HuntingNet.com Forums - Thanks again BLOWGO (for nothing)

Once again the glaring reasons our "esteemed" Gov - BLOWS! If you enjoy anything that has to do with getting out and enjoying the outdoors - this sucker is your enemy here in IL. Take any opportunity you can to spit in this guys eye and tell him what you think of his "work". (DISCLAIMER: Of course I cannot actually instruct you to physically insert spewtem into his cross-eyedvisual ports as this may result in you getting into some sort of trouble. Myself, that's another issue.)

Article in today's Chicago Tribune (04/28/2006) outlines the cuts that BLOGO has forced upon one of the crown jewels of Illinois' state parks - Starved Rock.

- Regular trail patrolshave been eliminated. (Hmmmm, wonder why
incidents of vandalism are up? Why are folksincreasingly getting injured
and requiring rescue when off trail? Why are folks getting lost?)
Thanks be to BLOWGO.

- Supply of park maps for visitors ran out 6 months ago. (Hmmm - wonder
how someone could get lost without a map!)Thanks again BLOWGO.

- Wood planks purchased and specially helicoptered in a couple years ago,
continue to just lay along the eroding trails. Project halted due to lack
of workers. Thanks BLOWGO, that really helps to keep the trail from
eroding.

- Not a single park improvement project in 4 years (since 2002). Why
because the BLOWER specializes in destruction - not construction.
Thanks BLOGO.

- Now just a single naturalist (Toby Miller, who is really great) at visitor
center for the expected 2 MILLIONvisitors this year. And visitors Center
closes early at 4pm no matter what. Seems like a smartmove BLOWGO.

- Payroll for the park has dropped from 21 to 14. Right in line with
BLOWGO's expectations. Way to go BLOWGO!

- 5 times this year hikers have fallen off crumbling standstone cliff tops
into the canyons and had to be rescued by unqualified maintenance
workers had to assist any available Rangers in rescue operations. It
doesn't take a rocket scientist to see the lawsuits coming. Unsafe
conditions due to lack of maintenance lead to injury. Inproper care by
unqualified park personel leading to further injury. Ought to be some
new law offices opening right there in Utica, huh? Thanks be to BLOGO!

- Statewide DNR staff from 2,140 to 1,600. Right there in line with the
BLOWER's plans. (I plan to research nationwide employee-to-acre ratios)

- Garbage cans have been removed from trails because there's no one to
empty them. So where's the garbage going to wind up? Ever think of
that BLOWGO? Not everyone respects the outdoors and takes more out
than they bring in - so the park is going to wind up strewn with trash.
Gov Dumbbutt can't even manage to get prison/jail work crews in there
to pick up. This Guv would probobly have a hard time picking up his
nose. Thanks for the hiking trails thru the garbage canyons BLOWGO!

- 150 (150!) picnic tables can't be put out because there's no one to fix
em up and set them out so people can use them. There are SO MANY
people who go there just to be by the river, maybe see an eagle and
picnic. Sorry people, sit on your butt on the ground and...............
thank your worthless Guv BLOWGO!
(150 tables X 6 people per table = 900 seats)

- Workers assigned to Starved Rock are also taking care of nearby
Matthiessen SP that has NO PERMANENT STAFF! (Matthiessen USED to
have staff. But guess who eliminated that? Come on, one guess?)

If this kind of neglect is taking place at Starved Rock, what is called and considered the Illinois park system's crowned jewel ..........................

IMAGINE WHAT'S GOING ON AT OTHER PARKS!

I hope everyone who reads this will investigate matters further, this is a serious problem folks. Once a few lawsuits start flying from injuries received due to falling off of unmaintained trails, etc. and the state is paying settlements, then the next step would be to eliminate therisk to the state (i.e. close the park(s)). And YES this wouldmean state parks where hunters and fisherman go, too. I frequent Ferne Cliffe SP in southern IL. IT is a big deer hunters destination, not only for hunting inside the park but camping for many hunters who hunt outside the park. My last trip down there I made avisit and it is obvious already from just looking that the cuts are affecting the condition of the entire park. Park personel confirmed this. So that is first hand.

It could become too simple to just sit back and watch the decay. But I for one won't. I will step up my volunteer efforts, propose themand initiate them. I will take out MUCH MORE than I brought in. I will remind others of the same. Let's all try to do everything we can to help. Yes I believe that this parks budget cutting can be addressed by simply hauling out the garbage. And the biggest piece of trash that needs to be removed is ......

BLOGO!

(Why is this guys name BLOGO when we can all clearly see he s**ks?!)