Dear Neighbor,

Citation presented to Ice Dogs

On Friday, I, along with Representative Thompson, had the distinct honor to present a Legislative Citation to the Ice Dogs Hockey Team for winning the NAHL West Championship Title. I saw the 2011 Robertson Cup trophy and can say it is very impressive! Congratulations to all of the players, staff and fans and good luck this season.

A Legislative Citation is a way the Legislature can pay tribute to people and businesses who have achieved a level of distinction in their respective fields, or have made a recognizable impact on their community. If you have an idea of someone or something to honor with a Legislative Citation, please let us know!

Safe Routes to School

Can you believe that 30 years ago, more than 66% of children K-8 in America walked to school? Today, that number has dropped significantly to 13%. Studies from a 2008 report from the Department of Transportation & Public Facilities reveal 20-25% of morning traffic and air quality congestion is coming from driving kids to school.

Establishing safe routes for children to walk or bike to school produces measurable results in everyone’s lives by improving the safety of sidewalks, crosswalks, bikepaths, and reducing the speeds of traffic. Increasing the level of safety improves child mobility which helps prevent obesity, and increases the rate for active lifestyles in adulthood, helping to ease the risk of cardiovascular diseases and health complications. Additionally, by minimizing the number of vehicles at the schools, air quality increases as does the general safety of children in and around these school zones.

In 2010, the Fairbanks Metropolitan Area Transportation System was awarded a federal grant to determine safe routes to schools in the city. Schools were approached and included in the study based on their interest of participation. On September 23, the Safe Routes to School Engineering Report was released for public comment through October 24. Contact Donna Gardino, FMATS Coordinator, at 907-459-6786, or at djgardino@ci.fairbanks.ak.us to comment on this project.

Pioneer Home – Promise to Seniors

In 1913, a year after Alaska was granted territorial status within the United States, Rep. Arthur Shoup of Sitka passed a bill to establish a pioneers home “for indigent prospectors and others who have spent their years in Alaska and have become dependent.” The first home was to be located in Sitka at the Marine Corps barracks, that had been left abandoned, pipes frozen and windows busted.

It was then that Alaska set the standard for providing services and care for the pioneers of the Last Frontier. In 2009, 55,324 individuals living in the state were over 65 years old. That number is forecast to grow to 134,391 by 2030, and the sustainability of services and costs of the Pioneer Home as we know it are being questioned.

Should the state be responsible for providing such involved care to our senior citizens? What other solutions do you have?

As always, if you have any problems, concerns or ideas of your own, please contact our office anytime at 907-456-7423.

Working Hard for Fairbanks Families,

Scott Kawasaki
Alaska State Representative