Happy Anniversary
Dear Editor: Chuck and Nancy, congratulations on your anniversary and all the good things you and your family have done to make Sitka the special place it is to raise a family. God Bless.
Gary Paxton (Pax), Sitka
Garbage Bears
Dear Editor: It is not fair for the Assembly of the City of Sitka to set an ordinance to protect garbage bears from being killed. Garbage bears have become a huge problem. I read in the Sitka Sentinel about the many complaints the garbage bear encounters. Raiding garbage containers all over Sitka’s areas. Some of these bears have been shot and killed, but the scattered garbage has not been picked up, so other bears have been enticed to keep their dumpster diving for garbage again and again. What the bears have left behind attract rats to move in and to polish off what is left behind by the bears.
My husband is 90 years old and had fallen outdoors at the corner of our apartment and unable to stand up when he was encountered by an 800-pound bear eating someone’s garbage very close by. My neighbor is physically disabled and must use a walker. He opened his door in the middle of the day four days ago to find a bear raiding his garbage. The bear ran a short distance into the brush, but kept watch, peeking out of the brush to make another attempt to grab garage to drag to the corner of his apartment. Sure enough the bear was raiding the garbage container again, as the police drove onto the scene. Police reported they are not allowed to kill a bear unless the bear is destroying property or injuring someone. My neighbor across the road had an 800-pound bear trying to push in her dining room window. What about the children’s safety?
I have spoken with my landlord about the strong concern I have for the health and wellbeing of our family, friends and neighbors, who are unable to climb into the brush to clean up scattered trash, which is attracting more bears, rats and feral cats. People are fined for not picking up this garbage. Especially people who are disabled who cannot climb into the brush, who live penny to penny, barely making ends meet.
I believe a job needs to be created by the city, offering an attractive wage, and allowing a willing person to carry a powerful gun for their own safety, as they work to keep areas clean.
Heads up, Sitka, your input is needed with this problem.
Mildred Layton, Sitka
