Letters from the People

Coastal Trail backers had better act now to derail Ben Stevens' bill

Anchorage residents who want to see the Coastal Trail extended to Potter Marsh are going to be disappointed if they do not act soon to derail a bill sponsored by state Sen. Ben Stevens.

S.B. 23 seeks to prevent any state agency from acquiring or creating a right of way or other easement within the coastal refuge unless it is approved by the Legislature. What this bill is really trying to do is stop the momentum to extend the Coastal Trail since it is opposed by the bluff dwellers in Sen. Stevens' district.

I listened to testimony this week from about a dozen citizens with property in the area of the refuge. They downplayed the fact that a majority of the citizens support the trail by claiming among other things that the studies are all flawed and that the trail will become known as the Tony Knowles rape trail and even that the money for the trail should be spent to eliminate dirt roads.

If you don't pick up the phone today and send a public opinion message to Sens. Lincoln, Stevens, Cowdery, Therriault and Olson, the trail extension has no chance of getting built. Tell them that you do not support S.B. 23. Now is the time to extend the jewel of Anchorage. The number to send a message is 269-0111.

-- John Baker

Anchorage