Alaska Information

Open Letter to the law makers of Alaska

2012-02-08T13:24:00.001-09:00

1: The progressive oil tax will ruin business opportunity in this state as it is the highest oil tax in the country. Why would any large company invest in the oil industry in this state for such a low profit on investment? ( I know I wouldn’t )
2: Alaska is getting more anti-business every day and that should be turned around. Alaska should be pro-business and it should be reflected in the laws you pass. The people in this state have to make a living. If the laws you passed would help bring business to our state it would make more opportunities for all.
3: I’m an old logger from Oregon and had a logging company there for over 15 years. We (and sawmills) bought timber sales from the Fed. Gov. (Mt. Hood Natl. Forest) and logged them. My point is the timber was a natural resource owned by the people of the USA (Fed. Gov.) and part of the money received form the timber sale helped pay for roads, schools, etc. We also had to have EPA studies done on each timber sale.
4: My question is why are the fish the commercial fisherman catch are not taxed at a much higher (progressive like the oil industry) rate (3% now, are you kidding) or sold at auction? I know about the IFQ but they didn’t pay anything for them to begin with and no one should have a right to the fish forever. After all it’s a natural resource owned by the people of Alaska and the Fed. Gov. and should be paying for public good not grants to cities.
5: Why don’t the commercial fishermen have to get EPA permits for air and water like Shell Oil Company and any mining or timber company's would have to?
Looks to me like some industries are favorites for the law makers and others are not.

If you have answers to the above feel free to leave your answers in comments.If you answers to the above questions leave them in the comments.

More Snow, Moose

2012-01-25T13:01:00.000-09:00

It's 0 outside and been snowing since early this morning, we now have over 4 feet.

A couple days ago we had a yearling moose get into our small dog pen behind the garage. We use this pen in the winter for the boys so they can get outside to do there business and I can keep it shoveled out.
The moose was sleeping under our top deck on our lower deck when I tried to run it off. The moose got up went around behind the house and stepped into the dogs pen (lucky the boys were not out there) I tried to get it to leave but all it wanted to do was fight so I just left it alone ( I did open the gate so it could leave without having to jump out) the moose laid down and got a nap. About 3 hours latter the city road grader came along plowing the road in front of the house and got stuck, then the city sent up a front end loader to get it out, the moose had came out of the dog pen and was at the top of the drive way fixing to leave but couldn't stand all the noise so it ran back into the pen and jumped over the fence and left. The moose has been back several times wanting to sleep on our deck, but I have added a cable to the top of the dog pen so hopefully it won't jump back in.

ANYBODY BUT OBAMA IN 2012

Snow

2011-12-27T10:16:00.000-09:00

Snowing again today, we've had our share this week, about 12" total. Had three moose come though last night. They jumped (or walked over our backyard fence we have over 2' of snow now) gave the beagle's quit a stir, guess they thought they could lay next to the house like they did years ago.

Diesel is still $4.64 a gal doesn't look like its going down anytime soon (heating oil is $3.88 a gal).

City Hall is getting a remodel don't know where they came up with the $1,000,000.00 that's costing, but you know our city government don't worry about that just raise taxes on something.

Happy New Year to everyone, hope this coming year is better for everyone.

My two cents

2011-08-02T12:20:00.000-08:00

I have come to the conclusion after my 67 years on this planet that the United States of America Federal Government is the enemy of a free people.
Taxes (your money spent on programs that you don’t believe in)
Regulations (have put more businesses out of business than anything else)
Class war fare (I don’t have to explain, just listen to them talk)
Elitism (the belief that government or control should be in the hands of a small group of privileged, wealthy, or intelligent people)
As you can tell I'm pretty much feed up with our country's state of affairs and a lot of the people that call themselves Americans, this country was founded on hard work and the freedom to make what you could of yourself. Not what you could steal from your neighbor (pay my health care, etc.) or get from the government (subsidies, contracts, pay my mortgage, etc.)
I think we as Americans need to step back and take a long look at where we came from and where we are going.
My grandchildren are not going to have the life choices we have enjoyed.

Wood Spliting done for another year

2011-07-02T12:40:00.000-08:00

Finished with my wood for next winter June 15, 2011 have about 15 cords put up.
It's raining today not unusually for 4th of July weekend.
It's been rather cool this spring and summer so far.
My potatoes are just now breaking though, we need some warm weather.

