Substance abusers need help

The governor vetoed part of an extremely important bill on substance and alcohol abuse funding because the Legislature "didn't have a plan for how to use the money?" It's for those who go to work every day and try their very best to survive and exist in a world filled with addictions of some sort. It may be your neighbor, a close friend or relative, or it may be you. Why does the middle class continuously get neglected? Why is it that Alaskans, young and old, continue to be turned away?

We need to gather together and get some type of funding for Alaskans with substance abuse needs. Without family support, who will they turn to and how, if ever, will they return to a normal lifestyle? There are no in-house treatment facilities in Alaska. At least no facility that I would want to spend 30 days and 30 nights. What about you? Can you hear the silent screams for help?

-- Tommy Savina

Anchorage

Sorry, Parnell, but a program to rear moose calves is bad idea

Gov. Parnell did the right thing when he vetoed $1 million to fund the Alaska Moose Federation's program of transplanting adult moose, but he was wrong in saying the federation's calf-rearing program deserved state funding. As a moose biologist, I know no competent wildlife biologists who support the idea of stocking moose like we stock fish. Whether calves or adults are stocked, such programs are much too expensive, have very low success rates and risk unintended consequences like spreading diseases.

The federation's programs to reduce moose-vehicle collisions and salvage road-killed carcasses are worthy and may deserve state funding, but plans to stock moose are deeply flawed and should be abandoned.

-- Vic Van Ballenberghe

Anchorage

Anyone have a suggestion for deterring litterbugs?

What is wrong with the people around here? I live in a condo off Muldoon Road. A short street, Halligan, goes past us and into a trailer park. Every day when I walk my dogs I can pick up a sack of garbage on that short street. Fast-food containers, beer and liquor bottles, big soda cups, you name it. Saturday we had our annual cleanup here at the condos and before the evening was over, there was more trash thrown on Halligan.

What in the world can we do about this problem?

I am ashamed to have visitors from Outside come here and see all this. If anyone figures out what to do about this problem, count me in. I will help. I have lived here 37 years and every year the problem gets worse instead of better. Thanks for letting me spew.

-- Marilyn Basiliere

Anchorage

Bear Valley play merits a 'bravo!'

Last week I attended an outstanding musical play, "Pompadours and Poodle Skirts," performed by sixth-grade students from Bear Valley. Much time and effort went into this production. Many thanks go to the director, Mrs. Jeri Pickere, whose vision made this possible. A special thanks to Debbie Houseman for creating the Yellow Jacket Coats that were worthy of a Broadway production.

What a wonderful experience for both the students and the audience. It was a stellar performance.

-- Cathy Brandt

Anchorage