Opinion

Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire file

Opinion: Now is the time for a new City Hall

Here’s why.

  • Sep 28, 2022
  • By Jim Clark

 

This photo shows a ballot drop box at Don D. Statter Harbor. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

Opinion: Say no to Prop 4 — your home price isn’t really private anyway

The city’s disclosure rule doesn’t compromise your privacy — it just democratizes access to information.

  • Sep 27, 2022
  • By Rebecca Braun

 

A fore sale sign hangs outside of a Juneau residence. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)

Opinion: Real estate sales disclosure promotes fairness

I’m really not so worried about the city government knowing what we paid for our house.

  • Sep 27, 2022
  • By Nils Andreassen

 

(Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

Opinion: Taxation and inflation threaten habitation

At some point, you’ve paid enough taxes/ you have done your share.

  • Sep 26, 2022
  • By Ken Koelsch
(Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
Signs urging attendees of a Saturday football game to vote in favor of Proposition 2 sit on a chair on the track at Adair-Kennedy Memorial Park. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

Opinion: I’m a former player and current coach supporting Prop 2

This is very personal to me – for several reasons.

  • Sep 26, 2022
  • By Nicole Adair
Signs urging attendees of a Saturday football game to vote in favor of Proposition 2 sit on a chair on the track at Adair-Kennedy Memorial Park. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
This image available under the Creative Commons license shows the outline of the state of Alaska filled with the pattern of the state flag.

Opinion: Bringing broadband to all Alaskans

Too many Alaskans face barriers accessing the internet.

  • Sep 23, 2022
  • By Diane Kaplan, Rebecca Brice Henderson, Mike Navarre and Angela Salazar
This image available under the Creative Commons license shows the outline of the state of Alaska filled with the pattern of the state flag.
A City and Borough of Juneau Municipal Election ballot sits in a privacy sleeve. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

Opinion: Hard times call for hard choices

No one wants to say that you must do more with less.

  • Sep 22, 2022
  • By Win Gruening
A City and Borough of Juneau Municipal Election ballot sits in a privacy sleeve. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
This photo shows a stack of pocket constitutions at the Alaska State Capitol. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)

Opinion: Join us in voting against a constitutional convention

Voting no on a constitutional convention is vital to the well-being and stability of our state.

  • Sep 21, 2022
  • By Sioux Douglas and Beth Chapman
This photo shows a stack of pocket constitutions at the Alaska State Capitol. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)
A new track an artificial turf field could be on the way to Adair-Kennedy Memorial Park if voters decide to OK 6.6 million in general obligation bond debt to go toward the funding of construction and equipment costs for park improvements at city-located parks. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)

Opinion: It’s time for turf

lease vote yes on Proposition 2.

  • Sep 21, 2022
  • By Michael Cesar
A new track an artificial turf field could be on the way to Adair-Kennedy Memorial Park if voters decide to OK 6.6 million in general obligation bond debt to go toward the funding of construction and equipment costs for park improvements at city-located parks. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)
This photo shows the current City and Borough of Juneau City Hall. Voters will consider a bond package to fund construction of a new City Hall. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

Opinion: We desperately need a new City Hall

We should be embarrassed to show our existing city hall to visiting dignitaries and the public…

  • Sep 20, 2022
  • By Kimberly Metcalfe
This photo shows the current City and Borough of Juneau City Hall. Voters will consider a bond package to fund construction of a new City Hall. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
An artist depiction of a new city hall building at 450 Whittier St. in Juneau, which would cost an estimated $41 million with an underground parking garage, according to a presentation to Juneau Assembly members Monday. (Courtesy Image / North Wind Architects)

Opinion: I support a new City Hall and hope you will too

Here’s why.

  • Sep 20, 2022
  • By Bruce Botelho
An artist depiction of a new city hall building at 450 Whittier St. in Juneau, which would cost an estimated $41 million with an underground parking garage, according to a presentation to Juneau Assembly members Monday. (Courtesy Image / North Wind Architects)
An artist’s depiction shows winter view of a proposed new Juneau City Hall at 450 Whittier St. (Courtesy Image / North Wind Architects)

Opinion: City hall makes civic and economic sense

We can afford to do this and not raise property taxes.

