I noticed in the AWA ISSUE example (AWA book/ page 9), the opening paragraph starts with "I support..." I've heard I shouldn't start an essay with "I ... " While the issue example reads very well as it is, I was wondering if the GMAT crew will penalize for beginning with an i-statement. Do you have any thoughts on this?

Good question - the critical component of the "I support" statement is that, in an Analysis of an Issue essay, you want to take a clear position. Like you, I try to avoid using "I" in essays like this for a number of reasons - partially because I don't think it's the most professional way to write, but more because you may lean more on opinion than supporting your essay with examples. The key to writing these essays is to structure them effectively - a strong thesis paragraph supported by several (we suggest three) development paragraphs, a rebuttal to the opposition, and a conclusion.