Parnell, assembly need to ‘Choose Respect’

To the editor:

Governor Parnell’s “Choose Respect” campaign should really be called “Choose Lip Service.” The governor, through the Frontiersman and Alaska Family Services, has given local men a platform to “lend their voices to the fight against domestic violence.” But actions speak louder than words.

I was recently asked to buy a $100 raffle ticket to raise funds for Alaska Family Services.

Really? This is how these services are going to be provided for those who need and want them? Through raffles? Governor Parnell could “choose” to fully fund social services, thereby putting his talk into action.

If the Choose Respect campaign is indeed going to be limited to words, then at least Governor Parnell (perhaps with help from the Frontiersman and Alaska Family Services) could give some guidance to the leadership of the Mat-Su Borough. The mayor and assembly members (who are all men) are in the perfect position to demonstrate what it means to “Choose Respect.”

According to the governor, “For men in particular to choose to be publically accountable for using their strength to protect and defend rather than to manipulate and control I think is awesome.”

I think it would be awesome for Mat-Su Borough Mayor Larry Devilbiss not to manipulate his public position by appointing an unqualified (and controversial) crony to the planning commission while at the same time failing to appoint well-qualified women to important commissions and committees. It would also be awesome for Assemblyman Steve Colligan to refrain from trying to control women through swearing and belittling during a public meeting.

Surely those who “Choose Respect” do not condone profanity toward women who speak up in public. Surely those who “Choose Respect” disapprove of assemblymen who discourage and disrespect public participation at public meetings.

If the “Choose Respect” campaign is intended to change anything, then the governor should support full funding of social services. If the “Choose Respect” campaign is going to be limited lip service, then the leaders of the Mat-Su Borough need some guidance on how to do so.

Krista Maciolek

Palmer