The People's Paper March 2021

Contributed by Matt Rowley Mat-Su Outdoorsman Show April 9-11, 2021 After 2020’s unfortunate closures, the Outdoorsman Show is coming back bigger and better than ever in 2021. This event is just what you need to kickstart your fabulous Alaskan summer season.

Raceway Park Names New President MORE ON PAGE 2 OF THE PEOPLE’S PAPER

You will find every Alaska outdoor thing you need at the show, from ATVs, boats, RVs, fishing charters, raffles, drawings, sporting goods and outdoor toys, to informational seminars presented on a wide variety of subjects by Alaska’s outdoor experts. Not only that, but there will be a gathering of some of the finest gourmet food trucks that Alaska has to offer.

Most of the vendors you will meet at the show are Alaskan companies.

They are anxious to get back to

business as usual, and they are excited to share what they have with their fellow Alaskans. Onsite financing will of course be available when you find that must-have Alaska big-boy toy that you simply cannot live without.

Public health is a priority, and anyone with virus symptoms, recent exposure or health concerns should stay home. Masks will be available for those wanting one, hand sanitizing stations will be available throughout, and everyone is expected to maintain respectful distancing.

Admission is an affordable $7, and children under eight are free.

Show admission is always free for active military personnel and their families. We can’t wait to see you at the Mat-Su Outdoorsman Show!

MORE INFO: WWW.MATSUEVENTS.COM

destruction of the few remaining agriculturally viable parcels in the area.

As a content expert in soil management and agriculture restrictions, I am not aware of any evidence that reclamation that “replace(s) the topsoil to original or better condition after the mining operation is complete on the subject parcel” (as referenced in the Public Notice) is possible.

Alaska Farmland Trust would like to work with the MSB: Land Manager, Agriculture Board, Assembly, Mayor; along with the Palmer & Upper-Su Soil & Water Conservation District Managers and the applicant, to develop a different strategy. We request a meeting at your earliest convenience to discuss alternative solutions.

Contributed by Amy Petit The following letter was submitted to the Mat-Su Borough Land Management Division during the Public Comment Period which ended on 3/1/21. Alaska Farmland Trust invites and encourages all members of the Borough to become educated on this topic matter.

On behalf of the Board of Directors of the Alaska Farmland Trust (AFT) I am writing to express my concern over Mat-Su Borough (MSB) Land Management Case #006818. As you know the mission of the AFT is the permanent protection of agriculturally viable soils. We encourage the MSB to deny the applicants request to allow for an interim change to the agricultural restriction on parcel Tax ID: 20N04W05C003.

Alaska is leading the nation in new and beginning farmers. In the lower

48 our industry experienced a 3% loss of farmers from 2012-2017 and yet in that same time period, the number of farms in Alaska grew by 30% (USDA Ag Census Data). The MSB has 14% of the State’s population and yet in 2020 we built 43% of the new homes in the State (Neal Fried, MSB Economic Trends presentation to Palmer Chamber 2/24/21). There is tremendous development pressure on existing farms and lands designated for agricultural use through covenants and restrictions.

Alaska Farmland Trust recognizes the unique challenges with this parcel, the financial constraints on the Borough and the intent of agriculture restrictions. We look forward to working with all interested parties on a solution that allows for responsible resource extraction, additional revenue, and increased food security.

The pandemic has further demonstrated our States tremendous reliance on imported goods, including and most importantly food. The MSB is responsible for over half of the entire States agricultural production.

Leadership at the MSB is encouraged to take a “zero net loss of agricultural soils” approach and develop strategies that incentivize further food production rather than allow for

On March 3rd, the guest on Ag Matters Radio was Jeff Lowenfels, Gardening & Soil Expert. Amy and Jeff discussed the damaging impacts that soil disturbance has on its future production capability. The public is invited and encouraged to listen to the podcast archive at www.radiofreepalmer.org Look for the “podcasts” tab, select Ag Matters and click on the link from 3/3/21.

Douglas Girard: The Marches of Mithrim

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Palmer Museum Photo of the Month

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Should you have questions or need further information, please don’t hesitate to contact me at amypettit@ akfarmland.com or (907) 355-2706.

Donating to the Mat-Su Food Bank

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COMMUNITY

Contributed by Marilyn Bennett What to plant? I bought petunia, impatiens and pansy seeds yesterday.

I then went to check my trusty Seed Starting Date Calculator, which I use to ascertain when is the earliest I can start my seeds indoors. The calculations are to be based on the first frost-free date for Palmer, Alaska, which I arbitrarily decided was May 1st.

The reason I settled on that date was that I knew that date was when I was determined to start planting outside no matter what the weather looked like. Also, since I would only be starting in a limited number of locations, I knew that if we were going to have a super cold night, I would just run out and throw a sheet over the little darlings, as that generally works.

Once I had chosen the frost-free date, my trusty seed starter calendar told me when I could start my petunias, pansies and impatiens. Sure enough, the dates to start them indoors was February 20th to March 6th based upon my frost-free date of May 1st.

Which means I am right on time.

I next tramped out to our shed in the backyard where I had neatly stored our handy-dandy seed trays with the transparent domes that I used last year. They are not quite as pristine as last year, but we all know that gardening is dirty work.

I also brought in two bags of frozen potting soil and waited three days for them to defrost. Once the soil was defrosted, I proceeded to fill a seed tray and put in the tiny, tiny petunia seeds which are sold for $2.79 per packet and have a total of 21 seeds

Contributed by Karen Lackey Michelle Lackey Maynor has been promoted to president and majority owner of Alaska Raceway Park.

As President, Lackey Maynor will be responsible for all aspects of operation for the NHRA and NASCAR sanctioned motorsports facility.

In addition to running day to day operations, her duties include facility growth, event management, marketing and promotions, staffing, sponsorships and community relations.

Lackey Maynor has been Operations Manager of Alaska Raceway Park since 2016. She has worked in many different capacities at the Park since 1997, as well as raced there. Her promotion to president and owner comes as current owners, Karen and

per packet, which comes out to 13.29 cents per seed. Of course, that is for coated seeds which are still pretty tiny. Unfortunately, I had only purchased two packets as I had expected more than 21 seeds per packet. I headed back to the store to get more seed packets as I wanted to plant a complete flat of 72 plants.

Last year I planted some petunias and some pansies in the same flat and they did not get along well.

Next, I went back to my trusty internet to check on something else and discovered that I should not have used my plain old potting soil, but should have used Burpee Organic Coconut Concentrated Seed Starting mix, 16qt. for only $12.76, if I expected good results.

Well, it was too late for the petunias as I had already planted them in plain old defrosted potting soil and certainly was not going to try to find the little buggers and replant them in the special OCC seed starting mix.

Sent my sweetie out to get some OCC for the pansies and the impatiens. Then I read about using sterile containers and distilled water.

That sounds a little bit like overkill to me.

While checking out planting times for the pansies, I found out that pansies have been used since Shakespeare’s time as a love potion. Wish I had known this back when it would have been useful. In the play, Midsummer Night’s Dream, Cupid created the potion by shooting an arrow into a pansy which turned the pansy from white to purple so that the juice becomes a love potion. Based on the play it seems to have caused a bit of chaos.

Earl Lackey, transition to advisory roles.

“Michelle comes to her new position genetically (born a Lackey, raised at the track, and racing sleds, her pickup truck, dirt stock, and earning an NHRA competition license), but she also brings creativity, business experience, her own flair, and a commitment to the future of racing in Alaska as well.” the Lackeys’ stated. “Alaska Raceway Park is in good hands.”

Michelle has grown up in motorsports and began racing in high school. She has raced a little of everything – she has water skipped snowmachines; won the Arctic Man Ski & Sno-go Classic; competed in hill climbs; drag raced trucks, cars and snowmachines on the strip; competed in SCCA events and most recently tried her hand at stock car racing at the dirt track. She even won

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The information about the pansy was interesting, but didn’t seem very useful for me at this point in my life. It did make me curious enough to check out the petunias and impatiens. It turns out that the petunia is a very useful plant. Both the Maya and the Inca believed that the scent of petunias had the power to ward off underworld monsters and spirits. Now that sounds like something I could use, as I have never liked underworld monsters or spirits and we live next door to a woods. I was excited that I now had a way to keep those monsters away from the house.

The Incas would also gather flowerbuds together and make magical drinks. Unfortunately, the recipe for this drink has been lost or just not available to Alaska gardeners. Also, according to “New Age” folklore, Petunias will only thrive where there is “positive energy” and will not grow in places where there is “negativity”.

Hmm… We shall see about that.

So on to the Impatiens. For those of you Alaska people who are into natural remedies, you would be interested to find out the impatiens contain an anti-inflammatory and fungicide that is an active ingredient in Preparation H (not sure if that is useful information). The plant can also be used on bee stings, stinging nettle and poison ivy. I don’t know if you just pick the flowers and rub yourself or what! So, will not be treating myself until I have done further research.

