that last comment pretty much nailed it, becoming a bigger city brings in big city problems.  We wanted to expand (god knows why, money isnt a big enough motivator to want these kinds of issues)  and so along with expansion comes social economic issues.  

I personally witnessed loads of people driving up to alaska from the lower 48 as i was on my way home from vacation this year.  The plates were not AK plates and at various gas stations i asked people where they were headed and they all said anchorage, job offers or hopes of a better economic entrance... etc.  so please expect more garbage to come with the increase in numbers.