Lay off the State Park system!

[resolute]

So who's "Bashing" the state parks system?

I don't see how people questioning things and expecting some accountability from our various branches of government is bashing in any way, shape or form...

Since I have served in a public office over the past couple of years, I have plenty of people in my town who expect certain information from me, and for me to act on requests that fall within the law and what is expected of me with regard to my job - so what? That's what I got put into the position to do, and it's what I owe the public - to do all that I can do within the law and to move things ahead to the greatest extent possible for the greater good - and so does every other elected or appointed official (and yes, even the ones who aren't directly accountable to the voters - some call them "bureaucrats"- at the end of the day, they still work for the taxpayers..)

My opinion does not in any way endorse just purposely making trying to cause them problems in any way. But holding someone (or an organization or governmental body, such as the state parks) accountable for fulfilling their various mandates, is certainly not inappropriate - if so, please explain to me exactly how it is...

A productive, progressive and positive relationship between cave divers and everyone in the State Park system is certainly in EVERYONE'S best interest (including theirs) and no successful relationship can be just of benefit to one side - some give and take should be welcomed and expected..

Fine, let's do all we can to help the park system, and maybe they will have a Cave Diver appreciation day with free admission once a year or so at the cave parks or such (hint to whoever is watching )... and continue to open up sites to fulfill their mission and governmental mandate.

In other words, let's all continue to work on perfecting a "win-win" relationship with everyone we come into contact with as cave divers - life is certainly better that way..

JB

P.S. - I also add my compliments for the state parks as a whole - they are doing a lot of good things now in FL - keep up the good work and let's make things even better in the coming years!

[flyczek]

The Florida State parks are the best I have seen in any state I have lived in. The annual pass is an incredible deal. It was worthwhile even when I lived in Texas and only was able to visit a few times a year. Now that I'm moving to Florida, it is an incredible value.
The SPs are clean, well maintained, have great amenities and friendly staff. I can feel secure about my gear topside and don't have to deal with "the woo! people" and their antics.
I can't say enough about how great the Florida State Park system is. Just my two cents.

[Janet]

Hi,
I just want to clarify two points, one is state park CSO's do no write park policy and the second is neither do the park managers-park policies are written when the unit management plans are written and if we at the park want to make a change we make a request to park management at ISSP and they make the request of District 2 (Peacock's District-located in Gainesville) and sometimes it has to go to Tallahassee. We do not get to make changes just because we want to-there is a chain of command here as there is every job. Solo diving is prohibited at every Florida State Park
and park rules state all divers are to be out of the water by 5PM. The scooter rule isn't quite so clear cut-PSSP does not allow scooters unless under a permit-I know of no permits ever given out at PSSP (I do not know of any requests for one) but there are permits given out at other parks upon request and Manatee does allow scooters. All parks are open for diving at 8AM.
Safe diving,
Janet
PS Thank you for all the nice comments.

[sskasser]

Thanks for the info Janet! And thanks for all you do to make PSSP such a great place to dive and socialize

[Kelly Jessop]

"Perhaps the best way is membership in any or all of the different parks CSO programs. Peacock is a cave divers CSO, therefore it has a cave divers say as to what goes on there. What do you think would happen if 500 cave divers joined the Wakulla CSO ... would their be a balance of power shift? Would that CSO have cave diving items on their meeting agenda? Could there be more cave diving with more appropriate access rules allowed? There is a whole new generation of cave divers that need to become involved. Harm is caused when their voices are not heard! Gains are made when their ideas are channeled into thinking within a direction that works within the bureaucracy? My message is closed but the topic needs to continue. "

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