Oakland Councilmember Richard Dick Spees RIP To The Man Who Built The Chabot Space & Science Center by Zennie62 News Live Oakland Las Vegas NFL Draft
Oakland Councilmember Richard "Dick" Spees RIP To The Man Who Built The Chabot Space & Science Center
Richard "Dick" Spees, the great and long-time Oakland District Four Councilmember, passed away. I just got word of his passing a few moments ago. There's a lot "Dick" Spees did for the Oakland Community but most of all he must be remembered for the Chabot Science Center,
The great facility that is in the Oakland Hills and has served as a class room for millions of visitors over the years was Dick's dream. I remember when he had the idea and approach me and others for help in raising money for it. If memory serves, he manage to gain $80 million for it. Regardless of the number, the bottom line is Dick Spees built it,
For me, Dick was there for a number of issues in Oakland's history. And he was there often as an idea supporter, and sometimes not - even when you thought you had him on your side. He managed the magic trick of opposing an idea you had but not making it personal toward you. For me, that made him a friend.
That friendship came to bring an iconic event to Oakland: Cirque du Soleil. That was 1996, and I had the idea (as Oakland Mayor Elihu Harris' Economic Advisor) of bringing the great circus event to Oakland from San Francisco. So I cold-called Jennifer Dunne and got the ball rolling. It turns out Dick was in contact with her, so we teamed up and got Elihu involved, and nailed the prize.
That was an amazing and fun project that we never stopped talking about.
Dick Spees helped build modern Oakland. The best way to celebrate him is to visit the Oakland Chabot Science Center.
Thank you, Dick, for all you have done for Oakland.
🎙️ New to streaming or looking to level up? Check out StreamYard and get $10 discount! 😍 https://ift.tt/64bFThd
via YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=COUS9W9VhLM
No comments:
Post a Comment