Anchorage Daily News

Wolf pup killings demonstrate need for public accountability

On Aug. 26, Alaskans vote to limit aerial wolf shooting to only the most serious biological situations.

Recent revelations that the Alaska Department of Fish and Game clearly deceived the public regarding the shooting of 14 wolf pups at a den is the most graphic example of why Alaska's wolf-killing program needs to be reined in.

No officials revealed that 14 newborn pups were hazed out of a den and shot in the head, execution-style.

It is no wonder that the public was left out of the loop. To admit this would have enraged the general public and jeopardized the state's chances of stopping Proposition No. 2.

What else has the state kept from the public through five years of aerial wolf control, under an overly permissive law that offers few controls and restrictions?

In the end, no state program can succeed unless it enjoys broad public acceptance. Proposition No. 2 provides appropriate accountability and limits aerial predator control to extreme cases.

There will be a day when aircraft will no longer be able to run roughshod over valued resources like wolves and bears.

There will also be a day when the life of a defenseless wolf pup is treated with common decency. That day will start with a yes vote on Proposition No 2.

-- Joel Bennett

Juneau

Clean elections as important to Alaska's future as statehood was

Fifty years ago, I actively participated in Alaska's fight for statehood. Now, I am one of three sponsors of Ballot Measure 3, for public funding of campaigns, designed to bring clean elections to our state.

The arguments against the Clean Elections initiative are just as preposterous as those against statehood during the 1950s. Now as then, the naysayers stand reality on its head.

Then, anti-statehooders argued Alaska would be better off remaining a territory or becoming a commonwealth like Puerto Rico. Their arguments today are similarly wacko. Quite opposite to their negatives, Clean Elections will reduce special-interest influence. It will reduce corruption. It will make legislators accountable to voters, not to lobbyists.

Clean Elections has worked in other states, and so it will in Alaska. Public campaign funding is a very small price to pay for good government.

I urge you to again do what's right for Alaska -- and to vote yes on Ballot Measure 3, for clean election campaigns.

-- Vic Fischer

Anchorage

Predators need to be managed for the benefit of all Alaskans

As usual, the debate surrounding predator management in Alaska mixes a little fact with plenty of rhetoric and misinformation. This is especially true for those supporting passage of Proposition No. 2 on the primary ballot.

Contrary to their ads, current predator control programs are not authorized under hunting regulations. Shooting of bears has never been allowed from aircraft for hunting or in predator control programs. Similarly, non-resident hunting is not allowed in the areas authorized for intensive predator management.

Despite the fact that many Alaskans (villagers and urban residents alike) are extremely dependent on moose and caribou to meet their daily protein needs, the sponsors of this initiative clearly don't care.

Alaska's State Constitution requires Alaska to manage its resources, including wildlife, for the "maximum benefit of Alaskans." God knows how promoting decades of severely depressed moose populations due to excessive predation provides even minimal benefits to Alaskans. This is especially true for communities like Tetlin, Sleetmute and Skwentna that enjoy median household incomes of $12,250, $15,000 and $16,500 respectively.

The sponsors refuse to acknowledge the fact that the existing predator management programs are working. They are dishonestly presenting an unworkable alternative knowing that the real effect is the elimination of all existing predator management programs. This would be a tragedy. Hopefully when Alaskans go to the polls they will put Alaskans first and vote "no" on Ballot Measure 2.

-- Ron Sommerville

Juneau

Those who don't need the rebate should give to nonprofits that do

With numerous recent columns and letters providing varying opinions on the wisdom and fairness of the Legislature's decision to issue a $1,200 "resource rebate," I have a suggestion for those fortunate enough to not need that largesse. Rather than running off to Hawaii in January with Dan Fagan, consider making a contribution to one of the charitable organizations that help those who find themselves in need.

As a United Way volunteer I've learned about a recent surge of 211 calls from people seeking assistance in paying their utility bills (211, or 1-800-478-2221 outside Anchorage, are the numbers Alaskans can call for help from local nonprofit organizations). With winter fast approaching, more families will struggle to cope with rising costs, so those who can afford to help have a chance to make a positive difference. That's why my annual United Way contribution will increase by at least as much as my "resource rebate."

I'm already looking forward to the benefits: a warm feeling that will last longer than a few days in the sun, a smaller payment to the IRS in April, and no talk radio personality cadging my sunscreen after spending all his money at a luau!

-- Patrick Flynn

Anchorage

We should join the world outside

I'm beginning to think that I may have unwittingly joined a cult when I moved here over 10 years ago. I move that we stop using the dimwit term "Outsider" to refer to anyone not residing in Alaska. Warren Jeffs or Jim Jones or David Koresh may have been justified in using the word, but not free individuals living in part of The United States of America, and part of the world.

-- Bette Rutan

Anchorage

Alaskans should be responsible; shooting bears is wrong answer

I'm shaking my head here at the "bear problem" facing Anchorage and other Alaska residents. I've read several articles and blogs by Alaska residents and have decided the world has gone mad.

Yes, the bear population has become braver and headed into residential areas more frequently. Why? Doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure that one out; it's the way Americans live, i.e. leaving garbage out too long, going into known bear paths and fishing areas, and not following simple common-sense rules.

When I lived in the Lower 48, I admired how Alaskans were considered a hardy bunch who knew how to live alongside nature. Not true. So your answer is to shoot the "offenders." I didn't know bears could read the signs to stay out because humans are around. I thought humans were the ones who could read. I guess not.

What it boils down to is Alaskans are no different than the folks down in the Lower 48. Man first, his environment second. God forbid we should inconvenience ourselves to live with other inhabitants on this planet.

The answer to all our problems, as usual, is shoot the bears for getting in our way.

-- Judi Sheldon

Eagle River

Front page is for reporting news, not for a dime-a-dozen blog story

Short on news? It's another "holy cow" letter. I wrote an "attaboy" to the Daily News a few weeks ago congratulating you on a fine piece you did on marriage criteria, which I dutifully framed. Now I find myself sending an "awshoot" (or something close to that) for taking up part of the front page and half the back on Halcro's blog. Just for kicks I Googled "blogs" and found 878,000,000 entries. Anyone who knows me is aware that zeros are not my strong suit, but I think that's millions. I'm sort of amazed that you would write so much about one blog in 878 million! I think there are more than a few of us who would rather have you report the news. And if you could find any good news that would be even better.

P.S. Does writing blogs give you indigestion? Making the front page on a slow news day should have made Andrew look happier.

-- Lynn Sutton

Anchorage

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