Now, back to the planting.

Certainly hope this article has been enlightening, educational or at least entertaining for all of you actual or potential Alaska gardeners.

the Open-Air Championship at her track while pregnant with her son, who now races junior dragsters and bandoleros.

In addition to her background in motorsports, Lackey Maynor has a degree in marketing from the University of Alaska. She has owned several successful Alaskan businesses and founded a non-profit organization. Lackey Maynor is a member of the Butte Community Council and Susitna Rotary.

“Our family has owned Alaska Raceway Park since the late 90s,” said Lackey Maynor. “This is the job I was meant to do. I’m fortunate to have the opportunity to be able to continue providing a place for motorsports enthusiasts and families for years to come.”

www.raceak.com

COMMUNITY

Contributed by Ember Haynes, Denali Hemp Company With the uncertainty of the times, more people are returning to the practice of growing food and preparing for the future while thinking of food security.

Terms such as sustainability, regenerative ag, economically viable and the idea of alternative growing methods are becoming more familiar with gardeners and food producers.

Every day, I see people taking steps to grow food where they live and adapting to their growing areas and understanding their micro-climates.

My husband and I do not define ourselves as farmers in the sense of managing our land for profit, but have strived to practice methods of sustainability with the goal of improving our acreage and harvest.

Regenerative practices are actually a way of life for many rural Alaskans.

It is common practice to use what we have, learn from those who lived and worked the land before us, work to improve our property within our means and then repeat the cycle.

I picture the area where we live as a “pass-through” zone for the settlers coming before us. The land around my home has mostly given way to mosses, willow and high bush and scrub.

near-by, and pioneers kept moving towards more fertile ground. With the hopes of creating an agricultural friendly space within this barren zone for our family, we introduced animals.

Over the years, we have brought in llamas, goats, sheep, chickens and pigs who cleared our land, fertilized the soil, and naturally spread grasses and beneficials while rooting and grazing.

We have been sustainably nurturing and cultivating our small acreage for 20-plus years. Up until a few years ago, we mostly focused on the garden areas and flower beds, letting the animals manage their pastures and pens. Building fences and animal housing with wood from our property. Encouraging and accepting the chickweed, clover, dock and grasses that grow between rows then pulled or trimmed and fed to the livestock.

We implemented several closed-loop systems such as composting the manure and scraps, brewing teas of herbs to fertilize and nurture our gardens of food and flowers.

As years crept by, the woods slowly began taking back their boundaries.

I found myself letting garden beds go that I had worked so hard to stabilize, turning more to container gardening as the animals over time pushed down and through fencing, destroyed perennial beds and tender areas.

Shade from thickets of trees keep berries from forming on both high and low bushes. Items to forage and harvest are sparse in the land

Eventually, we cycled out of farm animals and within months, saw the plant life in those seemingly barren and definitely trodden pens thriving.

Contributed by Jay Magers, Alaska Charcuterie & Meats

cheeses, fruits and vegetables as accoutrements to the succulent meats, forming the charcuterie board as we know it today.

It has been around since the 15th century, and now it’s in the Matsu-Valley!

Andrea Magers, owner and “Charcutier”, opened Alaska Charcuterie & Meats to pursue her passion for high quality meats and cheeses from around the world. So she quit her job and opened Alaska Charcuterie & Meats to make her dream a reality and bring the world of charcuterie to Alaskans.

Andrea says that this past year has made her reevaluate dreams and the time was now to go for it. She admits it was scary to even think of opening a charcuterie business during these crazy COVID times but the stars lined up and what better way to come out of the COVID pandemic than with an “Evening for Two” board. Referencing her signature board designed for a night in for two (without masks!).

A foodie at heart, Andrea loves the fact that charcuterie has an inherently aesthetically pleasing nature that appeals to almost everyone. Charcutiers like Andrea create their thoughtful preparation and stylized boards of world-class preserved meats and over time added items like breads,

The year of Charcuterie is here, a search for “charcuterie” on Instagram yields nearly one million results, while on Facebook there are hundreds of public and private groups dedicated to the art form. Andrea makes it clear, her boards are not the “grazing” boards so crammed together you can’t enjoy them, on the contrary, Alaska Charcuterie & Meats stays true to the artisan quality of the meats and cheese they provide and they the true stars of the boards. Visit Alaska Charcuterie & Meats at http:// www.akmeats.com or on Facebook at Alaska Charcuterie & meats or IG at akmeats. 376-MEATS. Alaska Charcuterie & Meats is located at 472 N. Main St. Wasilla across the street from the post office.

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Types of useful plants I’d never noticed on our property such as mustards, sheep sorrel, shepherd’s purse, golden rod, 5-foot-tall lamb’s quarter and knee-high chamomile were popping up and growing thick and lush.

Our environment quickly changed again as the summer of 2019 brought drought conditions and severe heat and natural disaster.

Stories of the McKinley Fire often come up in my conversations, as once it came through our land nothing was the same. The fire created a distinct line of before and after in our life.

Obvious changes such as losing our barrier of trees and opening up our land to the harsh sun and wind, the sound of passing traffic, neighbors, community noise have reformed our property.

Suddenly our view was a perimeter of fallen and scorched trees, black earth, tangled mounds of root balls, and soil scraped down to clay.

We were forced out of our bubble of healthy trees and botanical seclusion from the outside world. Again, the cycle of sustainability continues.

We have turned our attention to the land. Gathering wood from scorched areas, layering with animal manures and plant materials from our property and surrounding land we are slowly building new beds to grow food to provide for ourselves and our livestock. For us sustainability is a way of life.

COMMUNITY

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Home-Delivered Meals on Wheels: Fresh, delicious meals are delivered each weekday to homebound seniors.

On delivery days, we provide a fresh meal, plus frozen meals the senior can reheat on weekends and holidays. This program helps to ensure that no senior goes hungry and helps older Alaskans to remain in their own home and living independently for as long as possible.

Contributed by Chuck Foster, Wasilla Area Seniors, Inc. The Wasilla Senior Center was founded in 1978 as an activity center. In 1981, Frank Smith donated land and Wasilla Senior Center was relocated to its current location and incorporated as Wasilla Area Seniors, Inc (WASI). The building itself was named the Floyd D. Smith Community Center in loving memory of Frank Smith’s father. Today, in keeping with our mission, WASI provides services and resources to promote health and independence for all Seniors. WASI is pleased to have been voted “Best of the Valley” in Senior Care for the past seven years running!

Apartment Living: Wasilla Area Senior Housing consists of six housing complexes: five at our campus in Wasilla and one at our Mid-Valley location in Houston. Together, we offer 136 units for those 62 years of age and older.

Each building has a common area for congregate games, hobbies, reading or TV. Surrounding the housing complexes are large grassy areas and a picnic pavilion complete with a gas grill and gazebo-covered seating. To meet

the growing need, WASI will construct a new, 40-unit apartment building for seniors 55+, which opens in 2021.

Health and Wellness Program: Our Health and Wellness Program is housed in Club 50, a fitness center for individuals 50 years of age and up. Club 50 provides modern exercise equipment and offers a variety of fitness classes including: Strong Seniors, Tai Chi, NIA, and more. WASI also offers short-term classes on healthy living and disease management. We provide fall prevention activities tailored to individual need including advocacy and education, exercise and fall risk assessments.

In-Home Services: WASI offers affordable assistance in senior’s homes, providing housekeeping and other chore services, and respite care when family members don’t want to leave an elderly family member alone, but need to be away. As with other WASI programs, these services are made affordable, even for low-income seniors, through our sliding fee scale. And like other services, they help seniors stay in the home and community of their choice for as long as possible.

“This Sobriety Awareness Month, it was important we do something different, compelling and also accessible.”

Recover Alaska is partnering with Seltzer Squad, a New York-based podcast about getting sober in the city, and Alaska podcasts including Chroniclez Podcast, Coffee and Quaq, Babe Town, and The 49th Meal. Each one is shifting its typical content to record an episode celebrating sober living, healthy lifestyles, raising awareness of alcohol misuse and harms, and breaking stigmas surrounding sobriety.

Contributed by Tiffany Hall Recover Alaska is partnering with several podcasts that are sparking conversations about sobriety for Sobriety Awareness Month in March. Alaska podcasters and one New York-based podcast are creating episodes aimed at de-stigmatizing sobriety and the spectrum of the sober experience through personal stories and experiences told by trusted podcasters and guests.

“This past year has been challenging for everyone, especially those who are trying to get or stay sober,” said Tiffany Hall, executive director of Recover Alaska.

Transportation: Sometimes getting places can be a chore, so WASI offers individualized transportation services for seniors 60+ who need a little assistance. We offer on-demand rides for an affordable fee – or by donation for rides to essential services such as banking, shopping or personal care.

