From: F1.DAO@isumvs.iastate.edu (David Oesper)
Subject: San Diego Lighting / Palomar Observatory Crisis
Organization: Iowa State University, Ames IA
Date: Thu, 16 Apr 1992 05:01:51 GMT

I just talked with Phil Henderson about the Palomar Observatory /
San Diego LPS crisis, and he tells me that it is likely we will lose
the battle to keep LPS lighting in San Diego unless the members of
the city council and the mayor of San Diego get deluged with letters
from all over the world.  Phil has received over 1000 petition
signatures, but he needs more whenever you can send them -- the
sooner the better.  The city council will meet to discuss this issue
at their April 27 meeting.  Without your support, they may decide to
replace all their energy-efficient low pressure sodium streetlighting
with less-efficient high pressure sodium, at a cost of several
million dollars.  The "big lie" that Councilman John Hartley in
particular is telling is that "yellow lights cause crime".  There is
absolutely no basis in fact for this statement.  LPS has been used
successfully in many communities all over the world, and I think we
are going to see a lot more of it in the future -- unless the San
Diego City Council sets a precedent that "LPS isn't good."  Many of
us know that this is not the case.  Hartley and others represent a
minority who "don't like yellow lights" and they are playing dirty
politics (with *no* basis in fact whatsoever) to get the lighting
changed by telling a BIG LIE.  It's an old trick.

So, please write a letter in your own words, and be sure to stress
other issues (economics, energy conservation) as well as astronomy
(LPS is easy to filter out because it is monochromatic).  If you are
a non-astronomer, be sure to let them know that fact when you write.
If you have any personal experience with low pressure sodium lighting
be sure to let them know about it.

We need all the letters we can muster from both astronomers and
non-astronomers.  Write your letter, and send a copy to each of the
eight council members and the mayor listed below, and send a copy to
Phil Henderson (also listed below).  REMEMBER, what happens in San
Diego on April 27 could have FAR REACHING consequences for outdoor
lighting and astronomy throughout the U.S. and beyond.  Feel free to
call Phil Henderson if you have any questions or wish clarification
on the issues.

David Oesper
Dark Sky Preservation Section
Ames Area Amateur Astronomers
Ames, Iowa  USA

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Mayor - Maureen O'Connor       [undecided]

District 1 - Abbe Wolfsheimer  [favors removing LPS]
District 2 - Ron Roberts       [favors removing LPS]
District 3 - John Hartley      [HE'S the INSTIGATOR]
District 4 - George Stevens    [undecided]
District 5 - Tom Behr          [undecided]
District 6 - Valerie Stallings [undecided]
District 7 - Judy McCarty      [undecided]
District 8 - Bob Filner        [undecided]

San Diego City Council         phone: (619) 236-6440
202 C St. 10th floor             fax: (619) 236-6529
San Diego, CA  92101

Also be sure to send a copy of your letter to:

Phil Henderson
Save Palomar Committee
24142 Rutherford Rd.
Ramona, CA  92065              phone: (619) 726-1068