Letters to the Editor

To the Editor:

I just had a few questions that the Anan Bear and Wildlife Observatory article brought to mind. I would really appreciate it if your paper would research and report on the following questions and comments.  

How much does it really cost to “administer” Anan?  Really, how much? A memorable quote from the 1996 movie “Independence Day” comes to mind when it comes to government spending: “You don’t actually think they (the U.S. Government) spend $20,00.00 on a hammer, $30,000.00 on a toilet seat, do you?”

Does the USFS really need all the staff they have at Anan? If they computerized the online permit reservation system to be fully automatic to take online credit card payments, the district could cut one or two office staff positions completely. Cha Ching. This is the 21st century. Sheesh, what business can’t take online payments in this day and age? Why spend the $ retraining new staff every year? Are there any educational grants out there to fund a position on the ground at Anan in part or completely?

That being said, how much total $ in outfitter guide fees did the Wrangell Ranger district take in last year?

A really simple solution: The USFS Wrangell Ranger district would double their $28,730.00 per season viewing pass income, (which is separate from the Outfitter Guide fees) to $57,460.00  per viewing season by offering a morning viewing time and an afternoon viewing time. The district could achieve this by extending their hours a wee bit. Double the people, double the money, for very little more $. Gee, summer in Alaska. Everyone works longer days.

Furthermore, if the USFS offered early reservations and payment for Anan passes online beginning  the first of September each year, the USFS could earn 10 months of interest on money they collected for a service the district doesn’t provide until July and August.

Open the upper falls and charge a whole lot more money for access in addition to offering the regular menu of services. 

Wilma E. Stokes-Leslie 

To the Editor:

I have experienced two issues involving dogs, in the city of Wrangell, where the police department was called and a less than favorable response followed. That is, if there is actually an officer on duty.

In June of 2013, I arrived home to find a black, unaltered male dog, gnashing a hole through my screen door in an attempt to reach my older lab. I opened my car door, yelled at the stray, and the dog proceeded to charge me before I stepped completely out of my vehicle and within range of him.

I phoned 911 from my car, and the dispatcher informed me, “There is no officer on duty at this time.” (It was 3:30 p.m. in the afternoon.) Within 30 minutes of my original call, the stray dog was back and jumping up my sliding glass door, again in an attempt to reach my own dog. I phoned 911 again. This time an officer responded and the stray was no where to be found. I was informed this was a “landlord/tenant issue” by the responding officer. I asked him point blank that should the dog return and I shoot it, will it still be considered a landlord/tenant issue? He advised against it.

On December 3 at approximately 6:30 a.m., I arrived at work to find a vehicle completely vandalized. All windows were smashed out, the side mirrors knocked off, the windshield broken on both passenger and driver side, no back window, glass and broken beer bottles strewn about the parking lot. I phoned the police. I was informed by the dispatcher that “Yes, they knew about the vehicle.” I was asked if I knew the license plate number. I went back outside to write the number down and when I walked by the driver side door, I noticed a leash tied to the steering wheel. I made a “kissing” sound and two very small puppies poked their heads out of a pile of rumpled up clothing. I immediately reached in through the broken window, untied the one puppy from the steering wheel, put the pups in my jacket and returned inside work to phone the police yet again. I was informed by the dispatcher that “Yes, we know about the puppies.”

So let’s recap: No windows, tied to the steering wheel and the temperature in the teens. When the dispatcher was asked “What should we do?” we were informed to “put the puppies back.”

I am beyond appalled. I am sickened by the actions of those dedicated to “serve and protect.” Heartless and inexcusable behavior and the Wrangell Police Department should be nothing less than ashamed of themselves. I, for one, will never cast my vote to save any police department position.

Melanie Lawson