Mary Hall Lending Library: The Mary Hall Lending Library has hundreds of popular and fascinating books, many in paperback, audio and large-print format. The library offers a computer lab with free internet access available for public use. WASI even offers training – led by seniors - for seniors wanting to increase their computer skills.

In 2020, WASI served 99,150 meals in our dining rooms and through Meals on Wheels.

Additional Services: Chaplain Services: lay counseling, visitation, prayer, bible study, daily devotion, referrals.

Games: pinochle, bridge, cribbage, poker, puzzles and bingo – if you enjoy games, there’s a group waiting for you.

Equipment (wheelchairs, walkers, etc.) is available for lending, based on availability.

Copy, fax and notary public services.

Assistance with forms for applying for the Alaska Commodity Supplemental Food Program CSFP), Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP), Alaska PFD, income tax and more.

Lunch in our Dining Room: WASI provides well-balanced, delicious lunches Monday through Friday from 11:30 am until 12:30 pm. All meals consist of soup, entree, vegetables, salad and dessert. Fruit juices, milk, coffee and tea are available during meal-time. Through our lunch transportation service, we can even help seniors get to the senior center for lunch if they can’t drive themselves.

At WASI, we believe seniors deserve dignity and respect; and serving seniors is our passion. All our efforts focus on helping seniors achieve the quality of life they need, so they can remain in the home and community they choose.

about being sober his entire life.

March 22 – The award-winning Coffee and Quaq celebrates and explores contemporary Native life in urban Alaska with a special on the topic of sobriety and the choices surrounding it.

March 22 - Babe Town shakes it up with a mocktail tasting while discussing sobriety awareness with a historical look back to addiction and rehab advocates Betty Ford and Marty Mann.

March 30 - The 49th Meal explores what it’s like to be sober in the restaurant industry.

movement gained traction, catching the attention of lawmakers, and was eventually signed into law in 2018 by former Alaska Governor Bill Walker.

“We wanted this content to be relatable to everyone, sober or not, from all kinds of backgrounds. That’s why we made sure our partners are diverse,” said Hall. “Hearing these real conversations from people they trust is one simple way to inspire listeners to consider their relationship with alcohol.”

“Drug and alcohol misuse are big problems in our state,” said Cuzzo, host of Chroniclez Podcast. “Having these conversations that allow you to put your relationship with different substances into perspective is something that can truly benefit us all. We’re very excited to partner with Recover Alaska and bring that conversation to our audience.”

The lineup of Sobriety Awareness Month episodes to subscribe and listen to includes: March 16 - Chroniclez Podcast host Cuzzo celebrates his 40th birthday reflecting on his youth and the influence of drugs and alcohol while co-host Docious talks

Sobriety Awareness Month was over two decades in the making. The Alaska Native Sobriety Movement advocated for celebrating sober living and breaking down stigmas surrounding sobriety at the Alaska Federation of Natives convention in 1993. Since then, the

Wasilla Area Seniors is an equal opportunity employer and service provider.

Learn more about Sobriety Awareness Month and upcoming events at the interactive Sober Lounge at www.recoveralaska.org or check Recover Alaska’s Facebook page.

About Recover Alaska: Recover Alaska is a multi-sector action group pursuing a solutions-based approach to reduce excessive alcohol use and harms across the state. Partners include Rasmuson Foundation, The Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority, Mat-Su Health Foundation, Providence Alaska, Southcentral Foundation, State of Alaska’s Department of Health and Social Services, and University of Alaska Anchorage. The vision for Recover Alaska is for Alaskans to live free from the consequences of alcohol misuse, so we are empowered to achieve our full potential. For more information, visit www.recoveralaska.org.

Media Contact: Gary Scott, Thompson & Co PR Gary@thompsonpr.com; 907-561- 4488

COMMUNITY Contributed by Matt Rowley If you’ve been anywhere near social media lately, chances are you have had the good fortune to stumble across Rodney Norman’s stream of consciousness.

Rodney has a way of clarifying just about everything imaginable, including learning from your mistakes, explanations for what is going on in the world, how to find a good relationship, how to be a cool person, achieving complete and total enlightenment, coping with the COVID shutdowns, how to tell if you’re a stupid person, accomplishing things, dealing with anxiety and depression… and so much more!

Contributed by Kevin Crozier, Longtime Mat-Su Realtor with The Kevin Crozier Team of RE/MAX Dynamic of the Valley My name is Kevin Crozier and I’ve been a resident and local realtor in the MatSu Valley for over 35 years. I have raised my family here and have helped many residents find their dream home or business property. Last year was an impressive year for the Mat-Su Real Estate market. With record low interest rates, over all there were more homes on the market, homes sold faster and at higher prices compared to previous years. I don’t think any of us in the real estate profession predicted the market would be so busy last year in the middle of a global health pandemic.

The Mat-Su region remains one of the few and fastest growing areas in the state whereas other places, such as Anchorage, are seeing a net population loss over the past few years. While many home sellers plan to list their

Contributed by Paul Robbins Jr. Gold Rush Candidate Training 4/17/2021 – 8AM Alaska Libertarian Party Everett’s 1850 E Bogard Rd. Wasilla Cost: $65 The Alaska Libertarian Party (ALP) is

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Now that you’ve survived 2020, Rodney is the breath of fresh air you’ve been looking for to help put life back in perspective. A comedian, therapist, life coach, former marine, actor, motivational speaker, internet sensation, and the philosopher you never knew you needed, Rodney will be providing Alaskans an evening of solid entertainment. Appropriate for all audiences, and sure to leave you chuckling, even days later.

Coming to Denali Harley-Davidson in the Valley on May 1st. Presented

by MATSU Events. Visit matsuevents. com for more info.

May 1, 2021, 7:00 PM Hyer Road & Parks Highway, Wasilla

home during the summer months when they want to move, there are some important steps and benefits to getting your home on the market now versus waiting a few months.

Take Advantage of Limited Spring Inventory There are not a lot of homes on the market right now. You can get ahead of your potential competition by placing your home on the market now instead of waiting till May or June to list when many other sellers in your price range will be listing their properties too.

Be Prepared with a Pre-Sale Home Inspection I strongly recommend a pre-sale home inspection, which can save you thousands of dollars in your home sale. You will know about any issues in advance of a regular home inspection, and what you need to fix for a successful sale.

Some repairs or fixes may require you to hire a contractor and contractors can be booked out for several weeks during the summer. By doing a pre-home sale inspection now and before the

hosting the Gold Rush candidate and recruitment training event at Everett’s in Wasilla on April 17, 2021. The session will feature eight, one-hour presentations on every aspect of campaigning from fundraising to field operations, and features 2020 Libertarian Vice Presidential candidate, Jeremy “Spike” Cohen, as the keynote speaker.

market gets busy, you can keep your home sale on track with less chance for delays. It’s important to know that not all repairs on a home inspection report are necessary, and some may be more important than others due to financing guidelines. Your real estate professional can help guide you through this phase of the home selling process.

Get Your Home “Picture Perfect” You only have one chance to make a first impression on a potential home buyer – and often that first impression comes from them viewing photos of your listing. Make sure your home is clean, decluttered and ready to be professionally photographed. Ask your Realtor if they provide professional photos for your listing.

How to Price Your Home You must consider not only what your home is worth, but also at what price will get the buyer into your home and making an offer faster? There is an adage referenced when selling real estate: “You can’t change the location, you can change the condition, but at the end it

is all reflected in the price.” Price trumps location and condition. Now there are a few things to understand about pricing.

The first is simple: buyers buy in brackets. This means that buyers will search home prices up to a certain dollar amount (i.e. up to $250,000, $300,000, etc.) Therefore, if you are 1 dollar over the “bracket” you will miss that group of potential buyer candidates. So, if your home is listed at $251,000 and you would gladly accept $248,000, get your home priced at $249,999. Not only will you pick up more potential buyers, you will be closer to what buyers may perceive as “fair market value” (FMV).

“We’re very excited to have Spike joining us as we gear up for our statewide elections in 2022,” said Alex Coker, Vice Chair of the ALP. “All of these impressive presenters will help us further our goal of providing high quality candidates to compete in Alaska’s new and improved election process.”

The training is also being offered via Zoom, with multiple Libertarian state affiliates registering to attend and train candidates for their areas.

Cohen will be joined by Libertarian National Committee Operations Director Apollo Pazell as the in-person presenters, and the six other guest speakers are presenting virtually from across the U.S.

Please feel free to reach out if you would like a more in-depth explanation on any of these home selling steps or are interested in learning about the current market value of your Mat-Su home.

I can be reached at kevin@kevincrozier. com or you can visit my website at www.wasillarealestate.com for more information about our local real estate market.

