On Friday afternoon, I took my almost three year old son for a short ride to enjoy some of our wildlife. We had seen a bear, a couple of deer, and a flock of Canadian geese crossing the street at Amalga. We were fortunate to experience this within 45 minutes of viewing. Our afternoon together ended well, but not before the awful experience we encountered at the beginning of our short journey.

Neighboring our home is the road to Montana Creek. At its end is beautiful trail that cuts through the forest... providing plenty of fishing, hunting, and hiking opportunities. On our way down the final hump of the road, my son and I had stopped due to the garbage on the roadway. Amongst the litter were beer cans, beer bottles, personal garbage, furniture, nails, and plenty more. Not to mention there was an empty garbage can provided by the city alongside the mess. We were not able to safely turn the car around due to the debris. So instead I drove the car in reverse until we could do so at the top of the hill.

It is shocking to see how our beautiful city has again been taken for granted. Year after year vandals destroy this property. This situation needs to be monitored better! Fines and penalties must be imposed, even if Montana Creek is not to be maintained during the winter months.

This experience was not what I hoped for my child to see. I challenge those who contributed to the mess to clean up what they left behind. I challenge my neighbors to immediately call the police when vandalism has or is suspected to occur. I also challenge the City and Borough of Juneau to step up their game. Implement the changes required to prevent vandalism from happening again within this area.

Let us all do our part to monitor this hidden road of treasures, witnessing and prosecuting those who damage our land. Until we make the change to do so, this will continue to happen as it has for many years.

Daniel Bishop

Juneau