Other Kinds of Educational Opportunities

I could not help but chuckle when I read Robert Gross’ letter “Preserving Pierce College.” Gross noted that “the campus and farm land at Pierce College is a public asset that must be preserved for the educational opportunities of current and future generations.” I agree.

Why then does Gross object to Pierce College property being used for the Arts Park Project or the Children’s Science Museum, Discovery Pavilion? Are these not educational? Would they not benefit current and future generations? Of course they are and would.

Gross is concerned that “the farm store has been closed, the dairy program has been discontinued and the milking cows will be sold off almost immediately.” Are we expected to believe that the farm store and dairy program have more educational opportunities than the Arts Park and Discovery Pavilion? Of course they don’t.

Gross fought Congregation Shir Chadash’s proposal to build a Jewish temple on Pierce College property. A religious facility, regardless of denomination, represents educational opportunities. I don’t see Gross or the Woodland Hills Homeowners Organization prepared to contribute millions of dollars to the Pierce College budget so it can continue to train the many future San Fernando Valley dairy farmers.

The harsh reality is that Gross and his association oppose any development at Pierce College. The other harsh reality is that public land may be used for public benefit. As much as Gross has a vision of the San Fernando Valley as it appeared in the 1950s, the public requires development such as the Arts Park, Discovery Pavilion and Temple Shir Chadash far more than providing a home for milking cows.

MICHAEL A. ZUGSMITH

Studio City