Support the opening of Wakulla Springs

[RN]

Has anyone spoken to any of the other people/groups that have attempted this in the past? It might help to learn what has happened with efforts previously so the focus can be on the issues that have been brought up. Just sending general requests for the opening isn't going to do much. Sending letters that address specific "issues" that have been brought up by opponents to opening would have a better chance at getting some attention. It's not enough to be a squeaky wheel. You need to do your homework and be specific in your requests.

[Kelly Jessop]

Has anyone spoken to any of the other people/groups that have attempted this in the past? It might help to learn what has happened with efforts previously so the focus can be on the issues that have been brought up. Just sending general requests for the opening isn't going to do much. Sending letters that address specific "issues" that have been brought up by opponents to opening would have a better chance at getting some attention. It's not enough to be a squeaky wheel. You need to do your homework and be specific in your requests.

Rob,I've done this before in reference to the closure of the state parks,specifically Peacock and Madison,plus a couple other issues in the distant past when I sat on the CDS board. By history form letters don't get as good response as a personalized request,because each person's rationale will be individualisitic. Sending something to the governor is great,but I don't think that is going to generate the reaction that is wanted,since a public meeting will be set,it will be from that where the decision is made,plus the governor has bigger fish to fry. The secretary of the DEP is great and the park manager too,other interested parties would be the chamber of commerce because that represents more money to the park. Here are some numbers-fiscal year 2009-2010 the park generated 177,119 vistors,with an estimated expenditure of $6.173,306,plus in addition to sales tax,this produced 185.9 jobs for the community. What would be then benefits of increased visitorship from not just from different parks of Florida,but the nation and world. In a county off the interstate/Disney corridor that is big.

[RN]

In reference to Wakulla area I've heard opposition arguments of artifact stealing that happened back in the 50s and 60s, bird protection, glass bottom boat interference, etc. I agree, form letters won't work. But addressing specific issues that the opposition has used to keep it open might be a better tactic.

[Sludge]

this produced 185.9 jobs for the community.

I pity the poor sap who only got nine-tenths of a job...

[JamesK]

I pity the poor sap who only got nine-tenths of a job...

Nah, that was probably some executive and he got 1.9 jobs, or at least the pay.

[York]

Rob - we sure have!

[York]

Kelly - with all due respect, we have now been there and tried that, and it didn't work. The Chamber of Commerce has continuously disregarded our requests for a meeting, the park manager is not in a position to make this decision, the DEP now has a track record of not answering our emails and phone messages. The letters to the governor go in concert with our other campaigns. We (the Wakulla County Dive Club) continue to give presentations on a local and state level to rise awareness. We also address the local economy, which is on the Governor's list of fish to fry. His people appear to be unwilling or unable to make a decision, which currently defaults into a loss of revenue of millions of dollars impact money.
Folks, go ahead with the letter to the governor, it got his attention last time, and resulted in the review. It is decision time now, and he needs to be aware of the consequences should his department fail.

Joerg

[Greenwood_60]

How about contacting the local news channel or paper and see if they will run a story on how the state keeps trying to close parks due to lack of funds, but continues to ignore a potentially major source of income. Even if the politicians don't care about the issue or the small number of voters who will be effected, they will care if the look like idiots to the masses.

[Wizard]

Anyone who says opening one small area for diving won't do that much for the economy is, well, WRONG!
Look at JB. No gas was available within a good distance and few people dove it. Edd opened his shop and one man
and his shop put Marianna on the map in a big way. I remember when the town would not give poor Edd the time of day.
But his persistance and basic business policy of doing people right paid off. The people came.
I think the Wakulla area would have the same time of economic upturn due to diving as Marianna did.

[SuPrBuGmAn]

Folks, go ahead with the letter to the governor, it got his attention last time, and resulted in the review. It is decision time now, and he needs to be aware of the consequences should his department fail.

Joerg

The letters went to Vineyard last time.

Anyone who says opening one small area for diving won't do that much for the economy is, well, WRONG!
Look at JB. No gas was available within a good distance and few people dove it. Edd opened his shop and one man
and his shop put Marianna on the map in a big way. I remember when the town would not give poor Edd the time of day.
But his persistance and basic business policy of doing people right paid off. The people came.
I think the Wakulla area would have the same time of economic upturn due to diving as Marianna did.

I believe this could very well be the case, if more sites were opened up. Wakulla alone won't really cater to as many cave divers as any of the Mill Pond's more famous caves, but Wakulla in conjunction with relaxed access to Emerald, Upper River, ClearCut, Sally Ward... It WILL draw people in.