Dear Andrew,

I am the writer that submitted the "Best of Big D" pick to D Magazine. Like most of my neighbors and residents of Richardson, we had no idea this tear down was in the works.

It's tragic that future generations are denied the enjoyment of the rocket because of the limitations of a few. And, isn't that the central issue? A few children can't access these playground features, and this is potentially a(n) litigation or ADA issue?

The COR had an excellent platform to "sell" the city and highlight its many features from the D Magazine spotlight. I survey my my associates (some residents, some not) last Friday upon first learning of the tear down..."What do you remember MOST about Richardson?" The answers were equally split: 1) the rocket, and 2) "the dead/dismembered crack whore/junkie on the east side" (their words, not mine).

I am from Richardson, and currently live here (restoring [an estate from a prominent family])...

This is tragic.

Amanda Tackett

Andrew Laska responds:

Amanda,

I'm going to stop addressing the regulatory issues. I was on the playground task force but frankly nobody from the city stepped out publicly today to explain things. I had to do some of that myself. I find that disappointing and it shows a lack of leadership.

I agree with you with regards to selling the city. This is exactly the point I made at the beginning of this a year ago. That is why I suggested taking this equipment and making it into artistic pieces if it can't be playground equipment. Although the city said they want to do that, I was on the task force and that they seemed committed to do it was a surprise to me. You think they would let people in the task force know that they were going to make public commitment to it since we had so much on our backs. I am not hopeful or optimistic that the future artistic use will be something that repects the heritage of the city or the park. So far, some people in the city government have had to be dragged kicking and screaming into this so I am not convinced there it real commitment or understanding at this point.

The situation might change and I would love to have my opinion changed by positive action.

Andrew