The People's Paper May 2014

MAKE A SCENe

The People’s Paper

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MATANUSKA VALLEY, ALASKA

7 YEARS IN PRINT!

locally-owned publication defies the odds MAGAZINE

DEAR PUBLISHER

By Gregory Gusse Congratulations on your new paper.

The name is a somewhat peculiar choice, though Chartists did call theirs “The Champion of Political Justice and Universal Right”, certainly a sentiment we can all agree on.

While on the subject of history, I do need to take exception to some of your emotional comments on the founding of this nation. First, as to tyranny, it might be said the tyranny of trying to regulate drug lords and their mules and of course the tax dodgers and the deadbeats who weren’t paying their bills was the tyranny to be fought.

SEE PAGE 13

By Josh Fryfogle, Publisher I woke up this morning in a contemplative mood.

Lately a lot of things have happened. As I look back, I see that my life and efforts are filled with plot twists, unforeseen circumstances that shaped the future.

Seven years in print! Technically speaking, last month’s issue of Make A Scene marked seven years, but it was in May of 2007 that the first issue of Make A Scene was published. I was an idealistic artist, focusing on music.

The medium of music was the way that I could manifest my thoughts into something tangible. To create a vehicle to communicate complex ideas in a way that might be accepted by others. It was my individuation, as Carl Jung would have called it.

Make A Scene was originally an idea I had to make my music heard. I realized that the media was the primary way that music was brought to the masses. And I realized that media

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had the power to make or break a musician’s chances of being heard. I was learning something about media - it’s who you know.

10 years ago is when the idea hit me - an epiphany. I wanted to make it happen, not wait for the media to validate my music, but bypass them altogether, going straight to the people. So, I started an open mic event at the old Teeland building in Wasilla. It was hugely successful, and it got to the point where it was standing room only.

Then the fire marshall showed up, telling me that someone had made an anonymous call about us exceeding the capacity of the building. It was crushing. I’ll never understand why someone would want to do that.

The fire marshall didn’t like doing it.

He said that once the call is made, they have to act.

Shortly thereafter, the next week even, I saw posters that the open mic had moved across town. I wasn’t invited. Imagine my hurt! But pain shapes us, and artists use pain to

clean the metaphorical brushes we use to paint our reality. I moved on, and that open mic that I wasn’t invited to? It failed. It lasted a few weeks, but Make A Scene continued to grow, even if only in my mind.

Next, I was approached by the City of Wasilla about doing something similar, but at the new amphitheater at the Park. They offered me a decent budget, and with the help of the community, it was a success - Make A Scene lived on!

Summer that year came to a close, and I put all of my energy into my music. I was enjoying a decent amount of success with performance when an official from the City of Wasilla approached me. She was quite complimentary of the job I had done with music in the park series, and asked me would I consider doing it again.

Of course, I said yes. I asked her, since they were so complimentary of my previous work, if the City of Wasilla COntinues on PAGE 7 OF MAKE A SCENE Magazine

years!

MAKE A SCENE PRESENTS

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Submissions are not accepted via Facebook.

• 1776: AMERICAN REVOLUTION Along “Tobacco Coast” (the Chesapeake), the Revolutionary War was variously known as “The Tobacco War.” Growers had found themselves perpetually in debt to British merchants; by 1776, growers owed the mercantile houses millions of pounds.

British tobacco taxes are a further grievance.

Tobacco helps finance the Revolution by serving as collateral for loans from France.

• 1780-1781: VIRGINIA: “TOBACCO WAR” waged

by Lord Cornwallis to destroy basis of America’s credit abroad (ATS) “ We seldom think of Washington and his crew as drug lords, like Colombians, but there is a lot of evidence to support such an assertion.

It certainly isn’t an accident that Washington selected the pirates and smugglers from Marblehead to ferry him across the Delaware River.

Of course, we really know the Revolutionary War was about taxes pretty much plain and simple, especially the Stamp Tax. This tax was established solely for the benefit of the colonists for their defense. It should be remembered that citizens in Britain were being taxed at a significantly higher rate to pay for the 7 Years War. “AN ACT for granting and applying certain stamp duties, and other duties, in the British colonies and plantations in America, towards further defraying the expenses of defending, protecting, and securing the same; and for amending such parts of the several acts of parliament relating to the trade and revenues of the said colonies and plantations..”

If one sure legacy remains from the Revolutionary War; it is that Americans are a bunch of freeloaders (especially the wealthy) who expect their government to provide endlessly but fight bitterly not to pay for it. Thus we get today, “The Tea Party”.

The other point that I bristle at is ”when our laws were just and few…who lived off the surplus created by a free nation…”

• 1705: VIRGINIA Assembly passes a law legalizing lifelong slavery. . . . all servants imported and brought into this country, by sea or land, who were not christians in their native country . . . shall be . . . slaves, and as such be here bought and sold notwithstanding a conversion to christianity afterwards.”

Laws might have been few but they weren’t just, maybe, even worse than today. It was a nation built on slavery. That is the surplus economy: COntinues on PAGE 3

Education

The People’s Paper EducaTION PAGE 2

Scientists, Students

Celebrate Newly Acquired Salmon Habitat PRESS RELEASE from Great Land Trust A ribbon-cutting event and celebration at Machetanz Elementary School yesterday honored Great Land Trust’s

$1.5 million purchase of nearly 1,000 acres of land next to the school grounds and Palmer Hay Flats State Game Refuge.

The event launched The Salmon Project and Great Land Trust’s King Maker project, which aims to recognize individual Alaskans, from landowners to elementary school students, for the differences they make in protecting Alaska’s wild salmon resource.

The morning included salmon-themed art projects for the students and presentations by numerous guests including The Wild Bird Rehab Center; Sierra Doherty, a scientist from Department of Fish and Game; and Jonathan Stecyk, a biology professor from the University of Alaska Anchorage.

The ribbon-cutting ceremony was attended

by Mat-Su Borough Mayor Larry DeVilbiss, and featured a Knik Tribal Council blessing and a play performed by Machetanz Elementary School students called “Down at the Hay Flats.”

The land donation provides increased public access to the Palmer Hay Flats State Game Refuge. Previously, public access to the area was limited due to private ownership of the property around its boundar ies. Its proximity to neighborhoods and

Machetanz Elementary School offers endless opportunities for public use.

"This public access will be wonderful for the whole community and especially for students and teachers at Machetanz Elementary,” said Barbara Johnson, a teacher at the school.

“It will open up innumerable opportunities for field studies using this land corridor and the adjacent refuge as an outdoor laboratory without the hassle and expense of a bus field trip.”

Great Land Trust is now raising funds to build two new trailheads and a 4-mile rustic trail that will include boardwalks and viewing platforms. The trail will extend from Wasilla Creek at Nelson Road and end at Machetanz Elementary.

Great Land Trust is a non-profit formed by Alaskans for Alaskans whose mission is to work with willing landowners and other partners to conserve Southcentral Alaska’s special lands and waterways for future generations.

For more information visit our website at www.greatlandtrust.org. The Salmon Project is an exploration of Alaskans’ deep and personal relationships with wild salmon.

For more information on The Salmon Project, visit www.salmonproject.org

The Prudential Spirit of Community AwarD

Given to Local Alaskan PRESS RELEASE

The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards program, sponsored by Prudential Financial in partnership with the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP), named Leah Mildred Smith Alaska’s top middle level youth volunteer in February.

In addition to her cash award of $1,000.00 she received an engraved silver medallion and an all-expense-paid trip with her parent, Courtney Brooke Smith, to Washington, D.C., for four days of recognition events.

Leah, an eighth-grader at Colony Middle School, has played an important role in her church since she was 4 years old by lending her musical and leadership talents in worship services, youth programs, Vacation Bible School and the church’s nursery.

She was a featured soloist in the children’s choir at age 4, and went on to lead other children in singing and hand

motions. Before long, she was leading adults in song and other musical activities, and playing piano during the main worship service.

Leah devotes several hours each week to her musical endeavors at church, and has recruited friends to help.

In addition to playing a leadership role in the musical education of the children who attend her church, Leah devotes time to helping in the church nursery and participating in musical theater events. But she sees her most important role as being someone young children can look up to.

“One of the most memorable moments was when my mother was taking a picture at the end of a performance,” said Leah.

“A little girl rushed to be in the picture. She said she wanted to be in the photo so that she could grow up and be just like me!”

In addition to her cash award of $1,000.00 she received an engraved silver medallion and an all-expense-paid trip with her parent, Courtney Brooke Smith, to Washington, D.C.

Community

The People’s Paper COMMUNITY PAGE 3

Fair General Manager

Says Farewell

PRESS RELEASE from the Alaska State Fair Palmer, Alaska – Alaska State Fair General Manager Ray Ritari has announced his plans to retire after seven years with the Fair, and nearly 40 in the public event industry.

“It’s a good time. It feels right,” Ritari said of his decision to retire. “It will allow my wife Pat and I to pursue interests that we put aside during our busy careers.”

“We are all very happy for Ray’s ability to retire, but we are sad to lose him. He is a great leader, and he will be sorely missed by all,” said John Harkey, Fair board president.

Ritari will remain with the Fair through the end of his contract this November.

The Fair board of directors is preparing to undertake a local and nationwide search for a new general manager to lead the private, 501(c)3 nonprofit.

