Jerel W. Steckling: A Starbucks in Yosemite would be just the beginning
Columnist Dick Hagerty asserted that “Starbucks won’t ruin our beloved Yosemite,” (Page 1B, Jan. 21). Permitting Starbucks to set up shop in Yosemite Valley may well start the ball rolling to that ruin. As many have asserted before on this topic, where will it end? Will we get a Dick’s Sporting Goods in Yellowstone next year and a Walmart Supercenter on the rim of the Grand Canyon thereafter? If permitted, it will not stop with one Starbucks.
Hagerty also seemed to welcome more cell phone towers in Yosemite. Contrary to his point, people using cell phones on trails is but not the main concern. The problem is the cell towers themselves and the roads needed to service them. Anyone who doubts the impact of a cell tower in Yosemite only needs to go to Wawona Point to see the blight caused by the Verizon cell tower there.
We all have to fight to protect what President Theodore Roosevelt called “a great solemn cathedral, far vaster and more beautiful than any built by the hand of man.” We can’t permit national parks to be degraded to the nature of the next failing mall down the road.
Jerel W. Steckling, Gustine
This story was originally published January 23, 2018 at 12:14 PM with the headline "Jerel W. Steckling: A Starbucks in Yosemite would be just the beginning."