In a little over a week, Kenai Peninsula voters will be faced with two ballot measures concerning our sales tax structure, and one measure dealing with how we are represented on two public boards.

It’s important that residents fully consider and weigh each proposition, just as it’s important for residents to thoroughly contemplate candidates for public office.

Just wandering through my fantasy world again: if I were working on one of those bottom fishing ships out there in wild ocean and being a processing ship of fish, you can bet my bottom dollar I would be eating halibut instead of rock fish. But there is a catch, the powers that be say. That this processing ship for fish has to throw away all of that wonderful fish called halibut, maybe some of them need more schoolin’.

As Congress continues to work on job creation and deficit reduction this fall, development of Alaska's Arctic energy resources stands out as a way to tackle both challenges at once. Although I have often criticized the "whack-a-mole" regulatory hurdles Alaska has faced for years, recent plan and permit approvals, as well as statements and visits from federal Cabinet members hold promise for real progress over the next several months and years.

Today I received my borough election mag. Inside there are some very informative biographies and background information on the candidates. What is not included however is where candidates got their money.

The 30 day APOC report for Mike Navarre shows maximum contributions from Bob Penney and three family members. There are also 20-30 contributions from Anchorage residents. There are at least three KRSA board members. We all know Mr. Penney has millions of dollars but Kenai Peninsula residents must remember he has only one vote.