THE HOMER NEKS
Alaskans Largest Mimtograpfi N**tkly ’\
' Published *tv*try Thursday in Homtr, Ala$3fca
Bill Ravar, Editor and Publisher"
Dorothy Rav*trt Compositor ? . , x
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FOOD FOR PIOUGHT-'
There is much food fort; thought in the message written by
* Banning Johnson in tfre two columns justto the right of this
editorial, Both s idles Jo f the hospital issue can work them
/ selves into a - lather as they read, Both can justify and
Jiilify Henning Johnson qnd his words. But no matter how you
'stand £hvthe issue you should read the ad,
When this issue first retired its unpopular head in the
covmvk'ity some weeks ago ./we suggested that a little cool and
collected thinking might'help in solving it. In the main,
most of the folks have held their heads very well. The op
position have presented their'petition to their lawyers and are
awaiting his action. They have, in, our opinion, conducted
themselves very well.
As we stated in an earlier editorial, we do not agree with
those who would have us change the location of the hospital
site at this late date. However, we believe that they have
every right to petition and to express their views as they
have, We believe that if a referendum vote were taken on the
issue today the opposition would go down to a miserable de
feat, But the issue has served a good purpose as we see it,
A marked difference has come over the board of directors
of the PUD since this issue came up. The directors now seem
to be determined that in the future when issues involving
large amounts of money come up, the people will have a vote
before the PUD is obligated.
Despite the actions of a few persons on both sides of th#
hospital issue, we think that democracy has taken a big step
forward in Homer, He look to the future with confidence and
faith,,, confident that Homer has a bright future and faith in
the people and the democratic form of government they repre
sent.
EDLUNDS LEAVE
Mr. and Mrs, Bob Edlund
and family left Sunday for
the states where they will
remain until February, -•__
A SUGGESTION...
Don Smith suggests
you get out your fire
insurance policies
dfid See if they ade
quately cover you
for existing values«
If you wish to dis
cuss them bring them
to the office and he
will help you,
general insurance
DON E
SMITH
HOMER KENAI
f
WINS SCOLARSHIP AWARD
Bob Lofgren, son of Mr. and
Mrs• Gust Lofgren of Homerf
has been awarded a $220 Sears
Roebuck Foundation scholarship
at the University of Alaska,
* The award is made t o an
outstanding freshman each year
and “vs based on grades achiev
ed during the first six weeks
of college,
HOSPTALITY IS THE
FIRST RULE OF THE
HOUSE AT HAROLD
AND ELECT A‘S
STERLING
BAR L
LIQUOR STORE
PHONE 40
WHEN YOU NEED
TERMINAL OIL SALES
PLANT Houpi Sa/ei otf 'le
12:00 - 2 P.i*- Hem To £,?•><
/VI o A/. WtD. F (?!•
STANDARD OIL PRODUCTS
-FRIENDS;-- : .
nth regard to the petition for selecUng a new site for
the Homer Health Cantor, now in the hands of Hellenthal
and Cottis, attorneys at Anchorage, we have recently
learned efforts art being mad* to compile facts about
. thifs matter from Juneau and Homer, He art also inform*
\h* P. £/.'£•« has been advised to call for a referendum to
mor* justly determine the desires of the people*
Same are .^questioning why this matter is being cri ici
z*d at this tin* inasmuch as'the project has alreadycom
menced, Having discussed this with former members of the
Health Council and P,U.D,t it now appears th* project has
mushroomed far beyond the intent of the original founders
who had in mind something along the lines of a first aid
station, reasonably within the economic limits of Homer,
For the money that has already been spent on the pres
ent inaccessible site, a very*adequate hospital for Hom
er could have been built long ago, Certainly if the fish
ermen can raise $5,000 for a boat harbor, a health center
could likewise be provided without becoming involved
with Territorial and Federal agencies, By ^virtue of any
comparison, which might be a county hospital in the
states, Homer is not enough centrally located on the Ken
ai Peninsula to be convenient to all people in the area.
How many villages of five hundred people in the States
have a $go,ooo hospital?
Attar three years oj siumoemng, aur^ng
P.U,D. has not achieved for the community such prime es
sentials as an adequate garbage dump or cemetery, it is
now engaging in projects of unlimited scope♦ Without d,
public forum or referendum the residents have been com
mitted to building and operating a $qo,ooo hospital and
an equally costly armory and civic center, for which $y50
of P* U* D* money has been committed to a Juneau architect«
Projects of late seem to gravitate to the general area,
of the Fairview Subdivision which might bear some explan-'
at ion frpm a practical standpoint• To be sure, an in
strument such as the P, (!• D, with near despotic powers can
become the umbilical cord to special interests concerned
, not with the welfare of the community but the spending of
Federal monies• ffe are also informed the Territory would
have the P,U%D* assume the responsibility for operating
the airfield which is utterly inconceivable•
In vi&ip of the dissolution of the Naknek, Mountain
View, and Eastchester P^U^D^'s, and the present litiga
tion \of the Spenard P* U, D,, one must admit sickness is
' evident under therp*U*D* law,
/ The village of Kenai is going ahead, solely as a com
munity enterpriset with building a fire hall, clinic, and
civic center, ‘ The Chugiak community has fire protection
■land Community Club building, and it has been noted lately
that Clam Gulch, and Anchor Point are building Commuy\ity
Clubs, ^ These ■ people are choosing to remain free and in
dependent by providing such necessities by their own ef
forts«'
It is sxgnxfxcant to note, the owner of a well buxlt
'house at 'Homer, without public utilitiesxpays as much tax
as the owner of a more expensive house ^/&pes on Florida's
Gulf Coast or in a restricted suburb bfiChicago, where
utilities, police and fire protection a/nd educational
facilities are furnished, Unless the P, U, D, vs adjusted
to conditions at Homer, it will face ultimate dissolu
tion* There now seems to be a concentrated pincers ihove
ment under way, timely planned to involve the P, U, D„ to
the extent our community will fall into a position wh'e-fe
by we can be dictated to at the pleasure of exterior,
forces, V
It is the distinct prerogative of the Homer people to
build a community, with a soul that reflects the true
spirit of our pioneers, who believed ii Alaska for what
it is; or to accept the ersatz bureaucratic community
having the unique features of sausages on a string, all
exactly six and three quarters inches long; a community
of no rich, no poor, all beggars,
Although it might be expected by some, J have no in*
tentions of answering the slanderous charges hurled at me
by the Swopping Hews, This cowwrdly approach to character
assassinati an has no place in' public affairs• I am not
fool enough to testify to my own character or accomplish
ments, I leave that to the people who have known me dur
ing the thirteen years I have lived in this Territory,
Considerable acreage is required to pasture one survey
or and his family which leaves little time for becoming
involved in matters uch as these, and admittedly, others
are better qualified.
Having seen the greater portion of Alaska, I was con
vinced some years ago Homer had no equal for beauty and
climate and things in common with my liking. In making
this our home, I am determined that our local government
shall operate democratically without being steered by
cliques and special interest groups; so that I can return
from the field reasonably sure my home hasn't been sold
at a tax sale.
In closing. let us hope these matters are settled am
icably and wisely, With the guidance of the older mem
bers of the community this can be done, fat us now con_
centrate our efforts to seeing to everyone .in Homer and
especially the children, have the best Christmas ever,
(Pd, Adv.)HEHHIHG JOHHSOH