Letters to the Editor

Opinion: Why I’m voting yes on Ballot Measure 1

Opinion: Why I’m voting yes on Ballot Measure 1

As a commercial fisherman and Alaska resident, I believe it is my responsibility to vote in the upcoming general election, and to make the most… Continue reading

Opinion: Why I’m voting yes on Ballot Measure 1
Chum salmon swim beneath the surface of Salmon Creek on Monday afternoon, Aug. 3, 2015. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Opinion: A few facts on Ballot Measure 1

If you are uncertain about how to vote on our Ballot Measure 1/Stand for Salmon on Nov. 6 because you’ve heard so many conflicting opinions,… Continue reading

Chum salmon swim beneath the surface of Salmon Creek on Monday afternoon, Aug. 3, 2015. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
In this July 28, 2018, photo, Alyse Galvin addresses a group of volunteers in Anchorage, Alaska, before they set out to campaign door-to-door on her behalf. Galvin is running against incumbent U.S. Rep. Don Young in the Nov. 6 Election Day. (AP Photo/Mark Thiessen)

Opinion: Vote Galvin for a new ‘Alyse on life’

Alaska’s population is the most spread out of all the fifty states at one person per square mile. We are diverse, and we are separated… Continue reading

In this July 28, 2018, photo, Alyse Galvin addresses a group of volunteers in Anchorage, Alaska, before they set out to campaign door-to-door on her behalf. Galvin is running against incumbent U.S. Rep. Don Young in the Nov. 6 Election Day. (AP Photo/Mark Thiessen)
Andi Story is running for Alaska House District 34. (Michael Pennn | Juneau Empire)

Opinion: Andi Story is the best choice for schools

I met Andi Story the first time my family and I attended Northern Light Church. I chose this church because of its strong commitment to… Continue reading

Andi Story is running for Alaska House District 34. (Michael Pennn | Juneau Empire)
Alyse Galvin, indpendent candidate for U.S. House of Representatives, right, speaks with Marilyn Orr during a “town-hall-style coffee and conversation” at 60 Degrees North Coffee and Tea on Friday, Sept. 14, 2018. Galvin is running against Republican incumbent Rep. Don Young. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Opinion: We need a change in the US House

I’m voting for Alyse Galvin because of her strengths, her character and the fact that she has not taken a penny of corporate campaign money… Continue reading

Alyse Galvin, indpendent candidate for U.S. House of Representatives, right, speaks with Marilyn Orr during a “town-hall-style coffee and conversation” at 60 Degrees North Coffee and Tea on Friday, Sept. 14, 2018. Galvin is running against Republican incumbent Rep. Don Young. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Democratic gubernatorial candidate Mark Begich is interviewed following his primary victory Tuesday Aug. 21, 2018, in Anchorage, Alaska. Begich, a former U.S. Senator, advances to the general election and is expected to face incumbent Gov. Bill Walker and former state senator Mike Dunleavy. (Michael Dinneen | The Associated Press)

Opinion: Begich supports Ballot Measure 1

I urge Alaskans to vote Mark Begich for governor on Nov. 6. This election will be one of the most important for the people of… Continue reading

Democratic gubernatorial candidate Mark Begich is interviewed following his primary victory Tuesday Aug. 21, 2018, in Anchorage, Alaska. Begich, a former U.S. Senator, advances to the general election and is expected to face incumbent Gov. Bill Walker and former state senator Mike Dunleavy. (Michael Dinneen | The Associated Press)
Chris Dimond, unaffiliated with any politicial party, is running for the Alaska House District 33 seat currently held by Rep. Sam Kito III, D-Juneau.

Opinion: Dimond does his homework

I want someone who will do their homework, not just say they will. I believe Chris Dimond is the best candidate for House District 33… Continue reading

Chris Dimond, unaffiliated with any politicial party, is running for the Alaska House District 33 seat currently held by Rep. Sam Kito III, D-Juneau.
Opinion: Only one candidate promises not to raise taxes

Opinion: Only one candidate promises not to raise taxes

I loved working in Alaska’s tourism industry. I thought it would be a lifetime pursuit. That was not meant to be. My tourism career abruptly… Continue reading

Opinion: Only one candidate promises not to raise taxes
Opinion: Begich only gubernatorial candidate to support net neutrality

Opinion: Begich only gubernatorial candidate to support net neutrality

Having been in IT for over two decades, I have seen the birth and explosion of the internet. I have run my own website from… Continue reading

Opinion: Begich only gubernatorial candidate to support net neutrality
Election official Jacqueline Fowler, left, hands Becky Dierking her ballot in the Municipal Election at the Auke Bay Ferry Terminal on Tuesday, Oct. 2, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Opinion: Good job, Juneau

I am so proud of the recent municipal election process here in Juneau. I was delighted to see new energy and interest in the election… Continue reading

Election official Jacqueline Fowler, left, hands Becky Dierking her ballot in the Municipal Election at the Auke Bay Ferry Terminal on Tuesday, Oct. 2, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Unsplash.com stock image.