Ritari’s decision has been under consideration since last October and as a result, he signed a one-year contract extension instead of committing to the longer term desired by the Fair board.

Although he reached his final decision in March, the announcement was delayed until all members of the Fair board could be present. “I wanted them all to learn of this decision directly from me,” Ritari said, adding that the early announcement of his retirement will allow for a smooth transition of leadership.

Ritari joined the Fair as general manager in spring 2007. Under his leadership, the Fair significantly increased the quantity and quality of entertainment and educational opportunities at the Fair, bringing in world-class exhibits such as last year’s King Tut: Wonderful Things from the Pharaoh’s Tomb, and setting new records for AT&T Concert Series ticket sales and attendance.

With a focus on building sponsor relationships and obtaining both private and public grant funding, Ritari also led efforts that resulted in the completion of major capital projects. Examples include the overhaul of the Fair’s aging, low-capacity sewer system, and the replacement and structural upgrades of the 96,000-square-foot Farm Exhibits roof, both of which were completed last fall and were supported with legislative grants.

“The program and infrastructure improvements over the past seven years are unbelievable. Ray brought a new

level of programming, entertainment and education to the Fair,” Harkey said.

Among the many other noteworthy accomplishments while Ritari was at the helm were the launch of the Fair scholarship program, which has awarded $26,500 in awards to Alaska high school students since inception in 2010, and the establishment of Kativik (previously known as the Raven’s People program), which shares and celebrates Alaska’s Native cultures.

“None of this could have been done without the assistance and support of others – sponsors, grantors, legislators, staff, volunteers and board of directors, past and present. A lot of people have been involved in all aspects of the Fair’s improvement,” Ritari said.

“Our staff are recognized as industry leaders and the Alaska State Fair is poised for continued quality programs and infrastructure growth,” Ritari continued.

During his nearly 40 years in the public event business, Ritari has held positions including assistant manager of sports facilities at the University of Washington; manager of Idaho State University’s Holt Arena; associate athletic director for business affairs at Idaho State University; manager of the Dane County Exposition Center in Madison, Wisconsin; and manager of the Trade, Recreation and Agricultural (TRAC) Center in Pasco, Washington, in addition to his time at the Alaska State Fair.

Ritari joined the Fair as general manager in spring 2007. Under his leadership, the Fair significantly increased the quantity and quality of entertainment and educational opportunities...

Bringing in worldclass exhibits.

Ray Ritari Announces Retirement After Seven Years at Fair photo cOURTESY OF THE alaska state fair

DEAR PUBLISHER CONTINUED the labor of slaves and indentured servants! And is still today, a few ruling folks the same 1% (I’ve known some of them granted their lands by George the 3rd), the rest of us are slaves some in worse shape than others.

If you think you are free, If you don’t think you are an indentured servant, as are your children and their children and their children’s children’s children look at the Borough’s debt, much less your debt, or the nation’s debt. You are a slave as far a freedom goes..and would be caged if you are a black youth, if you fail to pay, if you speak to loudly, if you show how the emperor has no clothes.

Then, to the amendments to the Constitution, another of your points, specifically the Bill of Rights.

These amendments were added later (that’s why we call them amendments) otherwise there would be no Constitution at all! But until 1931 these amendments weren’t even considered by the courts much less some foundation, so get a grip. Until the courts, perhaps even stepping out of their bounds, took up these issues enforcement was left to the states.

George Mason, truly the intellectual father of our country first proposed this Bill of Rights as he had for Virginia’s constitution but left the Constitutional Convention because no bill of rights was considered. If the Federalist James Madison hadn’t presented the same “democratic” document to appease the anti-

federalists, the democrats, there would be no constitution, period.

And, we should clearly point out that Republicans from Abraham Lincoln to George Bush are big government, big debt, federalists NOT the image they project but the reality of their actions.

That’s the reality, tax and spend, especially Ronald Reagan. You may not want to hear it but it is history, it is what that party is even named!

If you were to ask James Madison or Alexander Hamilton our country was founded on the principle that white land holding men were to run the government a republic with a king, not a low life (you and I) democracy.

I’m an old school libertarian, I have no faith in parties of differing rhetoric but the same outcome, no faith that governments are for freeing the people; no the purpose of government is controlling the people. And I certainly don’t believe we should be slaves to the banks as our people have been since Alexander Hamilton a “founding father”.

What is the most interesting thing is how history is slowly being rewritten, some text books are no longer used in certain states because the mention slavery.

Curiously what you know as history and what I know are two different things in just one generation. Now that is power….

The People’s Paper pETS & ANIMALS PAGE 4

Pets & Animals Summer Care Tips

for Your Dog

6/30/2014

Community FREE Hearing Screening PRESS RELEASE from Mat-Su Sertoma Club On the first Saturday of each month , Mat-Su Sertoma is providing

FREE HEARING testing to the community, ages 7 and older.

No appointment is necessary and you can arrive between 10am to 1pm. This testing takes very little time and can provide you with a base-line evaluation.

Hearing screenings is provided at the Wasilla Physical Therapy office located behind Geneva Woods Pharmacy off Seward Meridian in Wasilla.

Mat-Su Sertoma Club uses an audiometers for the evaluation of hearing loss, purchased with a grant from the Mat-Su Health Foundation.

We offer FREE Hearing Screening, although we are not certified audiologists, we can provide you with a report on your current hearing status. We now have two testing rooms so bring your friends.

Noise erodes the small hair cells inside the cochlea of the human hearing organ. It is a very gradual process, and not a very noticeable one in the early stages. The damage that occurs on a daily basis is at first a temporary hearing damage. With repeated noise exposure the temporary damage turns into a permanent damage. At this stage the damage is irreversible.

The Mat Su Sertoma Club meets the second and fourth Thursday of the month at 5:30 p.m. in the back of Tailgaters Restaurant.

For more information about the Mat-Su Sertoma Club go to their website at www.matsuhearing.org FREE HEARING TESTING 1st Saturday of each month, 10am-1pm Wasilla Physical Therapy

By Mat-Su Sertoma Club

Valley Homeschool Prom Committee

Thanks The Community Businesses And Parents For Supporting Our 2014 Prom

By Laura Pinnick, Prom President Valley Homeschool Prom Committee would like to thank…

Primal Martial Arts Crosslight Photography Home Depot Mat Su Water MEA 3 Bears Wal-mart Learning Essentials Fairview Loop Baptist Church Judy Thomas Zimmerman Realtors Team The Best ever DJ “Mr. Big C” Make a Scene

Our community service donation went to Wasilla Food Bank from all the students that attended the prom, and brought food bank items to donate.

By Angie Lewis Summer should be a time of enjoyment for you and your dog , but all too

often this is a time of year when situations arise that can endanger your dog. There are only a few safety practices that need to be followed to ensure you and your dog have a wonderful time this summer.

Don’t leave your dog in a car – not even with the windows opened. Dogs can’t perspire and have a very hard time cooling off in a hot car. The temperature in a car can rise to 120 degrees in a few minutes.

Don’t drive with your dog in the back of a pickup. Your dog is a member of the family and should be treated as such. If you had to suddenly hit the brakes, your dog might literally fly out of your truck bed. Let her sit in the cab with you, or if nothing else, put her in a secured crate in the back of your truck.

Recognize lawn and garden dangers – plant food, fertilizer and insecticides can be lethal for your dog.

Lost dogs – make sure your dog is microchipped and that the contact information is current. In addition, your dog should wear a collar with an identification tag.

Dehydration – make sure your dog has plenty of water and shade to help her remain cool and hydrated.

Exercise – hiking with your dog is a wonderful experience. Be sure to limit exercise on a really hot day, particularly for older dogs or dogs with thick coats. Provide enough rest time and ample water.

Asphalt can be very hot and actually burn your dog’s paws.

Lakes - not all dogs are natural born swimmers and can easily drown. Monitor your dog to make certain of her skill level as a swimmer.

Fleas and ticks – this is not as big a problem in Alaska as it is in other parts of the country. If you use products for fleas and ticks, check with your veterinarian. Some over-the-counter treatments can be toxic, even when used as directed.

Summer events – be mindful of taking your dog to summer events such as concerts, fairs or other crowded places.

These can be stressful for some dogs that may run the risk of getting lost. Know your dog and what might be uncomfortable for her.

Other revelry – some dogs are very frightened of the loud sounds of fireworks and firearms. Dogs are best kept in the house for these celebrations. Some dogs become so stressed that they need medications to help them deal with loud sounds. Dogs can become lost as they try to escape the noise and run away.

MEET KOBUK

Thank you to all my chaperones and prom committee - you did a

How To Read a Press Release Not to be confused with researched reporting, press releases are written from the point of view of the politician, organization or entity to which the content of the press release pertains.

PRESS RELEASE Definition: An official statement issued to newspapers giving information on a particular matter.

Questions? Call us at 907-373-2698

Kobuk’s former life is a mystery to us. She was found walking the streets

of Aniak, dragging a chain behind her.

Sadly, after she was taken to a local rescue group, no one stepped up to claim her.

Kobuk, who apparently recently had a litter of puppies, found herself in the streets without a family.

This is where you come in, to help her have a better life than the one she started out with. Kobuk is great with other dogs and cats. She is approximately 1.5 years old and is a Golden Retriever/Lab Mix.

