Opinion

A Mendenhall Valley neighborhood during record flooding on Aug. 6. (City and Borough of Juneau photo)

Opinion: The campaigns are over, but the flood threat continues

With the municipal election in the rearview mirror city leaders can now direct their time and energy to the threat Mendenhall Valley homeowners are facing… Continue reading

 

(Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities photo)

My Turn: Time to revisit long-ago captain’s vision of ferry system with smaller, affordable day vessels

In the early 1950s, renowned Captain GD Gitkov commanded Alaska’s ferry system, serving as both skipper and operator. As traffic and demand increased, Gitkov offered… Continue reading

 

Sen. JD Vance (R-Ohio), the Republican vice presidential nominee, speaks during the vice presidential debate against Gov. Tim Walz of Minnesota, the Democratic vice presidential nominee, at the CBS Broadcast Center in New York, Oct. 1, 2024. (Kenny Holston/The New York Times)

Opinion: The American tradition of accepting defeat

Controversies have a way of motivating voters. I wondered how those surrounding the municipal and school board budgets, and the cruise-ship-free Saturday proposition would affect… Continue reading

 

(Juneau Empire file photo)

Letter: AWARE hosting “Lighting the Way to Peace” campaign

After over 20 years of working with people surviving, perpetrating, witnessing, and parenting through the experience of domestic violence, I still wonder — why are… Continue reading

(Juneau Empire file photo)
Bartlett Regional Hospital has closed some programs in recent months due to ongoing budget shortfalls. (Laurie Craig / Juneau Empire file photo)

My Turn: Patient safety and quality come first at Bartlett Regional Hospital

As Paul Harvey used to say “here is the rest of the story.” Bartlett Regional Hospital finds itself again the victim of unwarranted and dangerous… Continue reading

Bartlett Regional Hospital has closed some programs in recent months due to ongoing budget shortfalls. (Laurie Craig / Juneau Empire file photo)
(Juneau Empire file photo)

Letter: Honesty of front-line staff at Bartlett hospital is appreciated

As someone who has used the services of Bartlett Hospital since 1980, and probably will need to do so again at some future time, having… Continue reading

(Juneau Empire file photo)
Bruce Scandling receives his ballot for Alaska’s primary election at the Mendenhall Mall Annex on Aug. 17 from election officials Jackie Rosenbruch and Barb Murray. (Laurie Craig / Juneau Empire file photo)

My Turn: Musings on the Oct. 1 municipal election

Juneau’s vote-by-mail municipal election is underway. We have until Oct. 1 to decide five ballot questions, select a mayor and two Assembly members, and fill… Continue reading

Bruce Scandling receives his ballot for Alaska’s primary election at the Mendenhall Mall Annex on Aug. 17 from election officials Jackie Rosenbruch and Barb Murray. (Laurie Craig / Juneau Empire file photo)
(Juneau Empire file photo)

Letter: Vote yes on Ship-Free Saturday to restore reassurances once made

Juneau cruise visitor numbers have increased from about 1 million in 2016 to a projected 1.7 million in 2024. In 2018, Juneau businesses enjoyed the… Continue reading

(Juneau Empire file photo)
(Juneau Empire file photo)

Letter: Actions — and lack of them — justify recall of school board leaders

Is the recall language on the ballot accurate? Yes. For the recall to even be considered, it had to pass a legal review by CBJ,… Continue reading

(Juneau Empire file photo)
(Juneau Empire file photo)

Letter: Don’t punish leaders who made tough decisions; vote no on school board recalls

I urge all voters to Vote no to recall Juneau school board members Deedie Sorensen and Emil Mackey. Recall should be utilized only when merited… Continue reading

(Juneau Empire file photo)
(City and Borough of Juneau photo)

Opinion: School board and Assembly races offer necessary change

The Oct. 1 municipal election is shaping up as a referendum on changing the status quo. In the case of the school board it’s about… Continue reading

(City and Borough of Juneau photo)
Former Juneau Mayor Ken Koelsch in 2018. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)

My Turn: Three strikes and a home run on Oct. 1 municipal election ballot

As a former U.S. government teacher, Juneau Assembly member and mayor, I usually start getting phone calls for information about voting (ballot issues especially) a… Continue reading

Former Juneau Mayor Ken Koelsch in 2018. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)
(Juneau Empire file photo)

Letter: Vote for fiscally responsible principles in this year’s municipal election

Last year, I led Save Juneau, the group that urged a “no” vote on a new City Hall. We knew from going door-to-door in the… Continue reading

(Juneau Empire file photo)
(Juneau Empire file photo)

Letter: Taxpayers need to make informed decisions about how Alaska Marine Highway funds are spent

Recently I read about a $177 million award to the Alaska Marine Highway and feel compelled to comment on the news because it’s imperative the… Continue reading

(Juneau Empire file photo)
(Juneau Empire file photo)

Letter: Ship-Free Saturday is a community-based initiative, opponents funded by cruise companies

Mushrooms and Ship-Free Saturday: what’s the connection? Mushrooms are an item that I have stopped buying because they are too expensive. Ship-Free Saturday is a… Continue reading

(Juneau Empire file photo)
Rainforest Recovery Center at Bartlett Regional Hospital is scheduled to close Tuesday. (Laurie Craig / Juneau Empire file photo)

My Turn: Loss of Rainforest Recovery Center leaves Juneau with critical gap in substance abuse care

On Tuesday, Sept. 24, the city of Juneau is set to lose a valuable resource for treating individuals in our community suffering from drug and… Continue reading

Rainforest Recovery Center at Bartlett Regional Hospital is scheduled to close Tuesday. (Laurie Craig / Juneau Empire file photo)
Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo
U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski talks to supporters during a campaign event at Louie’s Douglas Inn on Oct. 12, 2022.

Opinion: Murkowski must get off the ‘none of the above’ fence

Sen. Lisa Murkowski isn’t your typical undecided voter. She’s not only extremely well informed about the presidential candidates and their positions on important issues. She… Continue reading

Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo
U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski talks to supporters during a campaign event at Louie’s Douglas Inn on Oct. 12, 2022.
A crowd of visitors tours the Mendenhall Glacier on Friday, July 21, 2023. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire file photo)

My Turn: I’m just trying to live here

Ship-Free Saturday (Proposition #2) on the Oct. 1 municipal ballot, is an attempt by a group of residents including me, who want to have one… Continue reading

A crowd of visitors tours the Mendenhall Glacier on Friday, July 21, 2023. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire file photo)
Cruise ships and passengers in downtown Juneau on Monday, June 3, 2024. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)

My Turn: Ship-Free Saturday will have harmful effect on tourism statewide

Proposition 2 will damage Alaska tourism statewide. Vote no to keep this sustainable industry healthy As the CEO of the Alaska Travel Industry Association, I’m… Continue reading

Cruise ships and passengers in downtown Juneau on Monday, June 3, 2024. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)
Passengers return to the Norwegian Sun on Oct. 25, 2023. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)

My Turn: Figuring out the Ship-Free Saturday ballot initiative

Opponents of Proposition No. 2 — Ship-Free Saturday make many bold, reference-free claims on the purported impacts of the initiative. According to them Prop. 2… Continue reading

Passengers return to the Norwegian Sun on Oct. 25, 2023. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)