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Bears in Garbage
By Chris Barry

 

September 12, 2007
Wednesday PM


Yes, the bears can get annoying. Yes, it is my responsibility to keep the bears out of my garbage. But what about my neighbors' garbage? Am I supposed to go out and buy a bear-proof container as Ms Julie Steiner recommends because the bears are getting into someone else's garbage?

I keep my garbage can in the garage. Yes, sometimes it stinks the place up, but at least I don't have to deal with cleaning up the garbage after the bears get into it. It seems that most people that are tired of the bears getting into peoples' garbage are mainly tired of the neighbors that refuse to take responsibility for their garbage. Is there anything we can do? Or are we just to sit back and mind our own business. Bear proof containers are not the answer. The answer lies in getting our neighbors to take responsibility for their garbage. But I doubt that will happen since they will most likely claim that it is not their fault cause they can't control the bears.

Maybe we need a law regarding when garbage can be placed out in the open and consequences for those that allow their garbage to be the targets of bears. I hate increasing government involvement, but if our neighbors are not willing to change because we ask them to, then maybe we need to give them some incentive.

Chris Barry
Ketchikan, AK

Received September 12, 2007 - Published September 12, 2007

 

Related Viewpoint:

letterBears in Bear Valley By Julie Steiner - Ketchikan, AK

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