  • Sep 16, 2022
  • By Wade Bryson
An artist’s depiction shows winter view of a proposed new Juneau City Hall at 450 Whittier St. (Courtesy Image / North Wind Architects)
This February 2020 file photo shows the Alaska state flag on the bow of the Matanuska at the Auke Bay Ferry Terminal. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire file)

Dunleavy’s ‘Reimagining AMHS’ relies on rewriting history

Dishonesty doesn’t make good policy.

  • Sep 16, 2022
  • By Rich Moniak
This February 2020 file photo shows the Alaska state flag on the bow of the Matanuska at the Auke Bay Ferry Terminal. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire file)
A sign on the Douglas Highway advertises a home for sale on Thursday, June 2, 2022. Home prices in Alaska have been increasing for the past two years but an expected increase to interest rates might cool off the market. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

Opinion: Giving the Assembly more money to spend

Voting yes on Proposition 4 will help put a lid on Assembly spending.

  • Sep 15, 2022
  • By Mike Clemens
A sign on the Douglas Highway advertises a home for sale on Thursday, June 2, 2022. Home prices in Alaska have been increasing for the past two years but an expected increase to interest rates might cool off the market. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
The ballot drop box at Don D. Statter Harbor is one of a few places voters in Juneau can cast their ballots, which were mailed on Tuesday. There is also a drop box at the Douglas Public Library/ Fire Station. Additionally, there will be voting centers at City Hall and the Mendenhall Valley Public Library, and voters can mail their ballots via the U.S. Postal Service. More information, including voting center hours, is available online at https://juneau.org/clerk/elections. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

Opinion: Juneau voters’ hard choices — no, yes, no, yes

Juneau voters have an opportunity to send them a message.

  • Sep 15, 2022
  • By Win Gruening
The ballot drop box at Don D. Statter Harbor is one of a few places voters in Juneau can cast their ballots, which were mailed on Tuesday. There is also a drop box at the Douglas Public Library/ Fire Station. Additionally, there will be voting centers at City Hall and the Mendenhall Valley Public Library, and voters can mail their ballots via the U.S. Postal Service. More information, including voting center hours, is available online at https://juneau.org/clerk/elections. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
The Carnival Spirit docked in Juneau on June 4, 2022. (Courtesy Photo / Inspector Johnny Zutz)

Opinion: An update on the 2022 Commercial Passenger Vessel Program

Staff have completed 70 vessel inspections this season.

  • Sep 14, 2022
  • By Randy Bates
The Carnival Spirit docked in Juneau on June 4, 2022. (Courtesy Photo / Inspector Johnny Zutz)
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Opinion: Don’t get scammed like I nearly did

I should have just turned off the computer.

  • Sep 14, 2022
  • By Larry Olson
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A fore sale sign hangs outside of a Juneau residence. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)

Opinion: Voting yes on Prop 4 is a vote to keep financial info private

Were prior assessors just smarter?

  • Sep 14, 2022
  • By Debbie White
A fore sale sign hangs outside of a Juneau residence. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)
A parasitic fungus in the genus Hypomyces covers the top of another fungus, possibly a Russula. (Deana Barajas photo)

On the Trails: Fall fungi and flowers

It’s been a good fall for mushrooms and other fungi.

  • Sep 13, 2022
  • By Mary F. Willson
A parasitic fungus in the genus Hypomyces covers the top of another fungus, possibly a Russula. (Deana Barajas photo)
Faith Myers stands at the doors of API. (Courtesy Photo)

Opinion: Here’s how the state can improve psychiatric patient outcomes

Patient rights must be brought up to or exceed best practice in all programs.

  • Sep 13, 2022
  • By Faith J. Myers
Faith Myers stands at the doors of API. (Courtesy Photo)