ADN coins a new word

Quoting from the ADN article on the new Republican Party leadership in our state, the ADN said, "... that means libertarian-leaning Paul supporters will attempt to rewrite party rules in an effort to claim all of the state's delegates for the Texas Congressman and swiften Ruedrich's exit from power."

SWIFTEN?! Is the ADN coining new words now?

Perhaps you meant to say "hasten"?

I am appallated.

-- Erin Hall Meade

Anchorage

Beavers clean out camp

Apparently Anchorage's much maligned beavers are as unhappy with homeless camps along our creeks and greenbelts as are many citizens. During Anchorage Waterways Council's 28th Annual Creek Cleanup on May 19, one team working along lower Campbell Creek found where beavers had dropped a tree right through the middle of a tent in a particularly trashy homeless camp.

There was no evidence that the tent's owner was at home at the time the tree fell, but the person or persons have now abandoned the camp.

-- Thom Eley,

creek ranger

Anchorage Waterways Council

Employment Prevention Agency keeps up its work

So the "EPA took on the review after being petitioned by tribal groups, including Bristol Bay Native Corp., to protect the area's valuable salmon runs." There must be a new amendment to the U.S. Constitution that I'm unaware of that forces the taxpayers to pay for a study that will favor the petitioners.

Since "environmentalists applaud EPA report," even a blind man can see that the EPA again lives up to its name: Employment Prevention Agency.

-- Jim Dore

Anchorage

Alaska families need help before domestic violence happens

In her recent Compass editorial ("Alaska making a difference in ending cycle of violence," May 20), Katie Tepas defends Gov. Sean Parnell's work in the area of domestic violence and sexual assault prevention. I will not argue with her on the specifics of progress made in areas such as adding Village Public Safety Officers or funding forensic medical exams, but those are examples of responses for after the occurrence of violence -- they do not speak to prevention. Gov. Parnell has missed some important opportunities to do more meaningful work in the area of prevention.

One very glaring and specific example is his recent decision to cut funding to the Parents as Teachers program. This program offers child development information, parenting support, parent-child play groups and home visits to families with young children.

Not domestic violence prevention you think?

Of course it is! When families connect to one another and to support services, they are more likely to seek help BEFORE problems turn violent. Domestic violence occurs in families that are isolated from the community, from friends and family. Domestic violence happens when the stresses of raising a family with few resources and little support leads parents to lose hope, choose "self medicating" alcohol or drugs, and release their anger and frustrations upon one another instead of seeking problem-solving solutions.

Parents as Teachers is one example of a "Strengthening Families" approach to domestic violence and child abuse prevention which builds on five protective factors to help parents nurture loving relationships within their families. This positive and successful approach is part of the State of Alaska's Office of Children's Services (http://hss.state.ak.us/ocs/families/default.htm). Gov. Parnell could be doing far more to prevent domestic violence, not just react to it by supporting programs such as this one.

-- Lolita Brache chair, Families First, A Best Beginnings Partnership Homer