Fairbanks Daily News-Miner

Pay for protection

Jan. 18, 2008

To the editor:

Mr. Severns’ letter (“Let it burn,” Jan. 18) stating that the Fairbanks borough’s policy was to let her burn in reference to Ace Callaway’s home burning down was not correct.

As sad as Mr. Callaway’s home burning down was, it is sadder that a grown man would not ensure that his and his family’s dwelling was protected. The borough’s policy has never been to “let her burn,” it is as it should be, the people that pay for a service are the ones that receive the service.

I make car payments so when and if I choose to use a vehicle I have one, I do not cry in my milk because someone won’t let me drive theirs when I need one.

Every year I receive a bill I gladly pay for fire service protection. I hope I never need it but I still pay regardless. He states that if a person doesn’t have fire protection and their house catches on fire they should be charged for the service. Does he have any clue what it costs to run and maintain a fire department? Is he going to pay for the engines, tankers, fire hose, water, bunker gear, etc.? What about the thousands of dollars it costs to maintain training of the personnel, most if not all who volunteer their time?

The amount I pay is minuscule to the benefit I have of knowing that my house is protected. Instead of writing letters complaining that he didn’t receive a service that he didn’t pay for, maybe he should find out how he can be annexed into a fire service area or start his own.

And last but far from least, to the volunteer firefighters who risk their lives every time the alarm sounds thank you for your service and dedication. I will put a smiley face on the check I send in this year for you!

Bill Ward

North Pole

Defending Palin

Jan. 24, 2008

To the editor:

How nice that you care so about ConocoPhillips and promoting their propaganda.

I notice you love to try and slam our new governor and anybody who backs her.

I understand you think the governor should apologize to a legislative leader who is quoted as saying it is “her job to disagree with the governor.”

I don’t believe you can slander this governor no matter how hard you try. The freshness of her intelligence, honesty and fair play meet the hopes and expectations of the overwhelming majority who voted for her.

Sourdough Jeff sez: “Alaskan happiness is a current ConocoPhillips policymaker heading south with a Fairbanks Daily News-Miner editorial staff member under each arm.”

Jeff Austin

Fairbanks

It’s not OK

Jan. 24, 2008

To the editor:

Everything’s OK. Oh yeah? What if you were headed for a heart attack and your doctor said, “It’s OK.” He’d be lying to you, wouldn’t he? Well, wouldn’t he? What kind of doctor would he be who told his patient everything was OK when the patient was about to die?

Let’s shift to our government leaders who are reassuring us the economy is OK, it’s “resilient” — oh, a very nice word. But, OK, if you as a private individual were at one point debt-free and began to increase, or make more luxurious your lifestyle by borrowing money and spending more and more, where would it end?

As you spent more and lived high off the hog, you got new loans to cover and pay back the old ones, continuing to increase your spending, throwing big parties, buying bigger toys, and so on. At some point in the future your creditors will want the loans repaid, but you can’t do it. And then the creditors cut off the money tap, because you can’t even afford the interest, let alone the principal.

What happens next — you’re dead in the water — no, you’re worse than broke, you owe lots and lots of money and you can’t pay it back. You’re a beggar in the global economy. Enough said.

Bill Waugaman

Fairbanks