Taxpayer Money and Funding State Parks

Re “Cutbacks Stall Renovations at Crystal Cove,” Aug. 29:

If the cottages are in such poor condition after only 52 days of vacancy in mild summer weather, the former tenants failed to care for the historic cottages during their long-term, low-rent occupancy. That privileged group would now like to remove the cottages from supervision of the state Parks Department so they may once again occupy that property for which the taxpayers of California paid $32.6 million in 1979 to develop a state park for public use.

It took over 21 years to evict those tenants. Let’s give the Parks Department a reasonable time to hold public hearings so that the taxpayers may be heard on how they want Crystal Cove State Park developed.

Since $2 million of public funds were paid to the resort developer for his “expenses” in a buyout, let’s have a detailed public disclosure of the expenses that warranted such disbursement of public funds. I hope The Times will keep the public informed on this.

Mildred Urling

Costa Mesa

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I suppose that two months ago, when the residents were evicted from their homes, no one could have predicted that the state was in financial turmoil. This warning was made loud and clear during the controversial eviction of the residents.

Now we are faced with decaying cottages and have the gall to ask for a “big donor.” What was wrong with the 46 “donors” who were making monthly lease payments and maintaining their homes at no cost to the state? Now your tax dollars and mine are being spent to “board up windows, and pay a private security firm to guard against vandalism.” This is bureaucracy at its most senseless level.

Camille Howarth

Laguna Beach

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It is very puzzling to understand the current California State Parks budget problem.

In May of this year, I made camping reservations at South Carlsbad State Beach for four nights at the senior citizen rate. The total, including the reservation fee, was $40. I was shocked and believed that I really wasn’t getting the beachfront site I asked for. The beachfront sites had always been considered premium sites at a higher price.

The reason for my amazement was that at the same park in October 2000 (and during prior stays), the total was $67.50, including reservation fee, for three nights.

In July, I stayed four nights at Emerald Bay State Park on Lake Tahoe, another premium park well worth a higher campground fee. I paid the senior rate of $40 for four nights, including the reservation fee.

Having been solicited for donations for many years to support our low-budgeted state park system, I quizzed park rangers about this dramatic cut in campground fees. I was told that Gov. Davis felt the public deserved lower fees and that there is a budget surplus to spend.

Our state campgrounds are wonderful parks with many amenities, manned by well-trained rangers and fine employees. To now hear, in the face of these fee cutbacks, that Crystal Cove renovations are put on hold because of a lack of funds is ludicrous.

The campground fee reduction by Davis amounts to nothing more than political pandering to the public for votes. The higher fees should be returned. They were very fair for the value being received and would allow the Crystal Cove renovations to move forward.

Bob Reed

Santa Ana