To meet Kobuk, please contact Alaska Animal Advocates at 3155050 or 841-3173. Email us at aaarescue@yahoo.com

Read something you don’t like?

Don’t just whine about it! Write about it!

MAKEASCENEAK@MAC.COM

Community

Recycling

By Jacob Mann 31% of Americans recycle. It is esti-

mated that about 15% to 16% of Alaskans recycle.

How those figures will change is decided by the actions of residents. Recycling in the Matanuska Susitna Valley is a challenge and deciding to take it up requires knowledge of the current situation which some Alaskans are unclear on or indifferent to. However, the amount recycled by Valley residents, schools and businesses has been gaining momentum.

Convenience is a crucial element to the success or failure in a movement like recycling.

If people know where the facilities are and they happen to be close enough, they could be inclined to make a trip.

“There are still people who don’t know we exist.” said Mollie Boyer – Executive Director of Valley Community Recycling Solutions (VCRS) (907) 745-5544.

VCRS has become the main force behind the overall success to recycling in the valley over the past 16 years. During an interview, she was asked about the current situation here in the valley. “Things are definitely improving. We quit doing outreach 6 or 7 years ago because we could only handle our natural growth. So were going to kick back into an aggressive outreach, letting people know we’re here both businesses and residents come June.

I’m optimistic that when we do that, the numbers are going to increase. The volume coming through is going to increase.”

Mat-Su Assembly member Warren Keogh addressed VRCS’s new building, “Previously the MAT-SU’s largest employer—the school district—could not meet its recycling needs. Today all that has changed.

The constant stream of recycling materials from the 2000 employees and the 17,000 students can now be recycled here,” Keogh said. “The diversion of materials from the garbage, saves expensive real estate at the landfill. One cell at the landfill fills up every 6-7 years and costs $3 million. The effort here slows down that rate of expansion.”

A number of people in the Mat-Su Valley could be more inclined to recycle if someone could show up at their house and pick up their bin full of recyclables . Such a service exists. Ready Recycles (907) 745-4224 will pick up a provided bin for $20 a month for a weekly service.

They will sort your items for you then take them to the Valley Recycling Center.

The drivers traverse much of the Palmer Wasilla area.

There is barely any financial compensation to recycle in Alaska and especially in the Mat-Su Valley. You can however, receive payments for aluminum cans at TRI-METAL INTERNATIONAL LLC (907) 357-9990 for 10 to 35 cents a pound. On average, it takes about 32 crushed 12 oz soda cans to equal one pound.

In a lifetime, the average American will throw away 600 times his/her adult weight in garbage. If you add it up, this means that a 150-lb. adult will leave a legacy of 90,000 lbs of trash for his/her children.

Alaska’s population is about 731,449.

Following that math, the results of the current populations lifetime will leave behind 65,830,410,000 pounds of trash.

That’s billion with a B (or 32,915,205 tons). In 2013, VCRS shipped: 1,231.2 tons of recycled material from their facility.

The amount of community involvement in recycling derives from: municipality regulations and programs, outreach methods from non-profits like VCRS, the

public’s knowledge of what and where to recycle and the inclination to do so.

“If you talk to folks in Palmer, they’re much closer. With the new baler in place, we will increase communication with them and will be ready when they start bringing us material.” The new baler will mark a shift in VCRS’s intake of recyclable materials.

The People’s Paper COMMUNITY PAGE 5

Fair Honored with ALPAR Award for Recycling and Litter Prevention

The new 2 stroke, auto tie baler will be able to handle more material efficiently at a higher rate. This will open new paths to relationships to interested businesses.

“They’re looking at how to do curbside…

Our equipment is important to handle that new increase of material. Were figuring out what their curbside will look like.”

“They’ve talked about creating little stations to make it more convenient for people too. If not curbside, maybe some convenient stations around town.”

An email was sent to the Wasilla City Council about the current situation of recycling and what is being discussed.

The response: “Good afternoon. The issue of recycling has not been discussed at the City Council level. The administration however, does have paper recycling bins available for our staff to use. I am not sure if anything else is planned at this time.”

“Wasilla is a little further behind.” Boyer commented.

“Wasilla has a hard time having an identified town. It’s an area. Palmer has a little downtown. It makes sense. Wasilla doesn’t really have a downtown that makes any sense.

They’re working on it but they haven’t achieved it yet. Palmer was a little bit lucky in that way. In it’s creation it was more thought out since day one. Wasilla sort of bloomed. Never a conscious, ‘let’s build a town here.’ They’re trying to switch that, but it’s harder to go back in retro –same with landfills.”

If Anchorage started curbside recycling, enough Alaskans must have been interested. Enough of them felt it necessary to pay a monthly fee and separate recycled from their trash. That occurred in Alaska’s largest city, which is mostly a grid.

Areas like Wasilla are a stretched out free for all. Palmer is compact and and aligned enough to support a future curbside recycling program.

If not, it is condensed enough to establish collection areas to sort and drop off recyclables. Alaska’s existing programs and business conduct thus far has displayed a sober acknowledgement of recycling and renewable energy. If any more changes to be made, more people must form an opinion.

Roxie Mayberry, Corporate Partnership Director; Pamella Meekin, Vendor & Exhibits Manager; Mary Fisher, ALPAR Director; Don Grasse ALPAR Board Member

PRESS RELEASE from Alaska State Fair Palmer, Alaska – The Alaska State Fair was honored with the Outstanding Recycling Program award at the Alaskans for Litter Prevention and Recycling (ALPAR) awards banquet, held May 1 in Anchorage. The awards celebrate the work and achievements of Alaska’s recycling innovators and stewards for a litter-free environment.

“For their extraordinary commitment to environmental stewardship through the recycling program at the largest event in Alaska, ALPAR is honored to present the Outstanding Recycling Program Award to the Alaska State Fair,” said Don Grasse, ALPAR board member, during his award presentation to the Fair at last week’s banquet.

The Fair recycling program began in 2002 through a partnership between the Fair, Green Star, BP, Valley Community for Recycling Solutions and hundreds of volunteers. Over the years, the program has grown from an all-volunteer effort to the addition of four paid staff during the Fair.

The Fair works to enlist and organize volunteers and supplies, coordinating with the Fair’s maintenance crew and the Valley recycling center.

the recycling area, and vests, aprons and gloves for volunteers.

Last year alone, Fair staff and volunteers collected and sorted more than 30,000 pounds, or 15.2 tons, of recyclable materials, including plastic, mixed paper, aluminum, cardboard and steel cans.

ALPAR is a nonprofit organization dedicated to increasing economically viable recycling and eliminating litter in Alaska.

It has been recognizing recycling and litter prevention achievements in Alaska throughout its 31 years of operation.

By acknowledging exceptional contributions, the ALPAR awards encourage everyone in Alaska to do their part to prevent and clean up litter and reduce, reuse and recycle waste while continually developing better business methods that lend to sustainable and beautiful communities.

“For their extraordinary commitment to environmental stewardship through the recycling program...ALPAR

The Fair also provides a unit to store equipment and supplies through the winter; the same unit provides headquarters for the recycling program during the Fair. With help from BP, the Fair has also invested in tents to cover

is honored to present the Outstanding Recycling Program Award to the Alaska State Fair”

With knowledge of the subject and with public awareness, residents can fairly assess the situation and decide if recycling is worth Alaska’s time and money.

Boyer comments, “This recycling center brings back the opportunity for people to come to that realization on their own because you have to own it. You have to get it. You’re not going to do it if you’re doing it for somebody else or because you have to.

You gotta do because you get it.”

To find out more about what, how and where to recycle in the Valley, try Valley Community for Recycling Solution’s webpage: valleyrecycling.org

With the new baler in place, we will increase communication with them [the community] and will be ready when they start bringing us material.”

Here Through Sept 15 PRESS RELEASE

from Mat-Su Borough The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) will have a staff person available at the Matanuska-Susitna Borough’s one-stop permit center throughout the summer.

The Corps presence in the Mat-Su every Thursday from 8 am to 3 pm gives an opportunity for the public to work locally with the federal agency beginning April 24 and continuing through September 15.

DID YOU KNOW?

That if the world’s discarded printer cartridges were stacked end-to-end in one year’s time, they would circle the earth over three times!

Politics A Departure

The People’s Paper politics PAGE 6

from Principle

By Stuart Thompson “This is the tendency of all human governments. A departure from principle becomes a precedent for a second; that second for a third; and so on, till the bulk of society is reduced to mere automatons of misery, to have no sensibilities left but for sinning and suffering... And the fore horse of this frightful team is public debt.

Taxation follows that, and in its train wretchedness and oppression.”

Why Do Innocent People

Plead Guilty?

By Vic Kohring

It’s well known that the press jumped all over me following my October 2011 plea deal.

The Anchorage Daily News, in typical fashion, proclaimed that I “admitted” to wrong doing. The Frontiersman ran an editorial demanding I apologize. The Daily News has a long history of being a deceptive, politically-driven newspaper, unlike the Frontiersman. So their attack was expected.

However, the Frontiersman got it wrong too, but I believe for different reasons. Perhaps it was naivety - not knowing the reality of our legal system.

Whoever wrote their unsigned editorial lambasting me I’m sure had good intentions, but was probably unaware that a plea deal doesn’t necessarily mean a person’s guilty.

