Letters to the editor (12/10/08)

I am writing to you about my concerns on global warming. I feel as citizens we should be more aware of the damage we do to our planet. There are many ways we can prevent global warming from getting any worse. The use of energy is a big issue. If more people were to cut back on use of energy it would really help a lot.

If global warming continues and gets worse we are in for some very big environmental problems. For instance, global warming causes our sea level to rise and that has caused land to be washed away.

-- Annmarie Bilzing

Anchorage

Treatment needs more funding

Recently the Daily News featured an article on the front page talking about a possible cure for AIDS using a stem cell transplant. This stem cell transplant was selected very carefully as there is a specific gene mutation needed to combat the virus. The mutation is named CCR5. The man also had leukemia, which is what gave them the idea to try a stem cell transplant as an experimental treatment.

This man has been HIV free for 20 months now. He has also discontinued the use of his high active antiretroviral therapy the day that he had the transplant. This is a remarkable find, as millions of people suffer from this virus worldwide. I would urge other readers to contact their representatives and push for more research and funding for this issue.

The stereotypes of how the disease is contracted need to be set aside. When looking for a cure, it doesn't matter how the patient became infected. What matters is how we can treat the patient.

-- Whitney Branshaw

Anchorage

Kudos to snow removal crews

Street maintenance is doing a great job of snow removal this winter. It's wonderful to step out on a cleaned street the day after a storm. Since Mark Begich has been in office we have the added bonus of sidewalks being swept. Keep up the good work; it's nice to see my tax money put to good use.

Let it snow, let it snow.

-- Diana Bauman

Anchorage

Show respect for groomed trails

I also have a 50-pound dog and take her on multiuse trails almost every day. One day I was skiing on some groomed multiuse and the ski tracks were pretty destroyed. Ahead of me was a family -- Dad, Mom, kids and dog -- all walking down the set tracks as if that was the reason they were there. I approached and carefully explained the grooming process and what the tracks were for. There was plenty of room for them to walk on the flat groomed trail. I had never been more shocked by callous unconcern about the effects of one's behavior on groomed trails.

The only reason I ski the multiuse trails is because my dog needs to get exercise too and I have limited time. Once in a while I enjoy skiing without my dog on the designated "ski-only" trails. I would happily do without dodging piles of frozen horse dung, slabs of frozen horse urine, uncontrolled dogs, careening bicyclists and unconcerned pedestrian traffic. Fortunately, Anchorage has found the best solution: keep the activities that destroy trails on designated trails and skiers only on other trails.

-- Veronica Haberthuer

Anchorage

Helping children is the right move

I would like to applaud Gov. Palin's health and education priorities ("Palin Proposed New Funds to Benefit Children," Dec. 5). Thank you, governor, for making sure that our children are at the top of your agenda!

I am particularly glad to see that increases in Denali KidCare were included. Lack of health care or high health care expenses are among the leading causes of hunger, so providing more health care will also ensure that fewer Alaska children are undernourished.

I would also like to urge the governor to consider school meals as an integral part of obesity prevention. Research shows that children who eat a healthy breakfast at school are at less risk of obesity.

-- Susannah Morgan

executive director

Food Bank of Alaska

Northwest Airlines played pivotal role in family history

As Northwest is completely merged into Delta Airlines, I want to acknowledge the role Northwest played in my family's history.

In April 1959, my father, living in Minneapolis with his wife and three young daughters, was asked to manage Northwest's flight kitchens in Anchorage. My mother, horrified of living in a remote new state, stayed behind with us girls while Lino went "North to Alaska."

My father urged her to join him but she balked. Finally, on Aug. 15, 1959, Dona arrived here on a Northwest flight with Jan, Ann and me bundled in matching wool coats, earmuffs and boots, ready for Alaska weather. We stepped out on the tarmac to a warm, sunny day and many bemused smiles.

In a short time, my mother became a die-hard Alaska supporter and proclaimed she would never live elsewhere. My parents fell in love, not just with this land's beauty but the beauty of its people -- their kindness to each other, their hard work and "can-do" attitudes and their ability to transform challenges into opportunities.

It was with these values that my sisters, my four Alaska-born brothers and myself were raised. We thank Northwest Airlines for their role in our destiny as the Agosti family prepares to celebrate 50 years in this wonderful state.

-- Tam Agosti-Gisler

Anchorage

Highway needs prompter sanding

I've been a licensed driver in this state since I was 16 -- in other words, a long time. I've never had an accident that wasn't caused by someone else and I've never lost control of my car on the Glenn Highway, until last Sunday. I'm very thankful I don't have to commute to Anchorage every day, but on weekends I make the trip into town.

The condition of the Glenn Highway the last two weekends was appalling. Living in Palmer I guess I've been spoiled. When the roads are slick, our sanders are out in force to keep the roads semi-safe; in Anchorage it was icy and very slick. The plows had come through but no sand was put down. The stretch of road between the Birchwood bridges is the worst spot. At least seven cars were in the ditch, including my own.

I am not impressed by the apparent indifference by The state to better maintain the highway. I did notice that four different towing companies working just stretch of the highway, waiting at the Park & Ride for their next jobs. It cost me $179 to be winched out.

-- Penny Bennett

Wasilla

Park needs upkeep, not expansion

I support Project Alternative 2 for the Russian Jack Golf Course. That alternative upgrades -- doesn't expand -- the existing course.

I've enjoyed Russian Jack Park for 30-plus years. My family picnics there and walks the woods regularly. All of us learned to ski there. We ran there. I bike through the park to and from work. My son golfs there. We've gone to many social events at the chalet.

As a multiuse park, Russian Jack is a gem. But we've let it run down. It needs better care. The paved trails are broken and rutted. The bridges are dangerously slick when wet. The mountain bikers ride the dirt trails -- that's great. But the trails aren't well designed for them. The trails are erosion-prone, and some dangerously cross the paved trails. Many picnic tables have been removed; others need repair. Few picnic spots are handicap accessible. And the golf course is in shabby shape.

So, let's polish up the run-down gem we have instead of spending our money to enlarge a golf course in a park we don't now adequately maintain.

-- Janet Hulbert

Anchorage