Letters to the editor

Something needs to be done about problem properties

To the editor:

I was just reading about the abandoned house in the valley. I live in Caswell lakes, and we have a lot of places people just up and leave and leave all their junk behind. Also the ones that are still here, and live in a junkyard! Another one is the squatters leave and leave their junk. It’s not only here, it’s all over the valley. Something needs to be done. A lot of us don’t like seeing this, and if I was a tourist it would give me a bad impression of the state! I E-mailed the Matsu Mgr, hopping to get some help.

James Christenson,

Willow

I support the right for the entire breadth of our community to determine what books we have access to at the local public library

To the editor:

I’m writing to address a community issue facing the Mat-Su Borough Assembly and MSB public libraries.

Certain community members are targeting 50+ library books. These individuals, many of whom did not have library cards at the start of this, are angry and loud, which is their right. They also have the right to follow MSB policy regarding book complaints. Instead, they’re attending MSB Assembly meetings and demanding voice, time, space, and removal of these books. Through the MSB Assembly’s mismanaging of the initial book brought to their attention and continuing to let these grievances be aired publicly rather than be handled per the policy, the situation has grown out of proportion.

The MSB Mayor and City of Palmer Mayor visited multiple groups to address this issue. Unfortunately, they fueled the fire. In the videos it seems they allude to the stealing library books and civil lawsuits against librarians as a solution. The City of Palmer Mayor noted the “indoctrination” of persons with a MLIS (Master of Library Information Science), aka librarians, in a disrespectful manner. Notably, this “indoctrination” includes setting personal bias and opinion aside to provide the resources and books their communities need and want.

Simply put, the community decides what books are in the library. Each library patron “votes” every time they do or don’t check out a book. The librarians and library staff are rightfully stressed by this chain of events and as concerned for their safety. Additionally, any parent concerned about what their child reads, may allow their child to use the parent’s library card as a means of vetting books according to personal belief. I support free thought and freedom of speech. I support the right for the entire breadth of our community to determine what books we have access to at the local public library. As a community member, I am able to make determinations regarding which books I will borrow for myself and my family. We live in a varied society that contains persons of many different cultures and values. I do not want my values determined by these community members. For any community member who would like to support your local library, local librarians and library staff, you may let you voice be heard at a MSB Assembly meeting or share your opinion. Let our librarians know what a great job they are doing and how much we appreciate them!

Darci Topp,

Palmer