There is also a social event scheduled for Friday, April 16th, at 6 p.m. in Everett’s Bar. Spike and Apollo will be present.

For more information on guest speakers and training topics, go to www.alaskalp.org/goldrush.

POLITICS / OPINION Contributed by Velvet Beiswenger, Alaska General Juror Assembly To Whom It May Concern: Whereas “We the People” of the territory known as Alaska hereby give notice that we have assembled and give Notice to the world of our State Settlement and the Covenant of Alaska, a Free and Independent Nation = State; and Whereas it is our intention to coexist lawfully and peaceably with people of all other nations and states of the world; Therefore, this shall serve as Notice to all people and nations of the world that

Contributed by Nan Potts “Change is the only constant in life.” Heraclitus, Philosopher, 500 BCE The debate over climate change rages on. Unfortunately, the arguments presented have a good portion of the working population being played like ping-pong balls and/or pawns.

One minute, fossil fuels are “in” and the economy booms. The next, they’re a sin, and they’re “out”. Jobs vanish and workers are expected to retrain for newer Green Jobs. Yet, the Green Energy industry is still developing with little standardization, making it difficult to find meaningful jobs. In the meantime, energy and the economy plummets, fanning inflation — all politically driven.

Why? Well, someone has to do something about climate change! Enter the Paris Agreement.

According to United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC): “The Paris Agreement is a legally binding international treaty on climate change. It was adopted by 196 Parties at COP 21[Conference of the Parties, 21st meeting] in Paris, on 12 December 2015 and entered into force on 4 November 2016: Its goal is to limit global warming to well below 2, preferably to 1.5 degrees Celsius, compared to pre-industrial levels. To achieve this long-term temperature goal, countries aim to reach global peaking of greenhouse gas emissions as soon as possible to achieve a climate neutral world by mid-century.

The Paris Agreement is a landmark in the multilateral climate change process because, for the first time, a binding agreement brings all nations into a common cause to undertake ambitious efforts to combat climate change and adapt to its effects.”

What is climate neutral? Answer: Zero

We the People of Alaska, a Free and Independent Nation=State claim and establish our natural rights and freedoms.

We hereby acknowledge, accept, and adopt the Declaration of Independence July 4, 1776, the Bill of Rights 1791, and the Articles of Confederation ratified November 15, 1777 and enforce March 1, 1781, specifically calling attention to Article II: “Each state retains its sovereignty, freedom, and independence, and every power, jurisdiction, and right, which is not by this confederation expressly delegated to the United States in Congress assembled.” These founding documents provide the lawful basis for We the People to claim our rightful place among the nations of the earth.

carbon dioxide emissions. Is there such a thing? You’ll have to hold your breath!

Taken from the January 25, 2021 update, by Lindsay Maizland, from The Council on Foreign Relations summary: “Countries have debated how to combat climate change since the early 1990s. These negotiations have produced several important accords, including the Kyoto Protocol and the Paris Agreement.

Governments generally agree on the science behind climate change but have diverged on who is most responsible and how to set emissions-reduction goals.

Most experts say the Paris Agreement will not be enough to prevent the global average temperature from rising 1.5°C. If that happens, the world will suffer devastating consequences, such as heat waves and floods.”

That sounds like weather. According to Scientific American, weather is not climate.

Okay, what has the PA achieved since 2015? (Insert cricket sounds here).

A 2012 article in Scientific American sited the study of Earth’s changing climate — study began in the early 19th century. Identifying and recording ice ages and other paleo-climates through the observations of geological and topographic features relating to ice, wind and water along with the natural greenhouse effect were recorded. It was in the late 19th century, some scientists first argued that human emissions of greenhouse gasses (sulfur dioxide, carbon dioxide, methane, etc.) could be a cause for climate change. Other natural factors included solar variations, volcanism, etc. In the 1960s, evidence appeared to mount for the warming effect of carbon dioxide gas. But it was in the 1970s, when many scientists began to favor the idea of a warming point of view. By the 1990s, computer models, along with observations of the Sun’s

MAT-SU VALLEY, ALASKA

“We the People” of this de jure Alaska General Jural Assembly agree to join in Union with the Nation = State assemblies of the United States of America to support one another in the development of our relationships in harmony with the Laws of God and Nature. These Laws include our unalienable natural rights to life, liberty, posterity, and the pursuit of happiness.

The Union of States Representatives for the United States of America, assembled, appealing to the Creator for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the name, and by the authority of the good people of these Nation = States, solemnly publish and declare that these states in union are, and of right ought

radiation influences, contributed in the growing consensus that greenhouse gases and human-caused emissions were causing discernible global warming. Since the ending of the last global ice age, approximately 10,000 years ago (plus or minus a few thousand), the Earth has been warming, and continues to. This was the agreement of almost all Earth Sciences before 1970.

Yet, scientists continue to argue their beliefs. The scientific community to date, has not drawn ANY definitive conclusions — only models and possibilities regarding CO2 and a change in climate.

Why, when climate changes have been recorded in Earth’s geologic record (rock formations and fossils) ranging on a global scale to localized areas and are billions of years old, is it thought that humans are the cause?

According to geologists, paleontologists, archeologists and anthropologists, with the warming of the Earth and the receding of the massive ice sheets, more land became available in some areas and less in others. As sea levels rose, changes in the distribution of the “then” populations (Human, flora and fauna) changed. It is represented in submerged ancient architectural structures, abandoned cities in arid climes and historical records of past civilizations. All of these changes took place prior to Man’s industrialization.

What has been Man’s response in the past to climate change? Adaptation and/or migration is the result.

The Paris Agreement argues for the reduction of “greenhouse gases”. The evidence remains inconclusive “it” is the cause of the Earth’s warming. Yet, scientists insist it is human industry that is causing this warming. Let’s see, industry produces sellable items and services, that means money. And, wherever there’s money, there are government entities involving taxation and politics.

We humans do affect our local environments. Witness clearcutting, excavation, manipulation of waterways, etc.

However, the big factor being debated is pollution by greenhouse gases.

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to be, free and independent states; that they are absolved from all allegiance and political connection to the corporation known as THE UNITED STATES and all subdivisions thereof, and all other such entities in the world.

As a Free and Independent Nation = State, “We the People” of this de jure Alaska General Jural Assembly have full power to keep the peace, contract alliances, establish commerce, protect our borders and inhabitants, and to do all other acts which independent states may of right do. We adhere to the laws of God and Nature, which shall be our permanent law form.

Ordered, sentenced and decreed by the political will of We the People in Assembly.

November 10th in the year of our Lord, 2020.

Being good stewards of our environment on this planet is key to maintaining clean air, water and surrounding areas. Eliminating pollution is the desired and worthwhile goal that the United States is in the process of achieving.

But does carbon dioxide pollution cause a change in the change in our climate? The answer: inconclusive (for temperature graphs, see www.faculty. ucr.edu).

So, why should the United States enter into an agreement that addresses something based on an unsubstantiated scientific theory? Remember, the Paris Agreement involves governments, costing taxpayers globally, money, with nothing to show for it so far. And, not all members are in compliance with the agreement.

President Trump, removed the U.S. from the Paris Agreement for what he foresaw as a waste of money. The Biden Administration ran its election campaign on a promise of addressing Climate Change and has re-entered the U.S. into the agreement.

I became confused when White House Press Secretary, Jen Psaki, in a press briefing on February 21, 2021, attempted to defend Biden’s lack of support during the intense cold spell in Texas.

“We can’t control Mother Nature, no one can,” she stated and moved on to explain a contingency plan for vaccine distribution in the state. Well, if Mother Nature can’t be controlled, why should we think we can control our climate?

The question of human impact on the warming of the planet is up for grabs.

But, what is really being grabbed are your taxes dollars, trillions of them. Kiss them goodbye!

References: www.britanica.com, Heraclitus www.unfccc.int, Paris Agreement www.faculty.ucr.edu, Earth’s warming graphs www.scientificamerican.com, The Discovery of Global Warming (2012) www.oann.com, OAN Newsroom Update, February 21, 2021

POLITICS & OPINION Contributed by Wes Keller This editorial is an overview of a not-sowidely discussed topic, the judicial overreach of our legislative process. While it is good for the Legislative branch to have checks and balances, simply put, Alaska’s Judicial branch has too much power!

As a retired legislator and resident, I am troubled by the Alaska Judiciary response whenever it feels challenged by the Legislature. A strong defense comes up whenever they detect a calling for more judicial accountability. Our Constitution supposedly “…gives the legislature wide latitude to expand and shape the [judicial] system to meet the needs of the State…” (Citizen’s Guide, 5th edition, Jan, 2021); yet, a strong ‘judicial subculture’ seems determined to prevent any tweaks. Our Constitution grants the Judiciary unprecedented power – including an exclusive lawyer association monopoly. It is a very big problem if the extra power endowed to Judiciary is eroding the people’s legislative power they should rightfully expect to have through their elected legislature.

