Comments by dcole
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Posted on August 23 at 10:52 a.m. (Suggest removal)
The full text of the complaint about Ballot Measure 4 and the state Web site is here:
http://media.newsminer.com/docs/APOC_com...
On State hearing on mining measure analysis deals with questions of existence
Posted on August 19 at 11:37 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I'm not comfortable with candidates or elected officials ignoring laws they think are unconstitutional.
I'd rather see them challenge those laws in court.
These violations lead to questions about what other laws candidates would ignore on constitutional or other grounds.
I believe the source of the current limit is the ballot measure approved by Alaska voters in 1998, the most recent billboard ban.
The initiative opened with this statement:
"(a)The people of the State of Alaska find that the presence of billboards visible from Alaska's high-ways endanger Alaska's uniqueness and its scenic beauty; and (b) It is the intent of the people of the State of Alaska that Alaska shall forever remain free of billboards."
The law defines "billboards" as " any signboards, signs, displays, notices or forms of outdoor advertising that do not strictly comply with the provisions of A.S. 19.25.075-19.25.180, or with any permit or permits issued pursuant to A.S. 19.25.075-19.25.180."
More from the statutes:
"An advertising sign, display, or device that violates the provisions of AS 19.25.080 - 19.25.180 is a public nuisance. The department shall give 30 days' notice, by certified mail, to the owner of the land on which the advertising sign, display, or device is located, ordering its removal if it is prohibited by AS 19.25.080 - 19.25.180 or ordering the owner to cause it to conform to regulations if it is authorized by AS 19.25.080 - 19.25.180. If the owner of the property fails to comply within 30 days as required in the notice, the department shall remove the outdoor advertising sign, display, or device at the expense of the owner of the land or the person who erected it."
On Candidates should take action now to do away with illegal political signs
Posted on August 18 at 1:36 p.m. (Suggest removal)
A reader who followed my advice and went to the APOC Web site called my attention to an error in my column.
I appreciate the help.
The relevant information is that it is the Council of Alaska Producers, which consists of the large metal mining companies in Alaska, that raised $9.8 million from February to late July.
The council, in turn, has been the main financial backer of Alaskans Against the Mining Shutdown. These groups overlap, but their finances are not a dollar-for-dollar match.
The revised paragraph is:
"As of late July, The Council of Alaska Producers had raised $9.8 million, going back to February. It had spent $7.2 million, according to a report filed 30 days before the primary election with the APOC."
The seven-day reports showing the most current numbers are due Tuesday in Anchorage.
On Pebble backers and other large mining firms finance ballot measure opposition
Posted on August 17 at 9:38 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Dear "Imusually right":
Why not come out in the open and identify yourself so readers will know who you are?
You have posted 822 comments on the News-Miner site, so you obviously have a lot to say.
Contrary to your claim, what I write here has nothing to do with who is buying or not buying ads.
As I wrote in my column, the mining industry is spending millions on the campaign against the ballot measure. That information is available and out in the open.
The Council of Alaska Producers makes no secret of its position. The APOC Web site lists the contributors and the Pebble Partnership is the leading contributor. Look for the complete list in my column Monday.
Alaskans have the right to know where Americans for Job Security got its money and why the source does not want to be identified. It's as simple as that.
We need full disclosure of names for healthy debate in an open society.
On Alaskans deserve to know who is bankrolling initiative on mining regulations
Posted on August 12 at 9:40 a.m. (Suggest removal)
The Republican Party of Alaska may stand by its statement that Washington Sen. Maria Cantwell is an "enemy" of Alaska, but Republican Gov. Sarah Palin doesn't.
I received this statement from the governor's office:
"Development of ANWR is the state’s best interest, and in the interest of national energy independence. Sen. Cantwell, as with too many others in Washington, D.C., is misinformed on this issue. But to call her ‘an enemy of Alaska’ is personalizing a policy difference, albeit a big one."
On Legislature pulls plug on session without aiding GVEA members on local rates
Posted on August 11 at 2:16 p.m. (Suggest removal)
The two comments immediately above, which are almost identical, must be GOP talking points. McHugh appears to be McHugh Pierre, a state employee taking a leave of absence from the Palin administration to work as a GOP spokesman.
His name is on the news release I objected to, so I can see why he doesn't like what I said.
I think it is fine for the GOP to take issue with Sen. Cantwell and anyone else on matters of substance and point out differences on issues. That makes for healthy debate and civil discourse.
It is bad for Alaska, however, to claim that a leader from another state is an "enemy" of our state. The Republican Party should recognize this.
I am going to ask Gov. Sarah Palin is she agrees that Cantwell is our "enemy."
Shades of Nixon and the enemies list.
On Legislature pulls plug on session without aiding GVEA members on local rates
Posted on August 7 at 1:05 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Mr. or Ms. Akdem:
Good point. The text has been changed.
On ‘Dancing with the Fairbanks Stars’ today to include fancy footwork at the fair
Posted on July 22 at 11:26 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Here's how they voted:
YEAS: 24 NAYS: 16 EXCUSED: 0 ABSENT: 0
Yeas: Buch, Cissna, Coghill, Crawford, Doll, Doogan, Edgmon, Gara,
Gardner, Gatto, Gruenberg, Guttenberg, Holmes, Joule, Kawasaki,
Keller, Kelly, Kerttula, Lynn, Meyer, Nelson, Salmon, Seaton,
Thomas
Nays: Chenault, Dahlstrom, Fairclough, Foster, Harris, Hawker,
Johansen, Johnson, LeDoux, Neuman, Olson, Ramras, Roses,
Samuels, Stoltze, Wilson
Posted on July 17 at 2:05 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Geek:
As far as I know, no Alaska oil is going overseas. The last exports from Alaska were in 2000, according to the Congressional Research Service.
On Extra state checks should be based on dividend rules, not six-month residency
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Posted on August 23 at 2:53 p.m. (Suggest removal)
The state has placed its Ballot Measure 4 Web site back on line.
The differences between the new and the old one appear marginal. The title is different and some words have changed and a a few things have been cut.
The site is at www.dnr.state.ak.us
Click on "Mine Permitting Background for Initiatives," a clunky title that emerged from the battle of the lawyers.
On State hearing on mining measure analysis deals with questions of existence