Opinion

Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks during an April 27 news conference at the Alaska State Capitol in which options for a long-range fiscal plan were discussed. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)

Opinion: Alaska’s rudderless fiscal ship

The Permanent Fund dividend Alaskans are set to receive next week is again a paltry sum compared to what Gov. Mike Dunleavy promised five years… Continue reading

 

(Juneau Empire File)

Opinion: Does vote-by-mail work? It’s time for a second look

Voting last week in Juneau’s “rolling” municipal election seemed more like a chore that needed to get done instead of the patriotic civic-minded custom I… Continue reading

 

(Juneau Empire File)

Letter: Public should ignore self-interested and cynical opponents of new City Hall

The new City Hall is an important project for Juneau. In plain English, the current facility is crappy and embarrassing. When we visit our local… Continue reading

 

(Juneau Empire File)

Letter: New City Hall was needed long ago

I am pro-new City Hall. I worked for the CBJ in the ’90s and the mish-mash of city offices in various buildings hasn’t changed since… Continue reading

(Juneau Empire File)
(Juneau Empire File)

Letter: Consider moving into a school rather than a new City Hall

I do not support Proposition No. 1. We have already said no to the new City Hall, as proposed, whether it is because of the… Continue reading

(Juneau Empire File)
(Juneau Empire File)

Letter: New City Hall will bring Juneau into compliance with ADA requirements

Accessibility. Inclusion. Empowerment. Collaboration. Integrity. These are the five core values at the foundation of Southeast Alaska Independent Living (SAIL). Our mission is to inspire… Continue reading

(Juneau Empire File)
Courtesy Photo Faith Myers stands at the doors of the Alaska Psychiatric Institute in Anchorage.

My Turn: Officials falling short in effort to fulfill new law improving psychiatric patient rights

House Bill 172 was signed into law July 15, 2022. State law CH 41 SLA 2022 came about because of a successful lawsuit by the… Continue reading

Courtesy Photo Faith Myers stands at the doors of the Alaska Psychiatric Institute in Anchorage.
(Juneau Empire File)

Letter: Food for thought

As we ready ourselves to go to the polls soon, I invite Juneau voters to keep a few things in mind. While our local government… Continue reading

(Juneau Empire File)
(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

(Juneau Empire File)
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

Juneau Mayor Beth Weldon. (Juneau Empire file photo)
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)
(Juneau Empire File)

Letter: Current City Hall is an ongoing money pit

I have been following the ongoing dialog regarding the proposed City Hall project, and a couple of points come to mind. It appears that there… Continue reading

(Juneau Empire File)
(Juneau Empire File)

Letter: Food for thought

As we ready ourselves to go to the polls soon, I invite Juneau voters to keep a few things in mind. While our local government… Continue reading

(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)
(Juneau Empire File)

Letter: Better ways to enhance Juneau’s capital status than new City Hall

Some promoters of a new City Hall claim our current city buildings do “…not represent the high standard and image a capital city should project,”… Continue reading

(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)
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)