The issue of my plea surfaced again after an article dated May 2, 2014 by The Atlas Society. The article discusses New York federal trial court Judge Jed Rakoff, a rare gem in our judiciary, who understands that it’s commonplace for innocent people to be coerced by abusive federal prosecutors into “admitting” guilt.

Judge Rakoff is working to put a stop to the practice by educating the public and advocating for the innocent. Alaska District Court Judge John Sedwick could learn a lot from Rakoff’s wisdom.

It was Sedwick who collaborated with prosecutors that resulted in a sham trial my bogus conviction, as both had zero interest in seeing truth and justice prevail for reasons that were personally motivated.

The American Bar Association has established standards for prosecutors which require that they have a duty to seek justice, not merely a conviction. Judge Rakoff notes how this code demands an “independent, impartial and competent judiciary,” something completely void in both U.S. Sen. Ted Stevens case and mine.

Rakoff explains how defendants are often threatened with decades in prison, placing them at a huge disadvantage as they’re forced to choose between pleading guilty to false charges to avoid the risk of losing at trial and being put away for what could

to be decades. It’s as if a sledgehammer was held over a defendant’s head.

Our judiciary has sadly evolved into a system of prosecutor power over the accused, resulting in thousands - even tens of thousands - of innocent people being sent to prison for crimes never committed, according to Rakoff.

This is precisely what I faced. I was placed in the impossible position of pleading guilty to a dubious crime over something that never occurred in order to protect my family from FBI intimidation and the threat of losing at my scheduled retrial and being taken away from loved ones for years.

I believe the Frontiersman may have changed their attitude and would not have flown off the handle had they understood the reasoning behind my plea bargain. They seem like reasonable people and publisher Mark Kelsey is a real gentlemen and honest man.

But not the Daily News.

Regardless, the “News” would have trashed me as their goal is to destroy legitimate conservatives they view as a threat to their political agenda and indoctrinating the public with a Marxist philosophy. Forget the many cowardly RINO’s (Republicans In Name Only) that make up Juneau’s majority in the legislature who would rather hold hands and sing “Kumbaya” rather than take a stand and offend a voter. It’s those few with the intestinal fortitude to take on the establishment who fall into the ADN’s bullseye.

As one who was married to a Russian immigrant and who has traveled to Russia and studied its system of government, I’m reminded of the old Soviet News Agency Tass, which the Daily News emulates. Destroy your opponents no matter how much the truth is compromised if it furthers statism and the objectives of a government bent on usurping individual liberties and controlling people’s lives.

Perhaps this may change with the new local ownership at the Daily News as they bring in new editors and reporters who hopefully won’t take orders from outsiders such as the McClatchey Company in Sacramento. I’m cautiously optimistic.

Vic Kohring is a Wasilla resident

DID YOU KNOW? Studies that have been done estimate that between 2.3% and 5% of all prisoners in the U.S. are innocent (for context, if just 1% of all prisoners are innocent, that would mean that more than 20,000 innocent people are in prison).

This quote is attributed to Thomas Jefferson. James Madison said much the same thing about public debt in his 1792 essay “The Union: Who Are its Real Friends”.

The principles that our political heritage are based on enable rational freedom to be practiced with supervision from Constitution-based justice. But they have been departed from so badly that the American people have fallen for the worst government scam there is---that government’s primary duty is to protect them.

That was the rationale Augustus Caesar used to dissolve the Roman republic: that centralized all-powerful government was necessary to protect the Roman people from barbarians. This rationale of protection underlies why people have submitted to and subjected themselves to every monarchy, every aristocracy, every oligarchy, every tyrant, and every ruling nobility that has ever been.

People elect charming, plausible, but imperfect human beings to such power because they fear or refuse the responsibilities of freedom and communityfounded justice. They show they don’t have the courage to persevere through the imperfections of government of, by, and for the People. But they do have the cowardice to submit to militarized police whose imperfections are magnified by the corruption enabled by public carelessness.

And so we come to the deserts of public degradation --- having “no sensibilities left but for sinning and suffering”.

What do you call using power generated by industrious forbears to bully other peoples to support a standard of living and comforts that Americans have not produced and worked enough for? What do you call funding assassins or insurgents (including Al Qaida) in other countries to get strong man-leaders who are willing to kiss America’s butt (Iran, Iraq, Afghanistan, Nationalist China, Chile, Indonesia, Venezuela, Egypt, Libya, Syria, Ukraine, etc.) in exchange for money, weapons, and population control gadgets?

What do you call having a larger defense budget than the rest of the world combined --- that is distributed to every state in the Union so that too much of America is economically dependent on this virtual government welfare?

What do you call leading the world in doping children with psychotropic drugs (1 in 13 American children per the CDC) to “cure” their learning problems? This is while increased school spending is achieving a steep decline in educational results in comparison to other First World countries who aren’t into this doping fad (we’re not now even in the top 15)?

What do you call experiencing monstrous unemployment that our government attempts to conceal for propaganda purposes (obscured government statistical examples: 1 in 20 American families have no one with jobs in them; and 59% of America’s

identifiable workforce are unemployed, in prison, or are on unemployment benefits/welfare). What do you call bragging that America is the leader of the free world when it has the largest percentage of its people in prison than any other country in the world? This is while failing to stimulate working government of, by, and for the people in any of the countries it has intervened in militarily during the last 50 years.

What do you call groveling before incompetent US Supreme Court decisions about the personhood of corporations (enabling money to make voting almost completely fraudulent--because indoctrination replacing education in our country has made Americans too vulnerable to propaganda)?

Open your eyes and look around --- our country is literally dying with psychopathic criminals in power leading us into desperate, irrational measures.

What to do? Conditions this bad will never be solved with some magical leader coming to power. It takes the cumulative power of INDIVIDUAL AMERICANS learning or re-learning about the historically workable solutions to state/national economies and government, and agitating for them to be put into effect.

It takes INDIVIDUAL CITIZENS studying to realize the full meaning of their pledges of allegiance---they are not just docile animals being herded by benevolent governments. It takes INDIVIDUAL military personnel studying to realize the full meaning of their oaths of enlistment---they are not just slavish bullyboys of the President.

Finally, please re-read and take seriously the second paragraph of the US Declaration of Independence.

Don’t let the riches of our political heritage be treated like political toilet paper by dishonorable politicians manipulated by insane monsters using money or blackmail. Otherwise, it is inevitable that our government of, by, and for the People will perish from this earth. Fact.

“This is the tendency of all human governments. A departure from principle becomes a precedent for a second; that second for a third; and so on, till the bulk of society is reduced to mere automatons of misery, to have no sensibilities left but for sinning and suffering...

And the fore horse of this frightful team is public debt.

Taxation follows that, and in its train wretchedness and oppression.”

- Thomas Jefferson

Read something you don’t like?

Don’t just whine about it! Write about it!

MAKEASCENEAK@MAC.COM

Politics

The People’s Paper politics PAGE 7

Walker Calls Parnell’s

Gas Line Appointment

an Affront to Alaskans PRESS RELEASE from WALKER FOR GOVERNOR Bill Walker issued the following statement in response to the Alaska Legislature’s passage today of a bill to permit non-residents to serve on the AGDC Board:

“As an Alaskan who has worked for several decades to build the all-Alaska gas line to tidewater for LNG export to the Asian market, I am baffled by Governor Parnell’s tenacity in making sure an out-of-state resident and former Exxon executive is placed on the state’s gas line board.

When state law prohibited Parnell from appointing a Houston resident to a state board, Parnell dug his heels in, changed the law and made it retroactive to last

September in order to make his illegal appointment legal.

Exxon, for whom Parnell represented as an attorney, has refused to sell gas to the Asian market for decades and has been a roadblock to Alaska’s gas line development. I have complained for years that there is nobody on Alaska’s side of the table in gas line negotiations.

The fact that our governor, who also worked as a lobbyist for Conoco Phillips, would change the law in order to have an Exxon man negotiate for Alaska is further confirmation that Parnell is not wearing the people’s uniform. This is an affront to the Alaskans he was elected to represent.”

ALASKA FREEDOM FAIR

AND CONVENTION PRESS RELEASE from Daniel Hamm President, Alaska Republican Assembly May 24th issues in the Rebirth of Summer and Freedom in Wasilla

The Alaska Republican Assembly will be hosting several nationally known inspirational freedom speakers at the Menard Sports Center in Wasilla on Saturday May 24th from 10:00am to 3:30pm (registration begins at 8:00am).

The whole family is invited with tickets as low as $10 per individual or $25 per family. This is not an event to be missed.

The Alaska Republican Assembly is the newest member to join the National Federation of Republican Assemblies (NFRA) - a nationwide organization formed to support the Republican limited-government platform.

State Republican Assemblies have been around for decades and have been instrumental in getting conservative candidates elected such as President Ronald Reagan, and now keep his spirit alive.

The first day of Memorial Day Weekend traditionally issues in the rebirth of summer. Join us as we issue in the rebirth of freedom in Alaska. You do not have to be a member of any political party to attend.

The Freedom Fair and Convention will be an exciting day of great speakers and music. Speakers include NFRA President and Nevada Assemblywoman Sharron Angle (who garnered 45% of the vote against Harry Reid in Nevada for the U.S. Senate) and regional vicepresident Willes Lee from Hawaii.

