I have been a Kenai River property owner since 2002, and I have fished the Kenai since 1989. I am very concerned by the downturn in the fishery, and the lack of cooperation between user groups.

King salmon are a sport fish priority in Cook Inlet salmon fisheries. Sport fisheries benefit more from greater abundance of fish, not less. We benefit from managing Kenai River king salmon fisheries for maximum sustained return, not minimum escapement goals. Making sure we have healthy escapements to deliver larger returns of kings is critical.

As Homeless Liaison for the KPBSD Students in Transition Program, I see first-hand how challenging day-to-day life can be for many of our local families. The holiday season can be especially difficult, as finances often become strained even for those without special housing concerns. Many agencies and individuals recognized a need and offered their support. This support came in many forms, including beautiful handmade stockings and quilts, presents, gift cards for unaccompanied youth, numerous food boxes, hygiene products, crocheted hats, and a variety of miscellaneous supplies.

Sunday’s Clarion ran a front page story entitled, “6,500 losing federal benefits.” The article highlighted a personal story of a woman who quit her job so that she could take care of her aging grandmother and with the loss of her long term unemployment, she feared that she might lose her apartment. While her intentions to take care of her aging grandmother are admirable, she really isn’t qualified for unemployment insurance benefits; after all, she doesn’t seek or want a job because she would rather take care of her grandmother.

Kevin Delaney’s Voices of Alaska (Clarion, Dec. 23), should be called Voices of Colorado, the author’s place of residence. The article titled “Proposals Would Hurt Personal Use, Sport Fishing” is off. Personal use fishermen are unlimited. The city of Kenai is buying another tractor to clean up the mess. KRSA, where are all the early kings? The state/board of fish, systematically re-allocates a fully allocated fishery with each board of fish regulatory cycle.