Constitutional judiciaries were originally designed to be weak (See Federalist #78), but Alaska broke the mold and needs to watch for unintended consequences. SB14 proposes a slight,

but much needed, adjustment to help ensure our laws reflect the values of Alaskans. The separate legislative and judicial roles are utterly essential to govern a free people. Legislature must not directly influence Justice and the Judiciary must not have undue influence on legislation.

The official Judiciary opposition to SB14 looks like a rigged game of ‘king on the mountain’! The repetitive over-reaction of the Judicial opposition, in itself, is suspicious and confirms the need for the bill. It may reveal jealous protection of “judicial activism”, far upstream. The proper interaction between laws and justice must be maintained for good government!

Our constitution intentionally created a monopoly for licensed attorneys that run our Judiciary.

Any AK attorney who aspires to judgeship must be a member of, and pleasing to, the Alaska Bar Association to even be nominated.

Every attorney in the Judiciary must be part of the 4000-member strong Bar Association.

The Association is the sole source of attorneys advising and representing all State agencies of the Executive Branch (the entire Department of Law)!

It is the sole source of Legislative bill drafters!

It is the sole source of attorneys for any citizen needing representation before a judge is approved by the association.

MOST Alaska court cases are between a State-paid Association prosecutor

Contributed by Sandy May, Mat-Su Republican Women’s Club Est. 1947

tions waving signs for him? Many gave up their weekends to do this.

We have! As the oldest Republican women’s club in the state of Alaska, we have witnessed many elections and trends in our 74 years in the Mat-Su Valley and state. During the recent Presidential election and our State election, patriotic conservatives seem to come out of the woodwork! Their “We’re not gonna take it anymore” attitude put their boots on and showed up at town halls, events for candidates, meetings to hear from our legislators, and on the street corners waving signs for Republicans who wanted to serve our great country and state.

The Alaskan Patriots group rallied folks to join them to show a united front.

This was serious business because they knew that the life of America would never be the same if Trump did not win.

The easygoing slow death of our freedoms and the silent easing of socialism into our lives, not to the China Communist Party (fact) sticking their big fat toe into our federal government, has been the mission of the Democrat Party of today.

The younger generation swelled with support for President Trump! They showed up in the worst of the worst weather. Driving to Anchorage over ice didn’t deter them. Their mission to get President Trump re-elected was fierce.

Do you remember seeing them standing on Anchorage’s busiest intersec-

Most folks would only get their news from the mainstream media, which has turned out to be a huge part of America’s problems. There IS another side, which is one we don’t hear from them. Thank the good Lord for the internet where we can search for ourselves to find that other side! We’ve learned if Facebook factchecks information and says it’s false, that we’ve found gold! The real truth. Same for Twitter and You-

MAT-SU VALLEY, ALASKA

and an Association defense attorney, before an Association judge – in public buildings and with state employee support staff. The Judiciary answers to no one as they decide on accusations of excesses by state government. There are no recourses except a legislator who will invest time and staff to make a case on behalf of individuals and whose success depends entirely on rational appeals or politically engaging the entire legislature.

Anyone working in the Juneau legislature has encountered the powerful force of the judiciary at every turn of the legislative process! Every word of every bill must get through the gauntlet. Professional legal advice is essential for good legislation, but it is a very tall order for a legislator to discredit misguided activism to make laws reflect a particular bias- particularly in the drama of the 90-day budget feeding frenzy.

Attorneys often claim to be nonpartisan, and there are is no Bar Association PAC, but review of individual attorney political contributions (public information) reveals undeniable left-wing advocacy. Government paid attorneys provide countless dueling “legal opinions” as testimony to shape many bills and amendments. They have even more direct involvement in the obscure creation of administrative law (regulations). Creation of every State law, regulation, and policy is heavily influenced by the Judiciary. When Judicial activism shapes law in the name of “justice” we start down a “slippery slope” toward systemic injustice and

Tube. A recent one is an actual video of President Trump talking, and YouTube took it down because quote, “This video has been removed for violating YouTube’s Community Guidelines.” Freedom of speech has absolutely no welcome there or on Facebook or Twitter. Insane, right?

With absolute 100% evidence of President Trump winning the election, the Democrat powers-that-be seem to think that does not matter. Hillary lost in the last election and by golly, they were not going to stand for that this time.

Period. (They are in for a big surprise!)

The Trump voters have risen like a ginormous tidal wave of fury that wants to take our country back and restore it again to the republic it was created to be. Our Mat-Su Republican Women’s Club Est. 1947 has witnessed wonderful growth of members who have the desire to make a difference, and we hope to be a positive force by keeping them informed and engaged. Part of our mission statement is to create an informed electorate and that is our priority.

We invite you to come to our monthly meetings which are open to the public.

Our March 20th meeting will be at the

School Board Committee on School Issues and the MSB Fish and Wildlife Commission.

Contributed by Patricia Fisher Too often these days we are ranting about something. So, I am happy to have something to praise, to strongly praise, and that is District 7 Borough Assembly person, Tam Boeve.

I live in District 7 and work regularly

with Tam on community issues. She is one of the hardest working people I have ever met. Her district, of 18.5 thousand square miles is the largest in the Borough, 73% of the total Borough acreage. The district includes 7 community councils, 8 road service areas, 6 fire service areas and 3 special service areas.

She is a member of the Joint Assembly/

It is not uncommon for her to attend several community meetings on any one day, with an average of 12 meetings a week. Given the size of her district, that is a lot of travel.

Tam is a bulldog on the difficult, complex issues currently facing the Borough. Issues like school bond debt, wetland mitigation, or safety. She

PAGE 7

government abuse with little protection for Alaskans.

Individual attorneys are also victims of a systemic problem. A consequence is a huge chasm between the “judicial philosophy” of our Judiciary system (“judicial activism”) and the judiciary philosophy of the populace — We the People — particularly those who do not work for State government. The populace judicial philosophy favors “judicial restraint”. These terms have not been part of our “dinner table” vocabulary, but they can be quickly defined and understood.

Judicial activism is unabashedly on display in the energetic opposition to SB14. It uses a negative colloquial definition of “politics” (despicable, unprincipled, partisan…) with no acknowledgement of “politics” provoking legitimate, public, academic debate in quest of truth! Alaska Supreme Court Chief Justice Bolger lobbied against SB14 in his 2/21/2021 “State of the Judiciary” speech. He told reporters after the speech, “The process that keeps politics out of the selection process is the most important!” Another respectable friend who is the spokesperson for the Alaska Court System testified, [SB14 will] “make politics and political affiliation a key factor for seating a judge.” Check out the force of the impressive “Justice not Politics” website. A quick look will reveal a bias in stark contrast to this editorial. It is blatantly devoted to keeping judicial power.

Wes Keller | WesKeller.com

Palmer Sunrise Grill in their meeting room at the back, from 10 a.m. to noon.

Past Representative Lance Pruitt and past Lt. Governor Craig Campbell will be speaking.

Election integrity is a top priority nationwide and in our state. The mail-in ballots are reeking with dishonesty and for the Vote Yes on Prop 2 to have passed? Absolutely ridiculous! Alaskans may get confused by the slick wording that Democrats use for their propositions, but we aren’t stupid. For a voting process that has been used for 200 years to be turned into a process of elimination... 3 times… to get a winner?

Ummm…. we think not. We want to be a part of getting this put back to rights, don’t you?

April 16, 2021: Dan Fagan will be speaking at our funtastic fundraiser at the Palmer Depot. Food, politics, gun raffle, etc. More info and tickets on matsurepublicanwomensclub.org.

One thing for sure. The Democrats really brought the patriotic people roaring back to life and action. Everything has a positive side, right?

knows and understands what is going on, and what is troubling a community, whether it be compliance issues, road maintenance or natural resources. That knowledge translates into sound decisions when she votes on these issues at a Borough Assembly meeting.

Tam’s service to the Borough is phenomenal. I am pleased that she has decided to run for a second term as District 7 Assembly representative. We need to keep her on the Assembly for the next term.

POLITICS & OPINION Contributed by Cathy K. Mosher

S Colony Way, Palmer, AK 99645.

Valley Republican Women of Alaska March Membership Meeting 3/18/2021 – 7PM Valley Republican Women of Alaska Sunrise Grill 918 S Colony Way, Palmer FREE Admission

Looking forward to seeing you this month. Missed all of you last month.

The Mat-Su Borough is working on borough budget for 2021-22 – Assemblyman Jesse Sumner will inform on what is going on at the Borough. We hear and care so much for our children.

