In an effort to change Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger”s mind about his proposal to shut down Lake County”s only state parks ? Clear Lake and Anderson Marsh ? area leaders are joining forces in a letter-writing campaign.
They are also seeking guidance from Lake County”s voices in the capitol building ? Senator Pat Wiggins and Assemblywoman Patty Berg. Wiggins and Berg both plan to vocalize opposition to the governor.
“The Governor said today that he had an open mind when it came to fixing the budget, but shutting down beaches and parks, which draw millions of visitors and millions of tourists” dollars each year is both short-sighted and irresponsible. A commitment to reduced spending for schools, for kids, for our parks and for our natural resources is a commitment to mediocrity,” Wiggins said.
Victoria Brandon, chair of the Sierra Club Lake Group, and Leona Butts, board member of the Clear Lake State Park”s Interpretive Association are working alongside Melissa Fulton and Lori Peters, executive directors of the Lakeport Regional Chamber of Commerce and Clear Lake Chamber of Commerce, respectively. The group hopes to form a delegation of area leaders including representatives from the board of supervisors. They plan to meet with Assemblywoman Berg”s office to gain advice and visit the governor”s office to voice their opposition, Butts said.
Wiggins” office said Friday that her delegation has the highest number of parks set for closure in the state other than the central coast, where many state beaches face potential closure.
“It”s important we get this petition drive going. We got more than 60 signatures at the Audubon meeting [Thursday], and the petition is going to circulate at the Sierra Club”s upcoming town hall meeting,” Butts said.
Brandon said, “I think threatening to shut the parks is a bargaining ploy by the governor. On the other hand, I think it”s important that we express strong local opposition, to make sure that when the bargaining does happen [before the May budget revise] that our parks stay open.”
With the state predicting a $14 billion deficit, the governor announced last week his plans to cut 10 percent from nearly every General Fund program. But the budget must be approved by the Legislature.
“Indeed, we have real problems, but this is an overly pessimistic solution,” Assemblywoman Berg said.
“This proposed budget is asking us to abandon the treasures our beautiful state has to offer. I am vehemently opposed to closing these parks. Am I going to make a stink about it? You bet,” Berg added.
Fulton said, “The whole situation is serious when it comes to the economy. The governor needs to take a look at Sacramento and see what Sacramento is spending?there is a lot of waste in government. They need to start cutbacks in their own home.”
Contact Elizabeth Wilson at ewilson@record-bee.com.
