My name is Terry Van Leuven. My grandfather, Frank F. Van Leuven was on the first double-masted sailing vessel “Mizpath” built in 1898 for the Alaskan gold fields in Nome.
I’ve been in Alaska since 1980. I worked logging camps and construction. I received the first $1,000 PFD. I am now 77 years old. The PFD helps pay my bills along with my social security. I depend on that PFD every October. I feel that the PFD funds should be distributed to all Alaskans, then let the State of Alaska receive all monies from oil, fish, mining and natural gas. That is more than fair then receiving $800 in 2016, $400 in 2017 and then $0.
I love Alaska. We seniors and veterans are treated very good here. We should give Alaskans a chance to vote on what happens to the PFD. There was a reason it was called the Permanent Fund Dividend.
Terry Van Leuven,
Juneau