We would like to invite you to attend our monthly membership meeting on Thursday, March 17th, arrive around 6:30 p.m. to order and network. Meeting starts around 7 p.m. at Sunrise Grill, 918

Come learn how Heartreach in the Valley is helping the most vulnerable – those children in the womb. Listen to some uplifting stories. We will be given updates from AMAC, school board, city

Contributed by Stuart Thompson

own efforts, and managing the internet to enable time - efficient personal fact checking (to remove vulnerability to propaganda).

With doors on freedom of speech and freedom of thought rapidly closing, let me offer some defiant observations.

Scientific dissent is the lifeblood of scientific advancement.

Consider: Current overt suppression of scientific dissent by special interests - benefiting from the elongation of the COVID-19 emergency through enforcing ineffective scientific mirages - convict those in power of being accessories to murder.

Consider: Current overt suppression of scientific dissent by special interests (manipulating government for power and economic advantage) is castrating American technology development.

New technology is vital for managing industrial pollution, managing more effective power generation without destructive economic side - effects, managing enabling more people to achieve a higher standard of living through their

Contributed by Doug Ferguson There is always irony in how history plays out.

The HBO documentary, “Kill Chain”, about how unsecure our electronic elections systems are and how easy they are to “hack” has interesting origins considering what has happened since the documentary was released last spring many months before our contentious fall elections. In a BBC interview with one of the filmmakers, Sarah Teale, an admitted registered Democrat, she talks about the fact that the documentary didn’t have the impact they had hoped for because it came out just as the COVID-19 crisis started and captured all the headlines. This BBC interview, by the way, was done just before the 2020 elections.

In the documentary, Harri Hursti, the voting system security expert from Finland is followed around the U.S. interviewing other software experts, talking to voters, participating in the Def Con “hackers” convention and even actually buying used voting machines (models still in use around the country) at bargain prices from a clueless Ohio recycling dealer to show how easy it was to hack them! All this to show how unequivocally vulnerable our voting systems are to outside forces and how most voting machines are easily connected to the internet no matter what the manufacturers say.

Hursti points out that you don’t need to move votes to create havoc and confusion in an election, you can just

Key to interpreting and using the constitution when conducting a constitutional republic is blocking attempts to centralize government power “because Rule of Men” is so efficient. The checks and balances enabled by separation of powers is the pivotal principle behind the entire American system of government.

Consider: The current congressional attempt to federally centralize control of how elections are conducted - despite what the constitution says - “to defend democracy against divisive legal attacks” is a typical repudiation of the separation of powers principle.

Open political dissent or political factionalism is necessary for rationally conducting a large republic like the U.S. In other words, a republic without allowed dissent to balance and check

screw up the voter registration records and create delays or invalid votes. You can add ineligible voters to the roles facilitating added illegal paper ballots at election time. If your goal is just to mess things up enough to destroy voter confidence in the system and thus question results, you can do that easily.

Now about the irony in all this. Even as the currently left wing Time magazine just published a headline article on how the Democratic Party “saved our democracy” by orchestrating a coordinated secret effort to guarantee the outcome of the recent 2020 presidential election, the “Kill Chain” documentary and other efforts to challenge election fraud in the past few election cycles appear to have been originally motivated by an effort to show how the Republicans, not the Democrats, previously tried to steal elections with the clear implication that Trump stole the presidency in 2016!

The only actual election discrepancies covered in “Kill Chain” were those in the 2018 Georgia gubernatorial election between Governor Brian Kemp and Stacy Abrams. First there were over 300,000 voters initially deemed ineligible due to a so-called “computer glitch” causing hours long voter lines until the issue was resolved and generating huge voter anger. Then one of the primarily black voting districts ended up overwhelming voting for Kemp who was white.

The documentary showed how both of these events could be easily done through “hacking” the system. Kemp won the election by a fairly slim margin.

MAT-SU VALLEY, ALASKA

of Palmer and Wasilla as to what is happening there.

Thursday April 15th at 6:30 p.m. at Sunrise Grill, will be our meeting date in April. We hope you can join us to hear from our guest speakers. We are sure to have interesting topics to inform us on what is happening in the state. Mark your calendar to be at our meeting.

May General Meeting: Nick Begich, a conservative raised by his very conservative grandparents, is already confirmed for our Spring Fling

political factions, will quickly collapse into rule by an elite.

Consider: James Madison’s Federalist Papers #10 for his historically - based explanation of why this is so.

Consider: Current efforts within national legislation and presidential executive orders to construct a benevolent oneparty political establishment that “cares for the needs” of the American people “because government know best”.

The US government is abandoning methodologies of democracy and government “of, by, and for the people” for the methodologies of forms of socialism (e.g. censorship, social engineering of the young in schools, re - education camps for adults who don’t think right, cancel culture, redefinition of terms to justify unfounded character/reputation assassination, etc.).

Consider: The practices of Germany under the NAZIs, Russia under Stalin and China under Mao.

This one election was obviously what motivated most “honest” Democrats to support the voting system vulnerability effort prior to the 2020 presidential election even though plenty of questionable Republican defeats around the country were never investigated.

Now it turns out that this effort to expose voting system vulnerability might explain how Joe Biden won! What irony!

It probably explains why we don’t hear much about “Kill Chain” now that the 2020 election is over! Could it be that the extreme vulnerability of our electronic voting systems so dramatically researched and demonstrated in “Kill Chain” had some role in the election of Joe Biden? Who knows? Without the rigorous paper ballot audits that were so passionately recommended by all the experts interviewed in the documentary, we will never know for sure.

Regardless of what side of the political aisle you are on, the messages brought forth in the documentary are still very relevant. All who were interviewed agreed that democracy depends on an honest voting system that the vast majority of the people believe in.

They all also agreed that almost all of the electronic voting devices in use today are antiquated and very vulnerable to “hacking”, not only by outside nations with great computer resources, but also by “lone wolf” types who just want to create havoc. They all further agreed that the only way to guarantee the integrity of an election is by the rigorous audit of paper ballots manually filled out by voters and used as inputs

PAGE 8

Fundraiser, “May March for Freedom”, being held at the Palmer Depot on May 14th, Affordable Catering will cater the event. There will be a Wall of Guns.

Decorations will be a spring theme and may be auctioned during the live/silent auction. We will have split the pot and a dessert auction, silent and live auction.

Donations are needed if anyone would like to donate to this event.

We need helpers and if you would like to volunteer, contact Cathy Mosher at cmosher@mtaonline.net.

The US government is now orchestrating treatment of most citizens like they were dogs - literally.

Consider: You train a dog to consistently obey you by getting it dependent on you for survival necessities. Eventually, you easily coerce a dog to “willingly” do whatever you order it to do by threatening withholding survival necessities.

You look benevolent by never really fully carrying out such denial resulting in mistreatment - provided you get obedience. In humans this is how you make docile slaves - who are dependent in their own minds on survival necessities from their master.

So please insist your state lawmakers apply the US Constitution’s Amendment 9 and 10, and the Alaska Constitution’s Article 12 Section 14, to protect you and fellow Alaskans from anti - constitutional or perverted federal government overreach - aided and abetted by social irrationality. lookitover@att.net

to the overall system. As of today, there appear to be no efforts to do so in the contested “swing states” where paper ballots were used as in our own Alaska, for instance.

Our countries’ future depends on honest elections that people believe in.

We also must be vigilant that whatever changes we make, we protect the rights of the states and not be overreached by the Federal government as the legislation currently going through congress is bound to do.

What could the Federal laws do that won’t jeopardize states rights? First it could require that all election system vendors allow their products to be open to outside certification audits of both hardware and software before sold in the U.S. as we do with Underwriter’s Laboratory for electrical products and many other safety concerns. Second, it could require that all states use voter created paper ballots as input to whatever system the state develops and that some sort of mandatory audit of these be required to certify election results for all elections. Violations in national elections should be a Federal offense. The states would be free to implement their own systems with only these requirements.

America’s future depends on what we do to fix this broken system!

Doug Ferguson is a retired engineer living in Palmer, Alaska who has had a life-long interest in science, computer technology, history and, of course, politics

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POLITICS / OPINION

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Contributed by Jon Watts, Alaska Libertarian Party

of U.S. shipping costs, quality and shipbuilding capacity.

While the Alaska Tourism Recovery Act would provide a needed, but temporary reprieve for the numerous local economies that rely on cruise ship tourism, Representative Don Young fails to take aim at the true source of the problem and a bill that has plagued the American economy for over 100 years: The Jones Act.

In the 1990s, the U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) published several papers on the Jones Act, yielding estimates of economy‐wide costs ranging from $656 million to $9.8 billion. The Government Accountability Office found the trade commission’s approach to be reasonable.

Proposed and passed as a plan to ensure adequate domestic shipbuilding capacity and supply of merchant mariners for times of war or national emergencies; it has instead provided the world’s most restrictive example of global cabotage laws to the detriment

In addition to these massive costs, which are passed on to consumers, the Jones Act has atrophied domestic shipbuilding, diminished the merchant marine reserve, and hamstrung our ability to respond expeditiously and effectively to natural and man-made disasters.