Opinion: Tracking the Outside money in Alaska politics

Since its inception, the Alaska Policy Forum has been guided by a vision of continuously growing prosperity in Alaska. Our work is to support policy… Continue reading

Unsplash.com stock image.
Opinion: What has been accomplished?

Opinion: What has been accomplished?

Alaska deserves better. It’s time for a change.

Opinion: What has been accomplished?

How to bomb a job interview

Imagine you were on an interview team hiring for a specific job – it could be a news reporter, teacher, bus driver, waiter, librarian, sales… Continue reading

Opinion: Save us from Mike Dunleavy

Mike Dunleavy will get you Permanent Fund Dividend back, and everything else, balance the budget, and not cut your PFD nor implement an income tax.… Continue reading

Mayoral candidates Saralyn Tabachnick, left, Norton Gregory, center, and Beth Weldon answers questions during a Special Native Issues Forum at the Elizabeth Peratrovich Hall on Tuesday, Sept. 18, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Opinion: I support Beth Weldon for mayor

It is with pleasure that I throw my full political support behind Beth Weldon as candidate for mayor. I am a lifelong Alaskan, 36-year Juneau… Continue reading

Mayoral candidates Saralyn Tabachnick, left, Norton Gregory, center, and Beth Weldon answers questions during a Special Native Issues Forum at the Elizabeth Peratrovich Hall on Tuesday, Sept. 18, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Opinion: Vote for Schoenberger

Opinion: Vote for Schoenberger

Juneau needs a change in direction with leaders who support child care and early childhood education, as well as someone with strategies to expand opportunities… Continue reading

Opinion: Vote for Schoenberger
Opinion: Weldon cares about kids

Opinion: Weldon cares about kids

Beth Weldon knows about the challenges of raising children in Juneau – from finding child care for her preschool age children, especially when she worked… Continue reading

Opinion: Weldon cares about kids
Mayoral candidates Saralyn Tabachnick, left, Norton Gregory, center, and Beth Weldon answers questions during a Special Native Issues Forum at the Elizabeth Peratrovich Hall on Tuesday, Sept. 18, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Opinion: Economy should be next mayor’s top priority

I am having a difficult time deciding who to vote for among the candidates for mayor. These are some of the things they should be… Continue reading

Mayoral candidates Saralyn Tabachnick, left, Norton Gregory, center, and Beth Weldon answers questions during a Special Native Issues Forum at the Elizabeth Peratrovich Hall on Tuesday, Sept. 18, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Sen. Mike Dunleavy, R-Wasilla, left, speaks with Sen. Click Bishop, R-Fairbanks, before a Senate Finance Committee meeting in 2014. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Opinion: Mike Dunleavy for governor

In 1994 my wife and I made a decision to seek a path to U.S. citizenship through a unique opportunity with the U.S. Department of… Continue reading

Sen. Mike Dunleavy, R-Wasilla, left, speaks with Sen. Click Bishop, R-Fairbanks, before a Senate Finance Committee meeting in 2014. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
Alyse Galvin, independent candidate for U.S. House of Representatives, right, speaks with Marilyn Orr during a “town-hall-style coffee and conversation” at 60 Degrees North Coffee and Tea on Friday, Sept. 14, 2018. Galvin is running against Republican incumbent Rep. Don Young. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Opinion: Send Alyse Galvin to Congress

I would like to share my enthusiastic support for Alyse Galvin for Congress. We definitely need a change in our representation in Washington, D.C. and… Continue reading

Alyse Galvin, independent candidate for U.S. House of Representatives, right, speaks with Marilyn Orr during a “town-hall-style coffee and conversation” at 60 Degrees North Coffee and Tea on Friday, Sept. 14, 2018. Galvin is running against Republican incumbent Rep. Don Young. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)