If things weren't bad enough for Arizona's state parks, ABC News in Phoenix reported today that $250,000 left by eighty-two year old Asta Forest to Arizona State Parks has been "poached".
"She wanted to give this money so that other people could enjoy the state parks and all they have to offer," said trustee and family friend Roger Essenburg.
While parks officials were considering what to do with her donation, when the state Legislature met to cut cash from the budget, $213,000 was taken away from the Arizona State Parks donation fund--most of Forest's donation.
Can you blame folks for being upset with the state for taking the donated money and using it to fill gaps in Arizona's budget? Essenburg said he's very angry with the state for poaching Forest's donation.
"She would have never given money if she knew it would be used for other things other than the parks," said Essenburg.
It seems the Legislature can take any donations that have not been earmarked for a specific purpose, and use them as they need to.
Come on, Arizona. Are you legislators aware of what a backlash acts like this can provoke? I hope your mailboxes overflow with irate parks users demanding the return of these funds to their proper use, and that you reconsider the shortsighted plan to close the state parks to save money.
Go here for a list of the email addresses of the members of the Arizona state senate. Send them an email and let them know what you think.
Monday, January 4, 2010
Keep Arizona State Parks open
Lawmakers’ decisions last month to close some Arizona State Parks means that some will close by year’s end, said Renee Bahl the agency's director.
The only question that remains is, which ones?
Bahl said the system--which gets no direct taxpayer dollars--is being crippled because of the legislative action to take away a chunk of the funds they get from other sources. That includes not only the fees paid by those who go to the parks but also special funds raised from assessments on registration of boats and off-road vehicles.
The bottom line, she said, is that her agency will have just $7.5 million to spend rather than the $19 million it had planned for the fiscal year that began last July 1.
Bahl said she will make specific recommendations to the board on which parks to close in two weeks at their January 15th meeting. The bad news is that it will likely close the smallest and least used of the parks. But, she said, the cash from the parks that stay open might eventually be enough to reopen one or more of those shut down.
Topping the list of money producers is Kartchner Caverns, followed by Slide Rock in Sedona, and Lake Havasu state parks. Catalina State Park brings in about $193,000 more a year than it costs to operate.
At the bottom of the list is Tonto Natural Bridge near Payson, where costs exceed revenues by $541,000. Red Rock State Park at Sedona operates on a $190,000-a-year loss, with six-digit deficits at Tubac Presidio, Picacho Peak, Homolovi Ruins and the Riordan Mansion in Flagstaff.
Can this be the end of these parks?
Bahl said, though, the board will have to consider other factors when deciding which parks should be shut down.
"There's one-time costs like fencing or if we needed to add a security system to a building or board something up," she said. "And we're still going to need to keep an eye on it after that, checking it both for fire hazards and seeing if there's any trespassing.”
Do they not recognize that the parks bring in more in tax dollars from visitors to communities than just the cost to operate the parks? Can lawmakers be that clueless?
What about the idea that was recently floated about putting an optional $15 surcharge on the registration fees for all vehicles in the state. The fees would raise enough to keep the system operating, with motorists who paid the extra cash getting free admission all year to every state park. Sounds like a win-win situation to me.
Many of the parks will be lost forever because of previous legal agreements. For example, the Tombstone Courthouse and parking lot reverse to previous owners if it is permanently closed. Land at Picacho Peak and Lost Dutchman reverts to the federal Bureau of Land Management if they are no longer operated as parks, with the Defenders of Wildlife entitled to reclaim Oracle State Park if shuttered. Yuma Prison would have to be given back to the federal government.
Do you want to do something about it? Well, you can. And you don’t have to be a resident of Arizona either.
Call, email, or write Governor Jan Brewer and urge her to veto the parks cuts (a sample letter can be found on the State Park Foundation’s Website).
Phone: 602-542-4331 or 800-253-0883
Email via Governor's Contact page at: www.governor.state.az.us/Contact.asp
Mail: The Honorable Jan Brewer, Governor of Arizona,
1700 West Washington, Phoenix, Arizona 85007
Do it now! And pass the word among those snowbirding in Arizona. You may not have another chance!
The only question that remains is, which ones?
Bahl said the system--which gets no direct taxpayer dollars--is being crippled because of the legislative action to take away a chunk of the funds they get from other sources. That includes not only the fees paid by those who go to the parks but also special funds raised from assessments on registration of boats and off-road vehicles.The bottom line, she said, is that her agency will have just $7.5 million to spend rather than the $19 million it had planned for the fiscal year that began last July 1.
Bahl said she will make specific recommendations to the board on which parks to close in two weeks at their January 15th meeting. The bad news is that it will likely close the smallest and least used of the parks. But, she said, the cash from the parks that stay open might eventually be enough to reopen one or more of those shut down.
Topping the list of money producers is Kartchner Caverns, followed by Slide Rock in Sedona, and Lake Havasu state parks. Catalina State Park brings in about $193,000 more a year than it costs to operate.
At the bottom of the list is Tonto Natural Bridge near Payson, where costs exceed revenues by $541,000. Red Rock State Park at Sedona operates on a $190,000-a-year loss, with six-digit deficits at Tubac Presidio, Picacho Peak, Homolovi Ruins and the Riordan Mansion in Flagstaff.