Sheriff Richard Mack from Arizona will be speaking on how elected sherif

Sheriff Mack is also an author of numerous books, state’s rights advocate, and successfully challenged the Brady Bill all the way to the Supreme Court and won. He recently spoke at the Bundy Ranch in Nevada. Pastor Rafael Cruz (the father of U.S. Senator Ted Cruz of Texas) will give the keynote speech.

Pastor Cruz was born in Cuba and witnessed firsthand the horrors of communism. He put himself through college in Texas and is now a pastor in Dallas, Professor of the Bible and Theology, and nationally known inspirational freedom speaker. He reminds Americans everywhere of the blackrobed regiment of pastors during the American Revolution and how our spiritual heritage supports our freedom heritage.

Tailgaters coming in the night before in RVs to camp for freedom at the Menard Sports Center RV parking area can take advantage of RV parking for $15 per night, $10 for the dumping station, and hot showers.

For advance tickets, visit www.alaskara. com.

Thomas Paine believed that with enough faith and determination his generation could begin the world over again.

And as you know, that is exactly what they did. Join us as we do it again!

Media by the People... ...For the People

Libertarian Candidates PRESS RELEASE from the alaska libertarian party Running for U.S. Senate Mark Fish I believe an individual has a right to life, liberty and property. I believe the sole purpose of government is to insure those rights.

Running for U.S. Senate Thom Walker

form the last line of constitutional defense and how they could benefit Alaska.

Announcing 2014

Running for U.S. Congress Jim McDermott As Alaskan Libertarians, We believe that individuals have the right to life, liberty, and property. We believe that respect for human rights is the essential precondition for a free and prosperous world, that force and fraud must be banished from human relationships, and that only through true freedom can peace and prosperity be realized. We defend each individual’s right to engage in any activity that is peaceful and honest, and welcome the diversity that freedom brings. The world we seek to build is one where individuals are free to follow their own dreams in their own ways, without interference from government or any authoritarian power.

Running for Alaska Governor Carolyn Clift Carolyn “Care” Clift, a retired public school teacher, filed a Declaration of Candidacy for Governor today. Carolyn is a member of the Libertarian National Committee and an Executive Board member of the Alaska Libertarian Party. She is running on a platform of shrinking and balancing the state

budget and protecting individual rights and responsibilities.

Carolyn, also known as “Care,” will defend each individual’s rights to engage in any activity that does not actively violate anyone else’s rights, without interference from government or any authoritarian power.

Although Care’s new website is still under construction, it will be “carecliftcampaign.com.”

In the meantime, you can find her on Facebook at www.facebook.com/CareClift.forAlaska. You may make donations at that site.

You may also contact her at: info@carecliftcampaign.com For campaign information, contact Rob Clift, campaign manager at (907)337-9679.

Running for Lt. Governor Andrew Lee Running For House District 19 Cean Stevens Its time for a leaner more intelligent government centered on efficient ways of doing business, responsible stewardship of our diminishing resources and a more civil and respectful way of working with all Alaskan’s.

There will be more information on the ALP website: alaskalibertarian.com

Are you a Politician or a PublioServant?

Send us your PRESS RELEASES MAKEASCENEAK@MAC.COM

The People’s Paper

Politics

DRONE INTRUSION?

HUGHES HAS YOU COVERED PRESS RELEASE By Representative Shelly Hughes N e w s reports a couple years ago had me worr ie d.

What was the “drone” phenomenon all about and what would this new technology mean – and how would it impact the privacy we treasure so much here in Alaska?

I decided to find out. In the process, I learned that an Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) was a tool, a tool that an operator could choose to use for good or for bad. I decided that in Alaska, we need to make sure we harness UAS for good, for the benefit of Alaskans. We need to make sure, as this technology is being employed for a variety of new uses, that the privacy of individuals remains paramount.

After research, discussions, and monitoring the development of this new industry, I proposed the formation of a UAS Legislative Task Force in 2013 via a resolution passed by the legislature; the Task Force’s job was to recommend state policy pertaining to UAS to the legislature.

After leading the Task Force through a series of meetings and taking public input last year, I introduced two pieces of legislation this year based on its recommendation. The Alaska Legislature passed the pair of drone bills this session.

One establishes rules for UAS use by law enforcement and the other extends the UAS Legislative Task Force until June 30, 2017.

Acting on citizens’ concerns regarding personal privacy, the first piece of legislation, House Bill 255, clearly defines the rules for law enforcement’s use of UAS. The bill strictly specifies that search warrants must be issued before gathering evidence for a criminal investigation using a UAS. The bill also requires law enforcement to:

- Maintain a record of each flight, and establish an available flight record system; - Allow operation only by trained and certified pilots and crews; - Obtain any authorization, permit, or certificate required by the Federal - Aviation Administration to operate the unmanned aircraft system; - Notify the public of the operation of a UAS, unless notifying the public would endanger a person’s safety; - Provide for community involvement in the development of the policies; - Ensure that the flight of an unmanned aircraft system be for a public purpose; and - Dispose of images that are not required as part of an investigation, for prosecution or training.

UAS will provide our law enforcement officials with a helpful tool to improve efficiency (such as for filming car crashes to allow roadways to be cleared more quickly); to improve safety (such as for search-and-rescue efforts in inclement weather); and to improve capabilities

(such as for responding to silver and amber alerts). All of these uses are beneficial to the public safety of Alaskans.

HB255 also added protections to prevent law enforcement overreach.

In addition to the public sector, the private sector is interested in the use of UAS. At an increasing rate, drones are in our skies, our businesses, our homes, and in the news almost daily. The affordability and increased availability of small UAS translates into one in four homes in America owning a drone. The industry is growing at an incredibly fast rate – believed to be faster than any other industry in recent history. It is changing aviation as we know it. With the integration of drones into the national airspace due in late 2015-2016 and new FAA rules pertaining to private sector drone use expected soon, a whole new world awaits.

House Concurrent Resolution 15 extends the UAS Legislative Task Force from June 30, 2014 to June 30, 2017, coinciding with the FAA’s new test site period for UAS in Alaska. The Task Force is timely and critically needed to address the ongoing concerns of Alaskans as this new technology continues to emerge.

I will be submitting names of persons interested in serving on the Task Force as industry or public members to the Senate President and Speaker of the House who will by making the selection soon. If you are interested in being considered, please send a statement of interest and your resume to me at Rep.Shelley.Hughes@ akleg.gov by May 30, 2014. Task Force members will be expected to participate in (tentatively) three in-person meetings in Anchorage or Fairbanks as well as in teleconferences.

The Task Force duties include conducting a public hearing to address privacy and data captured related to the FAA test site in Alaska. It also includes providing recommendations to the legislature for future needed state policy. The Task Force will provide a central point of contact for the public and industry where concerns can be addressed. It will also serve as a central point for public education.

I am excited at the prospects of future economic development related to UAS. We want to encourage the private sector.

We want to send the message that Alaska is the best place in the world to develop, test, and use UAS. I spoke to a UAS Alaska business owner recently; he hopes to grow his company to employ 100 people.

The Task Force, with citizens’ input, will help ensure personal privacy while at the same time, work to open the door to UAS industry opportunities.

If you have questions or concerns regarding UAS, please contact my office at 907-376-3725. The Task Force may be able to address your topic or I may be able to help you. This technology is an emerging industry, and we all need to be kept up to speed. We are developing a website so that you can stay informed and participate in the process. Together, we can make sure drones benefit us here in Alaska.

Rep. Hughes with Ro Bailey, Ro Bailey, Director of the Pan-Pacific UAS Test Range Complex (an FAA Test Site), and Deputy Director of the Alaska Center for Unmanned Aircraft Systems Integration - RDT&E, Geophysical Institute, University of Alaska Fairbanks Photographer Ginger Blaisdell

The People’s Paper politics PAGE 8

Convention

of States

By Kelly Caraway, Alaska Coalitions Director, Convention of States

Founders were very familiar with interstate conventions.

In a nutshell, the Convention of States project is a means by which “we the people” can work through our state legislatures to restrict the power and jurisdiction of the federal government.

It’s the ultimate state nullification.

The protocols are well established historically and legally, with nearly 40 interstate conventions in our history.

Rob Natelson, recognized as the premier constitutional scholar on Article V, has numerous articles at his website www.constitutioni2i.org, as well as you tube videos.

It has been over 200 years since the Bill of Rights were ratified, which are basically the only constitutional amendments which limit the power of the federal government. In these intervening years, has the federal government grown outside the restraining bounds of the Constitution?

Are there a few corrections we could make to ensure our safety and happiness, and those of succeeding generations, for the future? Most everyone would agree that the power and authority of the federal government is overreaching. Will Congress ever pass constitutional amendments to reign in its own power? Again, most everyone would agree they will not.

Fortunately, the founders provided another way to amend the constitution.

The states were given the same power as Congress to propose constitutional amendments. Every day that congress convenes, they have the power to propose Constitutional amendments.

Through part II of Article V, the founders gave the states that same power.

What prevents congress from passing bad amendments? They need 2/3 of both houses, then ratification by 3/4 of states. That’s all there is to prevent a “runaway congress”, and it’s worked.

There are many more checks on a “runaway convention” than on a “runaway congress”. If an Article V convention cannot be limited, as some think, then it can never be used, and the founers made a grievous error. Fact is, the

We were fortunate to have Michael Farris, founder of Convention of States, in Alaska speaking about this effort.

