Assembly should host town halls on tourism impact
Mayor creates task force on tourism; City budget increasingly depends on tourism tax revenues; Norwegian Lines purchases land near water front for $20 million; City offers $4.25 million; Impacted neighborhoods talk to city.
Win Gruening, Ray Preston and Jim Ayers have written about the acknowledged increase in cruise ship passengers as well as the extended season in Juneau.
Something’s happening here, and to coin a phrase, “what it is ain’t exactly clear.” Does this town want more or less cruise ship passengers? Does this town want to have the city put limits on ships docking here? Have we met our capacity?
The task force has been empowered to answer some of these questions, but not directly to the residents. I think it time to ask directly.
I think it’s time for Assembly members to have town hall meetings in the neighborhoods, see and hear what’s on the minds of the residents. And do this soon.
Let’s get clear about the direction the residents want to take with the projected increase in cruise ship passengers.
Pat White,
Juneau
Al-Anon here to help over the holidays
With the holidays upon us, stress and tension can increase exponentially, especially for those living with friends and family who suffer from the diseases of alcoholism and addiction. Has your life been affected by someone’s drinking? Juneau is fortunate to have an Al-Anon community, with meetings available four times a week. Al-Anon is a program for friends and families of alcoholics helping members to learn how to live a rich and happy life with the tools of the program, regardless of whether the alcoholic or addict is still using or not. Sometimes, by getting the help you need by accepting the realities of the disease, and by focusing attention on improving your own life and character challenges, the Al-Anon tools can somehow also aid those suffering from the cunning and baffling disease of alcoholism. If you would like some information about this truly remarkable program of self-help and self-improvement, that you work at your own pace and comfort level, please go to al-anon-ak.org for a schedule of local meetings and an introduction to this free, non-religious program. Forty percent of Al-Anon’s members are referred to Al-Anon by local professionals, and many have found peace and contentment, one day at a time.
Denise Roselle,
Juneau
• Columns, My Turns and Letters to the Editor represent the view of the author, not the view of the Juneau Empire.