Circus is cruel and unnatural environment for wild animals

The 21st century has finally created an appreciation for wildlife and those endangered species. Countries all around the world are trying to save what has been destroyed by greed and ignorance by not having the knowledge and educational facts on the vital role wildlife has on all of us. So, my question is this: Why are circuses still performing with animals?

On May 8-11, the Ringling Brothers & Barnum and Bailey Circus will be coming to our city to perform once again with animals. Audiences are encouraged to be entertained with wild animals performing ridiculous acts. Safety around wild animals is just one of many issues placing people in jeopardy. Wild animals are unpredictable. Elephants chained for endless hours, crammed in small quarters, separated from their young all experience anxiety, stress and depression. All of these can lead to major distress and dangerous outcomes.

Each year a number of elephants are destroyed because they are considered too dangerous to work with. Training a wild animal is unnatural. Forcing wild animals to perform is unnatural. To purchase a ticket to laugh at a wild animal dressed as a clown is unnatural. This weekend, think about an alternative entertainment for your family. Teach your children that these animals don’t live easy lives. Circus animals are beaten, starved and traumatized each day. After many beatings, elephants are left with bleeding, open, visible wounds. A circus employee will “spot work” using powder to cover up the wounds before show time.

Take a moment and educate yourself on what really goes on under the big top. Continue to progress, not digress back in time. Help make a difference and stop circus animal abuse by not purchasing that ticket. Put a ban on circuses coming to our town. Enough is enough!

Mary Whipple

Schoharie

Why all the secrecy regarding the library closing?

Closing the main branch of the Schenectady County Public Library for an 18-month expansion project is simply unacceptable [May 1 Gazette]. The downtown library provides a vital community service. Does a public airport or train station close for even one day during a renovation project? No. Then neither should the library.

County Legislator Gary Hughes states that the closure is for “. . . the safety of the patrons,” but one might ask why it would be safe, as also reported, for library staff to be in the building and not for the general public? How can it cost at least a million dollars extra, as purported by the library trustees’ president, to do the project in stages so that the doors could remain open? Are there detailed cost estimates for comparison available to the public? And what about using Center City as a temporary location?

Something seems fishy in the decision-making process here. The library trustees were said to have voted on it April 24 after a clerk of the works alerted them two weeks beforehand of the necessity of closing the library. It wasn’t revealed to the local newspaper until six days later. Library patrons such as myself were both shocked and outraged by the decision. Where was the public input on this proposal to close the library for a year and a half? Is this a done deal?

Linda Spaulding

Pattersonville