Looks like a pretty slow winter for tourists this year, Homer hasn't been busy until this weekend.
Governor cut the Capital budget by 400 million dollars, witch is a good thing, they have to stop spending the people's money like they owned it, they don't.

First Load of Wood for 2011

2011-05-01T15:20:00.001-08:00

First load of wood for the 2011 season. Snow is about gone so it's time to get the wood in for next winter. All is good, snow went away pretty fast this spring. Diesel is now $4.60 a gal. (not good)

Burnt about 5 cords this past winter, still have a fire every evening.

Battlefield315.com

2011-04-16T12:16:00.000-08:00

Each week, we will experience a conversation with a liberal.
Just found this website today Battlefield315.com has very good video's
Funny but thought provoking, should provoke a lot of discussion.

Gas Prices

2011-04-02T12:49:00.000-08:00

I went to town yesterday, Gas price was $4.38 Diesel was $4.44 and it's going higher they told me.
Glad I got the firewood logs, I don't have to pay them for heating oil.

What we pay for

2011-02-25T11:49:00.000-09:00

This is your federal budget. We think it's hard to relate to "billions" and "trillions", so we break it down by how much you pay in taxes. This is a great site as you can click on each Department and it breaks it down further so you can see all the Federal programs we are paying for.

There are lots of Places to cut spending. What we Pay OUR TAXES FOR

Winter 2010-2011

2011-02-19T14:00:00.000-09:00

Been a good winter, not to much snow. Had a few cold snaps down to 0 but none lasted to long.
I got my first load of firewood logs Feb. 3 and then the second load on Feb. 7 that will keep me busy this spring.

Price for firewood logs when up a little this year, but with diesel at $4.06 a gal didn't go up as much as I thought it would. There is about 12 to 14 true cords (4'x4'x8') in a load. The logger told me the beetle killl spruce is about gone on the lower Kenai Peninsula, it's all to rotten.
I've burnt about 4 cords since Sept. so should only burn about 5 cords until I start splitting again.
We've been invaded by the moose the last 6 weeks, they have destroyed the last of the lodge pole pines I planted in the yard about 6 years ago. The moose are looking pretty good this winter hasn't been to hard on them.
Housing prices have held up pretty good here, they haven't went up but they haven't went down much either. The economy is not good here but not as bad as lower 48.
I guess I'll have to get out my old gold pan as gold is almost $1400 an ounce. I'll bet there are many more Alaskan's thinking the same thing.
They finally limited the Halibut Charters here in Homer, the commerical fishermen finally got there way. Don't know how it's all going to pan out, but there were several old time charters here that didn't get a permit. Guess it will be up to the courts to decide the issue.

Open Secerts Org

2010-10-15T19:31:00.000-08:00

Want to see where your congressman, senitor gets there campain money this is the web site. Just type in the state and your canidate and all the information you need will come up. http://www.opensecrets.org/

Alaska Politics

2010-09-19T11:29:00.000-08:00

I see Lisa is going to do a write campaign to try to beat Joe Miller ( Joe won the primary ) for her old Senate seat. I've talked to a few folks about this and they are not happy she will not accept defeat. We'll see how she does but I don't think she will win.
Don Young won his primary easy, didn't have a tea party candidate running against him. I was just checking his voting record today and he voted against Eliminate Federal Employee Pay Raise Freezing federal civilian pay at the current level for one year would save approximately $2 billion next year and $30 billion over ten years. Also he did not vote for or against Taxpayer Subsidized Union Activities which would potentially save us $120 million a year and $1.2 billion over ten years.

For information on how your representative voted go here http://republicanwhip.house.gov/YouCut/ScoreCard/

Wet Summer in Alaska

2010-08-17T19:33:00.000-08:00

The sun is out for the first time today. Anchorage has set a new record 32 days in a row of precipitation (rain). It has been a very wet and cool summer. My garden looks pretty sad, strawberries are just now ready to pick for the first time.

One week left before we start voting out the incumbents, our primaries are next week and we need new people in office that are not power hungry and don 't want to make there office there career.

For a list of the candidates go here Division of Elections has all candidates with there email and web sites.

