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Pa. Governor plans on Shutting 35 Pa. State Parks down-
I just emailed the letter below to the Editorial section of The Times Leader, Citizen's Voice, and our two senators. Governor Rendell also got my letter a few days ago. Please read below and pass on to other residents of Pa., as many do not realize that our smiling, ruddy faced Governor plans to shut down at least 35 State Parks across Pa.
I asked the the staff at Frances Slocum Park if there was a threat that they would be one of the 35 parks he will shut down. They responded that ' Yes", more than likely they will be one of these parks, as Frances Slocum is considered a "small" park which isn't lucrative enough for the State to keep open.
There was an article about this in our local papers, but the article was buried so that not many read it, and not many are aware of this new threat from our governor -- who already made that decision final to shut down the school for the deaf. What happened to the State's stimulus money from Obama? Why is the State spending money for stupid things like etiquette training for liqour store employees, but then they suddenly can't afford to keep the State Parks open-- especially at an economic time when more and more people are vacationing at these parks more than ever?
You may read my letter below - but please voice your own opinon on the contact email links to Governor Rendell and our State senators before we lose more of what we still have in Pa.
http://www.senate.gov/index.htm - brings you to an easy to use page to contact our Senators online
ra-govnews@state.pa.us -- Gov. Rendell's contact email
My letter for our local newspaper editorial:
Shutting Down Any State Park Should Not be an Option:
Governor Rendell's potential decision to Shut down at least 35 State Parks should not be an option.
Many of these State Parks have become refuge for Native wildlife and migratory birds. The park that I am especially concerned with being shut down by our State is Francis Slocum State Park, in North Eastern Pa. with it's beautiful lake and wetlands areas, migratory bird habitat, small game and deer Woodlands, and established wildlife population. If and when Governor Rendell shuts this park down there will be a real threat that the State government will sell this land off to development one day, and that leaves our native wildlife with even less natural habitat. Shutting down many of these state parks also means discontinueing important park upkeep such as gypsy moth caterpillar spraying . Homes near these parks will also be affected.
The loss of public recreation is one thing-- and I can barely deal with that, but I cannot at all deal with the potential loss of Wildlands and wildlife habitat ultimately sold off to developers . It is also beyond me that our governor will spend extra money on things like etiquette training for liqour store employees, but suddenly can't afford 35 of it's State parks--even though our State has received Stimulus money from President Obama.
In this bad economy where people are vacationing closer to home or planning more local weekend trips, more people are flocking to all of the State Parks . The public is starting to appreciate wildlands more as an escape from increased crime in our suburbs and Wilkes-Barre, Scranton area cities, as well as relief from industry, car and truck exhaust, and office buildings. Don't marvel when Governor Rendell-- who firmly decided to close the school for the Deaf follows through with his plans on shutting down these parks. I asked the staff at Frances Slocum State Park if this park might be spared. No, was the reply-- as Francis Slocum State Park is one of the 35 smaller parks that Governor Rendell can't justify remaining open-- even with it's Historical value and awesome natural resources.
Please do your part and voice your opinion with our State Senators or we will lose the public wildland refuges we have for so long taken for granted. There is an online Senator website where you can voice your opinion and submit your letter directly to our State Senators. Please visit http://www.senate.gov/index.htm
and take a stand for parks like Frances Slocum State park and other wildlife havens across Pennsylvania.
You can also Write to Governor Rendell online at: ra-govnews@state.pa.us
I asked the the staff at Frances Slocum Park if there was a threat that they would be one of the 35 parks he will shut down. They responded that ' Yes", more than likely they will be one of these parks, as Frances Slocum is considered a "small" park which isn't lucrative enough for the State to keep open.
There was an article about this in our local papers, but the article was buried so that not many read it, and not many are aware of this new threat from our governor -- who already made that decision final to shut down the school for the deaf. What happened to the State's stimulus money from Obama? Why is the State spending money for stupid things like etiquette training for liqour store employees, but then they suddenly can't afford to keep the State Parks open-- especially at an economic time when more and more people are vacationing at these parks more than ever?
You may read my letter below - but please voice your own opinon on the contact email links to Governor Rendell and our State senators before we lose more of what we still have in Pa.
http://www.senate.gov/index.htm - brings you to an easy to use page to contact our Senators online
ra-govnews@state.pa.us -- Gov. Rendell's contact email
My letter for our local newspaper editorial:
Shutting Down Any State Park Should Not be an Option:
Governor Rendell's potential decision to Shut down at least 35 State Parks should not be an option.
Many of these State Parks have become refuge for Native wildlife and migratory birds. The park that I am especially concerned with being shut down by our State is Francis Slocum State Park, in North Eastern Pa. with it's beautiful lake and wetlands areas, migratory bird habitat, small game and deer Woodlands, and established wildlife population. If and when Governor Rendell shuts this park down there will be a real threat that the State government will sell this land off to development one day, and that leaves our native wildlife with even less natural habitat. Shutting down many of these state parks also means discontinueing important park upkeep such as gypsy moth caterpillar spraying . Homes near these parks will also be affected.
The loss of public recreation is one thing-- and I can barely deal with that, but I cannot at all deal with the potential loss of Wildlands and wildlife habitat ultimately sold off to developers . It is also beyond me that our governor will spend extra money on things like etiquette training for liqour store employees, but suddenly can't afford 35 of it's State parks--even though our State has received Stimulus money from President Obama.
In this bad economy where people are vacationing closer to home or planning more local weekend trips, more people are flocking to all of the State Parks . The public is starting to appreciate wildlands more as an escape from increased crime in our suburbs and Wilkes-Barre, Scranton area cities, as well as relief from industry, car and truck exhaust, and office buildings. Don't marvel when Governor Rendell-- who firmly decided to close the school for the Deaf follows through with his plans on shutting down these parks. I asked the staff at Frances Slocum State Park if this park might be spared. No, was the reply-- as Francis Slocum State Park is one of the 35 smaller parks that Governor Rendell can't justify remaining open-- even with it's Historical value and awesome natural resources.
Please do your part and voice your opinion with our State Senators or we will lose the public wildland refuges we have for so long taken for granted. There is an online Senator website where you can voice your opinion and submit your letter directly to our State Senators. Please visit http://www.senate.gov/index.htm
and take a stand for parks like Frances Slocum State park and other wildlife havens across Pennsylvania.
You can also Write to Governor Rendell online at: ra-govnews@state.pa.us
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Mario Vaden on -
Had not heard the details of this, but it brings to mind concerns people in California have now about proposed budget cuts and parks there.
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Permalink Reply by Boldylocks on -
Yes, I heard that about California's parks being in danger from a coworker who used to live in CA.
Also New Jersey is facing this-- where the governor there plans on shutting down at least 9 State parks with thier upcoming budget.
Not many people in Pa. are paying attention to this- there are small buried articles in our newspapers here and it is on the State Park's website. Whoever I talk to around me here isnt aware of this. I spoke with the staff at Frances Slocum State Park here-- and they are painfully aware of our governor's upcoming shutdown plan. They feel that this park will be one of the 35 or so forced to shut down-- (even though the park is run largely by volunteers )
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