Happily, this event was not only educational but celebratory in nature as well, as Alaska became the 2nd state to pass the call for a Convention of States.

This effort only began nationwide last August, launching 8 days prior to the release of Mark Levin’s book The Liberty Amendments. This is an idea that’s time has come. More and more leaders are recognizing the power and safety of a convention of states to return our government to its constitutional roots. This is going to take tremendous grassroots effort, regardless of political party affiliation.

Sign up as a volunteer on our website at conventionofstates.com This is a great resource to both educate yourself and to encourage your friends to get involved in their states.

It has been over 200 years since the Bill of Rights were ratified, which are basically the only constitutional amendments which limit the power of the federal government.

Sullivan, Treadwell Try to Hide Their 2010 Support for Murkowski PRESS RELEASE FROM Restoring Liberty Editiorial Staff In an interview with the Associated Press on Friday, US Senate candidates Dan Sullivan and Mead Treadwell tried to deceive Alaskans about their support for one of the most liberal “Republicans” in the United States Senate during Alaska’s 2010 US Senate race.

According to the AP, “Sullivan, who was Alaska’s attorney general during the 2010 elections, told a reporter he didn’t publicly take sides in that race. He said he was neutral, as someone in his position at the time should be.”

Yet, just a few months back, Sullivan himself claimed in the Fairbanks Daily News-Miner that, acting as Attorney General, he spearheaded the effort to assist the write-in candidate by arguing – in clear violation of State Administrative Code – that write-in candidates’ information would be allowed in polling places.

His double-speak becomes even more outrageous when one considers the fact that the move was unprecedented in Alaska and opposed by both the state Democrat and Republican Parties. Sullivan was obviously under no legal obligation to supportMurkowski’s write-in candidacy and argue the case from the same side her campaign did.

According to District Court Judge Frank Pfiffner, Sullivan’s argument was “illogical” and in clear violation of at least four separate laws: the relevant Administrative Code, the Administrative Procedures Act, electioneering Statutes, and

the Voter Rights Act which required pre-clearance from the Department of Justice.

While the Alaska Supreme Court overturned the lower court decision, it is noteworthy that they chose not to address Judge Pfiffner’s concerns. The High Court issued no written opinion offering the legal justification why Pfiffner’s lengthy decision and interpretation of the clear requirements of the law was in error. This has led many to believe the Supreme Court’s decision was a purely political, and has only fed popular discontent with its activist proclivities.

United Press International also reported that the non-statutory standards deployed during the 2010 vote-count in Juneau, in direct violation of Alaska Statute, came at the advice of thenAttorney General Dan Sullivan.

Sullivan’s breaking with historic precedent to circumvent the plain text of the law in order to provide an advantage to one candidate is anything but remaining neutral. There is little doubt, if the shoe were on the other foot and Senator Murkowski was the party nominee facing a write-in challenger, the law would have been interpreted as it always had been.

Treadwell’s claim of neutrality is equally troubling. Not only did Treadwell make public statements in 2010 meant to convey the message that he supported the write-in campaign, he was reportCOntinues on PAGE 10

Community

The People’s Paper COMMUNITY PAGE 9

The Corner Link:

The Honeymoon

By Donna Turner

Did you know that Niagara Falls in Ontario, Canada is the most popular destination location for the Honeymoon?

The most popular destination for the honeymoon, since the 1800’s has been Niagara Falls. There has been a rise in the untraditional honeymoon, where couples will even travel to Alaska.

As any couple knows, planning the honeymoon is just as important as planning the wedding day itself.

Traditionally the honeymoon is the first vacation that you will take as a married couple (and presumably when the couple will consummate the union).

A honeymoon has become the period of time where a couple can rest and recharge after going through the stress and excitement of the wedding ceremony.

Why do we take these trips? The history of the honeymoon starts out far back in time, and did not originate as the vacation trip we take now.

The term honeymoon comes from ancient times. Teutonic couples would marry beneath a full moon and then drink honey wine for thirty days after; hence the name. (Too bad today’s honeymoon trips rarely last for thirty days!) During the Victorian era, the honeymoon became an expected part of the wedding celebration that was paid for by the groom and his family.

During this time, the Bride and Groom were kept apart during the engagement.

The honeymoon was a era for the newlywed couple to go away and get to know each other all over again.

Another version of the history of the honeymoon comes from Norse beginnings. It is said to loosely be rooted in the word “hjunottsmanathr”. This is not a happy tradition, rather it was said to be necessary as many brides of the time were abducted from other tribes and the groom was required to hide his bride until her family stopped looking for her. Thus, the honeymoon was more of a kidnapping than anything else. By the way, this process still happens in some countries!

Of course, where traditions are concerned, there’s usually more than one theory.

Another explanation for carrying the bride over the threshold is that the practice prevents the bride from tripping over the threshold, which is considered a bad omen. (And if the groom trips while carrying the bride over the threshold, it’s a really bad omen… in the form of an expensive emergency room visit — for two.)

Though the honeymoon is still seen as a time for newly married couple to be intimate without interruptions, it is now also a chance for couples to explore unique parts of the world and enjoy the outdoors together.

Anyway you see it, once you are married, you are considered newly-weds for a year and you should consider planning some time to get away — just the two of you — after the wedding.

years, from the age of thirteen. When I was nine, my parents decided to get a divorce after eighteen years of marriage, with five grown kids and two still left to raise: my brother Justin and me. I was super confused when I found out that my parents didn’t want to be together. At the end of my parents’ marriage I witnessed so much hate and anger, which they had held in for so long, taken out on each other all at once.

They ended up separating and went back and forth in court for almost five years.

I was angry that my mother decided to bring around a man who she had been seeing before she and my dad agreed to separate, and found that she was becoming someone I could no longer look up to and respect. But I ended up living with my mom, and we stayed with my second oldest sister and her family for a few months in Anchorage before moving back to Wasilla and into a house that my mom’s boyfriend had just built. I was ten years old. My mom and I slowly drifted apart and my soon-to-be stepdad could care less. He would shut the door to keep me from seeing my mom when she’d get home from work, and it became next to impossible to spend time with her alone.

I realized then that I would never have the mom I so desperately needed. She and her fiancé started blaming me for the demise of my parents’ marriage, and treated me like someone they just didn’t like. I felt sorry for myself and made stupid decisions. I started hanging out with a new group of friends—they were exactly the wrong people, but I felt like they ‘cared.’ I couldn’t have been happier when I was finally kicked out of my home at the age of thirteen! I started smoking pot and doing pills, and since it was hard

Jessye Jensen with her son, Eric. At 4-years-old, Eric saved his mom’s life, calling 911 during her first heart attack.

By Jessye Jensen My name is Jessye and I am a 33-yearold, fun loving spiritual mother of two. I have suffered from Wolff-Par-

kinson-White syndrome and Epstein anomaly.

Turn My Life Around I am nineteen years old, and turn twenty in July. I was homeless for five

don’t stop BELIEVING

Today many view the honeymoon beginning when the bride is carried over the threshold. This wedding custom originated in Italy. The bride had to be carried across the threshold because she was (or pretended to be) reluctant to enter the bridal chamber.

MYHouse Helped

By Brittany Gann

841-3639

for me to support my habit, I started selling pot and pills. I experimented with other drugs, too, including heroin and meth. Drugs helped to still the thoughts that tormented me: the reality that my mom, who I had been so close to, now seemed like she could care less if I was in her life or not.

Every day when I was homeless I was so scared, dreading that the day would come when I would have to go home or my mom and her fiancé would have me arrested. And I was right; soon enough I was reported as a runaway and everyone made a big deal of me being missing all of a sudden! Turns out my dad had asked my mom where I was. When the police found me I was totally surprised to see my mom and her fiancé, and then I saw my dad standing further away. Of course he was concerned, but he had no idea what to do and didn’t have a custody agreement with my mom. My dad started drinking and fell into a huge depression, and my mother was only interested in her fiancé.

Eventually, I was put into a residential treatment center where they initially diagnosed me as bi-polar until my dad had me seen by an outside doctor who said said it was just me being a teenager with hormones. Long story short, I was in treatment for two and a half years and then was discharged into my mother’s home. During the time in treatment she didn’t attend any family session in person or over the phone. So I was sent home blindsided by all sorts of new and weird changes. My mom had moved to Valdez while I was in treatment, and when I joined her there the fighting started right away. I was soon kicked out, this time at the age of 17, and made my way back to Wasilla. I started attending high school at Burchell and ran into a friend from when I was younger, Brandon. We started started dating right away; we would skip

I was diagnosed when I was 27, after I had my first major heart attack.

My most recent doctor’s visit wasn’t the best news. I was told that I need a new heart, and that my heart was that of a 100-plus-year-old with how much it’s worked already this lifetime. Now I don’t know about you but I’ve met some feisty 100-year-olds.

Feisty, yeah that’s me. I’m not going to give up.

I have two boys who love and need me.

I want to see both of them grow older than I am now. I want to tell them the girl they have chosen is worthy of the same love they have shown me. That’s not too much to ask. Is it?

So after 3 heart attacks my only real chance is a transplant. But I’m choosing a different path. I believe that my faith will take me further and that some

school and drink almost every night.

