Letters to the editor (5/31/09)

To the organizers of the race on Chester Creek and the Coastal Trail, I would first like to commend your efforts as I presume you were raising funds for a worthwhile cause. But I have a couple of suggestions.

• Please remind your participants that the trails are shared-use and are not blocked off for the race. Also, include information about basic shared-trail etiquette.

• Please mark entrances to the trail or the route of the race so neighborhood users can avoid the crowds if they would like.

Saturday morning I was excited to head out the door to get in a nice long run. It was, in fact, a great day for a run, and it was evident that many of the race participants were having a really good time. It was the few inconsiderate, disrespectful bib-wearers that annoyed me to the point of writing (this is my first-ever letter to the editor). I hope the fraction of the second they saved by running me off the trail helped them get a personal best.

-- Stephanie Birdsall

Anchorage

Social Security mailing was a huge waste of resources

I recently got my notice from Social Security that I would be getting $250.

This was sent to all Social Security and SSI beneficiaries. This has been reported in the newspapers, TV and the radio. This is a big waste of time, money, postage and paper.

Anyone not knowing this should be under custodial care with a caretaker or a congressperson.

We could have received another $10 or so without this waste.

-- E.E. Wheeler

Cooper Landing

City code needs an addition

Thank you, Ms. Jang, for your article regarding our personal responsibility to protest discrimination, wherever and whenever encountered ("Ethnic insult poses dilemma for Anchorage TV reporter," Thursday, May 28). To the Anchorage Assembly, I ask that you follow her example and say "Enough! No More!" and add sexual orientation to the list of to the city's existing anti-discrimination code that already protects people based on race, color, sex, religion, national origin, marital status, age, or physical or mental disability.

-- Megan Clancy, M.D.

Anchorage

Alaska's senators should lead in mitigating climate change

The Alaska Center for the Environment applauds the decision of Nancy Pelosi and the House Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming to visit Alaska on May 22. ACE, as a leading conservation group composed of 6,000 members, realizes the impact of climate change on Alaskan communities. According to the 2008 Alaska Climate Impact Assessment, models predict greater warming for the Arctic than the rest of the world. As Alaska has already warmed 3-5 degrees Celsius in the last 50 years, it is clear that we are ground zero for climate change.

The American Clean Energy and Security Act creates jobs through investment in renewable energy and efficiency, regulates greenhouse gases through a cap and trade program, and limits the impact of energy costs on American families. Please write to Senators Murkowski and Begich to stress how important it is for them to vote to mitigate climate change, create millions of clean energy jobs, as well as promote America's energy security and independence.

-- Sara Rafalson

Alaska Center for the Environment

Anchorage

Mandated tests too expensive

Six out of 10 teachers do not believe they have enough instructional time to meet students' needs. The maximum learning days in a school year total 180. Principals tell me that on five of those days, schools are required to give state and national mandated tests. The cost to the ASD to monitor these non-instructional tests is excessive to value gained from the tests. To determine the daily cost of providing instruction to students divide the entire budget of districts by 180; the ASD spends $4,095,475 per instructional day. Then multiply by the five instruction days lost to non-instructional testing for a total of $20,477,375. The cost of administering the test is totally out of proportion to the benefit gained.

Both NCLB and the GRE have not provided the intended consequences, but are egregious intrusions into local control of education that have resulted in demonstrated unintended consequences, i.e., dropout rates are unacceptably high and schools are held to ridiculous criteria beyond their control.

-- Stowell Johnstone

Anchorage

City should be on side of love

Yesterday, I went to a free seminar at the University on race and diversity. Dr. Martin Brokenleg opened his lecture by placing Anchorage on an international map: as a world class city.

Anchorage. A world class city.

World class cities are built with fancy buildings and shiny monuments. They're remembered for their charm, character and quality of living. They are not remembered for ignorance, intolerance, or greed.

Policies are meant to protect people and communities, not restrict them. There is no harm done by homosexuality -- except the gift of love, which every person should have the right to feel. Whether with a man or woman, restricting anyone to stop loving whom they love is inhumane. Embracing the world will make Anchorage a world class city. I hope our Assembly wants that as much as I do. Coming to the table with an open dialogue is the type of leadership we need.

-- Mindy L. O'Neall

Anchorage

Coast Guard hustle saved crew

I wish to express our deep gratitude to Coast Guard Rescue 1741 for their quick response to our call for help on behalf of one of our hunting crew trapped in the ice pack in Gambell on May 26.

CGR 1741 gave keen and professional guidance that made it possible for the stranded crew to navigate out of the ice pack and make it home.

This prompt response alone averted a bad situation from becoming worse.

-- Paul Apangalook

Gambell

Sweepers vanish from streets

I have also noticed that the state seems to have stopped sweeping the winter sand and gravel from many of our streets and roads -- part or all of Tudor, DeBarr, Minnesota, and C Street, just to mention some of the more obvious ones.

Even more aggravating was the sweeping of sidewalks on north Muldoon with the debris swept onto the road where it stayed for a solid week while big trucks kicked it into the air.

Perhaps someone from the state or city can explain this to us.

Since this is important to the appearance of Anchorage as well as the health of its residents, I, for one, don't want to hear this was the result of budget shortfalls.

-- Jim Smith

Anchorage

Alarm clocks would work too

I am responding to the letter concerning the noise from Elmendorf Air Force Base ("Noise from base unreasonable," Wednesday, May 27). I live on Government Hill and have been trying to work with my representatives and the military to stop reveille at 7 a.m. daily. I am a flight attendant who volunteered to fly U.S. troops at the beginning of the war and support them wholeheartedly, but fail to see why I should be awakened at 7 a.m. daily by this blaring over the speakers. I work late at night a lot and just need the same quiet-time laws abided by that we all respect. I am tolerant of other noises that are coming from the base but I agree with the prior letter writer, and want them to know they are not alone. Any help with this would be appreciated.

-- Nancy Esson

Anchorage

Take out trash with the fish

Twenty Mile River is very popular for dipnetting. There are speed limit signs to protect the fishermen from oncoming traffic. I think people there should keep it clean. How shameful to see all the trash left behind. Was all that litter really there under the snowmelt? Embarrassing. I say someone is responsible. Keep it clean or chance a littering ticket with a steep fine.

I am a lifelong Alaskan, who leaves a much cleaner campground when done.

-- Karen L. Bailey

Anchorage

Palin's heart isn't with Alaska

Alaska needs energy assistance more than any other state in the union. Sarah Palin's decision to refuse stimulus money could impact rural Alaskans who are forced to choose between heat and food as well as urban Alaskans who are living and working in hastily built construction that is inefficient. Her refusal directly impacts the quality of our lives.

When she was first elected, I reserved opinion since she said a lot of things that Alaskans wanted to hear. Now that we see her deeds, it is apparent that the interests of Alaska and Alaskans are not her primary concern. It's time to think about electing a different governor.

-- Keenan Powell

Anchorage