Seattle Press on Line - Letters to the Editor

Letters to the Editor

Nov 21, 2001 -- Pacific Science Center Learns the Science of Lying

To the Editor:

I read an article in the October 25 issue of The Seattle Press about the layoffs of Pacific Science Center staffers. PSC Associate Director Dennis Schatz lied to you people.

I am a paying member of the Pacific Science Center, and my membership is coming up for renewal. The question I need to ask myself is, is it worth my renewal for events that I am paying for and not getting, and the safety of my life. I called the membership office to voice my opinion and displeasure of what is going on at the Pacific Science Center, and they passed it on to the appropriate administrators.

He (Schatz) stated that it was called “reorganization,” I guess that is what you would call it when programs are cancelled and you don’t have people who are knowledgeable and passionate about science. It was on the second weekend after the “reorganization” that I went to the Science Center. I wanted to see the show at the planetarium; usually there were five showings, but it was cut down to one showing. When I wanted to ask a question about one of the science exhibits, I could not find anyone. And when I finally found someone, their response was, “I don’t know…I was just told to go here…”

What kind of people is Dennis Schatz staffing the Science Center with? I found these people to be lacking in passion for science and knowledge about science. What would happen in an emergency if there was no one on the floor that knows what to do? At the toddlers’ play area, there is no one to staff it, or if there is a person that person has to cover more than one area. (That is where my concern for safety is.) There were also programs to the schools that were canceled.

I do not pay for my membership to have cancellations and lack of people to answer my questions (who are not passionate about science if they are there to answer my questions). And I also found out that my dues are going up—not a good choice for the Science Center to make at this time. So therefore if you want me to continue as a member, then you need to hire back those “…trained educators and workers…” that are passionate about science.

Stephen Paul Croston

Scrutinize Zoo Privatization Deal

To the Editor:

The city council will meet on December 3 to discuss the city's plan to transfer operations of Woodland Park Zoo to the Woodland Park Zoo Society. As an animal lover, I'm worried.

Privately run agencies are not normally under the same disclosure obligations as publicly run entities. Will the public have access to critical information about animal care?

Given some of the disturbing reports that have recently surfaced about animal care at Woodland Park Zoo, I'd like some reassurance that concerned citizens will have oversight.

Better yet, why doesn't the city appoint a representative from the animal protection movement to help oversee zoo operations?

Let's not forget this is the same zoo that approved Chai, the elephant, be beaten by keepers at Missouri's Dickerson Park Zoo, when she was sent there to breed in 1998. With management like this, I think the animals need all the scrutiny we can offer.

Ms. Simon Chaitowitz
(Seattle resident living temporarily in D.C.)

Keep Aurora Avenue Parking

To the Editor:

Eliminating on-street parking from Aurora Avenue North is a very bad idea, not only for the merchants, but for anyone who cares about creating pedestrian-oriented streets.

The merchants' pleas to maintain on-street parking are consistent with the basic rules of urban design—building to the property line, providing windows and doors, etc.—and should be supported.

David Sucher
Author of City Comforts

War Planes Keep Us Remembering

To the Editor:

It has been reported that organizers of various Veteran's Day events had chosen not to include military jet "fly-overs'' as part of their events, saying it would be "inappropriate.''

This is just one more example of political correctness sensitivity that has gone off base. A jet flying over is no more offensive than having our troops marching in a parade.

Sure, fly-overs would remind us of the tragedy; they would also remind us of America's strength to combat such evils. Across this nation people are banning patriotic symbols so as not to offend anyone. Balderdash! This is America! If we cannot show our pride in our country then we have slipped further down the slope of less freedom than I have previously believed. If a visitor to our country is offended by our loyalties to this great nation they can go home. If we avoid anything that reminds us of the attack of September 11, 2001 then we fail to remember the fallen.

Let us be reminded, in our displays of patriotism and our pride for America, that Americans have died, some innocently and [some] who have intentionally risked their lives for others and our freedom.

Remember Pearl Harbor and the Alamo. Remember the tragedy, remember September 11, 2001.

Roger W Hancock

Health Care Security

To the Editor:

We all feel less secure these days, due to 9/11 and all its effects on our economy. With a recession on the brink, more people are going to lose their health insurance—or have to pay more out of their own pockets to keep or get it. We continue to live with a health care system that is fragmented and administratively heavy. Within this system, we pay more and more for less and less care, and cover less and less people. We've got to do something to stop this waste of money, and leaving people to fend for themselves regarding insurance!

In fact, many states are working on legislation or initiatives, including Washington state, to solve this issue the most cost-effective way: a single-payer system. It's not perfect, but the best that is possible in order not to discriminate against people in regards to age, health or employment status, or reflect an attitude of “me vs. us” (the reason most other developed countries have such a system). The healthier all of us are, the stronger the nation will be!

There are so many other factors making us insecure and vulnerable today. Let's eliminate healthcare coverage as one of them. Support the one organization in Washington state, Healthcare 2000s, working for the best solution.

Ruth Knagenhjelm
Health-care 2000s

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