Fairbanks, Alaska, no RV parking!

[Kirk]

This was just released by the Escapees RV Club:

received this news bulletin from Escapees RV Club.
************************************************** ********************
Escapees E-News Release

Fairbanks Fails to Repeal RV Parking Restrictions
08/10/2005

The City Council in Fairbanks, Alaska, in a split decision, has defeated proposed Ordinance 5610, which would have removed RV parking restrictions in Fairbanks. We were sorry to hear that they chose to continue to restrict RV parking, especially in the face of many e-mails and phone calls from RVers supporting the proposal.

A fellow Escapee, John Christman #54692, was present at the meeting and testified in favor of the proposed ordinance. John sent us the following report on the proceedings.

A strange twist of events took place tonight at the City Council meeting. There were a total of 81 e-mails (all from the Lower 48). 80 of them were in favor of the proposed ordinance to lift the ban on RV parking on private property. One was against. They received 13 phone calls (also all from the Lower 48). 11 were in favor and 2 against. There were a total of 12 people from the community of Fairbanks who spoke. 9 spoke against, and 3 spoke in favor of the proposed ordinance. I also spoke in favor of Ordinance 5610 and was granted extra time to complete my testimony. (I was the only one granted this extra time, maybe because of what I had to say about an experience I had in Kingman, AZ, six years ago, or maybe because I came from so far away). There followed a very lengthy discussion from each of the Council members, then the vote was taken. The vote from the six Council members was a 3-3 tie, with the mayor, who proposed the ordinance, voting against his own proposal for the tie-breaking vote. The ordinance was defeated, so the RV parking ban remains in effect.

Thanks, John, for being there to testify and for reporting the outcome! Thanks also to all who e-mailed or called the Mayor's office. At this time, we don't know if anything further can be done, but you may want to send a letter or e-mail indicating your disappointment with the decision.

Mayor Steve M. Thompson
800 Cushman Street, Fairbanks, AK 99701
1-907-459-6793 - smthompson@ci.fairbanks.ak.us

Fairbanks Convention and Visitors Bureau
550 First Ave., Fairbanks, AK 99701
1-800-327-5774 - info@explorefairbanks.com

Greater Fairbanks Chamber of Commerce
800 Cushman Street, Suite 114, Fairbanks, AK 99701
Phone: 1-907-452-1105 - info@fairbankschamber.org

[Kirk]

This was just released by the Escapees RV Club:

received this news bulletin from Escapees RV Club.
************************************************** ********************
Escapees E-News Release

Fairbanks Fails to Repeal RV Parking Restrictions
08/10/2005

The City Council in Fairbanks, Alaska, in a split decision, has defeated proposed Ordinance 5610, which would have removed RV parking restrictions in Fairbanks. We were sorry to hear that they chose to continue to restrict RV parking, especially in the face of many e-mails and phone calls from RVers supporting the proposal.

A fellow Escapee, John Christman #54692, was present at the meeting and testified in favor of the proposed ordinance. John sent us the following report on the proceedings.

A strange twist of events took place tonight at the City Council meeting. There were a total of 81 e-mails (all from the Lower 48). 80 of them were in favor of the proposed ordinance to lift the ban on RV parking on private property. One was against. They received 13 phone calls (also all from the Lower 48). 11 were in favor and 2 against. There were a total of 12 people from the community of Fairbanks who spoke. 9 spoke against, and 3 spoke in favor of the proposed ordinance. I also spoke in favor of Ordinance 5610 and was granted extra time to complete my testimony. (I was the only one granted this extra time, maybe because of what I had to say about an experience I had in Kingman, AZ, six years ago, or maybe because I came from so far away). There followed a very lengthy discussion from each of the Council members, then the vote was taken. The vote from the six Council members was a 3-3 tie, with the mayor, who proposed the ordinance, voting against his own proposal for the tie-breaking vote. The ordinance was defeated, so the RV parking ban remains in effect.

Thanks, John, for being there to testify and for reporting the outcome! Thanks also to all who e-mailed or called the Mayor's office. At this time, we don't know if anything further can be done, but you may want to send a letter or e-mail indicating your disappointment with the decision.

