FL considering closing 58 state parks mid week

[Craig H]

Just my opinion, but it seems to me that the real problem is a bunch of incompetent, untrustworthy, corrupt politicians who don't give a rats ass about the people they are elected to represent. All they care about is getting re-elected and they will do what ever it takes to achieve that end. I truly believe that most of them are bought and paid for by big oil, the big drug companies and every other special interest group represented by some sleazy lobbyist. If they close the state parks here in Ca. I will have to break out my bolt cutters.

[melvonnar]

Originally Posted by Jim Stewart

By the way, as a special interest, that is a County Park. It is impossible for a county resident to get a space during the Winter. The park is filled with Snowbirds. Yes, the Snowbirds do help support the park for the rest of the year, but I have been told that total days used between resident and non-resident are 20/80. The park runs at an annual loss and is supported by local tax dollars so that Snowbirds have a place for the Winter.

Sounds like a deal for the locals!

Ok food for thought; The statement that the park runs at a loss and is supported by local tax dollars. A lot of that tax money comes from the snowbirds that buy there needs localy
when they are here; something the locals don't seem to understand.

There are a few states that have an out of state fee that the add to the campground fees for out of state campers; they never figure that the out of state campers pay taxes in their state when they purchase things there.
They lose that money from me; I simply avoid these states alltogether. May not make much difference to them; but I feel better by not supporting these states.

[Jim Stewart]

Actually, the locals including me do understand the benefits of the Snowbirds and their additional purchases. They pay only a 6% sales tax and for this particular park, it is closer for most to shop in the County that is South of the Park, not the County the Park is in and whose tax dollars pay for the Park.

The 6% sales tax does not come back to this County and does not go to support the Park or Residents of this County. There are always two sides of astory. My original intent of my posts is to point out that it is OK to cut expenses including Parks in severe economic times, even if I am a user of those services. Everyone is a special interest group, it just changes with their interests. Ya gots to cut somwhere!