Can this be the end of these parks?
Bahl said, though, the board will have to consider other factors when deciding which parks should be shut down.
"There's one-time costs like fencing or if we needed to add a security system to a building or board something up," she said. "And we're still going to need to keep an eye on it after that, checking it both for fire hazards and seeing if there's any trespassing.”
Do they not recognize that the parks bring in more in tax dollars from visitors to communities than just the cost to operate the parks? Can lawmakers be that clueless?
What about the idea that was recently floated about putting an optional $15 surcharge on the registration fees for all vehicles in the state. The fees would raise enough to keep the system operating, with motorists who paid the extra cash getting free admission all year to every state park. Sounds like a win-win situation to me.
Many of the parks will be lost forever because of previous legal agreements. For example, the Tombstone Courthouse and parking lot reverse to previous owners if it is permanently closed. Land at Picacho Peak and Lost Dutchman reverts to the federal Bureau of Land Management if they are no longer operated as parks, with the Defenders of Wildlife entitled to reclaim Oracle State Park if shuttered. Yuma Prison would have to be given back to the federal government.
Do you want to do something about it? Well, you can. And you don’t have to be a resident of Arizona either.
Call, email, or write Governor Jan Brewer and urge her to veto the parks cuts (a sample letter can be found on the State Park Foundation’s Website).
Phone: 602-542-4331 or 800-253-0883
Email via Governor's Contact page at: www.governor.state.az.us/Contact.asp
Mail: The Honorable Jan Brewer, Governor of Arizona,
1700 West Washington, Phoenix, Arizona 85007
Do it now! And pass the word among those snowbirding in Arizona. You may not have another chance!
Arizona RV resorts welcome winter snowbirds
With the wealth of Arizona RV parks there is no reason not to head out into Arizona’s dramatic landscape. If you’ve never been to an Arizona RV resort, the invigorating contrast of the red rock and blue sky will be a pleasant surprise. Return visitors have a vast appreciation for the wide open red scenery that acts as backdrop for jutting monoliths and prickly cacti. At night, the galaxy opens up and blankets the desert in an intricate lattice-work of stars, the likes of which you may never find anywhere else. Alongside the sparkling Colorado River, the oasis in the desert, are two fantastic resorts that offer both luxury and location, two of the best indicators of great vacation destinations.
Lake Havasu RV Resort - Located near Lake Havasu and Lake Havasu City, Arizona this RV resort is a fisherman’s dream. Lake Havasu is home to many professional fishing competitions and boasts some of the best fishing around. Catch Bass, Crappie, Sunfish, Catfish, or perhaps even one of the elusive White Sturgeon that were stocked in the lake in the late 60’s. None of the Sturgeon have been caught yet, but they can survive for up to one hundred years so don’t count them out just yet!
Although this area is far from the drizzly, gridlocked streets of London, you can still visit the original London Bridge. Robert Paxton McCulloch, an American businessman, bought the bridge after the city of London deemed it unable to withstand the traffic of the city. The bridge was taken apart, brick by brick, and re-laid in Arizona. Capture the spirit of the bridge and visit the Olde English village that sits just beneath it. Have a pint and some fish and chips in one of the village’s restaurants and you will truly feel that you have been transported halfway across the globe.
Yuma Lakes RV Resort – In southern Arizona, close to the historic town of Yuma, this resort is swarming with life. Head into Yuma for some gun-slingin’ history and visit the Yuma Territorial Prison State Park, the most popular state park in Arizona. It was once the home of Arizona’s worst criminals and has caught the world’s imagination in movies, books, and television for decades since. Back at the resort, you can fish on the pristine lake stocked with Bass and enjoy peace and quiet to soothe your soul.
Lake Havasu RV Resort - Located near Lake Havasu and Lake Havasu City, Arizona this RV resort is a fisherman’s dream. Lake Havasu is home to many professional fishing competitions and boasts some of the best fishing around. Catch Bass, Crappie, Sunfish, Catfish, or perhaps even one of the elusive White Sturgeon that were stocked in the lake in the late 60’s. None of the Sturgeon have been caught yet, but they can survive for up to one hundred years so don’t count them out just yet!Although this area is far from the drizzly, gridlocked streets of London, you can still visit the original London Bridge. Robert Paxton McCulloch, an American businessman, bought the bridge after the city of London deemed it unable to withstand the traffic of the city. The bridge was taken apart, brick by brick, and re-laid in Arizona. Capture the spirit of the bridge and visit the Olde English village that sits just beneath it. Have a pint and some fish and chips in one of the village’s restaurants and you will truly feel that you have been transported halfway across the globe.
Yuma Lakes RV Resort – In southern Arizona, close to the historic town of Yuma, this resort is swarming with life. Head into Yuma for some gun-slingin’ history and visit the Yuma Territorial Prison State Park, the most popular state park in Arizona. It was once the home of Arizona’s worst criminals and has caught the world’s imagination in movies, books, and television for decades since. Back at the resort, you can fish on the pristine lake stocked with Bass and enjoy peace and quiet to soothe your soul.
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