What Others Are Saying
Read what others have been saying about closing our State Parks.
March 22, 2009, 8:47 AM
Greg Baer from Gig Harbor wrote
Save Our Parks - Mail List,
to say :
I am writing this letter to you in response to the proposed transfer of many of our State Parks to local authorities as a means of reducing budget deficits. I consider such transference to be shortsighted and irreversible, since millions of dollars in State assets would then be given up to an uncertain future. As an example, the value of the land occupied by Kopachuck State Park alone has a conservative valuation of $33M.
As an alternative, a group of concerned citizens in Gig Harbor (Preserve Our Park – www.pop.kreha.org) have proposed the adoption of a program similar to what Montana adopted five years ago. This would generate enough funds to more than offset any savings that the State might achieve by transferring some of the State Parks.
In 2004, Montana adopted a program of collecting $4 from each vehicle registration unless the registrant ‘opted-out’. This program has proven to be extremely successful in that over 40% of the Montana State Parks are now funded from vehicle registrations. Note that the existing Washington vehicle registration form provides for a voluntary ‘opt-in’ donation ($5 minimum) to the state parks. The proposed plan follows the Montana approach and makes this payment automatic unless the registrant checks the ‘opt-out’ box on a new form.
The proposed plan calls for the addition of $5 to be added to all vehicle registrations with the option to ‘opt-out’ and that this $5 be directed for the exclusive use of State Parks preservation. Furthermore, no parks are to be closed or transferred until a proper study is done, including open public meetings, to determine which parks, if any, might be candidates for closure or transfer. The first step in implementing this plan is to make a simple change to the existing registration form.
The citizens of Washington need your support and action to move this proposal through the Legislature as soon as possible.
Thank you.
April 1, 2009, 5:15 PM
Greg Baer from Gig Harbor wrote
Action List,
to say :
Dear Ladies and Gentlemen,
I have read the summaries of the Senate and House Budget proposals for 2009-11 and I would like to make my opinion heard.
I am grateful to the members of the Senate for their support of the funding plan known as the “Opt-Out” donation on vehicle registrations. I am confident that this donation, marketed in a more advantageous way, will provide the dollars needed to keep State Parks open within the State Park system. I trust that if the “Opt-Out” donation plan succeeds, that there be specific language to ensure that those funds be earmarked specifically to keep all State Parks open and operating as they are today. I also agree that the implementation of the plan should include clear and obvious language so that all citizens are aware that they have a choice.
I strongly encourage the Members of the House to reconsider their stance on the reduction of the State Parks budget and the associated reduction in Parks’ services. I ask that you re-examine the potential for funding through the “Opt-Out” donation plan.
Washingtonians love their parks and need a place to go in difficult times where they can play, hike, reconnect, learn and stay fit. Inner City kids, Scouts, kayakers and campers can continue to grow and our natural resources will be protected.
There is an opportunity here – for all of you to shed some light in this dire time. We are fortunate that the Parks budget is small and can be addressed through a relatively simple donation process that will mean so much to the people of our State. By maintaining our State Parks within the Parks system, there is a glimmer of hope that not all things have to change, close or be taken away.
Sincerely,
Greg Baer
April 14, 2009, 8:48 AM
Lynda Filson from Gig Harbor, WA wrote
Rodney Tom, Margarita Prentice, Lisa Brown,
to say :
Please consider the Senate version of the Opt-out car tag funding plan to keep our State Parks open. I do not want to see the funding decision delayed until next year, nor do I want to see car tag opt-out funding going to anything other than our state parks. Please consider this as you review the budget. Thank you.
April 14, 2009, 12:17 PM
Jim Gough from Gig Harbor, WA wrote
Rodney Tom, Margarita Prentice, Lisa Brown, Frank Chopp, Representative Dave Upthegrove, Representative Jan Angel, Senator Derek Kilmer,
to say :
Please consider the Senate version of the Opt-out car tag funding plan to keep our State Parks open. I do not want to see the funding decision delayed until next year, nor do I want to see car tag opt-out funding going to anything other than our state parks. Please consider this as you review the budget. Thank you
April 14, 2009, 3:44 PM
Mary Lynn Kotansky from 11010 54th st ct nw gig harbor, wa 98335 wrote
Rex Derr, Representative Dave Upthegrove, Senator Ken Jacobsen, Representative Jan Angel, Representative Larry Seaquist, Senator Derek Kilmer,
to say :
April 14, 2009, 4:17 PM
Kitty Gibbs from Gig Harbor, WA wrote
Terry Lee , Cecilia Vogt, Representative Dave Upthegrove, Senator Ken Jacobsen, Representative Jan Angel, Representative Larry Seaquist, Senator Derek Kilmer,
to say :
Closure of our state parks could cost the state more money than the anticipated savings because of increased crime and property destruction, decreased tourism revenues, compromised housing values and increased security risk for residents of upscale developments adjacent to the parks (especially Kopachuck State Park), and the discontinuation of childhood education at the parks (to name just a few). Creating additional cost and problems for local muncipalities that have no resources to police these unicorporated areas is no solution. Please carefully consider the cost-benefit of what's at stake here. Please consider the Senate version of the Opt-out car tag funding plan to keep our State Parks open. It works in Montana. It can work here. Thank you.
