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Mike Moser Don't use our parks as a tax pawn It is a sunny Saturday afternoon and all the
weekend running, the trash is hauled off and taxi chores are
finished. Like many other families on the Plateau, we are sitting,
catching our breath, when one of the youngsters implores, "Can
we go to the park?" "Bring me my billfold," I respond.
"Who is going?" Let's see, there is Mike and Susan, Skye,
Tess, Prue ... Anna might want to go ... anyone else around?
At two bucks a pop, that is between $10 and $12. Hmmmm. Let's
see, after a visit to the donut shop, a video rental for the
night, milk and bread from the grocery store and a visit to the
flea market, gee, I only have $7 left. "Sorry kids, we can't go for a walk in
the state park this weekend. I don't have enough money to take
you to our park." A stretch? Maybe, but that is a predicament that some
of us might be facing if Environment and Conservation Commissioner
Milton Hamilton has his way. It is either that or the closing
of 10 parks, names to be announced later. Hamilton, who is serving as state parks head
under Gov. Don Sundquist, made this threat to members of the
House Conservation and Environment Committee. He also said he
is considering a $2 per person charge for a single visit to a
state park, or an annual pass for $20. For my family, that would be a minimum of
$120 unless the children under 13 exemption is also introduced.
I have a real problem with this plan for several
reasons, the first and utmost being that I have deep down in
my soul this silly belief that government should provide some
services for its citizens who foot the bill. In other words,
give me something for my money. Considering how much of my hard earned money
goes for taxes, I don't think it is too much to ask that I and
my family be allowed to take a walk in the park without having
to purchase a ticket each time we want to enjoy nature. The second reason I object to this is that
I see it as a form of blackmail. I personally am not convinced
that the coffers in Nashville are as bare as some say. There
is a difference between a real deficit and a deficit in projected
budget. In my household, when my income was reduced
because what is going out rose faster than what is coming in,
we cutback. Sure, some of the things we have to cut are taken
for granted by other families, but we cut back. I don't have answers for how the state will
meet its anticipated budget, but I am certain there are some
areas that can be cut without charging me an access fee to the
state park of which I already have part ownership. Although it grates against my skin, I don't
mind paying to fish in a state park. And I agree with paying
a fee to reserve a picnic shelter or camp site. But to charge
me for a walk in the park? |