Firewood is done for this year

2010-07-20T11:52:00.000-08:00

Finished splitting and stacking our firewood July 14, 2010, a little over 15 cords (one log truck load beetle kill spruce).
It has been a really cool summer, not much of a garden and the leafs are turning already and it's late July, might be a long winter this year. Raining again today 52 degrees.
Waiting on the Nov. elections so hopefully we can vote out all the incumbents and get this country back on track. Check out the Patriot Post link on the left, a great site for conservatives.
Homer has had a busy summer, lots of Alaskans came to visit and more tourists than I thought showed up this year.

New Patriot Journal Web Site

2010-07-11T10:54:00.001-08:00

The New Patriot Journal web site is up
Find the Truth
Report the Truth
Share the Truth
Providing Media Coverage to Tea Party Issues. http://www.newpatriotjournal.com/

Summer in Homer Alaska 2010

2010-07-03T08:36:00.004-08:00

Snow left my yard in late May. Been cutting fire wood for next winter, ordered a log truck load of dead spruce back in Feb. Finally got to it May 26 so far have cut and split about 12 cords, looks like there are about 2 or 3 cords left in the load to split.

The garden isn't doing much this year, only about half the spuds are up, may not have much to save out of the garden if it doesn't warm up soon.

Everyone have a great Fourth of July

Spring time In Homer Alaska

2010-07-03T08:18:00.003-08:00

Well it's April 27, 2010 and I still have over 3 feet of snow in the yard. It's finally melting, had over 4 feet a week ago. Was a very long winter this year.

Snow blowed May 6, 2010 so I could get to load of fire wood logs and start cutting and spliting for next winter ( all logs are beatle kill spruce ) Looks like about 15 cords in the load. That a 27 ton wood spliter and the shed is 10'w20'd8'h, holds over 10 cords.

Patriot Post

2009-04-17T10:22:00.003-08:00

Good place to get the lastest news for the week.
Patriot Post

THE FOUNDATION
"These are the times that try men's souls. The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of his country; but he that stands it NOW deserves the love and thanks of man and woman." --Thomas Paine

Tea partys April 15, 2009

2009-04-17T09:57:00.004-08:00

I didn't know there was going to be a tea party here in Homer until it was over.
I was told there were about 70 people there, good for them. Here is a link to the site I go to now to find out whats happening.

http://taxdayteaparty.com/2009/04/tea-party-news-thursday-pm/

Spring time

2009-03-26T09:49:00.002-08:00

We had a cold winter this year, but not much snow. I only have about a foot of snow in the backyard usually have 4' to 5'.

After heating oil hit $4.79 a gal here in Homer last fall we decided to get a wood stove. I had cut and split about 3 cords in the summer. We bought an Englander stove and we couldn't be happier. Our 2600 sq.ft house has never been warmer.We had to buy 4 cords of fire wood to get thought the winter at $150.00 a cord but still much cheaper than heating oil and we should have a couple of cords left for next year.

Redoubt Volcano has been erupting for the last week or so and they say we might get a little ash in Homer today. Click on the link to see the latest information.

I believe this is going to be the worst tourist season we have seen in a long time here in Homer. But I think everybody will get thought it and hope for better times, after all we have another election in 2012.

That's all for now, John

KTUU.COM

2008-10-22T14:11:00.003-08:00

KTUU is and NBC affiliate in Anchorage and has taken about every shot they can at Gov. Sarah Palin. They were the ones to watch for local news before this election, but as I and other people here in Alaska are tired of the slanted news story's, I quit watching there so called news about two weeks ago and will not return until there are some changes made.

The last time I was in town (Homer) gas was still $4.21

We have had snow on and off for two weeks now. Heating Oil when I filled up was $4.79 gal. After filling up my tanks I installed a new Englander wood stove and haven't turned my oil furnace on since. Heating oil is still high here, very high in the bush.

Well that's all for now, don't forget to Vote.

Gas $4.92 a gallon now in Homer, Alaska

2008-07-16T12:29:00.005-08:00

Well It's still spring time in Alaska, we really haven't had a
summer yet, raining and 50 degrees today with no end in sight.
My garden is just setting there waiting for some sun.

It won't be long before gas is $5.00 a gallon here in Homer,
Diesel is $5.48 now. I hear gas is already $10.00 a gallon in the
bush.

