Mayor Questions Ousters at Aerospace Hall of Fame

San Diego Mayor Maureen O’Connor has intervened in the apparent dismissal of the International Aerospace Hall of Fame’s executive director, threatening to “re-evaluate” her support for a major project because of the sudden and still unexplained action.

“It is my sincere hope that you will reconsider this unfortunate action,” O’Connor wrote to Gordon Witter, president of the Hall’s board of directors, in a letter dated July 17, the day John Roche III and a second staffer were apparently asked to resign.

In the letter, O’Connor raised doubts about efforts to find a parcel of city-owned land for the Hall, which hopes to build a year-round “space camp” devoted to teaching children about science and space exploration. O’Connor’s office has worked jointly with the group since the mayor announced the proposed center as part of her Year of the Child address in 1989.

“It was largely because of the personal relationship that Mr. Roche established with my office that we have been so supportive of the Aerocenter project and the negotiations to find leased city land at Brown Field for a permanent facility,” O’Connor wrote. “I will be re-evaluating my support of the project in light of today’s events.”

In an interview Thursday, however, Paul Downey, the mayor’s spokesman, backed away from the tone of the July 17 letter. Downey said the mayor’s letter was intended to determine whether the Hall of Fame is still interested in the project now that Roche, who headed the organization for the past six years, has departed.

“We have been plunging full speed ahead on trying to make this happen before the mayor leaves office (in December),” Downey said. “We want to find out their commitment to the project, who the point person is going to be.”

Downey said that Dale Cors, a member of the hall’s board of directors, has subsequently indicated that the organization is still interested in establishing the center. After sorting out the internal matter, officials from the Hall of Fame will meet with O’Connor’s office, he said.

Witter and Speedy Rice, an attorney and board member, could not be reached for comment Thursday.

Rice on Wednesday declined to discuss the departure of Roche and Director of Educational Services Susan Snyder, saying it was an internal personnel matter that he would not discuss. Rice declined to say whether the pair, who made up half of the organization’s full-time staff, resigned or were fired.

Roche said that Witter asked him to resign without warning Friday. Roche said he was told only that the board wanted new management of the Hall of Fame, which is situated inside the San Diego Aerospace Museum in Balboa Park and is devoted to individual achievement in aerospace.