Fairbanks Daily News-Miner

Railroad meeting

Jan. 23, 2008

To the editor:

Today the Alaska Railroad is holding an open house for you, the public, so they can discuss their plans for projects “slated to be planned or built this year,” “or plans for future years.” The project that should be of very great concern to you is called the Fort Wainwright Rail Realignment project.

This $40 million-plus rail relocation on Fort Wainwright will include a huge bridge on the upper Chena River and the destructive relocation of the Fort Wainwright golf course nearby.

What will this project do for you, the public, and the citizens of the city of Fairbanks? Nothing good I assure you.

It will increase the speed of trains, and the number of trains on the existing tracks through the city. It will increase the delays at all rail crossings, including those at University Avenue and College Road, two crossings that even now are causing great delays. It will increase the noise and pollution of trains passing through the city, and the pollution by vehicles waiting for trains to cross at every intersection.

It will increase hazardous materials passing through the city and by our schools and housing areas.

It will increase train traffic and noise along Trainor Gate Road and by Ladd Elementary and Tanana Middle Schools.

And most unfortunately, it will anchor the present rail system through the city in place for the foreseeable future. This present system is fraught with design problems, and its proximity within the city is inviting disaster.

Anyone concerned with any of these effects on our city should attend the Railroad meeting at 4 p.m. at the New Railroad Terminal off the Johansen Expressway at Danby Street, to hear the Alaska Railroad management attempt to present any sound reasoning for the Fort Wainwright Realignment project, a project that they have been, and are strongly pushing to initiate this summer.

Sincerely,

Donald A. Callahan

Alaska Registered Professional Engineer, retired

Fairbanks

Our conviction

Jan. 23, 2008

To the editor:

Most of us cherish the heroism and bravery of our founding fathers for pledging their lives, fortunes, and sacred honor for the creation of the United States. Many of these founding fathers lost their fortunes and even their lives so that we may be free. They gave us what they could not have: Liberty. Most of us agree with our founding fathers … at least in word. Yet, when tested, freedom-loving Americans are failing to walk the talk. Why?

Wake up friends. A “New World Order” agenda rapidly advanced during the last three presidential administrations. The land of the free is now prone to invasion of privacy, the loss of individual liberties, wiretaps, a $9 trillion debt ($46 trillion counting future commitments), a debased dollar, and an oncoming recession. The self-proclaimed elites who created this mess now want more of our liberties and more power for themselves to “fix the problem.”

Of the candidates running for president, only one champions the Constitution. Only one aligns himself with the sovereign-minded principles our forefathers instilled into the framework of our government. Only Ron Paul defends true liberty. This is a statesman with a consistent record validating his platform … a person of integrity.

The Media Family Tree reveals five corporations who own most radio stations, TV stations, and magazines in America. Undeniably, mainstream media have a bias. Sadly, too many people are persuaded by this bias and betray their own moral convictions. What if people actually lived their convictions? … A dangerous thing in this age of mediocrity.

Friends, freedom demands responsibility. We cannot pass off to government bureaucracies what we should do for each other and ourselves. No more voting generous gifts from the public treasury. First, look up Ron Paul, www.ronpaul2008.com. Next, read the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution.

Also, read George Washington’s Farewell Address. Reignite the true convictions you claim to hold so dearly. Vote Feb. 5 for the only candidate faithful to the constructs of a free and independent society. Finally, get informed. The global governance agenda is not soon to depart.

Will Finley

Fairbanks

James C. Hayes

Jan. 23, 2008

To the editor:

I have set back for months and listened to all of the charges waged against Jim Hayes by the feds. There have been more rumors than charges. If I were a newcomer to the area, I would think the Hayeses were heads of a major crime syndicate.

Those of us who know the Hayeses have seen their work in the Southside community. The Hayeses were attempting to leave a legacy behind that was started by the Parham family. (The late Rev. and Mrs. Parham). They were the original founders of Lily of the Valley Church of God in Christ.

The new church is a testament to their hard work. They expanded their outreach throughout the Southside community, like had never been done before. They cared about the community and tried to make it a better place for all groups in the area. Their after-school program, day care program, counseling, and social services programs aided the entire community, not just the Southside alone.

No one has spoken about the good the Hayeses have done but only the alleged crimes of using the earmarks inappropriately.

I request that all who have not seen the beautiful church, stop by and walk through and see how the money was spent. The feds have not charged the Hayeses with having any foreign bank accounts, so I guess the money they are accused of laundering must have been within the close relationship between Lily of the Valley Church and LOVE Social Services. Fine him, if necessary, but don’t destroy them in the community they have done so much for.

Now, will the feds bring down the house of God and attack and lean on Lily of the Valley Church of God in Christ? The community has a lot to lose, not just the Hayeses. Satan is alive and out to destroy.

Tyrone G. Burkhead

Fairbanks