April 14, 2009, 4:29 PM
eva meassick from steilacoom, wa. 98388 wrote
Save Our Parks - Mail List,
to say :
I want all of our state parks to stay open. I am sure, if citizens have the option of contributing 5 dollars in addition to the car registration fee / and or a daily use fee, they would rather do that, than have some of our state parks closed. Many would also be willing to volunteer with upkeep.
Eva Meassick
April 14, 2009, 5:45 PM
Walker Sandlin from Fox Island, WA wrote
Terry Lee , Representative Dave Upthegrove, Senator Ken Jacobsen, Representative Jan Angel, Representative Larry Seaquist, Senator Derek Kilmer,
to say :
To Whom Who Work for Me,
Since you all receive state salaries, and I pay taxes, you work for me. So please understand what I have to say, or you may be looking for a new job.
The budget is a mess. I am a small business owner (SBO), and when things get tough, we get tough to make sure we stay within our budget, or we close the doors. One thing we don't do is sell or close revenue producing assets. We find a better way to improve the efficiencies and make them pay for themselves. I do believe that is what should be going on with our State Parks.
As a SBO, I will do what I can to keep valuable assets, whether it is people assets or tangible assets. I will make personal sacrifices in the form of lower to no pay because I know it would be hard to replicate the assets when things get better. I also ask for sacrifices from my employees, like taking vacation, working shorter weeks, anything to keep them employed, but reduce the cash flow needed to employ such talent. We all step up to make the sacrifice, with me being the first one.
Please review the option of increasing user taxes, reducing some underutilized amenities or other cost cutting measures to keep our parks open. I would also advise you to review all the expenditures and do the same with them.
It is time for you in Olympia to tighten your own belts, make some sacrifices and ask your employees to do the same. I am asking you to do it now, as your employer, or excuse yourself so I can find someone who will.
Sincerely,
Walker P. Sandlin, III
Fox Island, WA
April 14, 2009, 7:44 PM
Ben Babka from Ocean Shores WA wrote
Lynn Kessler,
to say :
Please consider the Senate version of the Opt-out car tag funding plan to
keep our State Parks open. I do not want to see the funding decision delayed
until next year, nor do I want to see car tag opt-out funding going to
anything other than our state parks. Please consider this as you review the
budget. Thank you
Ben Babka
April 14, 2009, 7:46 PM
Ben Babka from Ocean Shores WA wrote
Lynn Kessler,
to say :
Please consider the Senate version of the Opt-out car tag funding plan to
keep our State Parks open. I do not want to see the funding decision delayed
until next year, nor do I want to see car tag opt-out funding going to
anything other than our state parks. Please consider this as you review the
budget. Thank you
Ben Babka
April 14, 2009, 8:03 PM
Suzanne Annest from Tacoma, WA wrote
Representative Dave Upthegrove, Senator Ken Jacobsen, Representative Jan Angel, Representative Larry Seaquist, Senator Derek Kilmer,
to say :
Please consider the Senate version of the Opt-out car tag funding plan to
keep our State Parks open. I do not want to see the funding decision delayed
until next year, nor do I want to see car tag opt-out funding going to
anything other than our state parks. Please consider this as you review the
budget. Thank you.
Sincerely,
Suzanne Annest
April 15, 2009, 8:29 AM
Terry Romstad from Fox Island, WA wrote
Fred Olson, Senator Derek Kilmer,
to say :
Please consider the Senate version of the Opt-out car tag funding plan to keep our State Parks open. I do not want to see the funding decision delayed until next year, nor do I want to see car tag opt-out funding going to anything other than our state parks. Please consider this as you review the budget.
Washingtonians love their parks and need a place to go in difficult times where they can play, hike, reconnect, learn and stay fit. Inner City kids, Scouts, kayakers and campers can continue to grow and our natural resources will be protected.
Thank you.
