Vacation

The Kodiak Perspective . . .

. . . is on Vacation

FULL COLOR ADS

Have you noticed the full color ads that have been running in the Kodiak Daily Mirror espousing the virtues of development on Near Island? The ads are hard to miss as they sprawl across the bottom of the page. If you look very closely you will see the inscription “Paid for by the City of Kodiak”. Plans for development of Near Island are moving forward quickly, with lots allocated for 2 native corporations, the Post Office, the Alaska Marine Highway terminal, and the Jail/Police Station. So why is the City of Kodiak spending gobs of money on this public relations campaign when it is pretty much a done deal? Are they going to convince the nay-sayers or are they trying to sway those fence sitters on the City Council to finalize the plans that they have been shoving down the taxpayers throats. Full color ads in the Kodiak Daily Mirror cost $800 plus the linage costs of $10.99 per column inch! The property tax that the Kodiak Perspective pays (City of Kodiak 2 mills) would not cover the cost of even 1 ad. The City of Kodiak must be swimming in money, or in the planned 14 million dollar pool.

DINNER THEATER – FOOD AND FUN

The Dinner and Theater presented semi-annually as a fund-raiser for the Kodiak Morning Rotary with help from the Kodiak Arts Council and Culinary Horizons is a fun event. A new twist this year is the separation of the dinner and the theater, one group eats while the other group sees the entertainment. This is an improvement over the portable stage which sat higher than the audience. The food and company are excellent and the entertainment light and surprising. The recent offering “Evil Little Thoughts” ran a bit long in the second act, but was much enjoyed by the well fed audience. A brave performance by director Mike Wall, who started undergoing chemo-therapy earlier in the week led a talented cast in this dark comedy.  

SPECIAL ELECTION

Alaskans are asked to go to the polls on April 3 for a special “advisory” vote, not a binding vote, to say whether or not the people of Alaska would like the legislature to draft a constitutional amendment to “prohibit employment benefits to state, municipal, or other subdivisions of the state from providing employment benefits to same-sex partners of public employees and to same-sex partners of public employee retirees?” Other subdivisions includes schools. This special advisory election will cost the state $1.2 million dollars and voter turnout is expected to be very low considering the non-binding nature of the question and that there are no other issues or positions on the ballot.

A statement from the League of Women’s Voters (Reprinted from the Nenana Messenger)

"As the April 3, 2007 advisory vote on the possibility of a future constitutional amendment approaches, the League of Women Voters of Alaska finds itself in an awkward position. Our mission as an organization is to encourage informed and active participation in government – we’re all about voting.

How could we possible be troubled or concerned about one more opportunity to cast a vote? But we are. Our state constitution clearly spells out the amendment process. The drafters of our constitution purposely chose a two-step amendment process, beginning with a proposal from a deliberative body (the legislature). Only after the legislators have deliberated, debated, and formally approved an amendment do the people vote.

The April 3 advisory vote turns this constitutional process on its head. Citizens are being asked to vote their opinion or hunch or best guess on what the legislature could or should or might do in the future. Indeed, we are being asked to vote before we know what we are voting on. For example, the language of the advisory vote differs very substantially from the related bill pending in the legislature. Furthermore, our legislators can choose to interpret the advisory vote outcome any way they wish while claiming that they are simply following the command of the people.

Our legislators are avoiding their constitutional duty at considerable financial cost to the state, and with considerable disrespect for the constitution and voters of the state, apparently only for the purpose of obtaining some political cover.

Should you vote on April 3? As the League of Women Voters, we are always in favor of voting. But this special election has sorely tested our convictions and resolve. Bottom line? The $1.2 million has been spent and the polls will be open from 7:00 in the morning until 8:00 in the evening. So we recommend going to your polling place on April 3 and casting a “no” vote as a way of sending a message – no more advisory votes!"

Katherine Gouyton, President League of Women Voters of Alaska.

GOVERNMENT MIND CONTROL

There were two interesting stories reported today on the Reuters news service. Bloggers in China and Television in the United States. How are these two stories related, they are both attempts by big government to control the masses. China’s bloggers now number 34 million and write about a myriad of topics, some of which upset the “General Administration of Press and Publication” which is trying to extend the rules for “licensed news outlets” to blogs.

