Letters to the Editor

Readers write: Letters to the Editor, December 9, 2016

Couldn’t have said it better

Referencing letters in ADN on Dec. 7 written by Ron Michelson of Wasilla and Kenneth Jacobus of Anchorage:

Couldn't have said it better. Name calling is out of control. And we need to move on hopefully to a better future for all of America.

— Darrell Smith
Big Lake

Obama’s legacy

One word, "Aleppo," resulting from the imaginary "red line." You should be ashamed of yourself.

— Rolf L. Bilet
Anchorage

SB 91 meeting at Anchorage Women’s Commission

Depending on who you talk to, Senate Bill 91, the sweeping criminal justice reform bill passed by the Legislature this year, is bad, bad, bad and is responsible for the uptick in crime in Anchorage, or it's going to result in lower recidivism rates, fewer people incarcerated, and millions in savings for the state. To most people, it is not clear what is true or if some combination of both are true.

The Anchorage Women's Commission wants to get to the truth of the real changes and the potential impact to public safety. As an advisory board to the mayor and Anchorage Assembly, we are particularly concerned about impacts to women and children and want to understand how this legislation will be implemented and if there are in fact reasons to be concerned about the changes made by the bill.

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To deepen our understanding, we have scheduled municipal attorney Seneca Theno to present to us at our December meeting, to be held Tuesday, Dec. 20 from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. in the fourth-floor conference room at the Municipal Department of Health and Social Services. Theno will present about the changes made by the law with a specific focus on domestic violence and sexual assault, and audience members will have an opportunity to ask questions.

All of our meetings are public and we invite members of the public to join us for this important conversation. We are looking forward to learning more from Theno at our next meeting so we can understand the law, help others understand the law, and then, if necessary, advocate for any changes that need to be made to improve the law or address unintended consequences. Please join us.

— Tiffany Hall, chair
Anchorage Women's Commission
Anchorage

People Mover could downsize

I can see why the People Mover folks are having such a hard time providing dependable service at reasonable rates. During my travels around Anchorage, I've noted that most buses are running nearly empty (depending on the time of day, of course). But there is still the obligation to provide service for those few riders. A bus that costs $1 million or $2 million a year to run is providing service for only a half-dozen people during certain trips.

We see many small specialty buses around town, such as the hospital or airport shuttles. I wonder if such buses, costing a small fraction of the price of a full-sized People Mover, and operated/maintained at the same fraction, could be used on the "light" runs. Less pollution and fuel costs, and less traffic hazard and obstruction. Perhaps, over the long-term, some of the big buses could be phased out as they wear out, and be replaced by minis.

Just a thought for the mayor.

— Don Neal
Anchorage

Picks of prominence

President-elect Trump is, apparently, working feverishly to make his federal appointments.

I suggest Sarah Palin for ambassador to Canada; she can see Canada from here.
Department of Transportation: Chris Christie, of course.

— Ken Flynn
Anchorage

Trappers support info signage

Last Sunday's (Dec. 4) regrettable letter to the editor from Ken Green regarding signs and intimidation by trappers is baseless. No trappers tampered with Green's signs. The fact is that trappers support signage to help inform users and reduce possible conflict. That is why the Alaska Trappers Association has actively produced and placed signs for years.

Some more of ATA's continuing efforts include:

• Yearly schools in Fairbanks and Anchorage during which trapline ethics is stressed

• "Shared Trails" seminars on request

• In-season mail-outs reminding trappers of their responsibilities

• "Trap Safety for Pet Owners" pamphlets in conjunction with Alaska Department of Fish and Game

• Working with local governments to address user concerns

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• Public Service Announcements currently airing on TV

Finally, ATA absolutely agrees with the author of last week's letter that use of Alaska lands "is a two-way street."

— Randy Zarnke, ATA president
Fairbanks

Demboski brings shame

Demboski has brought shame upon our city.

— Peter Montesano
Anchorage

Caribou hunters’ behavior is appalling

I was greatly disturbed to read John Schandelmeier's account of caribou hunters' "ethical lapses" in his recent

(Dec. 2) ADN outdoors column. According to Schandelmeier, he and at least one other local resident witnessed hunters killing and then butchering caribou cows belonging to the Nelchina Herd while the cows were accompanied by their calves. By his own account, "Three times … I watched hunters shoot caribou cows accompanied by this season's calf. … It is tough to watch a newly orphaned calf standing near its now-deceased mother while 'hunters' prepare to haul her away." He adds "There is no hunting regulation specifically prohibiting taking a cow caribou accompanied by a calf. Ethics control the practice. Are we Alaskans losing them? I sincerely hope this isn't something we need to regulate."

If the practice is as common as Schandelmeier makes it appear (he notes that a Summit Lake proprietor observed such callous and appalling behavior "several times" over the span of a week), it certainly does seem that the killing of cows accompanied by calves born that year needs to be addressed by the state's hunting regulations. What kind of "sportsman" will kill a mother of any species while she's still accompanied by her young? These are more than "unfortunate breaches of hunting protocol," as Schandelmeier puts it. Alaska hunters participating in such killing should be ashamed. And I hope that those who witness such shameful behavior don't simply stand by without saying anything to the offending parties.

— Bill Sherwonit
Anchorage

Keep money in the community

I often hear how this "whack-a-mole" world is simply overwhelming and I can totally relate. There is so much to do and, as one person, with limited time and resources, it often feels like we are but an ineffective drop in an ocean of problems. There are however a couple simple things that we all can do to stand against the overwhelming political and corporate machine that seems to be coming at us at times like a tsunami.

First, subscribe and/or donate to publications that will fight ferociously for the protection of the First Amendment, including our local newspapers. Secondly, as Alaska struggles with an ongoing economic crisis, all our local businesses, organizations and institutions need all the help they can get. Volunteer, advocate and do what you can to keep dollars local. Amazon doesn't need your money and won't care if you don't patronize their business. If it costs $10 more at a local store and you can afford it, do it. Local businesses are, for the most part, your friends and neighbors, the sponsors and supporters of your communities and they spend their dollars back in your community.

As the holiday season approaches, let's do what we can to support each other.

— Jim Stearns
Homer

 

The views expressed here are the writers' own and are not necessarily endorsed by Alaska Dispatch News, which welcomes a broad range of viewpoints. To submit a letter under 200 words for consideration, email letters@alaskadispatch.com, or click here to submit via any web browser. Submitting a letter to the editor constitutes granting permission for it to be edited for clarity, accuracy and brevity. Send longer works of opinion to commentary@alaskadispatch.com.

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