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Monuments are worthy legacy 

I enjoyed reading Tom Elias’ piece about President Clinton and the national monuments (Opinion, June 28). I am happy that Clinton has chosen this way of perpetuating his memory. Corporations who log, mine and graze the lands we own are well represented in Congress. Also, the influential American Recreation Coalition represents resorts, theme parks and petroleum companies. Fee “demonstration” projects and public-private partnerships sponsored by these America Inc. groups were “forced” by cuts in the budgets of the United States Forest Service, the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, the National Park Service, and the Bureau of Land Management. Each agency then designated between ten and fifty sites that are or are to be part of the program. Popular areas near urban centers will generate fees, leaving remote areas struggling to survive on their meager allotments. 

This is a reversal of the concept of a public good. Youth, the elderly, and poor people with children will bear the greatest burden. 

Bureaucratic czars in Smoky the Bear garb have become free of Congressional control. That’s why I waved a sign in front of the Disney store kitty-corner from Union Square (in San Francisco) a couple of weekends ago. 

Richard Thompson 

Berkeley (summer resident) 

Keene provided leadership 

I believe the City of Berkeley has benefited from City Manager James Keene’s leadership in the difficult job as City Manager. I think that I am a better councilperson for having worked with him. I have learned much from his management style. Even though our respective roles sometimes brought us into conflict, I valued the fact that I could be direct with him and he would patiently help with the big as well as small issues. 

The job as City Manager is a tough and often thankless one. The position becomes a lightening rod for whomever takes it. People’s criticism and frustration build up when decisions regarding government do not go their way. It takes a strong and poised person to handle all the flak. 

Mr. Keene is an articulate communicator and I think he has been generally liked by most in the community and will be missed. Personally, I will miss his sense of humor, especially when he hummed “Give peace a chance” at the city council meetings. 

Dona Spring 

Berkeley City Councilmember