Comments by swanny
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Posted on July 5 at 6:31 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Before we go off the deep end here, let's take a look at the entire SOTUS ruling and dissenting opinions. The entire text (in all it's excruciating detail) is available on-line at http://www.supremecourtus.gov/opinions/0....
Having read it, I find the differences between the majority and minority opinions to be vast, and rather disconcerting. Our individual "freedoms" are resting on shaky ground indeed.
On Court ruling
Posted on July 5 at 5:53 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Young operators are frequently injured and sometimes killed on off road vehicles, including ATVs and snow machines, in Alaska.
Off road vehicles are not strongly regulated in Alaska. I suspect this is primarily because the legislature is loathe to create regulatory hardships on those who live in the bush and require such machines for basic transportation.
One might argue that the borough has the responsibility to regulate such machines within its jurisdiction, but "borough responsibility" is a bit of an oxymoron to begin with, and in reality I don't know if the borough has the authority to do so.
There are certainly challenges enforcing such regulations, too. When LEOs attempt to contact ATV or snow machine riders it isn't unusual for the riders to take off cross-country, traveling over terrain that is impossible for a patrol car to negotiate. This rewards the behavior of eluding police, making it more likely to occur in the future. We already have a huge problem with "hit and run" and people eluding in this region. Giving kids an opportunity to learn that they can successfully escape the police is not a smart move.
Practical enforcement would require trained police officers on similarly capable vehicles. I doubt that such a project would garner much support from taxpayers.
Eventually, it becomes an issue of parental responsibility. All too often "parental responsibility", just like borough responsibility, is an oxymoron.
In fairness, I'd like to note that here in Two Rivers it seems like every child above the age of 8 has access to a four-wheeler and a snow machine. While there are plenty of dangerous practices, the majority of those kids operate their equipment responsibly and reasonably skillfully. I've even noticed that some of these kids are far safer on machines used on trails than they are when riding bicycles on the public highway.
On ATV safety
Posted on July 2 at 4:41 a.m. (Suggest removal)
When I was a kid my mother used to say "Swanny, don't worry about what other folks may complain about. Some folks would complain if they were hanged with a brand new rope." Frankly, I'm too busy trying to manage my own resources and I'm grateful for any help I can get. I don't have time to worry about whether or not my genetically prolific neighbors may receive more that I.
Odds are pretty good that if we start fighting over "individual versus household" or "need versus greed" none of us will get any help at all. It will just become another excuse for legislators to spend lots of time and money blowing hot air at each other and refusing to take real action.
Posted on June 30 at 5:46 a.m. (Suggest removal)
IF the animal control division has set traps for the dogs, as the original author suggests, then they are making an effort to capture them and will most likely be successful within a few days. Commonly, to ensure capture, traps are set with bait and the entrance wired open for a few days so the dogs will become habituated to them. Once the dogs visit the traps regularly the door to the device is enabled so on their next visit one or more of them is trapped and ready to be picked up by the next available animal control officer.
There is no question that the borough's animal control division is indeed a very busy department. So much so that animal control officers must focus their attention on higher priority calls such as vicious dog complaints, bite cases, &c. The animal control division is not a humane society type of operation, and never can be. They are adequately funded only to meet their public health and safety mission and little more. The shelter is a good dog pound that offers some additional services, but nothing more. They can't do more because they aren't funded or mandated to do more.
If we want a humane society type rescue and shelter operation it will have to be formed as a private group, funded by private donations, and separated financially and operationally as a completely separate entity with a completely separate mission from that of the animal control division.
Mike, the majority of animals euthanized by the "shelter" are owner-requested euthanizations (one of those "additional services" I noted earlier). Nonetheless, there is an unacceptable number of perfectly healthy, adoptable animals euthanized by our shelter each and every month due to lack of space, reinforcing the need for a private truly humane animal rescue and shelter operation in our region.
Whether or not the people who abandoned intended to be cruel, they were cruel. Especially when one considers that there are several no-kill animal rescue groups in the area. Some are species and/or breed specific and some are more general.
Had these miscreants contacted Loving Companions Animal Rescue (http://www.lovingcompanionsanimalrescue....) or Homeward Bound Pet Rescue and Referral (http://www.hbprr.org/)they could have relinquished their dogs to responsible people who would ensure their safety rather than risking starvation or injury. They were just too damned lazy to do so.
Tough economic times are a test of character. Responsible people maintain their character, accept and embrace their personal responsibilities and do what they must in a responsible manner. Those who abandon their animals to the wilds of Alaska rather than asking the assistance of already available animal rescue organizations fail the test. They earn no respect nor sympathy from me.
Swanny
Posted on June 25 at 6:01 a.m. (Suggest removal)
JustMe, that money did not come out of the shelter's budget, it came from the Shelter Fund, a 501(c)3 not for profit corporation that is entirely independent of the shelter. It is supported by community donations.
Therefore, every equestrian who ever donated to the fund DID contribute to this pony's upkeep. To be perfectly clear, that is NOT borough money, and is NOT controlled by the borough or the shelter staff. That assistance was requested, not demanded.
The borough only funds the shelter adequately to perform it's core task, that of an animal pound to achieve its basic public health and safety function. Nearly all of the other services they provide, that are commonly thought of as "humane society" type functions (major veterinary care, &c), are financed by the Shelter Fund.
There are many situations that the shelter and animal control division are not equipped, and not funded, to handle. As the situation stands, they are short staffed and the shelter facility is far too small and far too aniquated in design for the shelter or division to be considered anything more than a pound. don't even have a veterinarian on staff - thus most veterinary care has to be purchased from vets in the community, most likely at or near the "going rate". If you've visited your own animal's vet lately you know how expensive it is.
As a result, many perfectly adoptable animals must be euthanized (killed) due to lack of space and facilities to properly meet their veterinary and husbandry needs.
Just because of its unique nature, an unusual animal in the shelter such as this pony, or the pot-bellied pig, large parrot or other relatively exotic animal has a much better chance of surviving his or her shelter experience than does the typical dog or cat that is relinquished, seized or picked up as a stray.
On Fairbanks shelter welcomes pony among its menagerie of tenants
Posted on June 25 at 5:30 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Dr. Dee - You done good.
Posted on June 24 at 6:59 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Oh for crying out loud. You choose to live in a community that is closely affiliated with a major army post AND a major air force base. It doesn't take a rocket surgeon or brain scientist to figure out that the army shoots guns and the airforce flys airplanes, and both make noise.
If you move next door to a hog farm you expect to smell pig manure.
If you move next to a whorehouse you expect to see a little skin once in a while.
If you move to a community near a military installation you should expect to hear a little bit of noise once in a while. Warfare is not, and should not be, a silent occupation.
Posted on June 21 at 10:40 a.m. (Suggest removal)
So what if lotteries are a tax on the stupid. I have no problem with stupid people supporting the stupid spendthrift policies of stupid legislators. In fact, it seems rather appropriate in an ironic sort of way.
Posted on June 21 at 10:34 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I've found the easiest way to avoid parking illegally downtown is to avoid going downtown.
On Noise town
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Posted on July 5 at 6:32 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Sorry, that should have read "SCOTUS" opinion (Supreme Court of the United States)
On Court ruling