While we support Young’s temporary measure, the Alaska Libertarian Party urges currently elected representatives to work toward repealing the Jones Act. Exposing the unseemly political alliances that have protected the act for decades may be uncomfortable, but it is necessary.

The Libertarian Platform supports the removal of governmental impediments to free trade, recognizing that a free and competitive market allocates resources in the most efficient manner.

One hundred years of protectionism has failed. Let’s try freedom instead.

reelection bid. And the rest is history.

Contributed by Huhnkie Lee Greetings everyone, this is Huhnkie Lee, who plans to run for U.S. Senate in Alaska in 2022 as a Republican. We hope and pray that you, our fellow Alaskans, are surviving and thriving in these difficult times.

Roughly in January of 2020, COVID happened. Federal and state governments mandated lockdown at homes and shutdown of businesses. People are social animals by nature, and when they are isolated from others, they experience stress called cabin fever.

During the COVID lockdown/shutdown, the only way for people to legally get outside homes and to legally get together is to protest for something. Protesting is a constitutional, 1st Amendment right to freedom of speech, assembly and petition of grievances. As Americans have been in house arrest for five months from January to May of 2020, anything could have triggered the piled-up stress of Americans’ pandemic stress and isolation and boredom.

It just happened that Mr. George Floyd’s sad passing got filmed and broadcast over social media. Democrats took the opportunity to get outside their homes and to get together en masse, finally.

That’s one way to look at the postCOVID, post-Floyd BLM protests: it was neither an ideological phenomenon nor a political protest. It was merely a case of catharsis, a letting-it-all-out event, getting the accumulated stress out of the system. It’s physical, rather.

Now, Republicans have awaited their chance, as it turned out. Republicans are people too, you see. Perhaps they were able to hold it a little bit longer.

Then November 2nd election loss happened. Republicans waited more. Till January 6th, 2021, Republicans have waited all the whole one year to let out their pandemic stress, finally.

Republicans find it hard to believe that there could be some Americans, mostly Democrats, who genuinely believe that there is nothing wrong with LGBT ideology or LGBT lifestyle. Likewise, Democrats find it hard to believe that there could be some Americans, mostly Republicans, who genuinely believe that one former President Trump won the reelection. What’s the reason behind these Americans believing in unbelievable things, such as soundness of LGBT-ism or Mr. Trump’s reelection victory?

One possible answer is that humans are political animals and in politics, it’s all about identity. In order to heighten the sense of political identity, one must distinguish oneself from others.

Democrats perhaps know in their heart that there is no rationality in LGBT-ism whatsoever. Then why do Democrats still insist on pro-LGBT-ism? Perhaps in order to distinguish themselves from Republicans, who are mostly Christians, whose bible expressly disapprove LGBTism.

Now, Republicans, perhaps know in their heart, that the former President Trump lost the reelection fair and square. With all due respect, President Trump failed to complete the border wall building. His economic boom was so easily blown away by winds of COVID/BLM: an evidence that President Trump’s economic policy has an unsound foundation. When COVID came to America from China, he was quick to blame China for it, rather than focusing on solving the problem. And alas, he listened to the unwise white house doctors and executed the ill-advised policy of national lockdown/shutdown.

Then BLM happened. President Trump declared that he’s a law-and-order president. But talk is cheap. Was he able to stop the crimes of BLM-ists that include vandalism, arson, burglary, theft? He failed to stop it. And Americans saw his repeated failures. In this writer’s opinion, that’s why President Trump lost his

What happened next? President Trump started to engage in wishful thinking.

His supporters, Republicans, did not want to live the next 4 years under President Biden, who is too liberal for Republicans’ taste. So, many Republicans joined in President’s daydreaming and fantasy-thinking. This group-think fantasy may have been the cause of 1-6-2021 incident.

The second impeachment Senate trial ensued. Is President Trump guilty? No, most Republican Senators said, acquitting him. But, in criminal law, is President Trump guilty of anything? Possibly. What crime? At least involuntary manslaughter. I am sorry to say this, my fellow Republicans. But let’s say what needs to be said for the sake of education of future generations. Yes, we want our descendants to be bigger, better, and more righteous than us, our current generation.

In criminal law, the three-step analysis of culpability is as follows: wrongdoing, damage, and causation. Did President Trump do something wrong?

Did anybody suffer damage? And did President’s wrongdoing cause those people’s damage?

Let’s do the damage part first. Hundreds of people went to jail, lost jobs, damaged their reputations after 1-62021. Seven people died after 1-6-2021, including two suicides. President Trump preached ‘stop-the-steal’, leading people to believe that the election was fraudulent. He invited people to D.C. on Jan.6.

Was violence foreseeable? Let’s apply the reasonable person’s standard. Certification of election was occurring in the Capitol. To ‘stop-the-steal’, people need to get in the building. There are police officers blocking the way. People will need to commit violence to overcome the police barrier. Some people might get injured or die. They did.

Solution? Let President Trump donate 10 million dollars to the victims of his crime: Jan.6 Pro-Trumpers.

COMMUNITY

MAT-SU VALLEY, ALASKA

PAGE 10

In last month’s edition we printed an article titled “Danger of Split Decisions”, along with images from Jeff Moskowitz of the Alaska Avalanche Information Center. We failed to include the caption information stating that the photos were contributed by Mr. Moskowitz.

Our apologies!

Contributed by Wasilla Area Seniors, Inc. After seven years leading Wasilla Area Seniors, Inc., - most of that time as CEO - Chuck Foster has requested retirement this year.

Wasilla Area Seniors, Inc. (WASI) serves seniors in the Mat-Su through an integrated mix of services focused on helping older Alaskans to remain as independent as possible for as long as possible. WASI offers affordable senior housing, daily lunches at their two senior center centers and through Meals on Wheels, transportation, in-home housekeeping, respite care for unpaid caregivers, and health-promoting activities such as free exercise classes.

Since 2013, Foster has helped shape WASI, expanding almost every facet of the non-profit.

“We are excited for Chuck at the same time we hate to see him go. He is looking forward to more time with his family, and he’s certainly earned that,” said John Weaver, President of the WASI Board of Directors. “We will miss his leadership, strength and vision, and we’re grateful that he’s left an excellent foundation for us to build upon.”

Foster has been an integral part of the system of senior care in the Mat-Su. He

serves as Chair of the Coalition of MatSu Senior Centers and currently serves on the Mat-Su Council on Aging, and the Board of Directors of the Homesteaders Community Center in Houston. His focus on developing relationships with other non-profits who serve seniors has helped increase service capacity in the Mat-Su while the borough continues to grow at a robust pace. “We know many Alaskans are choosing to remain in the Mat-Su as we age, and many are choosing the Mat-Su as a retirement destination,” Foster explained. “Our senior services non-profits work as a truly effective team, which allows us to meet the rapidly growing need.”

Foster noted the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, but said the virus did not spark his retirement plans. “This past year has been harsh on seniors and harsh for the organizations that serve seniors. I’m so proud of our staff and volunteers – and the seniors we serve.

They really stepped up to a great calling and kept us on track, so seniors could have the best quality of life possible. As we emerge from the hard times, 2021 seems to offer the right time for a transition,” he said.

WASI now begins the search for its next exceptional CEO, who will lead the nonprofit to continue to serve older Alas-

kans and bring strength and vigor to the proud legacy at WASI. This month, the WASI Board of Directors formed a search committee to begin the transition process. Letters of inquiry should be addressed to the Search Committee at 1301 S Century Cir. Wasilla Alaska, or by email to boardofdirectors@wasillaseniors.com.

WASI continues to plan for their annual “Miles for Meals” 5K Fun Run/Walk/Roll event in June. As WASI’s largest fundraising event of the year, the community event will likely be a mix of virtual and live activities.

“Due to concerns about COVID-19, the event was completely virtual in 2020,” said Foster. “This year, we will continue that because a lot of us had a lot of fun with it. But hopefully, we’ll be able to offer an in-person event as well. It would be great to get together again to support our Senior Nutrition programs.”

“I feel honored to have had the opportunities I’ve had,” Foster concluded. “I get to work with an amazing staff, and a dedicated group of volunteers, all while serving some of the most amazing people I’ve ever met. I’m sure I’ll miss it, but maybe not that much because I’m a lifetime member of WASI. I’m sure to find a place to volunteer, where I can still do some good around here after retirement.”

At WASI, we believe seniors deserve dignity and respect; and serving seniors is our passion. All our efforts focus on helping seniors achieve the quality of life they need, so they can remain in the home and community they choose.