When are people going to get rid of the politician's that are
ruining this great country. I think Boone Pickens should run for
President, level headed and has a plan. That's more than I can
say about either of the present candidate's.

Tourism is really slow this year, huh wonder way.

Cold Summer, Homer Alaska

2008-06-30T09:27:00.003-08:00

We have had a really cool summer so far.

I gave up on the garden outside the only thing that's doing anything is the potatoes and strawberries, I have peas and squash doing OK in the green house, the green beans are done now, not much of a crop but enough for a couple of meals. Haven't planted any flower outside yet, been to cold at night. I've only cut my lawn 3 times so far just not growing.

Tourists haven't shown up in any numbers yet,been pretty slow on the Homer spit so far this season. Gas is $4.77 and Diesel is $5.33 now if it hasn't went up since I've been to town.

King Salmon haven't shown up either, there are several rivers closed to King fishing this year and the fishing hole out on the spit hasn't produced many fish this year. Halibut fishing has been good, but lots of small fish.

We've been watching the Moose with there baby calves, they are all around the house. Last week we watched a black bear for a few days down at the bottom of west hill, it was after the new born moose calves, there where several mama moose in the area.

Got my neighbors son to help with spilting wood for a day, still have lots to get done though.

Later

Summer time, Homer Alaska

2008-06-01T10:36:00.003-08:00

Well I planted my garden the first time May 25 and none of the plants made it, to cold. So I'll start again middle of this week and hope we don't get any more frost.
I start the plants in the house in front of south facing window late April or early May. I also planted some corn, squash, cucumbers, beans in the green house (not heated) and they are doing fine.

Went down to the homer spit yesterday evening not many tourists here yet. Not many motor homes here yet, if they are coming at all this year, gasoline is $4.52 a gal and diesel is $5.05 a gal here in Homer now.

Been a lot of moose around the house this spring, giving my beagles something to bark at and keep me busy keeping them apart (moose and dogs).

Looks like I will have to cut the grass next week, first time this year. We have had a really cold spring, but the snow has been gone now for a couple of weeks.

Started dragging logs in to cut up for firewood for the coming winter, looks like I'll be putting in a wood stove in the house to save on heating oil. Heating oil is $4.65 a gal now. Lots of dead spruce trees here since the spruce bark bettle came though here years ago and killed most of the bigger trees.

Later

Spring time in Alaska

2008-04-30T10:30:00.002-08:00

Looks like spring has finally sprang. Still freezing every night but sunny and in the 40's most days. I have about a foot of ice and snow in my yard still but hopefully it will all be gone by June 1.

I went shopping at Home Depot last week end in Kenai and they are finally building a new Lowe's and Wal-Mart across the street from Home Depot, will be nice to have more places to shop.

Gas prices are still going up almost every week here in Homer, the latest prices are $4.07 for gasoline and $4.68 for diesel. We have a refinery 80 miles up the road from us but that doesn't matter. We have two gas stations in Homer one in town (Petro) and one on the hill coming into town.

I have most of my garden plants planted in my house waiting for it to warm up enough to get them in the green house, my green house isn't heated so have to wait for it to quite freezing at night.

Had an eagle looking at my beagles yesterday, landed in my back yard and hope this isn't something that's going to happen again. Eagles have been know to get small dogs and cats, but my boys are over 30 lbs so I don't think an eagle can carrier one off.
Later John

Alaska Photo Slide Show

2008-04-18T10:44:00.002-08:00

North Pacific Fishery Management Council

2008-03-26T12:32:00.003-08:00

I received an email today that I thought was right to the point. Mr Parsley has hit the nail on the head when it comes to fish in Alaska's waters. Anyone who fishes in Alaska should go to his web site and read the information he has posted. If you don't fish in Alaska it still shows how a few corporations and politician's get all the benefit of a public owned resource. Go to his site here www.npfmc.com

I had a sport fishing charter company before I retired, fished out of Homer, Alaska. The North Pacific Fishery Management Council has been trying to take the Halibut and Salmon away from the sport fisherman (woman) before I started my charter business in 1993 and it will not end until they get the sport fisherman(woman) to stop fishing.

