Support the opening of Wakulla Springs

[Kelly Jessop]

You can do a really great circuit upstream from Emerald, seeing lots of cave, without getting deeper than 60'ish.

Absolutely,and agree that this is a simple dive. There is a big picture to what went into getting Emerald open,and one of the items besides building steps was developing the confidence of the community,and dispelling a previous negative PR campaign against cave diving in the region. FWIW,this is an issue that has been broached,and needs to be again,but this needs to be tabled why the effort of Wakulla is being worked on. In letters and discussion during the meeting Emerald discussion needs to be left out because it will only muddy the water for people who don't multitask well. Changes at Emerlad don't require a public meeting,so use this time well.

[York]

I don't want to stirr up the issue again, and have been quietly sitting in the background. I do say that I am very disappointed in some rather vocal hotheads who seem unable to change their perspective. I think I talked to each one of you personally, and at the time left with a feeling of understanding, only to see now that you have not changed. Shame on you, leave your ego at home!
As many of you know, I have been actively pushing the Wakulla County Dive Club's movement to open Wakulla, which is now coming to the end of it's second year. This movement is based on over a decade of prodding and pushing, with - I must admit - no structure until two years ago. We have been in touch with as many groups and organizations on the cave diving side, asking for support and advice, without much success. We did our homework, and I am proud (of all those who were in the midst of things, helping this be pushed forwarded) to say that this movement has made more progress, and gotten us further than anything else in the past BECAUSE it is different. Pretty much any arguments brought up here have been considered, so there is nothing new, even if you feel otherwise. Getting stuck in the weeds, however, is one of the failure points of past efforts.
With the meeting of the 19th coming up, we are at a crossroads, and face our biggest danger yet: I observe all the big egos coming out of the woodwork and demanding "their" way of thinking and say, thus derailing the movement. Allow me to focus back to the basics:

- Cave divers ask for EQUAL ACCESS to Wakulla Springs State Park.
- As visitors to state parks, cave divers have a track record of exceeding the obligation for visiting parks, and thus have a right to be there just like anyone else
- Cave Diving is not the most dangerous, nor most intrusive activity, but the one most challenged by politics and regulations - NO MORE
- beneficial financial impact

- In summary: We have a right to be there - WHY NOT?


Joerg

(Before anyone writes a reply: Take a deep breath, exhale slowly, take another deep breath. If this helps, you are probably the one this is aimed at, so DON'T)