April 15, 2009, 10:28 AM
Judith Fahy from Lakebay, WA wrote
Action List, Save Our Parks - Mail List, Rodney Tom, Margarita Prentice, Lisa Brown, Kelli Linville, Frank Chopp, Karen Fraser, Lynn Kessler, Pauli Sayres, Terry Lee , Tom Pew, Rex Derr, Joan Thomas, Joe Taller, Fred Olson, Eliot Scull, Cecilia Vogt, Representative Dave Upthegrove, Senator Ken Jacobsen, Representative Jan Angel, Representative Larry Seaquist, Senator Derek Kilmer,
to say :
Please consider the Senate version of the Opt-out car tag funding plan to
keep our State Parks open. I do not want to see the funding decision delayed
until next year, nor do I want to see car tag opt-out funding going to
anything other than our state parks. Please consider this as you review the
budget. Thank you
April 15, 2009, 1:58 PM
Matt Bleich from Gig Harbor, WA wrote
Representative Dave Upthegrove, Senator Ken Jacobsen, Representative Jan Angel, Representative Larry Seaquist, Senator Derek Kilmer,
to say :
April 17, 2009, 10:38 AM
JM from Fox Island, WA wrote
Action List, Save Our Parks - Mail List, Rodney Tom, Margarita Prentice, Lisa Brown, Kelli Linville, Frank Chopp, Karen Fraser, Lynn Kessler, Pauli Sayres, Marc Connelly , Terry Lee , Tom Pew, Rex Derr, Joan Thomas, Joe Taller, Fred Olson, Eliot Scull, Cecilia Vogt, Representative Dave Upthegrove, Senator Ken Jacobsen, Representative Jan Angel, Representative Larry Seaquist, Senator Derek Kilmer,
to say :
Please consider the Senate version of the Opt-out car tag funding plan to
keep our State Parks open. I do not want to see the funding decision delayed
until next year, nor do I want to see car tag opt-out funding going to
anything other than our state parks. Please consider this as you review the
budget. Thank you
April 18, 2009, 2:58 PM
Wendy Flick from Gig Harbor, WA wrote
Representative Jan Angel, Representative Larry Seaquist, Senator Derek Kilmer,
to say :
Please consider the Senate version of the Opt-out car tag funding plan to
keep our State Parks open. I do not want to see the funding decision delayed
until next year, nor do I want to see car tag opt-out funding going to
anything other than our state parks. Please consider this as you review the
budget.
Thank you,
The Flick Family (who moved to Washington last year because of the State Park that's 5 minutes from our house!)
April 19, 2009, 3:02 PM
Steve & Patti Devine from Fox Island, Wa. wrote
Rodney Tom, Margarita Prentice, Lisa Brown, Kelli Linville, Frank Chopp, Karen Fraser, Lynn Kessler, Pauli Sayres, Marc Connelly , Terry Lee , Tom Pew, Rex Derr, Joan Thomas, Joe Taller, Fred Olson, Eliot Scull, Cecilia Vogt, Representative Dave Upthegrove, Senator Ken Jacobsen, Representative Jan Angel, Representative Larry Seaquist, Senator Derek Kilmer,
to say :
There are very few in the Puget Sound area who have open access to the beaches of "the Sound" & the forests that line it's borders. To preserve the parks that allow such access is of the utmost importance & vital to enrich the experience, appreciation, & preservation of nature.
As not only a state but part of the greater world community the message of conservation, caring for the earth (which starts in our own backyards), teaching the younger & future generations the fragileness & beauty of nature, begins in all of the parks which were created with that very notion in mind.
To take that away would be taking away the rights of all who value the parks and what they were intended for.
Appreciate your time to read & consider our feelings & opinions.
Sincerely, Steve & Patti Devine
April 20, 2009, 9:03 AM
Ethan from Seattle, WA wrote
Rodney Tom, Margarita Prentice, Lisa Brown, Kelli Linville, Frank Chopp, Karen Fraser, Lynn Kessler, Pauli Sayres, Marc Connelly , Terry Lee , Tom Pew, Rex Derr, Joan Thomas, Joe Taller, Fred Olson, Eliot Scull, Cecilia Vogt, Representative Dave Upthegrove, Senator Ken Jacobsen, Representative Jan Angel, Representative Larry Seaquist, Senator Derek Kilmer,
to say :
Hello,
I grew up in Gig Harbor, and Kopachuck State park is one of my favorite places in the world. Closing this and any other state parks would be showing the short-sighted nature of the current state government regarding it's assets, and a betrayal of conservations efforts of future generations.
Do not close these parks.
Ethan Griffith
April 20, 2009, 9:57 AM
Robin Chandler from Shoreline, WA wrote
Action List, Save Our Parks - Mail List,
to say :
Please consider the Senate version of the Opt-out car tag funding plan to
keep our State Parks open. I do not want to see the funding decision delayed
until next year, nor do I want to see car tag opt-out funding going to
anything other than our state parks. Please consider this as you review the
budget. Thank you
May 21, 2009, 7:05 PM
Greg Baer from Unknown wrote
Action List, Save Our Parks - Mail List,
to say :
Thank You, Thank You, Thank You!!!!!
To everyone that supported and voted in favor of changing the vehicle registration forms so that we can Preserve Our Parks!
The citizens of the State of Washington and travelers all over the country are indebted to you for your efforts to find a way to build a patch work solution to the budget deficit. We knew you could do it.
Consider this a font size of 100. "THANK YOU!"
Greg Baer
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