Brandon and I ended up moving into a friend’s place with her and her boyfriend, and that was a tight fit in an annex with a queen bed and a bunk bed that Brandon and I slept in. We struggled to stay sober and make our relationship work.

In the summer of 2013, we found out that I was pregnant. At first things were OK, but Brandon couldn’t find work and I was having a hard time because of my morning sickness, which lasted all day long. We split up during the first five months of my pregnancy, but finally agreed that we needed to work things out for the sake of our child.

But things were destined to get tougher before they got better! We moved in with a crazy heroin addict and her boyfriend.

We provided food and $400 worth of rent to have one single room, not able to do laundry or take showers. Living there took a toll on me, but soon enough we found our own place. Living on our own was extremely hard but totally worth all the hard work!

Four months into my pregnancy, in the fall of 2013, I did something that has truly turned my life around. That is when

times modern medicine isn’t what’s truly best. The power of healing and meditation calms me, helps me center myself on all things around me.

So I have found a healer in Brazil that believes he can help me. To some of you this may sound like a bunch of voodoo, but to me it’s real. We all have our God, Allah, Muhammad, Buddha.

Whatever and whomever you chose to believe in. It’s our choice right. Well my heart and my gut and the band Journey tell me “ Don’t stop believing…”

Well I won’t stop believing and I know that other people feel the same. I’m not one to ask for help - never have been.

But I am putting my ego and my pride aside. I’m asking for help.

If you can help it would be beyond appreciated. May your life be filled with light and love from all things around you, and may you see past the daily grind and focus on how truly fast everything can be gone. I’m going to live like I’m dying each and every day.

You can help by visiting my fundraising site: gofundme.com/94pyzk

I started going to MYHouse. I had first met Michelle Overstreet, the organization’s founder, when I was attending Burchell.

But now I was working with her to set goals: resolve my legal issues, get a job, find housing. MYHouse became an important part of both of our lives, helping Brandon and me in many ways. Both of us are now employed.

Brandon and I have a son who is almost three months old, have our own apartment, and are buying a newer vehicle within the month. I am in training as a bookeeper and will begin attending Matsu College in the fall. I’ll be studing human services, and plan on one day being a case manager at MYHouse to help youth who’ve gone through experiences like mine.

I can’t begin to explain how much respect I have for MYHouse and all its employees!

For information about MYHouse, visit them on Facebook or call them at (907) 272-4357

Politics

The People’s Paper politics PAGE 10

Faith, Science,

and the Glory of God

By Jess Lederman Christians should never be intimidated by atheists who claim that science disproves the Bible and who mock those who believe in God. But neither should they be intimidated by other Christians who claim that theories such as the Big Bang are ‘against the word of God,’ and that the acceptance of scientific theories will undermine one’s faith.

All Christians can agree that what are commonly called the laws of nature were created by God (who of course can suspend them when He works miracles).

To those who put sufficient effort into studying math and science, these laws are as much an awe-inspiring reflection of His glory as are the first rays of morning light illuminating a snow-capped Pioneer Peak. For example, Newton’s law of universal gravitation shows us the elegant way God chose to order the motions of celestial bodies, and E=MC2 reveals the breathtaking simplicity and power with which God designed the relationship between energy and matter. But think for a moment about how the science built around Einstein’s famous equation has been used both to benefit mankind and to create horrific weapons, and you can see how dangerous it is for Christians to cede the field of science to atheists! I would suggest that the parable of the talents extends even to the gift of reason that God has bestowed upon us.

All very well, you might say, but don’t scientific theories such as the Big Bang directly contradict the Bible?

To answer that question, it’s useful to consider how a wise parent deals with a young child who asks where babies come from. All answers are variations on one

Our Government

Where has it gone?

By Silas Dobetter

I’m afraid. How did our country slide quietly into all these’ foxes guarding the henhouse’, guarding our rights, responsibilities and freedoms? Apparently, while we citizens were forging ahead toward our “American Dream”, we let our democracy disintegrate into its current dysfunction.

How did our representatives/public employees transition from passing laws to help us grow…to stridently opposing Bills, not because they were bad policy but because the “other side” might get credit for them? As these and other chaotic policies cripple our system, we see little accomplished as our economy, jobs and lives stall…

But my Grandfather, smart man that he was, always cautioned me to not criticize unless I could offer a better way to do something. So, I and a bevy of friends came up with these: 1. SHORT BILLS Keep all Bills being submitted to under 30 pages. There is no reason for forcing legislators to read a 1000 page bill, understand all the details, and vote quickly on it.

2. ONE SUBJECT BILLS * A bill addresses ONE subject and therefore has no room for hidden pork of $35,000 or even $135,000 for someone’s favors list to slide through.

3. SIMPLE LANGUAGE * Bills must be written in language that can be read and understood by a 9th grader.

of three possible responses. One way to go is to make up a lie: “The stork brings them.” At the other extreme, one might launch into a detailed explanation of the biology of human reproduction, though we can all agree that this would be absurd, ineffective, and might even cause harm. The third option is to answer in a loving, truthful way that is simple enough for the child to understand: “When two people love each other, like your mommy and daddy, they get married, and God gives them the gift of a baby.” Depending on circumstances, it may or may not be appropriate to add details like “baby’s grow in their mommy’s tummy;” the point is, the answer is quite literally truthful. It’s just been lovingly simplified.

So now let’s consider what the wisest father of all decided when he gave Moses the words to set forth in the Book of Genesis. He could have decided to reveal all the details of how He created the heavens and the earth. Of course, that would have required commanding Moses to obtain perhaps one or two million sheets of papyrus so that He could dictate the necessary volumes of mathematics, chemistry, physics that would be required for the ancient Hebrews to comprehend in detail the majestic brilliance of God’s design of the universe.

We have already agreed that the laws of nature are all the works of God. I propose that they were left out of the account of Creation for two reasons: first, because men living at that time could not possibly have comprehended the answer, and second, because it would have deprived man of the opportunity to learn for himself. Wise parents do not always make things easy for their children; indeed, they know that setting challenges for them to overcome can be the very best

4. TERM LIMITS * Return to a Citizen Congress. Limit terms to 2, so that our legislators COME from our neighborhoods and RETURN to our neighborhoods.

Shopping for groceries and household stuff would have them laughing at the “cost-of-living” data that was quoted at 4% for last year. Their ‘world’ would no longer be so different than ours.

5. SAME PERKS *No “rest-of-your-life” salaries/ retirement. OUR legislators should receive the same perks as any other civil servant.

6. PUBLIC RECORDS PERMANENT *In the corporate world, it would be considered fraud to go back and change Minutes or Records of important Board Meetings claiming to have stated or testified something on a subject. Why can our Congresspeople change “public record”? Let’s stop that TODAY. 7. 1 CITIZEN = 1 VOTE *Throw the ELECTORAL COLLEGE system OUT! I and a few friends can’t be the only ones feeling this pain. If we want to go back to happily chasing our dreams/careers/lives we have to STOP and PAY ATTENTION and start talking to each other about solutions for now! We have to start going to Town Meetings or City Councils and being heard in order to bring some basic sense and order as well as control back into our lives.

Don’t just complain to friends. Write articles about how to “fix” our broken system. This paper is offering to let us share these solutions/ ideas. If you see some you like, run with them and improve them!

Please share them with the world. This newspaper is giving us a platform so lets share!

National Association for the ADVANCEMENT OF COLORED PEOPLE

Calls on Don Young to Condemn Cliven Bundy’s Racist Statements

Young praised Bundy, who said “the Negro” may have been better off with slavery ANCHORAGE: The Anchorage NAACP is calling on Congressman Don Young to condemn Cliven Bundy’s racist statements. Bundy, who was engaged in a standoff with the federal government over his longstanding refusal to pay ranching fees for grazing livestock on public lands, said blacks might be better off under slavery. Don Young had praised Bundy’s armed standoff to resist payment of grazing fees for use of federal lands.

“Don Young should disassociate himself from Cliven Bundy now,” said Kevin McGee, Anchorage NAACP 1st Vice-President. “Bundy’s comments are repulsive, and are anathema to Alaska values.”

After living on the federal dole himself by refusing to pay for use of federal lands to graze his cattle, Cliven Bundy said this:“I want to tell you one more thing I know about the Negro... because they were basically on government subsidy, so now what do they do?” he asked.

“They abort their young children, they put their young men in jail, because they never learned how to pick cotton. And I’ve often wondered, are they better off as slaves, picking cotton and having a family life and doing things, or are they better off under government subsidy? They didn’t get no more freedom. They got less freedom.”

Press reports have noted that Cliven Bundy’s racist comments are part of a trend.

thing. The disciples were hoping for a messiah that would provide a quick and glorious victory over the Romans; the Devil tried to tempt Jesus with a shortcut to dominion. But God often requires us to take the longer, harder road. So too with the advancement of human knowledge.

For centuries, scientists taught that the universe was static, that it had always been and would always be, and they mocked the idea of a moment when God created the heavens, or a later moment when he said, let there be light. But in the last hundred years scientists discovered compelling evidence that the universe went from non-existence to existence in a single moment of creation. Scientists have also come to recognize that only some time after the moment of creation did the universe come ablaze with light.

