Columns

(Juneau Empire File)

Opinion: How not to restore public trust in government

I’ve been trying to avoid reentering the debate about City Hall. There’s been plenty written about it on these pages already. Much of it’s been… Continue reading

 

A change in season is marked by tree leaves turning color at Evergreen Cemetery in late September of 2019. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)

Gimme a Smile: P.S. Autumn is here.

Ready or not, here it comes. The days are getting shorter, new snow keeps materializing on the mountaintops, and the scent of autumn leaves competes… Continue reading

 

Juneau Mayor Beth Weldon. (Juneau Empire file photo)

My Turn: Envisioning what a new municipal building means for the community for generations to come

When you ask people why they live in Juneau they may answer mountains, water or natural beauty, but most will say — or add —… Continue reading

 

A double rainbow appears in Juneau last Friday. (Photo by Ally Karpel)

Living and Growing: Embracing Tohu V’vohu — Creation Amidst Chaos

Over the course of the past year, during which I have served as the student rabbi of Juneau’s Jewish community, I have grown accustomed to… Continue reading

A double rainbow appears in Juneau last Friday. (Photo by Ally Karpel)
A bus passes by City Hall downtown in late June. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)

My Turn: Juneau City Hall and mail-in voting

I have voted for a new City Hall because I think it makes financial sense and because a new hall has been needed for decades.… Continue reading

A bus passes by City Hall downtown in late June. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)
The existing 70-year-old Juneau City Hall. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)

Accusations of arrogance, deceit by Assembly on new City Hall vote are inaccurate and unfair

In the last two months there has been a steady drumbeat against the bond issue on a new City Hall, mostly from voices who have… Continue reading

The existing 70-year-old Juneau City Hall. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)
Recent clearcut logging on land owned by Sealaska Corp. at Cleveland Peninsula, just north of Ketchikan. (Photo by Rebecca Knight)

My Turn: ‘There are no landless Natives in Southeast Alaska’

Those are the words of Department of Interior Secretary Jim Lyons and Undersecretary Sylvia Baca regarding so-called “landless” legislation in 1996. Bureau of Indian Affairs… Continue reading

Recent clearcut logging on land owned by Sealaska Corp. at Cleveland Peninsula, just north of Ketchikan. (Photo by Rebecca Knight)
Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File Voters in the City and Borough of Juneau municipal election will decide this fall whether to approve $27 million in bond debt to fund the majority of the construction cost for a new City Hall. A similar $35 million measure was rejected last year.

My Turn: A viable alternative to a new City Hall

Juneau is being asked to decide on funding a new City Hall…again. There are reasonable arguments both for and against building, however, I can’t support… Continue reading

Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File Voters in the City and Borough of Juneau municipal election will decide this fall whether to approve $27 million in bond debt to fund the majority of the construction cost for a new City Hall. A similar $35 million measure was rejected last year.
Juneau’s current City Hall is outdated, according to local municipal leaders who are hoping voters will approve funding to help pay for a new building. A bond providing such funding was rejected last year. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)

My Turn: History shows Assembly can’t be trusted on new City Hall issue

Do you want to know why our Assembly is struggling to pass major project spending proposals? A minor history lesson might give you a clue.… Continue reading

Juneau’s current City Hall is outdated, according to local municipal leaders who are hoping voters will approve funding to help pay for a new building. A bond providing such funding was rejected last year. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)
A male pink salmon attacks another male with a full-body bite, driving the victim to the bottom of the stream.(Photo by Bob Armstrong)

On the Trails: Eagle Beach strawberries and salmon

A walk at Eagle Beach Rec Area often yields something to think about. Here are two examples, unrelated to each other except for the location.… Continue reading

A male pink salmon attacks another male with a full-body bite, driving the victim to the bottom of the stream.(Photo by Bob Armstrong)
An artist depiction of a new City Hall building at 450 Whittier St. (Courtesy Image / North Wind Architects)

