Park toy not highest cause

Tue., May 24, 2011

While I understand the need to support arts and culture within the scope of our community, I read with great interest how a group is looking to raise $15,000 to save a sculpture that doesn’t serve as much more than a giant playground toy.

At a time when our K-12 and higher education budgets are being ripped to shreds by our state Legislature, I’m pretty certain I could think of better ways to utilize $15,000 in charitable contributions.

I’ll gladly provide an example. I work as a GED instructor for the Community Colleges of Spokane. At $15 a pop, $15,000 could cover the cost of 1,000 GED test scholarships for students who need the money the most.

Education changes lives and I’ve seen it throughout my career as an educator. I’m not so certain a playground toy resembling a dinosaur bone can have the same impact.

Shawn Wash

Spokane

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