Muldoon needs grant for safer streets

As the representative for Northeast Anchorage and Muldoon, one of the most important parts of my job is to listen to what my neighbors want for their community and to help make it happen. On street after street, I hear that they want safer neighborhood roads.

As I go door to door and talk with my neighbors to listen to their concerns, every day I hear people tell me that people drive too fast through their neighborhood streets and that they would like speed humps installed on their street. The Northeast Anchorage and Muldoon area is home to many families with small children, and many people walk or bike on our neighborhood's streets, so it is very important that our streets be safe for pedestrians and children.

After budget concerns led the mayor to cut the municipal speed hump program, Senator Bill Wielechowski and I worked to find another source of funding for traffic calming in Northeast Anchorage. We were successful in securing a $350,000 state grant, but we were surprised to hear that the mayor had decided not to accept this grant. The only requirement for this grant is that funds be used for traffic calming projects in Northeast Anchorage decided by the local community councils in consultation with the municipal traffic department.

While I understand that the budget situation required tough choices to be made, I do not understand why the mayor would refuse to accept this funding for projects that neighbors are requesting to make their streets safer. I hope the mayor will reconsider, and I will be happy to work with him to make our neighborhoods safer.

-- state Rep. Pete Petersen

Anchorage

Cottonwoods are annoying

Personally I think cottonwoods are nothing more than giant annoying dandelions.

I know they provide bank support but here in town they just produce annoying fluff.

I love trees but can easily live without these guys.

-- Nevets Rekcut

Anchorage

Keep the LED lights coming

I want to acknowledge how much I appreciate the new LED street lights at the Arctic/International intersection. I live two blocks away, and it's amazing the difference! I hope the city continues to swap out the old lights for these new energy- saving lights soon. The entire city could really benefit from them.

-- Paige Langit

Anchorage

Crew keeps city looking great

This letter is to compliment the downtown area of Anchorage on how well-kept and clean it is. My wife and I have been traveling all over the United States and ended our journey here in Anchorage. We were very impressed with the beauty of Alaska. During our time in Anchorage, we strolled throughout the city and were pleased at what we saw: no gigantic billboards, no graffiti, no trash and especially no panhandlers.

I spoke with a young man who was the maintenance supervisor for the Downtown Partnership, Jeff Robinson. I wanted to know his secret for keeping the city so pristine. He was gracious and gave all credit to his crew and the business owners in the downtown area. Jeff even gave us advice on which restaurants and other attractions to visit.

My wife and I found Anchorage to be one of the best places we have ever visited and we surely will be back. To the DTP maintenance crew: Keep up the good work; it was noticed and appreciated. See you again.

-- Byron Harris