We are always eager to meet like-minded people who want to improve our community. Please consider joining our staff, or volunteering, or simply support our mission with a tax-deductible contribution through our secure website at wasillaseniors.com.

PETS & ANIMALS & COMMUNITY Contributed by Kelleigh Orthmann Clear Creek Cat Rescue Could you be the right family for this beautiful soul? Meet Henrietta. Henrietta came to CCCR scared, cold, and very pregnant...but purring and loving from minute one. We don’t know a lot about her history, but it is clear from her ears being frozen off that she has not had an easy start to life.

Contributed by Angie Lewis, Alaska Animal Advocates Walking a well-behaved dog is a true pleasure when she has good leash manners. When those manners are missing, it can, at the least, be embarrassing and at worst be very dangerous – for both dog and human.

Using treats to encourage appropriate behavior is a very positive strategy. Before you panic about how much weight your dog might gain – remember that you are in charge of the treat bag. You can purchase treat bags at any pet supply store.

Break treats into tiny pieces, so that they will last. A tasty morsel, not a full meal. As your puppy gets older, you can give less treats. Also, use verbal reinforcement.

Talk to your dog, using consistent terminology: Soon your dog will begin to understand what you expect from her. Place a leash, collar/harness on your dog while inside your house.

Let your pup wear these in the house for a short time so that she knows what it feels like. If she protests, provide some treats. Make your puppy come to you and have her sit in front of you. Remember that puppies have a short attention span, so keep your sessions short, and end them when your puppy is still eager to do more,

Donations… The MATSU Food Bank receives many donations of various kinds, everything from food, money, volunteer time and things in between. When you consider the difficult time that our community is experiencing right now, it is truly

Abigail, Age 12

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It’s time for this wonderful, soft, gorgeous kitty to move on to a family all her own. She does well with small dogs and, once she learned that there was food for everyone, she began loving on all the kitties in her foster home. She will return every bit of your love ten times over. She is probably a couple of years old.

She’s in Wasilla. Must have a safe yard to go outside at her new home. To meet Henrietta, please call 980-8898.

not when he’s mentally exhausted.

Practice inside: Now that your puppy understands how to come to you, practice walking a few steps in a room with little distraction. Feeling and seeing the leash around her will be enough of a challenge. Offer treats and praise as your puppy gets used to coming to you, as described above, with a leash on.

Take it outside: When you feel that your puppy is ready, take her outside in a fenced-in area or use a long rope to restrain her. There will be new challenges with this step because all the sounds, smells and sights your puppy encounters will be intriguing and new to her. Be patient and keep the first walks short. While you’re on a walk, if your puppy looks as if she’s about to lunge toward something or is about to get distracted , make a cue sound and move a few steps away. Then reward her with a treat for following you. Make a higher-pitched sound and act excited. You have to be more exciting than the many fascinating things around you.

until she comes back to you. Never pull or yank on the leash. There are leashes and collars that discourage these behaviors. Talk to a veterinarian or pet supply staff member that can offer a wealth of knowledge. If your dog lunges after another dog, or a bicycle, try to get her attention before she tries to go after the temptation.

Redirection works really well. Let part of your dog’s walk be a time to check out her surroundings. Enjoy your walks - it is one of the best bonding experiences.

Problems will arise: As puppies get older, they are more aware of their surroundings and distractions are more problematic. When your puppy pulls, do not yank at her, but rather stand as still as a tree. Refuse to move

amazing that people continue to come together to help each other.

Contributed by Lauralynn Scot Robinson, MATSU Food Bank Board Member

MAT-SU VALLEY, ALASKA

People in our community come to us donating food almost daily.

Businesses donate food they have collected on behalf of MATSU Food Bank Drives. There are monetary donations, which affords us the ability to keep our doors open, so that we may serve our community.

Volunteers donate their time to help us keep the shelves stocked, assist families to “shop” at our pantry and help keep the warehouse and pantry organized. There are so many ways you can “Donate” to the MATSU Food Bank.

We have several programs we help with from the Christmas Friendship Dinner, Thanksgiving Blessing, Senior Boxes and coming up, our summer kids feeding program, Food 4 Kids, in May. All require donations of time

Riley, Age 11

and money. Donating is easy, like donating while you shop at Fred Meyers, on Amazon, at Safeway and when you file for your PFDs - Pick.

Click.Give. Visit our web page for details how to donate while you shop. Your generosity goes a long to help those who are struggling and hungry. Food insecurity is a real issue for many individuals and families in our community and together we can help fight this problem.

Please take a minute to visit our web page, https://www.MATSUfoodbank. org, or Facebook: https://www. facebook.com/MATSUFoodBank. See the many ways you can help us and our community.

Thank You for all of your continued support, we truly appreciate you, our community!

“No one should go hungry!”

Sawyer, Age 8

Reid, Age 6

COMMUNITY

Contributed by Ryanne Ori Consign49 Spring 2021 Consignment Event April 15-18, 2021 – 9AM Consign49 Raven Hall, Alaska State Fairgrounds 2075 Glenn Hwy. Palmer FREE Admission Do sunny, longer days have you in the mood for a seasonal closet refresh? How would you like to shop from a selection of thousands of high-quality items at 60-90% off retail prices, all under one roof! Spring is just around the corner, and so is the next Consign49 Consignment Sale!

Contributed by Rabbi Mendy Greenberg Director, Mat-Su Jewish Center Mayors Devries and Ledford have proclaimed March 24, 2021 to be “Education and Sharing Day” in recognition of the crucial importance of ethical and moral education.

The day will be a time to focus on education after a year in which the pandemic took a tremendous toll on education.

Consign49 hosts a four-day event each spring and fall, in which over 200 local community members bring new and gently-used clothing, accessories and home décor items together to form a large-scale resale pop-up.

Each consignor individually prices and tags each item, and items are dropped off approximately one day before the sale begins. Consign49 Team Members work to organize all items, so everything can be easily shopped according to category and size. There is also a dedicated boutique section, in which local boutiques have discount and clearance items for sale. In addition,

of morality in education, a cause championed by the Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson.

For more than 40 years, presidents, houses of congress, and local governments have recognized the date corresponding to the Rebbe’s birthday on the Jewish calendar as Education and Sharing Day, honoring an individual who brought education to the forefront of public discourse.

Against this background, the Education Day proclamation seeks to highlight the emphasis that must be placed on education for each of our young people.

The Rebbe emphasized the importance of paying more attention to the building of character and emphasizing moral and ethical values, accentuating the values of personal rights and responsibilities and principled, just behavior.

Education and Sharing Day will bring to the forefront the importance

“Education must be more than factual enlightenment—it must enrich the

MAT-SU VALLEY, ALASKA

there is a “vendor row” where local businesses will have booths for sharing their products and services.

Consign49 is a smart, sustainable way to shop, earn money and extend the lifecycle of high-quality items! Consignors are motivated to do some spring cleaning, while also earning extra cash.

Shoppers get the opportunity to buy brand name items, or much needed seasonal items, for a fraction of retail prices.

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be going to the MY House homeless youth center. The Consign49 Spring 2021 Event will be held April 15th-18th at Raven Hall at the Alaska State Fairgrounds in Palmer, Alaska. Admission and parking are free, all major credit cards are accepted, and dressing rooms will be available for trying on clothing items. Hours are 9am – 8pm, Thursday, Friday and Saturday, and from 9am – 5pm on Sunday. On Sunday the 18th, many remaining items will be marked half price, depending on whether the individual consignor has chosen to put the item into the half-price sale.

Additionally, many items that go unsold at the end of the event will be donated to local charities in need. For the spring event, a large portion of donations will

If you are interested in becoming a consignor at the event, please go to www. consign49.com for more information.

Consignor spots are limited and will be on a first come basis. Additionally, a limited number of vendor spaces are available. Please send an email to info@ consgin49.com for more information.

character as well as the mind,” said President Ronald Reagan in his 1982 proclamation for the day, echoing the Rebbe’s sentiments.

About the Rebbe The Rebbe—Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson, —is considered the most influential rabbi in modern history.

In commemoration of the anniversary, Wasilla and Palmers Mayors have proclaimed March 24, 2021, as “Education Day” in their respective cities, and called on their communities to “reach out to young people and work to create a better, brighter, and more hopeful future for all”, as is noted in the proclamations.

About Education Day: Education Day, or Education and Sharing Day is a day of national commemoration that has been designated by every president since Jimmy Carter in 1978.

In keeping with the Rebbe’s lifetime goals and teachings, local, state, and federal governments are issuing proclamations recognizing the need to teach moral and ethical values to our youth. For more about the Rebbe visit: www.therebbe.org.

The date of its observance changes annually to correspond with the birthday of the Rebbe—Rabbi Menachem M. Schneerson,—who brought a new emphasis on education to the forefront of public discourse.

The day is a time to recognize and reaffirm the importance of education in society.