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The Tampa Tribune

Published: December 10, 2008

Zoo Needs Good Cleaning

I have been a volunteer docent at Tampa's Lowry Park Zoo for over six years, which is why I've kept my mouth shut up to now, but enough is enough. Read the exact words used by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums in temporarily revoking the memberships of both zoo President Lex Salisbury and animal Collections Director Larry Killmar: "for intentionally failing to abide" by the association's policies, etc.

Not by an error in judgment, not by overlooking a detail or making a "mistake," but by intent.

Absolutely regardless of his contributions to our wonderful zoo in the past, the most honorable thing that could happen now, especially after months of very likely wrongdoing bringing negative publicity to the zoo, would be for Salisbury to voluntarily retire his position. Killmar should go with him. The news gets steadily worse, not better, the longer and deeper the probing goes.

Perhaps we need a big, broad broom to sweep out the entire organization, but what we surely do not need is more of the same.

STEVE WEBB

Tampa

Mel's A RINO

Regarding "Mel's Farewell" (Our Opinion, Dec. 3):

Mel Martinez is one of the reasons the Republican Party is in trouble. When he joined forces with John McCain and Ted Kennedy to try to force immigration reform through the Senate, he completely strayed from the core values of the party. His ratings fell like a rock. We have not forgotten all their devious moves to try to force amnesty down the throats of the American people.

Let's see if he remains a RINO or votes with the American people and rejects all attempts at amnesty.

BETTY DOBSON

Brooksville

Sansom Must Go

Regarding "Speaker Sansom Feathers Nest At Hometown College" (Our Opinion, Dec. 5):

How did Ray Sansom ever rate being chosen as the new speaker of the state House of Representatives? The editorial reveals his excessive increase in the funding request by Northwest Florida State College from $1 million to $25.5 million.

Why did the other elected representatives go along with that increase when school districts are begging for enough money to just meet their current budget requests?

This gentleman should be ousted as speaker, and let him just enjoy his $110,000-a-year vice president's position at his alma mater, Northwest Florida State College.

JUNE AMBROSE

Plant City

Wasting Money On Mars

Young mothers cannot afford formula for their babies. Thousands of people are starving. Thousands are losing their homes. Schools are closing for lack of funds, and yet we are spending $2.3 billion - I said "billion" - to check out the climate and geology on Mars.

I'm just an old retired lady who is not a scientist or an accountant. But good common sense tells me there is something wrong with this picture.

Am I the only person who thinks this money could be spent more wisely?

LEE GOODIN

Tampa

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