Four hundred years ago the Church taught that the stars and planets revolved around a motionless earth, and cited Biblical references implying the centrality of the earth. When Galileo invited priests to look through his telescope and gaze upon the newly discovered wonders of astronomy, they refused, and persecuted him instead. What a tragic waste!

I urge all Christians to go ahead, look through the telescope of science. You will only be gazing upon the greater glory of God. Jess Lederman lives in Wasilla and serves on the board of two non-profit organizations. He welcomes feedback that can be sent to jlederman17@gmail.com.

Sullivan, Treadwell CONT. edly pressuring Governor Parnell behind the scenes to endorse Murkowski over Miller, a charge he has declined to challenge in private conversation.

Further, Treadwell presided over a white-washing of the 2010 election, refusing to allow an independent investigation, despite serious allegations of fraud levied by eye-witnesses in sworn affidavits, under penalty of perjury.

Treadwell now travels the state peddling his wares as a Constitutional Conservative. Yet somehow he wants to forget that LisaMurkowski went back to Washington and offered Barack Obama bi-partisan legitimacy by voting for every piece of his 2010 “lame duck” agenda immediately following the election (which included the repeal of ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,’ the new START Treaty, the DREAM Act, and a partial repeal of the Bush era tax cuts), fought for funding for Planned Parenthood, accused Republicans of a “war on women,” came out in support of Anchorage Prop. 5 (ENDA), voted multiple times to raise the debt ceiling, helped confirm numerous activist judges . . . and the list goes on.

How did Mead Treadwell respond to all this? When asked by Politico Magazine last spring, Treadwell said, “I voted for LisaMurkowski in the primary and in the general, and I think Alaskans made the right decision.”

Since then, Murkowski has come out in support of gay marriage, and continued her trajectory as a big spending, big government politician.

It was reported in Roll Call earlier this year that Senator Murkowski voted with Barack Obama over 72 percent of the time, making her the second most likely Republican Senator to do so, falling only slightly behind Susan Collins of Maine. Indeed her support for the President’s agenda is far closer to Democrat Mark Begich than to most of the Republican caucus.

Pretty hard to run against a Democrat whose voting record is similar to your Republican mentor.

Perhaps Mr. Sullivan and Mr. Treadwell need a civics lesson. We have a representative form of government.

The folks we send to Washington represent us. If you vote to send someone to Washington to represent you, you are responsible for what they do. In a very real sense, you did it.

Forgive the Editorial team at Restoring Liberty if we don’t buy the claims of neutrality and high sounding rhetoric about Party unity coming from folks who selectively choose when it applies.

From where we sit, it sounds a lot like the same political double-speak we’re used to hearing from big government, establishment politicians.

PRESS RELEASE FROM Restoring Liberty Editiorial Staff

The People’s Paper COMMUNITY PAGE 11

Community

GONE FISHIN’ THE WARRIORS’ notebook

By Jessy Lakin, US Army Combat Veteran Alaska’s Healing Hearts recently sponsored

11 local service members from Joint Base Richardson Elmendorf and Fort Wainwright to attend an all expense paid 2-Day camping and Halibut Fishing trip in Anchor Point Alaska, with help from Chevrolet of South Anchorage and All About Fishin Charters.

adventure with an empty seat. Take a Warrior out and about. It could change a life.”

-James Hastings Director of Operations for Alaska’s Healing Hearts.

Alaska’s Healing Hearts would like to thank Chevrolet of South Anchorage and All About Fishin Charters for donating their time and their support to our warriors and making this trip great!

Alaska’s Healing Hearts is an all-volunteer, nonprofit organization offering year-round outdoor recreational opportunities for America’s bravest warriors and their families.

Our social rehabilitation activities provide new and challenging options and experiences in an effort to contribute to the social reintegration that is necessary for our nation’s heroes.

Not only did this trip allow our military members the opportunity to experience something you can only do All About Fishin Charters is a veteran-owned business here in Alaska, but more of an avenue to socialize with out of Anchor Point, AK. Owner Scott Vanderlooven one another outside of the daily grind of military living. served 22 years in the Army and retired as a Master Sergeant. This will be Scott’s 5th year in the chartering “Programs like this are invaluable to the warriors that business. Every season he shows support to the military community by taking out service members, free of participate in them.” charge.

-Major Murphy of JBER. “It’s key that we all as Alaskan’s and as American’s never lose sight of the value of our men and women who chose to selflessly serve our nation in our Armed Forces. The sacrifices they are prepared to make on our behalf are a debt that cannot be repaid, but we can certainly take every available opportunity to say thank you, to offer our hand in friendship and share with them the magical healing powers of Alaska’s great outdoors. I encourage you to never take off on an

“We owe so much to our Nations warriors. They make so many sacrifices to protect our way of life. As a veteran and a small business owner myself, I know how important it is to show our warriors how much we appreciate them and value their service.”

-Scott Vanderlooven “A very friendly and helpful staff that made the charter a complete success.”

-Senior Airman Krista Etchison

We strive to reach beyond the clinical rehabilitation offered to our military personnel and provide hope for warriors to continue to live active and productive lives.

For more info please check out alaskashealingheart.com

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Alaska's Healing Hearts relies on the generosity of its supporters and corporate sponsors to provide and support our programs at no cost to our heroes. We accept a wide variety of donations, both monetary and in-kind. Will you join us to help our heroes?

Safety

The People’s Paper sAFETY PAGE 12

WANT TO KNOW? ASK A CHILD. “If you accidently get between them you could get stomped (or mauled,)” said Jenski. “And if you see a bear in the distance, don’t run because they will think you are prey and might chase you.”

Maggie Ludwig, another 5th grader, said she thinks it’s really important for people to know about the weather.

By Debra McGhan Curious what children in the Mat Su Valley think everyone should know about outdoor safety? I wondered so I visited several schools to find out. The children I spoke with all spend a lot of time outdoors hiking, fishing, boating, riding snowmachines and four-wheelers or just jumping into piles of leaves and having snowball fights in the winter.

I asked if any of them had experienced something scary that taught them things they think everyone should know if they plan to head out into the backcountry.

Kobie Jenski, age 10, attends Sherrod Elementary and remembers one time when he was riding four-wheelers with his Dad, Grandpa and little sister and they came face to face with a grizzly bear.

“We were riding along when all of a sudden my Dad stopped the wheelers and told us to be still. I asked him what was going on and he said there was a momma

grizzly and her cubs in the trail. I looked up and there they were, watching us. After a little awhile they started heading away from us but then they circled back and started coming toward us again.

“My heart was racing,” said Jenski. “I wasn’t sure what was going to happen. I was really hoping the bear would just go away so we could keep going on our trip.”

Fortunately for Jenski his Dad and grandfather knew exactly the right way to react. They shut off their machines so it would be quiet and then had everyone stand on the seat of the machines to appear large and intimidating.

“We were watching the momma bear when she stood up on her back legs, sniffed the air but then finally turned and ran off the other way. But it was scary.”

As a result of his experience, Jenski said he thinks it’s important for people to know about the animals in Alaska and what to do if you have one come across your path, especially when it involves a mother and her babies.

Using a blue tarp and paracord, kids build an emergency shelter.

“My family and I have been in Denali when it was really sunny and then just a few seconds later the wind started blowing and it was raining hard. The weather in Alaska can change quickly so you need to be prepared,” said Ludwig. “You can do that by getting a weather forecast so you will know what you need to be ready.

“People can get hypothermia or frostbite,” she warned, “because it gets to be in the minus degrees here. And it doesn’t have to be freezing to get hypothermia. If you get wet and cold it could happen. So you have to have the right stuff with you to prevent something bad from happening.”

Tyler Eldridge, also 11, said she thinks people should learn about first aid and wilderness medicine.

“Once I was riding around on our property in the woods when I hit a tree. I was lucky because my sister came and helped me because I was stuck under the motorcycle.

But I could have been hurt really bad. I think everyone that lives in Alaska should know about how to take care of someone that gets hurt. Then if something does happen you can help out because you’ll know what to do.”

Luke Lackey, a first grader at Meadow Lakes Elementary, had the chance to learn about Water Safety from an instructor at the North America Outdoor Institute.

“Alaska has so much water, everyone should learn about water safety,” he said.

“You should learn how to throw a bag so if you have a friend that falls into a lake or a river, you could throw them a bag and rescue them. You don’t want to jump in to save them because then who would save you? And you should always wear a life jacket when you get in a boat.”

Jimmy Lackey, Luke’s older brother, said he thinks everyone should know how to build an emergency fire and shelter.

“Once I was hiking on Lazy Mountain with a group of friends and we took the wrong path and got lost. It wasn’t really scary because most of the kids were older and we eventually found the right trail, but if it had been cold, rainy and dark, I would have probably found a place to build a shelter and a fire.”

His mother said she wasn’t really scared when the kids got lost but she was definitely worried.

The students in Elizabeth Crowley’s 5th grade class at Sherrod Elementary agreed that if you want to safely enjoy all the wonderful things Alaska and the Mat Su have to offer, you should take some time to get prepared.

If you want other great tips for staying safe in Alaska’s backcountry, find an Alaskan kid and ask them. They will likely be happy to tell you.

You could also visit urocksafety.com The North America Outdoor Institute is offering a host of classes in outdoor safety for both children and adults.

Learn about wilderness medicine, Alaska’s wild plants, or just how to be prepared by visiting naoiak.org or call 907-376-2898.