It is unacceptable that there is a cancer for which the relative five-year survival rate is still in the single digits at just six percent, particularly when you consider that the overall five-year relative survival for all cancers is now 68 percent. Even more alarming pancreatic cancer is anticipated to move from the fourth to the second leading cause of cancer-related death in the U.S. by 2020.

With Halloween coming on, and the November election just days away, it is a good time to consider the dangers that will be presented by marijuana edibles should ballot measure 2 succeed. Today, marijuana edibles have come a long way from the homemade brownies of the 1960s. Edibles have become commercialized and are being manufactured as lollipops, gummy bears, candy bars, fudge and any number of other child attracting forms in addition to the more familiar cookies and brownies. If ballot measure 2 passes, marijuana edibles will present a real and present danger to Alaskans.

Well, we get more shenanigans from the board of fish. These political appointees have not deliberated in Soldotna since 1999. What is neutral about that? A rogue board with a re-allocation agenda for Cook Inlet is the best Governor Parnell can do. This is the second time he was spurned by his board. Can you say leadership? Bill Walker supports biological management for the maximum sustained yield and said that when he is elected governor the fish board will deliberate here on the Kenai Peninsula. I am supporting Bill Walker for governor, for change, for a future, for real.

Why doesn’t the challenger for Senator Begich’s seat tell us what he can do rather than tell us his view of the incumbent? The country needs people who can work together not more divisive comments that tear us apart.

I am particularly incensed by many cardboard mailers from candidate Sullivan who tells us that Senator Begich has voted with the President 97 percent or 95 percent or 93 percent of the time. Maybe he hasn’t checked the U.S. Constitution but it clearly states that Congress votes and the President doesn’t vote on legislation.