I’ve been a resident of Alaska for 55 years and would like to express my extreme disappointment and, yes, outrage concerning the Alaska Board of Game’s Proposal 155 to kill wolves in District 15C north of Kachemak Bay on the Kenai Peninsula. The motive for doing this is to increase the population of moose in the area for urban hunters. The bogus concept of reallocation has raised its ugly head here (although there were only 7 fewer moose harvested this year than last in the area) and is being used to justify the proposal and possibly the extension of the concept universally throughout the State.
This proposal also flies in the face of statistics presented in an op-ed in the ADN recently by biologist and former member of the Board of Game, Vic Van Ballenberghe, that clearly indicate that in spite of extreme predator control of wolves and bears in other parts of Alaska, moose populations have not risen anywhere in proportion to the number of wolves and bears killed by the State.
Based on these statistics and the bogus use of the concept of reallocation, I ask the Board of Game to reconsider and reject the aggressive (and regressive) policy of intensive management that they instituted in 2002, including the idea of reallocation. This should begin with rejection of Proposal 155 to shoot and kill wolves on the Kenai Peninsula.
Thank you.
Frank Keim
Fairbanks, Alaska
Christmas Celebration Thanks
On December 16, 2016, YKHC Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities Services staff celebrated Christmas together. Games, door prizes, food, and a retirement celebration of 25 years with the Crisis Respite Center for Elizabeth Albert, An Ugly Sweater Contest, and an appearance by Santa filled the room with laughter, smiles, and appreciation. This was also a way to celebrate each other and the hard work that staff put in each day for the people that we serve. Your tireless effort, drive, and dedication is very much appreciated! The Staff Christmas celebration was put together by a group of volunteers and donations from local businesses! We would like to thank YKHC BH Staff, RAVN Alaska, YKHC Coffee Shop, Connie Sankwich, and ID Variety for your donations and time to put this together. Quyana Cakneq!!!
Serena Solesbee YKHC DDS
Sandra Abdiu YKHC BH
Berntina Sankwich YKHC BH
Bethel, AK
Help needed for community water sewer system
I hope Representative-elect Fansler will help our community of Tununak; we showed him what we desperately need like water and sewer system, Public Health Service facility. Mr. Fansler, I showed you the 5 gallon containers fill (honeybuckets) that needed to be dumped in the ocean. Please help us get some funds to do study and provide some kind of lagoon? Please anyone in the State Legislature?
James Angaiak
Tununak, AK
WITH THE NEW YEAR COMES NEW CHANGES
Monthly Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits will see a slight increase in 2017.
Some other adjustments that take effect in January of each year are based on the increase in average wages. Based on that increase, the maximum amount of earnings subject to the Social Security tax (taxable maximum) will increase to $127,200 from $118,500. Of the estimated 173 million workers who will pay Social Security taxes in 2017, about 12 million will pay more because of the increase in the taxable maximum.
Thresholds for benefits will change slightly next year including the Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA), SSI Federal Payment Standard, and SSI Student Exclusion.
Information about Medicare changes for 2017 are available at www.Medicare.gov. For some beneficiaries, their Social Security increase may be partially or completely offset by increases in Medicare premiums.
The Social Security Act provides for how the Cost of Living Adjustment is calculated. To read more, please visit www.socialsecurity.gov/cola.
Learn more about the resulting changes at our factsheet on the subject: www.socialsecurity.gov/news/press/factsheets/colafacts2017.pdf.
Robin Schmidt
Social Security Public Affairs Specialist for Alaska
ANCSA Oddity
The odd fact of the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act of December 18, 1971 is the U. S. Congress requiring Alaskan Natives to form corporations to hold title to assets and lands. The U. S. Congress cannot require sovereign entities to do what is not required of them as a sovereign entity also. The United States does not hold assets and lands in corporations.
It is the worst form of discrimination for the U. S. Congress to act in this manner. One of the sovereign tribal members need to appeal to the United Nations or the World Court at Brussels, Belgium to rid the United States of this overhanging discrimination from the colonial days.
Gilbert Keywehak
Mount Pleasant MI
