By Bob Lewis Anchorage, Alaska The path to safety seems clear Editor:
The Anchorage Daily News published a letter to the editor on June 23 from a Mr. Michael Korting, who claims to be a resident of Santa Monica. Mr. Korting basically trashed our city, our mayor, our police department and Anchorage citizens in general for our high crime rate and influx of “less than-desirable families,” whatever that means. Actually, Anchorage is a small, but growing community with a crime rate far below the national average. The only taxes we have are property taxes. We have state and local programs that help senior citizens and children from lower incomes financially. We support our educational system and the University of Alaska compares favorably with universities throughout the United States. Over 70 different languages are spoken in Anchorage and, generally speaking, it is a delightful community that has no more growing problems than any other American city of 300,000 people.
Having lived here for 30 years, in one of the most beautiful, peaceful and friendly places on earth, one can only conclude that Mr. Korting simply doesn’t know what he’s talking about. But then, he’s living in Santa Monica, not Anchorage. Having said that, I have been to Santa Monica and I think you have a wonderful city that anyone living there should be proud to call home. We feel the same way about Anchorage.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on June 27, 2007. Read the original PDF.