Girdwood role model returns stolen bike

My wife and I built a home and moved to Girdwood a year ago after several decades in Fairbanks and I am still amazed at the quality of life and people in this small town. After returning from surgery in Anchorage this past Monday, I noticed that my bike had been moved. Thinking this was odd, I looked around the house and found my wife’s bike was gone. I wondered why it had been taken, when right next to it was her very expensive road bike. Then I realized, of course, that most thieves are not very smart to begin with. I informed my wife, who was working out of town, and we both shared the feeling of violation.

Later that day my wife called and said her bike had been recovered. A young man, Abe, who has lived in Girdwood 31 years, was at the Wailers concert Sunday night and heard a cocky teenage girl bragging how she and her friend had stolen a bike off someone’s deck. Abe was outraged and after a good scolding, took the bike from them and called my wife whose work number was on the bike. Once again the quality of people in this community is inspiring. By not ignoring this situation and having the guts to take matters into his own hands, shows me that Abe has a great deal of integrity. I am 60 years old and have seen far too little of this kind of responsibility.

I applaud such a man who would say “you don’t do that in my town.” He is a true Role Model and will go far in life.

To the arrogant little girls: grow up! Being a thief does not make you cool, especially having grown up in Girdwood as you claimed, you’ll find high school cliques don’t last long. Just because you are stupid, doesn’t mean you have to act that way. Reverse the roles and see how you would feel having someone come into your home and steal your stuff.

And finally to the parents, I feel you know who you are, the examples you set and the actions you take are what ultimately determine a child’s behavior in the future. Yours may put your child in jail if her attitude doesn’t change. The people of Girdwood will not tolerate it for long.

Mike and Robin Smith
Girdwood