JB access

[RN]

I also posted this on TDS and some good ideas have come out of both forums. I'm going to see if Chuck Hatcher, the park manager, will be willing to make more keys and ask him what the cost would be. I'd like to see a total of at least 7 sets of keys. I remember when there were 5 sets, there were still times that wasn't enough. Once I get the information, I'll post it here and on TDS and take up a collection. I'm also going to talk to Chuck about the possibility of someone in the cave diving community monitoring the key sign out. This would involve someone doing a key count at least once a week and if there's a set missing, doing the follow up to get it back. I live in Jackson County and am willing to volunteer my time to do this.

[FW]

How about negotiating a deal that allows us a key to keep. We can pay $175.00 for our pass or if it is current, $25.00 for a key to keep. After that it could be $150.00 unless we lose our key. Even though we have an annual pass we still have to check in if we go through the gate, so this would be no different. It would be a lot of work for someone to try and keep up with the keys. This could be a solution and the spares at the SO could be for people who do not have a pass.

Not a bad idea. Someone needs to pass this stuff along to Edd. He has the best chance to convince the SO.

[Spd 135]

I figure, in the end, personal responsibility is the issue. If someone goes through the gate and doesn't check in as required, let the SO handle that the same as solo diving in Peacock. This will keep the responsible rule following cave divers from being without keys. I am going over tomorrow and will suggest it to Edd. Today is our last storm day here, (7 / 12 hour days) fortunately nothing major from Gustav.

Not a bad idea. Someone needs to pass this stuff along to Edd. He has the best chance to convince the SO.

[DeWayne]

Maybe "we" (the JB cavedivers) could offer to pay for new keys. Then if one goes missing, we can ask the deputy for the name, and "we" could hassle the diver to give it back. A little peer pressure goes a long way

That offer (paying to have more keys made) has been made several times before, and impolitely turned down each time. Truth is the SO just wants the cash, they don't want to be bothered with the details. Privacy issues would likely prevent them from randomly giving out names. Best bet is to lobby the County Commission to put someone in charge that actually gives a darn.

[cloudboy55]

i will pitch in as well. JB is my favorite cave.

Count me in also. I'll help pay for new keys and a new lock if that's necessary.

Daren Gray

[RN]

Not a bad idea. Someone needs to pass this stuff along to Edd. He has the best chance to convince the SO.

Except that people will be likely to abuse it. The temptation to not drive to the SO and just go to the park might be too great for some. Things like that happening would only lose the access.

That offer (paying to have more keys made) has been made several times before, and impolitely turned down each time. Truth is the SO just wants the cash, they don't want to be bothered with the details. Privacy issues would likely prevent them from randomly giving out names. Best bet is to lobby the County Commission to put someone in charge that actually gives a darn.

If that's the case, I won't be renewing my annual pass this month. It costs too much for 2 of us to only go sign in one day in October or November and find out the last 2 sets of keys are gone and no one knows when they'll be replaced...and there won't be a refund. I'd rather put the $300 towards a jon boat.

[DeWayne]

Except that people will be likely to abuse it. The temptation to not drive to the SO and just go to the park might be too great for some. Things like that happening would only lose the access.



If that's the case, I won't be renewing my annual pass this month. It costs too much for 2 of us to only go sign in one day in October or November and find out the last 2 sets of keys are gone and no one knows when they'll be replaced...and there won't be a refund. I'd rather put the $300 towards a jon boat.

Now you're thinking. I know a lot of really good folks in the Marianna / Jackson County area, been going there since the early 70's. But after the rudeness encountered through the SO last News Years, I will personally never spend another dime in that county until they elect a Sheriff who staffs his/her dept with people that actually want to serve the public and pay attention to what the County Commission is trying to accomplish. I applaud the commission for everything they have done, but when you have a SO running the show that openly admits to not attending the meetings, not trying to find out what has been passed, and really not giving a $hi+ period since it is not part of their job description (yes, a deputy said all this and more to two of us while the outlaw McDaniels stood there and agreed with her and stated he would do whatever the hell he wanted to do) then their accomplishments become moot. So thanks but no thanks, I'll spend my sparse cash elsewhere where it goes to support a JUST administration.

[Kenny P.]

Now you're thinking. I know a lot of really good folks in the Marianna / Jackson County area, been going there since the early 70's. But after the rudeness encountered through the SO last News Years, I will personally never spend another dime in that county until they elect a Sheriff who staffs his/her dept with people that actually want to serve the public and pay attention to what the County Commission is trying to accomplish. I applaud the commission for everything they have done, but when you have a SO running the show that openly admits to not attending the meetings, not trying to find out what has been passed, and really not giving a $hi+ period since it is not part of their job description (yes, a deputy said all this and more to two of us while the outlaw McDaniels stood there and agreed with her and stated he would do whatever the hell he wanted to do) then their accomplishments become moot. So thanks but no thanks, I'll spend my sparse cash elsewhere where it goes to support a JUST administration.

DeWayne,
Johnny Mac has done a hell of a job as Sheriff for the people of Jackson County for many years. He has experienced great personal loss over his lifetime, with the murder of his father and over the last year, his wife. Is he perfect? No! Has he grown a little power hungry over his many years in office? Probably! On a personal note he and his late wife Ms. Millie sure were a Blessing to me many years back, when I had one of the worst days of my life at JB. Sheriff McDaniels will be retiring after this term. The new sheriff has probably already been voted in, in Jackson County? Edd or Rob or one of the other locals will have to fill in the facts on that.
Any way they never had to take care of our diving business. I remember being treated harshly several times while checking in. It was by one particular lady deputy. I showered her with kindness over the years and that whole persona disappeared, and was replaced with a smile and pleasant experience. We have 24 / 7 / 365 access now. I can deal with the SO until we work to accomplish a better system with the county.
Hope all is well buddy. On the Zombie Squad and heading down for nap.
Bless,
Kenny P.

[FW]

I have to agree with Kenny here. Johnny Mac has been nothing but nice to me. He is also mostly responsible for getting JB open for diving. It was closed for years after an accident in the late 60, and Sheck Exley worked with Johnny Mac to get JB opened for diving.

Kenny, I had a pretty bad day at JB once, I wonder if it was for the same sort of reason, PM on the way.

[RN]

DeWayne,
Johnny Mac has done a hell of a job as Sheriff for the people of Jackson County for many years. He has experienced great personal loss over his lifetime, with the murder of his father and over the last year, his wife. Is he perfect? No! Has he grown a little power hungry over his many years in office? Probably! On a personal note he and his late wife Ms. Millie sure were a Blessing to me many years back, when I had one of the worst days of my life at JB. Sheriff McDaniels will be retiring after this term. The new sheriff has probably already been voted in, in Jackson County? Edd or Rob or one of the other locals will have to fill in the facts on that.
Any way they never had to take care of our diving business. I remember being treated harshly several times while checking in. It was by one particular lady deputy. I showered her with kindness over the years and that whole persona disappeared, and was replaced with a smile and pleasant experience. We have 24 / 7 / 365 access now. I can deal with the SO until we work to accomplish a better system with the county.
Hope all is well buddy. On the Zombie Squad and heading down for nap.
Bless,
Kenny P.

I agree, Johnny Mac isn't the problem. He's got bigger things on his plate right now and doesn't need to focus attention on a few missing sets of keys.

BTW, the election hasn't happened yet. We just had the primaries last week. We have a couple more months until we found out who the new sheriff in town will be.