Letters to the editor (5/11/10)

I'm writing in response to Colleen Hickey's May 10th letter asking, "Where are the street cleaning crews for the state-maintained roads?"

This is a good question and one that I started asking last June. That's when I along with other Anchorage legislators hit the streets with brooms to spur the State Department of Transportation (DOT) to clean the state roads in our community.

The poor performance by DOT and their private contractor was completely unacceptable to me and the people I represent.

During the past session, I secured a firm public commitment from top officials at DOT that Anchorage's state roads will be swept this year in a prompt and thorough manner. I also made sure in the operating budget that DOT received the resources necessary for them to keep the promise they made to me.

Rep. Les Gara and I are focused on getting results from state government and we will work with DOT to make sure they keep their commitment.

I have posted this year's street sweeping schedule online at ellis.aksenate.org.

-- Sen. Johnny Ellis

Anchorage

Opportunities abound at UAA

I appreciate the accolades for the UAA Seawolf Debate program. The student competitors work extraordinarily hard to bring honor to their university, and it's gratifying to see that effort acknowledged.

While UAA's debate team is the only collegiate debate team in Alaska, we are not the only opportunity at UAA for students seeking intellectual stimulation. UAA has a wealth of programs, clubs, activities, majors and courses of study that challenge students. The Honors program, our 49th State Fellows program, the Alaska Native Science and Engineering Program, our student government, our new International Studies program and our recent string of Truman scholars are only a few examples of the outstanding opportunities available to UAA students.

I'm very proud of the university we are and excited about the opportunities before us.

-- Steve Johnson

UAA debate coach

Anchorage

Park is not a dog outhouse

This weekend I took my grandchildren to Storck Park to play on and enjoy the nice new play structures, to run and to kick a ball. We did not stay very long because the park is littered with lots and lots and lots of dog poop with the heaviest concentration around the children's play structures. There are piles on the wood shavings around the play structures, piles in the melting snow adjacent to them and all over the ball fields. It is gross, disgusting, disappointing and unhealthy. We all stepped in it even when being careful.

This park is not an outhouse for dogs and there is no fairy who comes and cleans up after your pet . It is your responsibility and if your consideration for your neighbors and friends does not inspire you, there is an ordinance that requires you to clean up after your pet. If you find it too inconvenient or yucky to do, then you should not own a pet.

Please, please keep the public spaces clean and healthy for all people, most of all for our children and grandchildren to enjoy.

-- Barbara Epperson

Anchorage

Outlaw booze in Anchorage

I read with interest the Daily News editorial about the recent Bethel booze election ("Bethel votes again," May 4). In it, the writer suggested that Bethel should vote to regulate its booze more strictly because it is the source for the alcohol that harms the surrounding villages.

I suggest a more comprehensive approach.

Most of the booze harming rural Alaska is sold in Anchorage. Outlawing the sale of liquor in that city might solve all of our problems. Let's get that movement started right away. Of course I don't see that happening. After all why would anyone from Anchorage care about the opinion of someone who doesn't even live there?

-- Myron Angstman

Bethel