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Dear Neighbors & Friends, Hope you’ve been able to enjoy some sunshine as we navigate through some challenging times. I’m not going to sugarcoat or pretend the problems aren’t real and we need to demand action now. I want you to know I am listening to, grieving with, and working with community leaders to develop solutions. We need systemic change that is lasting and meaningful, not just expressions of sadness or shared anger. It is long past time for action. Next week I will use the enews to discuss in greater detail a number of proposals I have worked on and passed and others we are working on now to break down the systemic barriers and open wide the doors of safety, opportunity, prosperity, and healing for all our neighbors. I know we have issues and while I have appreciated that leaders have spoken up to denounce the recent acts of violence I don’t want that to turn attention away from the problems right here at home. For example, we know that Alaska Native men are incarcerated at a much higher rate than others. That’s not because they are committing more crimes; instead it is because of a justice system that isn’t fair to all. Prior to bail reform, some of our neighbors were spending time in jail for minor infractions that someone with more resources would have paid a fine for and walked away. I know because I have been told many times about bad things happening to neighbors and I’m not going to pretend otherwise. Please stay tuned! Please know my door is always open and I want to listen and learn more. You can call me on my cell anytime at 360-4047. SAFETY GOING FORWARD IS UP TO US
After months of being inside and not being able to do all the things we really like to do I am so ready for things to I wish we had more wide scale testing and had enough data that we understood all the ways this disease presents itself and that we had more ways to keep people safe from the virus, but that is not the reality we have at this time so our known, effective tools are hand washing for 20 seconds, physical distancing, and wearing a mask. In fact, just this week a new report came out showing that wearing a mask reduces infection risk by 85%. Please share this important finding! SHOULD YOU ATTEND THAT SUMMER PARTY? SEE WHAT DR. ZINK HAS TO SAY I care deeply about your safety and am sharing this information so that “The safest thing is for us to all be in a bubble and to not interact ever together, but that is also not how you live,” said Dr. Anne Zink, Alaska’s Chief Medical Officer. “So what ways are we able to live and be meaningful and mindful, while minimizing the chances of making others sick?” Please read here blog post to learn more: http://dhss.alaska.gov/dph/PlayEveryDay/blog/Lists/Posts/Post.aspx?ID=467
ROUNDTABLE ON NEED FOR AFFORDABLE, RELIABLE, HIGH-QUALITY CHILD CARE Today was the first in a three part series about the need for high quality, affordable, reliable child care and what the lack of is doing to families. We heard from parents and caregivers across the state about how difficult it has been over the last several months to full time parent, full time work, and keep everyone safe and healthy. This is just the beginning of this conversation and one that I hope will lead to concrete policy change. In the past I have sponsored legislation for paid sick leave, a huge problem for caregivers that often forces people into terrible decisions about caring for their child or keeping their job, living wages to support single parent households and children better, increases to pre-k, and more. This is our time to make lasting change that truly support families! And that means all types of families, two parent homes, single parent homes, grandparents raising children, siblings that are helping, and more. Time to actually be family value oriented in our public policy! UPCOMING COMMUNITY COUNCIL MEETINGS
Keep in touch with Airport Heights happenings here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/101546559886095/ Visit the Mountain View Community Council Facebook page here: neighbors: https://www.facebook.com/MountainViewCommunityCouncil/ To keep in touch with Russian Jack neighbors, please visit here: https://www.facebook.com/RussianJackcommunity/ We will keep you posted on future meetings. Until next week, Geran P.S. With Father’s Day coming up the Alaska Children’s Trust is asking us to share stories about the Dads, Uncles, brothers, neighbors, coaches, and more that step up and help with raising our kids. Learn more here: https://www.facebook.com/events/264612308230838/ |
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