I was going to put up a park post this morning, but I made the mistake of reading my e-mail first. I scrolled through the Automobile Club October Newsletter and clicked on Cast Your Vote. Of course, I ended up using my blogging time writing a Letter to the Editor.
I’m just one person, but I try to make a difference on the things I care about. So please accept this letter in place of the park I had scheduled for today. I’ll be sure to resume the happy stuff tomorrow:)
| from: | Michele Whiteaker <ocplayparks@gmail.com> | ||
| to: | westways@aaa-calif.com | ||
| date: | Fri, Oct 8, 2010 at 10:09 AM | ||
| subject: | Saddened by “Cast Your Vote” |
Dear Editor,
I’ve been a member of AAA for 22 years (ever since I could drive). I insure my vehicles through AAA and have my cars serviced at AAA-approved establishments. I often turn to AAA to assist me with election decisions. I don’t remember EVER disagreeing with your recommendations. So I’m sad you chose a cowardly “Get the Facts” stance on Proposition 21. How can you not support this proposition?
There is a relationship between vehicle registration and state park fees. You say that “most of us do not” use the parks. But how many people drive Pacific Coast Highway to see views of the ocean (over state park land)? How many hotels sit at the edge of our 278 state parks enjoying their majestic views without even having to pass through the entrance? How many drivers would enter these treasures if they already invested their $18? Even if you don’t think you use the parks, YOU DO! You would miss them if they were closed. And $18 a year is small price to pay for our children or our friends’ children to inherit these unique places. And I’m not even going to get into the carbon footprint each vehicle leaves on the environment and how $18 seems a fair price to pay to balance the effects.
I vote. I elect legislators to protect my interests – and they are not protecting the parks. I also vote with my dollars by investing in my AAA membership, insurance, and travel planning — and now you’re not standing up for this important issue, too? It makes me sad.
Michele Whiteaker
I’m voting for Proposition 21 – Yes for State Parks – for the same reasons as Christopher Grant Ward of Folk4Parks.org. See his short video in the sidebar!
{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
That is the most awesome letter to the editor ever!!! You go girl!!! It’s crazy that we can find the money to buy 4 lattes from Starbucks and not put that same money towards our State Parks! My fingers are crossed that with supporters like you spreading the word Prop. 21 will PASS!!!
We simply need that wild country available to us, even if we never do more than drive to its edge and look in. For it can be a means of reassuring ourselves of our sanity as creatures, a part of the geography of hope. – Stegner
I hope the Auto Club changes its mind and to that end I will also write a letter of chastisement. What are they thinking?
Shame on the Auto Club for their short-sightedness. $18 is a small price to pay to secure one of California’s treasures. Considering the gimmick budget that Sacramento just passed, I would gladly pay twice that amount to ensure our parks are still around.
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