Letters to the editor

A letter to the Mat-Su School District

To the editor:

I want to share a letter I wrote to the MatSu School District about 56 books that are being evaluated to be banned. Please help protect our community from censorship!

Dear People of the Library Citizens Advisory Committee and the Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District School Board,

I am writing to express concern about the attempts to remove 56 books from the library shelves at all 47 schools located in the District. I am a parent and active community member in District 7. In general, I feel that attempting to ban a book from a library is only going to make that book more desirable to many of our youth. These books are not being “distributed” into the hands of our youth and young adults. They were quietly nestled next to many other books and only discovered by the curious or motivated student.

I will also address the first four books that are to be evaluated: It’s Perfectly Normal, Drama, The Lovely Bones, and The Bluest Eye. Each one is discussed on a separate page accompanying this letter. Reading is the safest way for our children and young adults to learn about the world in which they are growing up. We may legally call young adults “children” until they are 18 years old, but these “children” are physically maturing. They are navigating the confusing changes happening to their sexually-awakening body as they menstrate, develop female breasts, and grow adult body hair. They are also navigating confusing emotions as they develop sexual attractions and they quest for answers in a complicated world.

Let us, as parents, do our job to teach them our values and morals and let’s let them do their job as they explore the world and learn how to make their own decisions… in the end, that is what we are teaching them to do, right?

In Summary, please consider that although there may be a majority of white, Christian, straight people in our community, that does not mean that the minority should be silenced. Please allow ALL members of our community have a voice. Alaska is a place where we choose to live differently. We value individual rights and the Freedom for each person to live their lives the way they dream of doing, without infringing on their neighbors’ same right.

Sincerely,

Jennifer Pironis, a concerned parent of District,

Talkeetna

Suicide Prevention Awareness – Our work is not yet done

To the editor:

Let’s promote hope and connectedness.

September marks Suicide Prevention Month. Recent national polls indicate that 94% of adults believe suicide can be prevented. Unfortunately, we continue to see dramatic increases in the number of youth who need care. The latest stats are sobering:

• Almost 48,000 people died by suicide in 2021;

• That’s 1 death every 11 minutes; and

• 12 million adults thought about suicide and over 3 million made a plan.

Suicide is preventable. We are listening. As a behavioral healthcare provider right here in Alaska, our team at North Star Behavioral Health and the Chris Kyle Patriot Hospital is dedicated to #BeThere during #SPM23 (Suicide Prevention Month 2023) in a manner that promotes connectedness and recovery. Culturally relevant mental health services, evidence-based treatments and support are available. We are listening – and we can help.

If you or someone you love is experiencing an emotional crisis or thoughts of suicide, 24/7 assessments are available by contacting us directly or you may contact:

• 988, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline that provides 24/7, no-cost and confidential support for individuals in distress, including prevention and crisis resources. Text, chat or call today. Trained crisis counselors are ready to serve.

• The Veterans Crisis Line for U.S. Military Veterans, call 988, press 1.

• Trevor Lifeline, the only national 24/7 lifeline for LGBTQ youth, at 1-866-488-7386.

We want our community to know we are in this together, and each of us has a role to play in suicide prevention throughout the year and especially in September.

#BeThere #SPM23

Ross Newcombe, Chief Executive Officer North Star Behavioral Health Systems

Jim Cooper for the city of Palmer

To the editor:

Who is Jim Cooper

I grew up in Juneau in a Coast Guard family. Continuing the tradition with a 26 year Coast Guard career myself, my wife and I lived in many coastal communities in and out of Alaska. Upon retirement, my wife, Cheri, and I moved to Palmer in 1995, and purchased the Just Sew fabric store and operated it for 11 years. During that time and since then, we became thoroughly committed to the community.

Why Jim Cooper?

- Former Palmer Mayor

- Former Palmer Councilman

- Past co-chair of the Palmer Pride & Special Events committees

- Past president of the Greater Palmer Chamber of Commerce

- Past member of the Palmer Planning and Zoning Commission

- Past chairman of the Palmer Community Development Task Force

- Current Board member of the Palmer Community Foundation

- Current Board member of the National Brain Tumor Society

- 26 year military veteran & licensed marine captain

- City of Palmer Citizen of the Year.

Some of the issues and priorities I believe we need to insure happen for Palmer and her residents.

- Maintain the charm and integrity of downtown while encouraging and assisting small businesses to locate and prosper here.

- Promote customer service from City government and involve business owners in decisions that affect them

- Upgrade our current infrastructure; e.g. fix sidewalks and crosswalks

- Pave remaining roads within the City

- Ensure the Palmer library meets the needs of the community

- Prioritize walkability for all ages and abilities

- More community conversations; i.e. involving citizens in decisions.

- Work with the Borough and State to improve their roads and infrastructure that surround the City

Palmer needs someone who is committed to the City and ALL the residents. Someone who listens to all sides and makes decisions based on what is best for the entire community. My experience shows I have done that and will continue to do that. It is time for a Positive change for Palmer. I would appreciate your vote Oct 3, 2023.

Early voting starts Sept 18, 2023. Contact City of Palmer 907 761 1301 for more information.

Jim Cooper,

Palmer

Thankful for the help

To the editor:

On July 28 I had a grease fire in my kitchen I had walked away for less than 10 minutes, soot covered everything in my house, i needed to wash walls and ceiling in the whole house, Sunday 30th I had 15 of my neighbors show up, (3, I had never met before) and we all spent about 8 hours washing, i live in midtown estates here in palmer, I was overwhelmed by the kindness of my neighbors, and just wanted them recognized as the greatest neighbors anyone could ask for.

Edward Brown,

Palmer