John -- Sometimes a letter to the editor of a nearby newspaper is effective in these situations. Maybe a local media will pick up the cause. Saludos y nos vemos más tarde, EJF
Elmer J. Finck, Professor Department of Biological Sciences Fort Hays State University 600 Park Street Hays, KS 67601-4099 office: AH 322 e-mail: [email protected] webpage: http://www.fhsu.edu/biology/efinck/ office phone: (785) 628-4269 fax: (785) 628-4153 home phone: (785) 625-9727 cell phone: (785) 650-1057 Too much hat not enough cowboy. From: "John A." <[email protected]> To: [email protected] Date: 07/21/2015 01:50 PM Subject: [ECOLOG-L] A Lonely Voice in the Wilderness -- Still Alone Sent by: "Ecological Society of America: grants, jobs, news" <[email protected]> A few months ago I asked this list for advice on helping turn around a dismal situation at a heavily used and abused state park. Unfortunately the situation has not improved, and at this point I could use some advice again. Two months ago I sent a letter to the state parks director detailing my strong concerns. I received a bland reply with some vague paper promises, superficially addressing a handful of my points but with no timeline and no specifics, much less any mechanism for true accountability. The director's letter contained a number of statements which are stupendously false, and which must have been provided to him by park staff. The staff were entirely aware these statements were false, and equally certain that the director wouldn't know any better. The director himself ignored my sincere invitation to walk the trails and see the situation in person. As I expected, two months later not a single one of the director's promises have been even attempted, much less fulfilled, and the situation is worse than ever. The people who abuse the park are secure in the knowledge that nothing will ever be done, and the state park staff are perfectly aware that they will never be held accountable for their gross inaction. At this point I'm not sure what to do. No one cares. My only other public option is to write a letter to the state's governor, who has been known to respond to letters concerning this park in the past. But I have no experience writing effective letters to governors, and I would want to present a full account, backed up with as much information as possible, rather than simply send a letter which could be easily ignored. So my request is twofold: I could use advice from anyone with experience developing supporting materials for citizen projects--and I could use suggestions on what else to try. At this point I'm the only person willing to speak out, but I don't know how to raise my concerns effectively. - J. A.
