Post by Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe on Jan 8, 2005 0:43:19 GMT -6
An Amateur Observatory's skies are about to be destroyed
The Oil Region Astronomical Society in Northern Pennsylvania is in danger of losing it's dark observational skies due to some silly playground on stilts that the local governmental body is planning....
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Dear Oil Region Astronomical Society Supporter,
The Oil region Astronomical Society needs a few minutes of your time. As
many of you are aware, ORAS built an Observatory in Two Mile Run County
Park, Venango County, Pennsylvania in the early 90's. We retained a signed
agreement with the County prior to construction, and that lease agreement
was honored until the County switched to a private management company known
as Parks Unlimited. The goal of the private mangers appears to be the
commercialization of the Park for profit. Parks Unlimited, in its
management agreement, receives 30% of all profit. Last year the Park was
taken out of the hands of the people of Venango County, and sold to a Park
Authority for $1.00. In addition, nine of the members of the Parks
Unlimited Board were placed on the new 15 member Park Authority Board. In
one of their first moves they are trying to secure funding to construct a
Tree House Village (Lodging units built on stilts so that they are in the
tree line) which will be placed about 4500 feet from the Observatory. ORAS
was guaranteed in our lease that we would be provided shut-offs to lighting
placed in the vicinity of the Observatory, the private managers, Parks
Unlimited, and the new Park Authority are ignoring this clause in our lease.
Such a project in the vicinity of the Observatory would significantly
impact the Oil Region Astronomical Observatory. We are in court on the
matter, and our attorney believes with the language in the lease we will
eventually prevail. However ... we sure could use a few minutes of your
time now.
ORAS is asking all astronomy enthusiasts, or other interested individuals to
send emails to our political officials to ask that they halt the tree house
village project, and work to return Two Mile Run County Park to the County,
and thus the people of Venango County.
Please forward this email to other usergroups or interested persons, thank
you!
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It would be a great gesture from the Chicago Astronomers if they would support the Oras with a quick note. Send you notes to Tim Spuck
ORAS President: tspuck@hotmail.com & Thier website is : http://www.oras.org./
We all have to stick together, or sink separately.