To the Editor:
Girdwood has become - and will always remain my life’s Walden Pond. My life has diverged, and sorry I cannot stay here, I must journey on and experience new places. My departure is welcome though, as it would be difficult to stay here and watch the deterioration of this area as money-hungry developers dig their claws in deeper and deeper. Soon the dirt roads will be gone, along with dark, quiet nights. Who knows the plight of the Virgin Creek area, Crow Creek road, and Winner Creek basin? There are no areas exempt from the money-generating and destructive fate already bestowed upon so much of Alaska.
Organizations who claim to have 20/20 foresight seem blinded by short-term monetary gains and possess little regard for leaving Girdwood alone, treasuring instead its unique qualities and small-town charm. As I have long believed there are two key types of people in this world - those who measure life in account balances and credit scores, and those who measure by an odometer and photo albums. I always hoped Girdwood would be a safe refuge for the latter, but it looks like the times are changing. I truly hope that through all this change that Girdwood can, by some miracle survive and prosper, and not just in terms of checking accounts.
Scott Moran
Girdwood
To the Editor:
As the Chair of the Girdwood Board of Supervisors I would like to apologize to Mr. Kevin Headly for the circulation of an email which accused you mistakenly of being involved with a property owner along the Alyeska highway.
The email was written by the property owner, and was forwarded to the Board. We were very concerned, but failed to take the time to investigate the case thoroughly. Because we did not take the steps at the time to find out the truth, your name became associated with the incident. Indeed, it was your efforts to contact the property owner yourself upon hearing the rumor that finally brought the truth to light.
As the Chair, I should have investigated it further, but did not, and I apologize to you on behalf of the Board and all of its members. I pledge, on behalf of the Board, to do a better job in the future, and to not let something like this happen again.
John Gallup, Chair
GBOS
The Turnagain Times welcomes letters to the editor and provides this space as a forum for the discussion of issues of interest. Unsigned letters will not be printed. We reserve the right to edit letters for length. The opinions expressed in the letters to the editor section are strictly those of the letter writers and do not necessarily reflect the viewpoint of the Turnagain Times. Send your letters to P.O. Box 1044 Girdwood, Alaska 99587, fax to (907) 783-1136 or email at ttimes@chugach.net.