Jackson Blue this Saturday

I talked to the lady at the Jackson County Commission today. She had asked me last month when I, and some other cave divers, would be at the spring so she and her boss could come by and talk to us about various procedures and county/diver relations. I told her that because of Edd's cookout, there might be a lot of divers there. She seemed to be really interested in improving things for us, such as having a way to have the restrooms open, etc.

Now the bad news: the lower pavilion has been reserved for a private party from 10am - 6pm on Saturday. This means that all cave divers have to park up by the upper pavilions and walk down the hill to dive. This is going to create a problem if divers get to the park in the early morning, and park down by the lower pavilion; they will be asked to move.

I'll try to get the Sheriff's Office to apprise divers of this Saturday, but don't be surprised if word never reaches the weekend crew.

On the bright side, this is probably the last private party of the year, until next May.

Russell

[wingman]

who is her boss?

I wish you hadn't asked. He's not a commissioner, but something like head of Parks and Recreation. She's assistant head of whatever.

[kgault]

I wish you hadn't asked. He's not a commissioner, but something like head of Parks and Recreation. She's assistant head of whatever.

You might want to check, but the last time we were there when a private party was being held (couple of months ago), we were not allowed in the water until the party was over ;( luckily for us it was only a 2 hour delay to start our dive.

Keith

She assured me we could dive, as long as we didn't encroach on the pavilion/parking area.

[Kelly Jessop]

I've been at the park on several occasions when there have been private parties. On one particular occasion the cave divers earned high marks because we not only moved without complaint and answered some questions about cave diving to the curious children at the birthday party,but one of the grand parents in attendence was a commissioner.
I remind myself each day that cave diving is a privledge granted to me by the owner of the land,not my right.

I've been at the park on several occasions when there have been private parties. On one particular occasion the cave divers earned high marks because we not only moved without complaint and answered some questions about cave diving to the curious children at the birthday party,but one of the grand parents in attendence was a commissioner.
I remind myself each day that cave diving is a privledge granted to me by the owner of the land,not my right.

But what if its you who own the land, as is the case here?

[FW]

But what if its you who own the land, as is the case here?

You just share with *all* the other owners :-)

[curtschu]

Please lets not start down this road again.... :roll:

[Kelly Jessop]

I've been at the park on several occasions when there have been private parties. On one particular occasion the cave divers earned high marks because we not only moved without complaint and answered some questions about cave diving to the curious children at the birthday party,but one of the grand parents in attendence was a commissioner.
I remind myself each day that cave diving is a privledge granted to me by the owner of the land,not my right.

But what if its you who own the land, as is the case here?

Why not look ahead to next year and have the cave diving community plan a private party and rent the park??? Russell in all your inquiries did you ever ask how much the park rents for. Heck maybe even rental may waive the daily dive fee-pretty good incentive to go.

[rchrds]

Hope they enjoy the pavilion- that thing stunk like a dirty zoo in the hot sun yesterday. I doubt it will be better by Saturday.

[Angie Reim]

Hope they enjoy the pavilion- that thing stunk like a dirty zoo in the hot sun yesterday. I doubt it will be better by Saturday.

OHhhhhhhhaahahahahahahaha....see that's a good way to think about it. Helps to alleviate the jealousy during that long hot walk. :lol:

I'm just glad to hear that the bacterial problem has cleared up. FWIW, it sounds like a good time to bring out the handtrucks.

[wingman]

[quote=rchrds].
I'm just glad to hear that the bacterial problem has cleared up.


I don't think that jackson blue had the bacterial problem, it was at one of the other "blues." Bill

[Angie Reim]

Oh. Well then nevermind......

Must be a gazillon Blue springs in Florida. :lol:

[curtschu]

Gazillion and two :lol:

Russell in all your inquiries did you ever ask how much the park rents for.

It was something like $75 plus $2 per person, but that is generally for non-divers. Divers have to pay $25 or have an annual pass.

When I mentioned to her that we may well have 25 or more divers on October 22, and only a handfull of non-divers, she said that they can probably waive the reservation fee, and open the restrooms for us all day. This is one of the things they wanted to talk over with us this weekend.

Russell

[Gary]

But what if its you who own the land, as is the case here?
Then there are still managers and others who controls access whose opinions are just as important.

[Scott Hunsucker]

When we originally set his up, long before the modern improvements, I was told we would have access to bathrooms, etc. The original comission seemed interested in what cave diving would bring to the area. They even expressed interest in maintaining some type of shop/airfill station on the property (not possible given the funds with which the land was purchased); however, that went down hill shortly after they raised the price to $15 a head.
Long before I stopped fighting the powers that be in Jackson County I learned to not hold my breath (besides turning blue and passing out) for I usually only received lip service. I hope that the situation has changed for the next round.
As much as I hate to say it divers there will have to self-regulate more than ever if this were to work. On the rare occassion I come out of the swamps to dive JB I still see condom cath, zip-ties, other trash, and #### piles left behind by the few who do not care. If those actions are carried over they will shut down the comforts.
Scott Hunsucker

Scott, we know about, and appreciate, your efforts in the past. The current group we're talking to seem to really want to make the cave divers comfortable.

Any chance you'll be there this weekend?

Russell

[Scott Hunsucker]

Unfortunately I am working all weekend. My only point in sticking my head up was to warn about past working of county governments. I hope it works out.
Scott Hunsucker