Deputy Mayor Jerry Nankervis was quoted in the Juneau Empire as saying the concerns of the Angoon people (regarding being annexed by the Juneau borough), “… are irrelevant.”
I was not at the meeting in question. I do not know Nankervis. However, I would like to suggest that if Nankervis indeed so flippantly brushed off the concerns of the Angoon people, he should humble himself and offer an apology for this insensitive comment.
The acrimonious hatred dividing this nation has to stop smothering civilized debate and intelligent dialogue. Nankervis contributes only more division and resentment by having made this comment. I hope he will “man up,” admit his comment was completely uncalled for, and proffer an apology immediately. The Angoon people have every right, as indigenous residents, and American citizens, to voice their concerns. Diminishing that voice only serves to further corrode our fragile and precious democratic process.
Garri Constantine,
Juneau