Meanwhile in the United States, where we prize our freedom of speech, television broadcasts, the opiate of the masses, are required to go digital by 2009 eliminating free over the air broadcasts and making analog televisions obsolete. The Commerce Department has announced a $1.5 billion dollar plan to keep Americans watching television with subsidies to purchase converters for analog televisions. Did we get a rebate when records were replaced by compact disks, or when DVDs replaced tape media? Television is far too important to keeping the masses occupied and feeding them propaganda. Don’t be a mindless automaton, get rid of your television now, and learn to think for yourself.

CHESS

The Perspective has recently dusted off his chess set which has been retired for many years. This was due to interest in the game by a friends daughter and a fellow volunteer at KMXT. The Perspective is always glad to help those with an interest in the game of chess. A visit to the United States Chess Federation web site shows recent advances and lower prices on chess timers and quality sets and carrying cases. A complete set with clock and travel bag can be purchased for around $50, not bad. Hopefully these two will continue to improve and even participate in the annual Crab Festival Chess Tournament. Last year there was more interest in the scholastic level with only two participants in the adult section. So if you enjoy a game of chess, please spread the word so this year’s tourney is a success.

TRAVEL TIPS - CREDIT CARDS

The Perspective received his travel documents with planning advice from the tour operator. One suggestion was to alert your credit card agency of your travel plans. Several years ago when the perspective was visiting family in Ohio, and doing some shopping, the store got a call from the credit card agency to verify who was making out of state charges. The Perspective was able to satisfy the inquiry and continued his travels without further incident. It was very gratifying to know that the credit card agency was diligent to protect against fraud. If you are planning any international travel, notifying your bank is even more important, as they could suspend your account due to out of the ordinary charges.

KMXT VOLUNTEER BOWLING PARTY

Chris Provost picks up a baby split.

KMXT Volunteers enjoyed an afternoon at Tropic Lanes Bowling Alley. Attendance was small due to the glorious weather, but those who came enjoyed bowling and pot luck.
The Perspective, who once owned his own bowling ball and shoes, threw an alley ball for 5 consecutive strikes on his way to the high game of the afternoon (191), and was dubbed “The Kingpin” by board president Billy “The Rockfish” Heckler. Thank you to volunteer coordinator Lori Siebe for organizing this fun event.

The next event will be The Gong Show on Saturday, March 31. If you have a 3 minute act call to sign up at 486-3181. Information available at the KMXT Blog.

DIAMOND JIM’S DEMOLISHED

A sad day in Kodiak as the building that formerly housed “Diamond Jim’s Bar” the smallest bar in Alaska was demolished this morning. The 20 x 20 bar boasted that it could seat 40 people (8 at a time). Kodiakans will remeber the building for the numerous signs and decorations that adorned the outside of the building. The Perspective went there occasionally for Monday Night Football. The bar closed several years ago when the owners moved to warmer climes. The building was only briefly occupied after Diamond Jim’s closed. No word yet on plans for the use of the site. The mantle of Kodiak's “little bar” has been passed to the Tropics Lounge.

SPRUCE UP YOUR WARDROBE FOR SPRING

Springtime is a time of renewal, time to start planting your garden, time to clean the house, time to put away the heavy winter clothes and adorn ourselves in lightweight pastels.

A wonderful way to start is with some new bow ties. Just in time for St Paddy’s day, the smart looking leprechauns will be sporting the “Dubliner” from the Bow Tie Club. Learn to tie your own or get one pre-tied, the bow tie is back in fashion.

WINDS OF MARCH

It is said that March comes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb. Here in Kodiak March is when winter gets blown away. High winds return just before the vernal equinox causing people to bundle up against the chilling winds and walk, not so much upright as leaning into the forces of nature. Soon the day will outlast the night and the season of growth will be here.

WILD OATS
by Robert Penn Warren

I am sowing wild oats
on rocky hills and steep,
and when my harvest ripens
I shall not be here to reap.

But the four wild winds shall winnow
and the sun and rain shall reap;
and they shall glut my storehouse,
but I shall be asleep.

PLEASE DON”T BURY ME

Are you looking for a way to honor a loved one that is not as macabre as an urn on a mantle? Why not consider Life Gem? Using the carbon from your loved one’s hair and using heat and pressure a gem can be made in about 24 weeks. Isn’t jewelry a nice way to remember mom, dad, or even fido. Life Gem, memories made precious.