[tcb] Re: Camping (Texas State Parks update)
- From: Steve Chamberlain <steve@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: tcb@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
- Date: Fri, 4 Feb 2011 04:15:35 -0600
Thanks James, my letters went out yesterday. If you don't say something to
your representative now then don't even think about complaining when your
favorite park is closed.
On Thu, Feb 3, 2011 at 10:08 AM, James Dwan <james_dwan_2000@xxxxxxxxx>wrote:
> Well I'm sitting here on a snow (ice) day so I figured I had no excuse to
> not get involved. I copied and pasted the letter changing the obvious info
> and added Cedar Hill and Lake Lavon and sent it off to Joe Driver in Austin.
> Hope it helps - especially since I voted against him...
>
>
> --- On *Wed, 2/2/11, sammie smith <bugcollections@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>* wrote:
>
>
> From: sammie smith <bugcollections@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> Subject: [tcb] Re: Camping (Texas State Parks update)
> To: tcb@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
> Date: Wednesday, February 2, 2011, 8:38 PM
>
>
> Good letter Steve.
>
> --- On *Wed, 2/2/11, Steve Chamberlain <steve@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>* wrote:
>
>
> From: Steve Chamberlain <steve@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> Subject: [tcb] Camping (Texas State Parks update)
> To: tcb@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
> Date: Wednesday, February 2, 2011, 5:59 PM
>
> For those of you that enjoy and use the Texas State Parks it is true that
> several parks just like education, health, etc., etc., etc. are on the
> budget chopping block in Austin. As I said in a previous email, my
> daughter's response (she works for (TPWD) to my inquire was:
>
> "For the record, I am speaking as your daughter, not a state employee.
>
> TPWD is looking at at 25% (or more) budget cut. That will likely include
> the closure of 5-7 parks. Many parks do not pay for themselves in user fees.
> However, several studies have been made that show that parks contribute
> substantially to local economies, which does in a sense help them pay for
> themselves. It is likely that the parks that do regularly turn a revenue
> will not be targeted for closure. However, with the political decision to
> not raise taxes, substantial cuts will be made to all forms of government in
> a political effort to decrease government.
>
> The best thing you can do as a Texan is to communicate with your state
> legislators about what is important to you. I have friends who work for some
> of these decision makers and have heard time and time again how a small few
> can influence decisions. Write a letter talking about the parks you use and
> why they are important to you. Give your representative a call and tell them
> not to close your park. Remember, politics is a contact sport.
>
> Thanks for your interest in protecting our open spaces."
>
> She said today that a handful of people make these critical decisions.
> Their decisions are influenced by response from constituents which they
> figure that about .5% will actually be active to make their opinion heard.
> ie for every letter received, they figure there are many that feel the same
> but don't tell them. When working on the budget, they will cut those things
> that are of the least concern.
>
> The old adage applies here...."The squeaky wheel gets the grease." You can
> go to this web site: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/ and plug in your
> address to find your State Representatives, name,address etc. Then send a
> letter to them expressing your concerns. An email is better than nothing but
> a written letter better expresses your views and conviction.
>
> Below is my letter, if you can't (or won't) write a letter then copy,
> paste, revise to reflect your representative, print and mail. Easy:
>
>
> _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
>
> February 2, 2011
>
> Representative Wendy Davis
> P.O. Box 12068, Capitol Station
> Austin, TX 78711
>
> Representative Davis,
>
> I am writing today to express my concerns over the proposed budget cuts to
> the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department. As a member of a Volkswagen Bus group
> that meets to camp often, closing State Parks is very disheartening to me.
> As you know Texas is a big area and the State Parks allow visitors to enjoy
> local venues and experience the wildlife and nature of the local area. In
> addition, in these tough economic times the State Parks allow for affordable
> enjoyment of our great state. I do understand that not all parks pay for
> themselves in user fees however studies have shown that parks contribute
> substantially to local economies which does in a sense help them pay for
> themselves.
>
> We are already planning camp-outs at Galveston State Park, in fact we were
> there right after it re-opened after the hurricane, Lake Tawakoni State
> Park, Mission Tejas State Park and Inks Lake State Park. I ask you please to
> fight to keep the Texas State Parks intact and open to serve the people of
> Texas and the many visitors that bring money to our economy.
>
> Respectfully,
>
>
>
> Steve R. Chamberlain
> 6917 Alexandria Ct.
> Ft. Worth. TX 76133
>
>
>
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