Letters to the Editor

Older custom license plates decorate the wall at the Department of Motor Vehicles in Juneau in this March 2015 photo. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Opinion: Instead of donations, what would be so bad about taxing Alaskans?

It’s come to this in Alaska. A state agency is asking for public donations to do its job. I don’t blame the Division of Motor… Continue reading

Older custom license plates decorate the wall at the Department of Motor Vehicles in Juneau in this March 2015 photo. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
Opinion: Governor, Legislature need to do due diligence on PFD
Opinion: Governor, Legislature need to do due diligence on PFD
Opinion: Cherish and protect children

Opinion: Cherish and protect children

There’s no stronger bond than that of a mother and her child, and there’s no greater joy on earth than grandparents holding their grandchild for… Continue reading

Opinion: Cherish and protect children
Opinion: Government shutdown endangers our country

Opinion: Government shutdown endangers our country

The government shutdown can’t be justified by citing the obvious needs of border security. Border security is a necessity but why pursue it by endangering… Continue reading

Opinion: Government shutdown endangers our country
A Sitka black-tailed deer. (Courtesy Photo | Kerry Howard)

Opinion: Open your eyes to the deer on Douglas

In a letter to the editor on Dec. 22 Gary Miller states that he can’t see deer on Douglas Island. Yet I see deer tracks… Continue reading

A Sitka black-tailed deer. (Courtesy Photo | Kerry Howard)
Opinion: Tourists don’t visit Southeast to see clear-cuts

Opinion: Tourists don’t visit Southeast to see clear-cuts

I appreciated reading that the new Regional Forester Dave Schmid feels prepared to handle the proposed Alaska-specific Roadless Rule process. I would assume Schmid is… Continue reading

Opinion: Tourists don’t visit Southeast to see clear-cuts
A young Sitka black-tailed deer finds fresh greens to eat along Glacier Highway on Tuesday, Jan. 31, 2017. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
A young Sitka black-tailed deer finds fresh greens to eat along Glacier Highway on Tuesday, Jan. 31, 2017. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
Opinion: 53 packs of tortillas

Opinion: 53 packs of tortillas

Before my recent trip flying out to Port Protection, I emailed a grocery order to Hammer and Wikan in Petersburg. When I arrived at Pacific… Continue reading

Opinion: 53 packs of tortillas
In this file photo, a king salmon lies in a net at Auke Bay. (Bjorn Dihle | For the Juneau Empire)
In this file photo, a king salmon lies in a net at Auke Bay. (Bjorn Dihle | For the Juneau Empire)
People protest the legislature’s extraordinary session during the official Christmas tree lighting ceremony at the Capitol in Madison, Wisconsin on Tuesday, Dec. 4, 2018. Demonstrators booed outgoing Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker on Tuesday during the Christmas tree-lighting ceremony, at times drowning out a high school choir with their own songs in protest of a Republican effort to gut the powers of his Democratic successor. (Mark Hoffman | Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel)

Opinion: Let’s not become Wisconsin

I’ve followed Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s campaign and early actions with alarm. His view of his mandate is out of proportion, being almost exclusively focused on… Continue reading

People protest the legislature’s extraordinary session during the official Christmas tree lighting ceremony at the Capitol in Madison, Wisconsin on Tuesday, Dec. 4, 2018. Demonstrators booed outgoing Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker on Tuesday during the Christmas tree-lighting ceremony, at times drowning out a high school choir with their own songs in protest of a Republican effort to gut the powers of his Democratic successor. (Mark Hoffman | Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel)
In this Nov. 16, 2018 photo, a firefighter searches for human remains in a trailer park destroyed in the Camp Fire, in Paradise, California. The massive wildfire that killed dozens of people and destroyed thousands of homes has been fully contained after burning for more than two weeks, authorities said Sunday, Nov. 25. (John Locher | Associated Press File)

Opinion: Finding a solution to wildfires

Recently, the Juneau Empire reprinted an editorial from a California newspaper that called for everyone to come together to find a solution to wildfires. Research… Continue reading

In this Nov. 16, 2018 photo, a firefighter searches for human remains in a trailer park destroyed in the Camp Fire, in Paradise, California. The massive wildfire that killed dozens of people and destroyed thousands of homes has been fully contained after burning for more than two weeks, authorities said Sunday, Nov. 25. (John Locher | Associated Press File)
A piece of mailed campaign literature from the Republican Women of Juneau. (Courtesy Photo | Elizabeth Seliotes Bolling)

Opinion: Seller beware

Let this be the take-home message for the Republican Women of Juneau from their now-notorious attack mailer against Jesse Kiehl: it didn’t work. It was… Continue reading

A piece of mailed campaign literature from the Republican Women of Juneau. (Courtesy Photo | Elizabeth Seliotes Bolling)
Opinion: There is no safe level of secondhand smoke

Opinion: There is no safe level of secondhand smoke

I want to commend the City and Borough of Juneau for bringing our local smokefree law into compliance with the new statewide smokefree workplaces law.… Continue reading

Opinion: There is no safe level of secondhand smoke
Opinion: Stop the arms sales to Saudi Arabia

Opinion: Stop the arms sales to Saudi Arabia

Let’s be clear about where we stand as a country. We support creating famines, bombing civilians and killing children for money. Our elected leaders are… Continue reading

Opinion: Stop the arms sales to Saudi Arabia
Opinion: Involve disabled patients in conversation about their treatment
Opinion: Involve disabled patients in conversation about their treatment
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Opinion: Republican leaders are no longer role models

Their actions are decimating the party and future generations.

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Opinion: Our safety is worth protecting

Opinion: Our safety is worth protecting

Safety starts with listening. But it doesn’t end there.

Opinion: Our safety is worth protecting
Opinion: Andi Story is steady, strong and reliable

Opinion: Andi Story is steady, strong and reliable

I am writing to support Andi Story for the state House of Representatives. I met Story back in the 1980s when I was a Juneau… Continue reading

Opinion: Andi Story is steady, strong and reliable
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Opinion: Hannan stands with Democrats, unlike Dimond

I suppose I wasn’t surprised to see the endorsement by Gov. Bill Walker of candidate Chris Dimond. Although both Walker and Dimond profess to be… Continue reading

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Opinion: the Republican Women of Juneau should be ashamed of anti-Semitic ad

Opinion: the Republican Women of Juneau should be ashamed of anti-Semitic ad

Shame on the Republican Women of Juneau for using an anti-Semitic trope in their recent mailer against Jesse Kiehl. The advertisement depicts a man, meant… Continue reading

Opinion: the Republican Women of Juneau should be ashamed of anti-Semitic ad