Code Pink Berkeley

2008-03-14T11:07:00.001-08:00

Spring (maybe)

2008-03-10T12:49:00.001-08:00

Spring is coming, been snowing all morning, but 32 degrees, it has been melting for about a week now getting up into 40's in the daytime.
We had a yearling moose try to stomp our two beagles the other day, she had been hanging around here for several days and I guess got tired of looking at them and jumped the fence and went after them, my wife got out there before any damage was done, I was still trying to get my shoes on. She did leave a few hoof prints on Buster and Rowdy's back sides but there was so much snow the beagles just got massed down in the snow lucky for them and lucky for the moose she didn't hurt them.
Looks like the city is going to get a new city hall if they can talk the voters into paying for it. I think it's going to be about 11 million they will want. They could probably update the building they are in for 1 or 2 million and have a really nice city hall, but no, the hippies want a park with with an outside theater and a green building like the new library.
Haven't been doing too much except working on customers web sites, and getting ready for spring. I will blow snow for the last time today, I hope.
I just got done building a new computer, bought all the parts from amazon.com I've always wanted a computer were I put all the software on it (no junk). It was quite a bit cheaper than buying one from a manufacture. I have a link here to pictures of the build and everything I put in it. http://picasaweb.google.com/Grizzlyis/NFORCE

Snowing

2008-02-13T12:22:00.003-09:00

We have been having Very Cold weather for the last several
weeks, hasn't been above 18. But the weather is changeing
today, snowing and 32, looks like I'd better get to snowblowing
before it starts to melt.

DEFINITION OF A VETERAN

2008-02-13T10:57:00.003-09:00

A veteran :

Whether active duty, retired, national guard, or reserve is
someone who, at one point in his or her life, wrote a blank
check made payable to The 'United States of America', for
an amount of 'up to and including my life.'

That is Honor, and there are way too many people in this
country who no longer understand it.
- Author Unknown

Your Social Security

2008-02-13T10:49:00.003-09:00

Your Social Security Just in case some of you young whippersnappers (and some older ones) didn't know this. It's easy to check out, if you don't believe it. Be sure and show it to your kids. They need a little history lesson on what's what.

Brief Social Security HistoryFranklin Roosevelt introduced the Social Security (FICA) Program. He promised:1.) That participation in the Program would be completely voluntary.
2.) That the participants would only have to pay 1% of the first $1,400 of their annual incomes into the Program.
3.) That the money the participants elected to put into the Program would be deductible from their income for tax purposes each year.
4.) That the money the participants put into the independent 'Trust Fund' rather than into the General Operating Fund, and therefore, would only be used to fund the Social Security Retirement Program, and no other government program, and,
5.) That the annuity payments to the retirees would never be taxed as income.Since many of us have paid into FICA for years and are now receiving a Social Security check every month --and then finding that we are getting taxed on 85% of the money we paid to the Federal Government to 'put away' for us. You may be interested in the following:Q: Which Political Party took Social Security from the independent 'Trust Fund' and put it into the General Fund so that Congress could spend it?A: It was Lyndon Johnson and the democratically controlled House and Senate.--

Q: Which Political Party eliminated the income tax deduction for Social Security (FICA) withholding?
A: The Democratic Party.

Q: Which Political Party started taxing Social Security annuities?
A: The Democratic Party, with Al Gore casting the 'tie-breaking' deciding vote as President of the Senate, while he was Vice President of the US.

Q: Which Political Party decided to start giving annuity payments to immigrants?
A: That's right! Jimmy Carter and the Democratic Party.

Immigrants moved into this country, and at age 65, began to receive Social Security payments! The Democratic Party gave these payments to them, even though they never paid a dime into it! Then, after violating the original contract (FICA), the Democrats turn around and tell you that the Republicans want to take your Social Security away! And the worst part about it is, uninformed citizens believe it! These things are true. Look them up yourself on the net. If enough people receive this, maybe a seed of awareness will be planted and maybe changes will evolve. Maybe not, some Democrats are awfully sure of what isn't so. But it's worth a try. Actions speak louder than bumper stickers. One more thing about this ponzi scheme called social security. The people that set up the original rules stacked the deck for the government, not the citizen. The minimum age to receive benefits was 65, the life expectancy in the mid nineteen thirties was 59. Our fathers must have been sleeping.