A little courtesy can make Valley a better place

Frontiersman editorial board

The Mat-Su Borough is one of the most incredible places a person could choose to live -- and more people are choosing to move here each year. In most ways, growth in the Valley is a welcome thing -- it brings more jobs, services and prosperity with it.

Of course, the growing population brings its challenges, as well. In recent years the debate over planning vs. zoning has provided some fireworks, and traffic has become something of a challenge at different times of the day. More people always means more interactions, and that can sometimes lead to stress.

The people of the Mat-Su have always been known for their commitment to community, and for their neighborly attitude. Sometimes the growing population can cast a shadow upon those things, too. While Valley people have always been an independent lot, we've also built a reputation for being considerate of the needs and rights of others.

A few inconsiderate people can damage that reputation, and can make life more difficult for all of us -- and for the visitors many of our local businesses depend upon. Take a look in any of the large parking lots around shopping centers -- especially in the core area. You'll find shopping carts abandoned in parking spots in every lot. The carts multiply so quickly that the people working to round them up are overwhelmed. Many parking spots are blocked by carts, and on windy days all of our vehicles are in peril.

It's common courtesy to put things back where you found them. You teach that to your kids at home -- they're told to clean up their rooms and put things away when they're finished playing. If you take advantage of the convenience of a shopping cart, why inconvenience everyone else by leaving it where it doesn't belong? It's a short walk back to the store or to one of the cart return corrals in the lot.

The same courtesy could be applied to litter in our community. During the spring, there are several clean-up and beautification efforts around the Valley. The amount of trash collected during those efforts is mind boggling. As soon as the clean-ups are complete, the litter begins to pile up again.

You can find anything from beer bottles to dirty diapers along the roadways and in parking lots all around the Valley. If you wouldn't throw those things on your living room floor, why do you litter your community with them? If you would throw those things on your living room floor, please keep them there -- that's one thing the rest of us would rather not share.

If our community is going to remain a nice place to live during this rapid growth period, we've all got to respect one another. That's what's made the Valley such a great place for so long.