Letters: Michael Strahan's space voyage 'dumb,' Metro Park staff rewarded despite missteps

Wasteful space trip for Strahan contributes to global warming

Don't really care if you back Trump or Biden policies on global warming, what ABC's "Good Morning America" is doing is just plain wrong.

Sending Michael Strahan into space and then promoting the event like a news human interest story is a waste of energy, waste of money and contributing to global warming.

More: Michael Strahan is joining Blue Origin's next flight: 'I wanted to go to space!'

It is definitely sending the wrong message to everyone.

It is not OK to do dumb things because you are rich.

Ray Merrill, Marysville

Urge Sen. Portman to support Build Back Better

Sen. Rob Portman was instrumental in negotiating the $1 trillion infrastructure bill. which was bipartisan; a rare accomplishment these days. Kudos to Sen. Portman.

More: Opinion: Bipartisan infrastructure bill good for our region, our state and our nation

Although the senator is retiring at the end of his term, he has the opportunity to continue his leadership by supporting the next iteration of restoring our country: President Biden's Build Back Better bill. This would be an extraordinary act given the position of the Republican Party, but he may be capable of taking such a stand.

It would help if he heard from us, his constituents. If he did, that would also be extraordinary.

More: Nan Whaley: Preschool should not just be for those who can afford it

Can we who believe the Build Back Better bill is indeed a once-in-a-generational opportunity to invest in people and climate control, muster the strength to make a call to encourage our junior senator to support Build Back Better?

I hope so.

Virginia M. Vogts, Columbus

Metro Parks problems only resolved after probe

The Columbus and Franklin County Metro Parks Board of Commissioners recently awarded 5% bonuses to members of its executive staff.

While growth of the Metro Parks is a key element in reviewing staff success, and in approving bonuses, one would hope that proper administration of park assets — both physical and financial — would be of high priority at the same time.

More: Columbus Zoo reviewing use of zoo-owned houses for family of executives

The chair of the board commended Executive Director Tim Moloney and the staff for their dealing with a mishandling of park housing and buildings after “the Dispatch brought it to light” (June 20, "For years, lease has prevented public access to scenic area") several months ago.

More: House in Clear Creek Metro Park used for years as developer's private retreat

Much earlier in the year the Dispatch reported on similar handling of housing owned by the Columbus Zoo (March 6, "Use of zoo homes raises questions").

So, as I would understand all this, the problem was created by staff.

The staff might have been aware of potential problems after reading the earlier news on the Zoo housing issues. But it was only resolved after an investigation by the Dispatch.

More: Zoo, Equitas, Shelter Board must work to re-earn trust after disgraceful scandals

Everybody learned their lesson. Not sure what it was, though.

Toba Feldman, Columbus

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Letters: Strahan's wasteful space trip contributes to global warming