Fight Assembly resolution to deny important Coastal Trail extension.

The construction of the southern extension of the Tony Knowles Coastal Trail should begin immediately. With over a billion dollars of excess state oil tax and royalty revenues this year, there is plenty of money available to make this long-held dream a reality.

Anchorage thrives on tourism, and a continuous trail from downtown to Girdwood and beyond would attract world-class running, biking and ski races and provide increased opportunities for bird watching, animal viewing and a multitude of other uses.

Tens of thousands of people enjoy the trail every year, yet there is a movement in the municipal Assembly to deny the people a chance to improve their businesses and their city due to the complaints of homeowners along the southern bluff. Even though those properties and the surrounding neighborhoods would increase in value due to the proximity of the trail, arguments have been made to stop the extension.

There are numerous ways that the trail extension can be funded, but none of this will happen if legislation pending before the Anchorage Assembly is passed.

If you want to see the trail extended, call the city clerk's office today and tell them that you do not support Assemblyman Chris Birch's resolution 2005-171 and that you want the southern trail extension to begin.

---- John Baker

Anchorage