman who came out of a nearby business, and if there were more, sorry I missed you! I was scared, hurting and probably not very observant of all who were helping. All were compassionate, helpful, calm and stayed until my husband arrived. (Thanks as well to the firefighters who were contacted, apparently, by a concerned citizen. They too were calm and competent.) It is heartening when the community responds in such a kind, compassionate manner. My thanks again.
— Cindy Bonney
Anchorage
LIO hardly welcoming
On my first visit to the Anchorage LIO, to observe a floor session of the Legislature, I didn't expect a balloon and doughnut welcome. But neither did I expect on entering the building to be confronted by three unidentified individuals with three commands.
"No jackets!" I, of the gray-haired generation, was told to remove my short, unlined, cotton jacket. "No purses!" After surrendering my 8-by-10-inch flat purse, it was placed on an unsecured table in the lobby. "No cellphones!" Even the TSA allows cellphones! If our legislators, for whatever reasons, remain so overly fearful of their constituents, there is little hope for participatory democracy. There will be no solving problems together, but a continuation of the present frustrations of "Them and Us."
— Jacquelyn Sparrow
Anchorage
The views expressed here are the writers' own and are not necessarily endorsed by Alaska Dispatch News, which welcomes a broad range of viewpoints. To submit a letter for consideration, email letters@alaskadispatch.com, or click here to submit via any web browser. Submitting a letter to the editor constitutes granting permission for it to be edited for clarity, accuracy and brevity. Send longer works of opinion to commentary@alaskadispatch.com.