Paramount Theatre
Let the 'Tighty Whitey' Thing Go
RECEIVED Mon., Aug. 6, 2007
Dear Editor,
I guess it's that "tighty whitey" thing. The current shelter has been at that location for 50 something years and at a projected euthanasia rate of 57% for 2008 I wouldn't say that the "location, location, and location” (as some are fond of saying) has been a resounding success [“Proposed Animal Shelter Move Gets Community Howling,” News, June 15]. As far as the proposed new location being on the eastern edge of Austin? You folks who live west of I-35 need to spend a little more time on the Eastside. That location isn't the eastern edge of Austin any more than MoPac is the western edge of Austin. It might have been at one time, but times have changed.
Who in Austin can dispute the simple fact that a well-written and properly enforced spay/neuter ordinance would have more impact on the intake and kill rate at Town Lake Animal Center than all this fuss over the shelter being located a few minutes farther east? I just see a lot of yuppies (Is that word still used?) upset that they might have to spend a little time east of I-35 doing something other than drinking margaritas at Las Comales. I don't know what is in their hearts and minds, but I would like to think they will not forfeit their commitment to animals just because they have to drive a little less than five miles farther east to reach the proposed new location. It's not like someone is asking you to drive I-35 in afternoon rush hour traffic. Hell a lot of them jog that far on a daily basis. And as for the west side adopters I suspect they will do what they've always done and go to PetSmart to look at adoptable pets in a more consumer-friendly atmosphere. After all, “That pound just makes them so uncomfortable."
At one time we were focused on the real issues, but now this smoke screen has appeared, and they are delighted that it has taken attention away from the real issues of intake and kill rate. To the other Austin animal activists, y'all can do what you want, but I for one am not buying into the distraction issue of location. If location was the answer, then why has the current location worked? It's only been there a little more than 50 years? Are you asking for a little more time before we get to the real issue? Is that it? For Pete's sake, it's 2007; let that tighty whitey thing go and focus on the real issues.
I guess it's that "tighty whitey" thing. The current shelter has been at that location for 50 something years and at a projected euthanasia rate of 57% for 2008 I wouldn't say that the "location, location, and location” (as some are fond of saying) has been a resounding success [“Proposed Animal Shelter Move Gets Community Howling,” News, June 15]. As far as the proposed new location being on the eastern edge of Austin? You folks who live west of I-35 need to spend a little more time on the Eastside. That location isn't the eastern edge of Austin any more than MoPac is the western edge of Austin. It might have been at one time, but times have changed.
Who in Austin can dispute the simple fact that a well-written and properly enforced spay/neuter ordinance would have more impact on the intake and kill rate at Town Lake Animal Center than all this fuss over the shelter being located a few minutes farther east? I just see a lot of yuppies (Is that word still used?) upset that they might have to spend a little time east of I-35 doing something other than drinking margaritas at Las Comales. I don't know what is in their hearts and minds, but I would like to think they will not forfeit their commitment to animals just because they have to drive a little less than five miles farther east to reach the proposed new location. It's not like someone is asking you to drive I-35 in afternoon rush hour traffic. Hell a lot of them jog that far on a daily basis. And as for the west side adopters I suspect they will do what they've always done and go to PetSmart to look at adoptable pets in a more consumer-friendly atmosphere. After all, “That pound just makes them so uncomfortable."
At one time we were focused on the real issues, but now this smoke screen has appeared, and they are delighted that it has taken attention away from the real issues of intake and kill rate. To the other Austin animal activists, y'all can do what you want, but I for one am not buying into the distraction issue of location. If location was the answer, then why has the current location worked? It's only been there a little more than 50 years? Are you asking for a little more time before we get to the real issue? Is that it? For Pete's sake, it's 2007; let that tighty whitey thing go and focus on the real issues.
Delwin Goss