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photo by Donald Kinney
July 1, and a sad day for as many as 70 of California's State Parks that won't be opening their gates this morning. My beloved and tranquil China Camp Village is on the chopping-block.
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photo by Donald Kinney
In November California voters rejected a vehicle-tax ballot measure designed to keep the parks open. Governor Jerry Brown THINKS it is a way to save $22 million. This cut will, in reality, only ease the budget deficit 1/7th of 1 percent.
But in the Governor's defense--he HAS made other equally draconian cuts to many other parts of the State budget. Our budget has been sliced-and-diced, but we are STILL broke.
click photo for full-size image
photo by Donald Kinney
"Friends of China Camp", a private organization, has been trying to muster support to operate China Camp on their own. Possibilities are still being explored. Many other of the 70 parks are proceeding with similar plans.
click photo for full-size image
photo by Donald Kinney
Personally, I think a little bit less "government" in our parks might be a move in the proper direction. China Camp quietly existed before the State spent surplus funds to make it a park in the early 1970's. Before the new signs and rules China Camp seemed millions of miles even more distantly removed--both in place and in time.
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2 comments:
Amazing. And signs of horrible times. California had tons of money years ago. Where did it go? Could it be that the rich stuffed their pockets? Maybe they can support the parks? Sorry .... I digress.
The parks in the state of California hold some of the best beauty in our nation. To close them to the public is wrong.
And what about the hundreds (or thousands) of park staff that are without a job. They will no longer be able to pay tax ... and support the economy. Some of them will be forced to collect unemployment benefits. So is the budget really better in the long run?
Hopefully people will find a way around this mess .... I can only hope.
JB
very sad. i wasn't aware of this.
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