[SJAAboard] Draft letter to the pols

[Robert Armstrong]

Rob, this is good draft.
Robert
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Rob Hawley" <rob at robhawley.net>
To: "Sjaaboard" <sjaaboard at sjaa.net>
Sent: Tuesday, June 24, 2008 3:48 PM
Subject: [SJAAboard] Draft letter to the pols


>
> Dear xxx 6/24/08
>
> I am writing to introduce you to the San Jose Astronomical Association. 
> We are
> one of the users of Houge Park which has been designated a reuse site by 
> the
> April council vote. We notified PRN that we intend to respond to their 
> RFP.
>
> SJAA is a 501(c)(3) that offers Telescope Viewing (aka "Star Parties"),
> Beginner's Classes, and lectures from leading experts in astronomy to the
> general public for Free.  Our organization has been around for 54 years. 
> We have
> been based at Houge Park since 1992.
>
> Houge is a unique and difficult to replace site.  Since looking at the sky 
> is
> our primary activity our events occur after dark (9:30 PM to midnight this 
> time
> of year).  Houge is located far from light sources such as shopping malls. 
> The
> park lights allow us to darken the area we use, but keep lighting in the 
> rest of
> the park.  This allows us to show the public a remarkable number of 
> astronomical
> objects even though we are located in the city limits. Many people from 
> the
> local community are able to walk to our events.
>
> During our Telescope Viewing volunteers bring their scopes and allow the 
> public
> to look through them.  Public attendance at sessions varies, but is 
> typically
> around 50 non-members on a clear summer night.  It has approached 200 
> whenever a
> comet, Mars, or other event is in the news! Many organized groups such as 
> cub
> scouts and community groups are frequent visitors.  One of the local 
> colleges
> sends their students to us as a lab exercise to support their class work.
>
> SJAA is entirely autonomous.  We conduct all of our events without city
> personnel.  We carry our own liability insurance and indemnify the city. 
> All we
> need from the city is continued access to Houge Building 1.
>
> We hope the city will design the Reuse process so that we can continue to 
> serve
> the public without interruption.
>
> Thank you for your time and you are always welcome to come to Houge. We 
> will be
> happy to show you the sky.  We publish our schedule on our website listed 
> above.
> Do note we are subject to weather cancellations if the sky is not clear.
>
>
>
>
> Rob Hawley
> President, SJAA
>
> Rob Hawley
>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> SJAABoard mailing list
> SJAABoard at sjaa.net
> http://sjaa.net/mailman/listinfo/sjaaboard_sjaa.net