Comments by BHewitt
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Posted on November 9 at 1:31 p.m. (Suggest removal)
How many of you would say the things you do if you had to identify yourself in the blogs? I can't believe some of the bitter comments and opinions you spout off as if they were fact. My suggestion to the Newsminer is that there be as much vetting of the authors here as you do for the letters to the editor. This form of expression seems to create negativity in our society, like hate radio. It doesn't do any of us any good. Reasonable complaints and constructive criticism help us see issues from different perspectives but only when we express our thoughts with respect towards others as we seek truth. Please, bloggites, think about what you are saying BEFORE you push the publish button. Think about the consequence of your actions and would you want someone, who doesn't know you or your family, making these nasty comments and conclusions based on minimal facts? Work at making our society and community better. it starts with you.
Posted on November 3 at 11 p.m. (Suggest removal)
there are three members of the personnel board. Two were appointed in 2004 and 1 in 2006 so 2/3rds of the members were NOT, repeat NOT, Palin appointees. No more than two can be from the same party. Geez, get your facts straight first please.
Posted on October 2 at 6:08 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I agree with zet. As a person who lives in the area I can tell you that it makes sense to become part of the city. If it looks like a city, acts like a city, enjoys the benefits of the city, then it should help pay for the city. It is the responsible thing to do. What is it about people who want all the benefits but wants other people to pay for them? You are acting like teenagers that don't want to leave home.
Posted on October 1 at 7:24 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I believe many of them did get it right but probably several need some more education on the proper role of government in aiding in the construction of infrastructure to enhance that vitality that Yukon John refers to.
VISION FAIRBANKS is a great plan. I hope some of you bloggers participated in it. I did. Would I like to see more private enterprise downtown along the waterfront - absolutely but I have to admit that the addition of the court building, the park, the bridge, and the Doyon Building are real improvements to what we had there. I'm glad the log cabin is staying. I'm glad SpringHill Suites moved in and Key Bank built a great structure. A new bridge across the Chena will allow a new private enterprise structure I'm sure where Sampson Hardware sits.
If they build a convention arts center on Noble Street, that will allow more restaurants and shops to build around it and utilize the parking garage better. Widened streets and sidewalks add to the safety and movement of the public. These are the kinds of things government can do that enhance a city and make people want to live and work here.
Of course it would be nice if the bloggers were more insightful, pro-active and reasonable as well as politicians. Our downtown doesn't have to deteriorate and there is room for both styles of commerce. Not everything has to be downtown to make the city of Fairbanks economically desirable.
cheers Fairbanks.
On Candidates debate role of governments in reviving downtown
Posted on September 21 at 6:47 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Actually I know this is needed in several Alaskan towns. In some towns the only place to go is to the hospital and that is a very expensive stay. If people think they aren't paying for people already, they are wrong. Inebriates cost you all money in police and health care. You just probably don't see it. I would suggest that it is much less expensive for your pocketbook or wallet to donate heavily to getting this shelter built. Plus you get a tax deduction.
It is very important to have an EMT or medical personnel stationed there because you don't want the liability of someone who has had too much alcohol to die on you while they are asleep. You also have to have men separated from women for obvious reasons. You need to check them every few hours for vital signs. I hope you get enough volunteers. Maybe place the shelter next to the fire hall so they can check on them. Just thoughts. Good luck and thank you to the churches who have compassion.
On Fairbanks groups set foundations for new homeless shelter
Posted on September 12 at 5:42 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I disagree with you James. I remember my family asked to be annexed to the city in 1970. We have Norlite Inc. (formerly a campground) and now just apartments on 17th and Peger. We practically live across the street from the Troopers but yet receive great service from the City of Fairbanks police department. I also believe the State Troopers are great but I have received great services from the City and yes, paid dearly for it. But I realize that the city has grown up around us in the last 40 years and I should be paying for it. I use the city streets and at one time, city utilities. I used the police department and benefited from snow removal. Thank goodness I haven't needed the fire department but I appreciate the stricter building codes.
To me it makes sense to annex the land all the way to the airport. They are mostly businesses and yes, they receive many benefits of the city. They should help pay for them. Maybe we will eventually merge the city and borough into a municipality as other Alaskan towns have done (Anchorage, Sitka, and Juneau) with service districts for North Pole and Salcha,but I don't know. I'm not advocating that at the moment but I do believe that the area the city is looking to annex should be in the city and help relieve the burden on the other businesses and residents that support the core area we all enjoy,
On Fairbanks North Star Borough Assembly protests Fairbanks expansion
Posted on September 11 at 4:27 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Alaska used to be left out of presidential politics - it was too far for them to come visit for so few votes but now Alaska is on the political map. Thanks Sarah for drawing attention to our State. This is cheaper than Frank Murkowski's PR plan he proposed. You are doing it all by yourself. You make us proud.
Posted on September 7 at 6:21 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Yeah!!! I'm so delighted to hear about the loss in taxes from the decline in tobacco use. That is fantastic news. One of the reasons for the high tax was to offset costs incurred by smokers but also to act as a deterrent and incentive to quit. Yeah. I still find it hard to believe 1/4 of Alaskans smoke given all the known risks.
The federal highway administration is belt tightening too because people are driving less and their budget comes from fuel tax.
On Fairbanks, state budgets hurting as tobacco users kick the habit
Posted on July 23 at 5:53 a.m. (Suggest removal)
actually they got a grant for that plan I believe.
On Questions emerge as Borough Assembly reviews downtown revitalization plan
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Posted on November 17 at 6:29 a.m. (Suggest removal)
One skill that has been proven to affect the dropout rate is literacy by second or third grade. There have been several communities that have made this a priority and they have retirees coming into the schools to read to kids, Rotary groups have used their funds to get books into the hands of babies as they come home from the hospital, donors give to the Dolly Parton Imagination Library, the newspapers encourage parents to read to their children, girl scouts have taken books from the library and made books on tape to go with them so kids can learn to read along with the books, etc.
Fairbanks can change the statistics if they want. We are all affected by high drop out rates. As noted above, higher dropout rates mean higher prison populations, lower job skills and so high poverty, poor health, etc and the cycle begins a spiral downwards.
Stop blaming and do something about it in a positive way. Think today about ONE thing that you can do to improve a life for a child - yours or someone else's. When you reach out a hand to help one - you influence the condition of us all.
On Alaska's dropout rate outpaces national average