My Turn: A new City Hall helps Juneau maintain its status as Alaska’s capital city

We are witnessing a full court press by some members of our community to vote down a bond issue to build a new City Hall,… Continue reading

An artist depiction of a new City Hall building at 450 Whittier St. (Courtesy Image / North Wind Architects)
Former Juneau Mayor Ken Koelsch in 2018. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)

My Turn: Juneau tax cabal tries again for the Hall

It’s time to talk taxes, both sales tax and property tax, and discuss the elephant in the room. First a personal story. A few years… Continue reading

Former Juneau Mayor Ken Koelsch in 2018. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)
City and Borough of Juneau Assembly member Wade Bryson listens to public testimony during a meeting Monday night. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File).

My Turn: The new City Hall is my responsibility

I mean that. Since my start as the chair of the Public Works and Facilities Committee I have led the process of solving the City… Continue reading

City and Borough of Juneau Assembly member Wade Bryson listens to public testimony during a meeting Monday night. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File).
U.S. Sens. Lisa Murkowski and Mitt Romney greet each other outside the chamber at the U.S. Capitol on April 5, 2022. (J. Scott Applewhite / AP file photo)

Opinion: Alaska’s senators and Mitt Romney

When newly elected Sen. Mitt Romney (R-Utah) began his term five years ago, he was surprised to learn that “almost without exception” his Republican colleagues… Continue reading

U.S. Sens. Lisa Murkowski and Mitt Romney greet each other outside the chamber at the U.S. Capitol on April 5, 2022. (J. Scott Applewhite / AP file photo)
Runners ascend the old ski hill on the campus of the University of Alaska Fairbanks at the start of the 2015 Equinox Marathon. (Photo by Ned Rozell)

Alaska Science Forum: Running over the same old ground

Oh my, it’s that time again. The Equinox Marathon starts with a cannon blast on the third Saturday of September here at the University of… Continue reading

Runners ascend the old ski hill on the campus of the University of Alaska Fairbanks at the start of the 2015 Equinox Marathon. (Photo by Ned Rozell)
U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg joined U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski on an Alaska state ferry on Wednesday, Aug. 16 during his first visit to Southeast Alaska. (Photo courtesy of U.S. Department of Transportation)

My Turn: Traveling the Alaska way

The night before my team and I were scheduled to fly from Juneau to Haines on Seaplanes with the U.S. Secretary of Transportation, Pete Buttigieg,… Continue reading

U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg joined U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski on an Alaska state ferry on Wednesday, Aug. 16 during his first visit to Southeast Alaska. (Photo courtesy of U.S. Department of Transportation)
(Juneau Empire File)

Opinion: New City Hall proposition comes down to dollars and sense

Soon, Juneau voters will be receiving ballots in their mailboxes for the 2023 regular municipal election scheduled for Oct. 3. This election will be watched… Continue reading

(Juneau Empire File)
What do telemarketers do during the weekend? (Photo by Jeff Lund)

I Went to the Woods: Do telemarketers hunt for something besides human prey?

It’s Sam calling… As I discussed the critical moment at which the protagonist must make the decision to act, and therefore begin the journey through… Continue reading

What do telemarketers do during the weekend? (Photo by Jeff Lund)
Adam Bauer of the Local Spiritual Assembly of Bahá’ís of Juneau.

Living and Growing: Rúhíyyih Khánum, Hand of the Cause of God

Living in Juneau I would like to take a moment to acknowledge that we are on the traditional territory of the Áakʼw Ḵwáan and Taku… Continue reading

Adam Bauer of the Local Spiritual Assembly of Bahá’ís of Juneau.
(Juneau Empire File)

My Turn: Alaska’s air travel depends on a fully funded TSA

Day in and day out, the transportation security officers at Sitka Rocky Gutierrez Airport work to keep the thousands who fly through our airport yearly… Continue reading

(Juneau Empire File)