Larry Persily

Alaska Voices: A tragedy of the commons in the making

The tragedy is the long-term community good losing the battle to short-term individual interests.

  • Jul 1, 2019
  • By LARRY PERSILY
Larry Persily
University of Alaska President Jim Johnsen in 2017. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Opinion: State’s budget climate puts value of Alaska’s higher education at risk

Thousands of students could be affected by a governor veto.

University of Alaska President Jim Johnsen in 2017. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Voices of the Peninsula: Don’t believe the panic over gravel pits

My home is located across the street from a 19-acre gravel pit in Nikiski.

  • Jun 19, 2019
Several homes and businesses in the neighborhood near the proposed Beachcomber LLC gravel pit posted signs opposing excavation in the area, on May 2, 2019, in Anchor Point, Alaska. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)

Voices of the Peninsula: Borough should rethink land use rules

The existing borough code to grant permits for gravel pits is woefully inadequate.

  • Jun 17, 2019
Several homes and businesses in the neighborhood near the proposed Beachcomber LLC gravel pit posted signs opposing excavation in the area, on May 2, 2019, in Anchor Point, Alaska. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)

Opinion: Working towards private sector solutions for Alaska’s health care woes

Government does not have the capacity to lower health care costs the way the private sector does

  • Jun 13, 2019
  • By Greg Loudon
A woman in a wheelchair uses the Homer Harbor boardwalk in an undated photo taken in Homer, Alaska. (Photo provide/Independent Living Center)

Point of View: Accessibility could bring new visitor market to Homer

71% of adults who identify themselves as having a disability spent $17.3 billion annually on travel

A woman in a wheelchair uses the Homer Harbor boardwalk in an undated photo taken in Homer, Alaska. (Photo provide/Independent Living Center)
In this September 2017 file photo from the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, beluga whales arch their backs through the surface of the water. Of Alaska’s five distinct beluga whale populations, only Cook Inlet’s is listed as endangered. (Courtesy the Alaska Department of Fish and Game)

Letter to the Editor: What is killing our belugas?

A beluga needs to consume about five sockeye per day to achieve this 44 pounds of fat.

In this September 2017 file photo from the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, beluga whales arch their backs through the surface of the water. Of Alaska’s five distinct beluga whale populations, only Cook Inlet’s is listed as endangered. (Courtesy the Alaska Department of Fish and Game)
President Donald Trump, with first lady Melania Trump, waves as they depart Shannon Airport, Friday, June 7, 2019, in Shannon, Ireland. (AP Photo | Alex Brandon)

Opinion: Why Americans are tired of impeachment talk

“What would it take for the you to support the impeachment of this president?”

  • Jun 11, 2019
  • By Rich Moniak
President Donald Trump, with first lady Melania Trump, waves as they depart Shannon Airport, Friday, June 7, 2019, in Shannon, Ireland. (AP Photo | Alex Brandon)
Opinion: Dunleavy’s village policing plan bad idea for rural Alaska

Opinion: Dunleavy’s village policing plan bad idea for rural Alaska

I have 40 years of experience with law enforcement in Alaska.

  • Jun 10, 2019
  • By Richard L. Burton
Opinion: Dunleavy’s village policing plan bad idea for rural Alaska
Voices of the Peninsula: Prioritize wild stocks, but don’t abandon hatcheries

Voices of the Peninsula: Prioritize wild stocks, but don’t abandon hatcheries

Crooked Creek chinook enhancement has been a success in Cohoe/Kasilof

  • Jun 8, 2019
Voices of the Peninsula: Prioritize wild stocks, but don’t abandon hatcheries
Larry Persily gives a presentation at the Kenai/Soldotna joint chamber luncheon on Wednesday, Feb. 6, 2019. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)

Make the sustainable choice for the PFD

Overdrawing the permanent fund places the individual benefit ahead of the common good.

  • Jun 3, 2019
  • By Larry Persily
Larry Persily gives a presentation at the Kenai/Soldotna joint chamber luncheon on Wednesday, Feb. 6, 2019. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)

Point of View: Hatchery fish benefit many fishermen

I am a Homer-area resident and want to share my perspective on the benefits of salmon hatcheries

Letter to the Editor: Changing PFD formula wrong, short-sighted

Alaska needs to work for a sustainable budget and not a quick fix

  • May 26, 2019
Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks during a press conference at the Capitol on Tuesday, April 9, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Alaska Voices: In support of Gov. Dunleavy’s budget

What he calls “honest budgeting,” is largely based on the simple concept of spending within our means.

  • May 25, 2019
Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks during a press conference at the Capitol on Tuesday, April 9, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Alaska Attorney General Kevin Clarkson testifies before state senators during a confirmation hearing on Tuesday, Jan. 29, 2019, in Juneau. (Becky Bohrer | Associated Press File)

Opinion: Court battle or not, there is no reason education should not be funded this year

It’s on the Legislature to act, not the governor.

  • May 25, 2019
  • By KEVIN CLARKSON
Alaska Attorney General Kevin Clarkson testifies before state senators during a confirmation hearing on Tuesday, Jan. 29, 2019, in Juneau. (Becky Bohrer | Associated Press File)

School district failed my hearing assistance needs

Together we will be demanding more from now on.

  • May 23, 2019
Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks during a press conference at the Capitol on Tuesday, April 9, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Refusing to release education funds is harming our schools and children

We’re disappointed. And worried for our schools, communities, and children.

  • May 23, 2019
  • Sarah Sledge, CEE Executive Director sarah@ceequity.org Dr. Lisa Skiles Parady, ACSA Executive Director lparady@alaskaacsa.org Norm Wooten, AASB Executive Director nwooten@aasb.org
Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks during a press conference at the Capitol on Tuesday, April 9, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Letter to the Editor: Stand with Planned Parenthood

Help our community stay healthy

  • May 22, 2019
A spruce tree showing heavy damage from spruce bark beetles stands on Saturday, April 28, 2018 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ben Boetttger/Peninsula Clarion file)

Opinion: Spruce beetle outbreak will require all hands, all lands solutions

This time, the beetle’s rate of spread appears to be outpacing the last outbreak

  • May 22, 2019
  • By SEN. LISA MURKOWSKI
A spruce tree showing heavy damage from spruce bark beetles stands on Saturday, April 28, 2018 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ben Boetttger/Peninsula Clarion file)
The Berkeley Pit abuts the City of Butte on Silver Bow Creek in southwestern Montana. (Courtesy Photo)

Opinion: As Alaskans consider Pebble Mine, a cautionary tale from Montana

In our state, we live with mining’s other legacy: permanent pollution.

  • May 21, 2019
  • By STEVE LUEBECK and RICH DAY
The Berkeley Pit abuts the City of Butte on Silver Bow Creek in southwestern Montana. (Courtesy Photo)