June 20th Save our State Parks!

[gon2srf]

It's too bad this happens to coincide with SummerFest but those of you who are located close to a state park might try and make it out if possible. I hate to open a can of worms but might this be a more important agenda than SummerFest? Comments please. Below is the reply I received from the California State Parks Foundation.

Dear Scott,

One of the most important, easiest and fun ways to support your state parks is to visit them!

And that is just what we are proposing you do on the weekend of June 20th! Come out in force we'll show Sacramento that state parks are important and that they are an important revenue source!

While you're there, take pictures with our SOS Poster (downloadable at our website), wearing a green ribbon, green clothes, or create your own sign telling everyone what state parks mean to you!

How to share your pictures:

* Email your pictures to us at SOSWeekend@calparks.org (reply to this email). We'll make a slide show using the images received and show your legislators and the Governor that state parks are vital to everyone!
* Post your pictures on our Facebook page

Click here for tips on uploading photos & videos from your SOS Weekend.

What better way to celebrate Fathers Day and the First Day of Summer than being in your favorite state park and showing Sacramento that state parks are important to you, your family and friends? Bring as many people out with you as you can to enjoy the park.

If you can't make it out to a park, that is ok. Make a sign and wear a green ribbon to show solidarity and snap that picture! Send them to us at SOSWeekend@calparks.org and post them on CSPF's Facebook page also.

Thanks for everything that you have done so far to make sure that state parks remain open – now let's go enjoy them!

Elizabeth Goldstein
President, CSPF
Visit us online to learn more.

[gon2srf]

Below is the autoreply I received from Governor Schwarzenegger regarding the proposed State Park Funding cuts.

Thank you for writing to me about funding for our state parks system. Your input is important to me during these challenging times.

California's natural beauty is renowned throughout the world, and I have made it my priority to protect our environment so future generations of Californians can continue to experience and enjoy what we have all come to love. Our state parks provide a fantastic introduction to the California experience and help bring our residents and visitors closer to our landscapes.

Unfortunately, the state cannot continue to bear the costs of supporting every program. Believe me when I say that these cuts have been the hardest decisions of my career as Governor, but we are in the midst of the greatest economic crisis since the Great Depression. Our revenues for the coming year are at least 27 percent below where they were projected to be just two short years ago. We now face a shortfall that has grown to $24.3 billion, and the people of California have made their voice clear: they want the state to live within its means and solve its problems through spending cuts and not tax increases.

To help manage our budget shortfall, I have proposed eliminating General Fund support for the Department of Parks and Recreation. I understand that these cuts will impact not only the lives of our park employees but the millions of park visitors who visit these national treasurers every year. In spite of these General Fund cuts, though, I will work to keep as many parks open as possible with funding from user fees. It may require raising entry and camping fees, expanding partnerships with local government and non-profit groups, and seeking additional creative ways to support our system in the future.

As I work with my partners in the Legislature to find solutions to these problems, know I will keep your thoughts in mind. Working together, I believe we can weather this storm and start the slow but steady march back toward prosperity.

Sincerely,


Arnold Schwarzenegger

[BorregoWrangler]

Thanks for the info. So are ya going to start a run in Anza Borrego that day for folks who can't make SummerFest?

[gon2srf]

Thanks for the info. So are ya going to start a run in Anza Borrego that day for folks who can't make SummerFest?

I feel bad but I'm committed to SummerFest John. I think it would be great if some OAUSA folks made it out to ABDSP to represent. I assure you I will be doing what I can though. Please feel free to start up a thread if you're thinking about heading out there. I still don't get how you go about closing Anza Borrego, it's not like it has a guard shack and a gate?