Raising Walleye

An Associated Press story making its way through the papers and certain Facebook sites has given New York State’s Governor Paterson a reason not to close State Parks. It’s called money!!
Federal officials have warned Gov. Paterson’s administration that New York could lose millions of dollars in funding if it goes forward with plans to close dozens of state parks and historic sites.
The National Parks Service warned Paterson in a letter that closing any state parks that receive federal funding could jeopardize the state’s eligibility to receive future money from the agency. The agency also warned that it could request all federal funds be withheld, including money for education and transportation.
In an open letter Friday, April 9, 2010, the governor said he would ask the commissioner of the Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation to meet with National Parks Service officials to make certain that any spending reductions don’t jeopardize the state’s eligibility for funding.
“In an environment when we have to cut funding to schools, hospitals, nursing homes, and social services, I trust that the National Park Service understands that no area of state spending, including parks and historic sites, could be exempt from reductions,” the letter said.
In a letter dated March 31, the agency’s regional director for the northeast region, Dennis Reidenbach, wrote to the governor, saying that because most of the state parks and sites had received money under the Land and Water Conservation Fund or the Federal Lands to Parks Program, closing them would be in violation of rules.
“The public has no less need for recreation opportunities and access to open space in times of economic hardship,” Reidenbach wrote in the letter.
The letter was posted on the Facebook page of U.S. Rep. Maurice Hinchey, an upstate congressman, last week.
The Paterson administration plans to close 14 historic sites because of a projected $9 million deficit. The National Parks Service has offered to help Paterson’s staff find ways to avoiding shutting the parks while still dealing with funding shortfalls.
WOW…that’s one long winded AP story. That could have been edited to two paragraphs. Talk about politicians and their fascination with wordy redundant sentences!
Anyway…two points with this. Number one, maybe they won’t close our parks. I doubt they will. We are talking money here, and dollars will get the governor’s attention. There has been a concerted effort by all sorts of people,lobbying for the parks’ remaining open. I believe we have the power. “Power to the People,” said John Lennon.
Point two: After discussing the situation with Inky the dog, we have decided to create the “Dog and Man Park Maintenance Service,” which proposes to maintain Chimney Bluffs State Park. The cost for the state has been reported to be something like $4,000 annual to keep the park open. Inky and I will offer our expert service for $194.20 for the brief season.
Paterson can contact us at Inky’s new Facebook page, which will be on-line soon. Search “dogface” and you’ll find the Inkster.