Mayor Steve M. Thompson
800 Cushman Street, Fairbanks, AK 99701
1-907-459-6793 - smthompson@ci.fairbanks.ak.us

Fairbanks Convention and Visitors Bureau
550 First Ave., Fairbanks, AK 99701
1-800-327-5774 - info@explorefairbanks.com

Greater Fairbanks Chamber of Commerce
800 Cushman Street, Suite 114, Fairbanks, AK 99701
Phone: 1-907-452-1105 - info@fairbankschamber.org

[Stan Birch]

Kirk,

I think Alaska has now changed forever; and in a direction unfavourable to RVers.

As rather unique and hardy culture, I'm convinced that they have little tolerance for whimpy south-of-the-border warm-season panty waists.

We did the quick tour of Alaska a couple months ago; and left with the feeling that we were neither wanted nor tolerated. A big departure from the good ole days when Alaskans figured that the summer tourist season had officially kicked off, when the Fred Meyers parking lot was more than half-filled with RVers.

But that was then, and this is now. Not only in Fairbanks, but virtually every shopping mall in Anchorage is also blanketed with "RVers Not Welcome" signs!

During our brief few hours in Fairbanks, the pavement markings at the local Wal-Mart included a number of parking sites labelled "RV Parking". But they were all empty! In the midst of the Alaskan tourist season, there wasn't so much as a single RV to be found in the Wal-Mart parking lot!

So, accepting the fact that we weren't at all welcome in Fairbanks, we continued on down the road to some sort of conservation site at North Pole, Alaska. Not sure if the entire effort was a compliment; but with one look at me, the teenager at the gate told us that there would be no fee for camping in their facilities; and issued us an ole **** Pass!

The Alaskan anti-RV tourism climate has changed significantly over the past year. Bottom line . . Alaskans no longer want RVers invading their state!! Not exactly an idea that's going to keep me awake at night. We've already done Alaska; and once is enough!!

[Hitchhiker]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Alaskans no longer want RVers invading their state!! </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

I'll wager increased fuel prices have more of an impact on whether or not RV'rs continue to tour Alaska in significant numbers than the 'wants' of the residents there.

[Stan Birch]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">I'll wager increased fuel prices have more of an impact on whether or not RV'rs continue to tour Alaska in significant numbers than the 'wants' of the residents there. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>
Fuel prices have been high this year; but a full 99 out of every 100 vehicles heading north on the Alaska Highway were RVs!

[Susan in Alaska]

&gt;&gt;
I think Alaska has now changed forever; and in a direction unfavourable to RVers.

As rather unique and hardy culture, I'm convinced that they have little tolerance for whimpy south-of-the-border warm-season panty waists.
&gt;&gt;


I'd be willing to bet on the fact that Alaskan's own more RVs than any other group of people. Go into any neighborhood in alaska, rich or poor and look around.
On every block you will see between one and 4 RVs parked in the driveways. So laws passed against RVers effect Alaskan's just as much as those from
"outside".

Susan
in Anchorage

[Jestme13]

Good thinkin Susan

[Gary RVRoamer]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">On every block you will see between one and 4 RVs parked in the driveways. So laws passed against RVers effect Alaskan's just as much as those from
"outside". </div></BLOCKQUOTE>


The Alaskans drive their RVs south for the winter. And during the summer they aren't parking at Walmarts.

[Rich & Zara]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by RV Roamer:
The Alaskans drive their RVs south for the winter. And during the summer they aren't parking at Walmarts. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>
Just today I saw five RV's in the parking lot of our local WalMart and two of those had Alaska plates.

Rich

Our RV trip to Alaska

[RVDriver]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Just today I saw five RV's in the parking lot of our local WalMart and two of those had Alaska plates. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>
BUT! When we went to Alaska in 2002, 70% of those "Alaska Plates" were "Rental Units" from Anchorage, Alaska, people fly/boat in and rent an RV for 2 weeks to a month, we talked to many from Europe!

Bruce

[rhoevinbt]

Rich and Zara,

I really enjoyed your slide show of your trip to Alaska. The DW and I have been thinking of a trek for our 30th anniversary (still a couple years away).

Thanks for the link!
Kevin

[Full Moon Over Salem]

This has me concerned. My DH and I are planning an extended trip there. We were also hoping to find part time work while there.

I am not sure how this will affect us. We do have a place to park near Homer on our friend's property which is outside any city limits.

I soppose we are allowed to park our RV's while we shop Walmart or other market?