Colorado hears about seals I am a native of San Diego who grew up in Pacific Beach and graduated from La Jolla High School. I am now living in Colorado and don’t see your problem regarding the few individuals trying to evict the seals from their birthing area. I grew up playing at the Children’s Pool in La Jolla. I say “playing” because it is unsafe to swim there with undertows and the deep drop-off just a few steps into the water from the beach.   In Colorado we live in close proximity to wildlife; we co-exist with them in both the city and rural areas. Their presence is valued. To let a very small minority control your actions in this matter is unconscionable. San Diego is, or should I say was, thought of as a destination for fun water sports and activities: watching birds, whales, and yes, seals. Now it is seen as a cold bureaucracy favoring the desires of the rich over what is right and the wishes of the general population, with no regard for your natural assets. The seals are the one thing I have recommended in the past that travelers see when visiting your city. Now it is one of the things I cite as a reason to stay away. The governor has just signed into law protection for the seals. Now you have that same noisy minority trying to sneak around that law and get you to go against the wishes of the people of your state and city before that law takes effect. If you let them succeed, the whole country is going to think you are in someone’s pocket. If you give in to the cruelty you are asked to inflict on these creatures, shame on you. I have always been proud to be from San Diego, but now I feel ashamed to admit that I’m connected to what once was a gem on the California coast. If you give in to this, I will do everything I can to encourage travelers to stay away from our once fair city. Ritchie L. Hurless, Aurora, CO Seals back to city It looks like, finally, the decision, on this all-important issue for the city, is going to fall into your laps. This issue affects the city of San Diego on so many levels. Tourism, children, the elderly, locals, animal rights. It is a big mixed-up controversy. I am a firm believer that if Ellen Browning Scripps were alive today, she would be thrilled to see that the area, that she wanted devoted to the pleasure of children, has become one of the best pleasures that they could ever hope to have. A place where they can safely come and watch seals up close, and also get to see the ocean, with all of its mighty power, from a safe watching place. The breakwater and stairs that she financed for the city provides an incredible viewing area for all of us, not just the children. Growing up, it was fun when my mother used to take my brother and I for our “days at the beach,” to the Children’s Pool. We loved crawling on the stairs and watching the waves pound against the wall, on the ocean side, and watching the seals across the way, on seal rock. It was a thrill to get to see them hauling up onto the rock and diving back into the water. The idea that the Children’s Pool is a great place for children to swim is a falsehood. The water gets very deep, very close to shore. I tried to never go in without hanging onto the rocks, because before I would know what had happened, the strong undertow would have pulled me out into the deep water. My mother would have to come in and save me. The fact that it gets deep so close to shore is what causes the strong undertow. Divers love it because they can get into the water in the cove, which is sheltered from big waves, and they are in deep water instantly. I believe that the children are most benefited by letting the seals stay at the Children’s  Pool area.  What better tourist appeal can a city hope to have other than the natural attraction of these seals in their natural environment, frolicking and playing and snoozing on the sand, raising their seal pups. You can go to the area any day of the week, at any time of year and find old people, young people, tourists and locals alike, all there enjoying the fabulous view of this natural wonder.  I went down there recently and witnessed a group of young school children, on a supervised visit. They were in awe of being right there to see the seals so close, and excited as each one made a move. Either sliding into the water or hauling out, or trying to get up onto a rock. They were cheering them on. I have the pictures on my camera. How many cities would give millions of dollars to have such an attraction. One that pulls people by the thousands to their city. The seals are written up in magazines and papers all over the world. Many, many people are following this story. Please use the power that the people have bestowed upon you (with our votes) to have the courage to make a decision that benefits the majority of people, and use your voice and your voting power to keep the seals where they are. We have miles of coastline and many sandy beaches where people and their children can go to swim. The La Jolla Cove, just yards north, across the grass, La Jolla Shores, a mile or two down the road, Windansea beach a little south, and these are just sandy beaches in La Jolla. Thank you for your consideration, and for the strength it will take for you to stand up to the few that want the seals eradicated, and to make the best decision for our city. Patricia Hausman, San Diego