Letters to the Editor

Letter: Homeless issue shames Anchorage

Assembly member Christopher Constant complains that the municipality of Anchorage has not been given due credit for the measures it has undertaken to clean up squatters’ camps in the greenbelt, particularly along the Chester Creek Trail. It is true that there is currently a gallant effort to finally close the barn door now that the horse has bolted. Of course Mr. Constant is offended at being criticized. He and his fellow Assembly members have stood idly by while there has been a proliferation of such camps. The problem today is 10 times worse than it was just five years ago.

Elected officials unwilling or unable to do their jobs need to be replaced. Have sufficient measures been undertaken to provide affordable housing, adequate emergency shelters, more availability and accessibility of dependency and mental health treatment programs? Such measures are costly. We are, however, seeing the costs of inaction.Spring has come, the trees have leafed out and it is more difficult to see the incredible amount of trash defiling our public green spaces. No fig leaf, however, is large enough to cover the shame of the municipality, and particularly the Anchorage Assembly, for allowing the current situation.

— Kenneth Baitsholts

Anchorage

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