39.0°

Given the well-documented morale problems within the workforce of the state of Alaska at this time, and the state's difficulty in attracting quality employees, Mr. Chance demonstrates great courage to step up as a self-appointed spokesman for Juneau residents with views on the other extreme from what he calls the "loony left" of our community. After all, those "loonys" he disparages generally also support the current governor.

Perhaps there are really two Art Chances; the one who ceremoniously quit state service rather than work for conservative Commissioner of Administration Mark Boyer, (but was dragged back to divert attention away from the political opportunism of liberal DOA Commissioner Jim Duncan), and another Art Chance who, as a candidate for school board a few years ago, essentially simplified his position as being that the real problem with our schools is that the teachers union has too much influence on public education and the brats today don't get enough spankings. Indeed, when it comes to identifying who might be accurately pegged as the "self-absorbed morons" alluded to in his recent diatribe, there is probably nobody in our community more qualified to identify such individuals ­ from his lofty position as an archetype for that designation ­ than Mr. Chance.

Most of us familiar with the work of Mr. Chance won't remember what he has said, but anybody familiar with his actions as a defender of high-handed and abusive state employment practices, will definitely remember what he has done.

Donn Liston

Juneau