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2010 Sock Hop

 

 

 Date: Thu, 4 Mar 2010 10:53:42 -0700



TONTO BRIDGE NEWS

Tonto Natural Bridge State Park

March 2010

FROM THE BRIDGE

The official news received from ASP remains that TNBSP is still scheduled for closure to the public on 6/3/10.  However, there is information that ASP is looking at some options that include “co-funding” by Payson to keep the park open conceivably to October 2010. EMPHASIS:  this is only a possibility – IT IS NOT A DEFINITE PLAN.  However, what it does indicate is that there are efforts in process to keep the park open.  Will TNBSP remain open beyond 6/3/10?  At this point in time we must proceed on the understanding that Tonto will close to the public on 6/3/10.  If more or different information becomes available -  we will absolutely keep you informed. 

PARK ADMISSION FEES

Effective March 1, 2010  the admission fees to TNBSP will change to :

Ages 0-6:  Free

Ages 7-13: $2.00

Ages 14 & over: $5.00

These fees will remain in effect until further noticed.  This fee increase has been necessitated by the reduction in the budget the legislature has allocated to ASP to run the parks.  There will always be people who are dissatisfied with the park entry fees, but it is real simple:  when the legislature reduced the budgets as much as they did – the operating monies have to come from somewhere else.  ASP does not receive moneis from tax revenues to operate the parks.  All the revenues are received from gate fees, lottery funds (the Heritage Fund), State Lake Improvement Funds and other assorted funds and contributions.  You can also indicate that there will likely be a ballot issue in November for the auto license registration/”park access fee” that would open all the closed ADOT rest areas and give free ASP day use admission to all AZ licensed vehicles – most likely $12.00.  It is also our understanding that – if approved by voters – it would be “unsweepable” by the legislature. It is hoped that this information will assist you in answering questions received from the visitors.   

VOLUNTEER SIGN-UP SHEET

There is a monthly sign-up sheet on the table next to volunteer sign-in book to schedule your days & times that you plan to work. It is extremely helpful to know who is coming in any given day.  It assists our planning of locations and assignments for volunteers and/or rangers.  We therefore request that you fill in the days & hours that you plan to work on that schedule to the greatest extent possible.  Thanks for your help with this.    

The Tonto Bridge News is produced by the Tonto Natural Bridge State Park,

P.O. Box 1245, Payson, AZ. 85547 – Ph 928-476-2261

Tracy Hanley, Park Manager     Steve Soroka,  Asst Park Manager

Brandon Baeuerlan, Maint. Ranger     Courtney, Rogers, Program Vol. Coordinator

LarryClites, Park Ranger II                     Pat Roth, Volunteer Office Coordinator

 
 
Address postal inquiries to:
Arizona State Parks Foundation
P.O. Box 4216
Phoenix, AZ 85030-4216
 


 

Arizona State Parks Foundation
March 9, 2010
Parks Talk!
Forward this issue to your email address book today!

In this issue...
  • URGENT CALL TO ACTION
  • HCR 2040
  • From ASPF President Bill Meek
  • Upcoming events at
    Arizona State Parks
 

 Upcoming Events
Arizona State Parks
& Arizona State Parks Foundation present
Civil War in the Southwest
at Picacho Peak State Park
March 13-14
Sponsored by Union Pacific Railroad
 
Mariachi Festival
at Patagonia Lake State Park
March 20
For details, visit our Events webpage


 


 
P.O. Box 4216, Phoenix, Arizona  85030-4217
(602) 920-4505
azstateparksfnd@yahoo.com
URGENT CALL TO ACTION!
 
As currently crafted HB2001 and SB1001 call for more sweeps from Arizona State Park funds.  HB2012 and SB1012 ABOLISH THE HERITAGE FUND FOR NOW AND EVER.
If you are registered to comment online at the Arizona State Legislature, NOW is the time to oppose these measures.  Login at the Legislature through the Request To Speak portal and object to these sweeps. 
 
We suggest the following comments for HB2001 and SB1001:
Sweeps to Arizona State Parks contained in this budget are unnecessary and irreversibly damaging to a state park system that belongs to all Arizonans.  These actions virtually kills the ability of the state park system to operate. Amend this budget now to eliminate all confiscation of park funds.
 
HCR2040 is in Trouble!
This is no way to run a Legislature!
Chairman of the House Appropriations Committee Representative John Kavanagh is refusing to allow his committee to hear House Concurrent Resolution 2040.  Further, he will not permit the measure to be withdrawn from his committee.  Mr. Kavanagh is manipulating Legislative procedure to kill this funding solution for YOUR Arizona State Parks.

All Arizonans own the right of access to our state park system and should have the opportunity to support or oppose HCR2040 as a sustainable funding solution for Arizona State Parks.
 
Mr. Kavanagh's actions are deliberate and directed. He engineered the destruction of Arizona State Parks through fund sweeps without giving voters any say in the matter and now he won't let them decide whether to save the park system. Rep. Kavanagh says he favors HB2060, but he knows it has no chance of passage because it raids funds that are voter protected, which requires a 3/4 vote of the Legislature, and there are no Democratic votes for it. His greatest fear is that a voter approved and protected ballot measure will create a pool of funds that the Legislature cannot access or "sweep" into the general fund.  Of course, that is exactly the goal of HCR2040; to create a sustained & protected funding stream for YOUR Arizona State Parks, not a remedy for budget deficits.
 
Should HCR 2040 be heard in the House Appropriations Committee and by the full House, it would move on to the Senate.  If successful there, it would be referred to voters in the November general election.  It now sets an annual fee at $12.00 per non-commercial vehicle, dedicating $9 to Arizona State Parks and $3 to ADOT.  Vehicles displaying Arizona license plates would be provided free day-use access to Arizona State Parks.
 
The most important thing you can do today for Arizona State Parks is to tell your Legislative Representatives (House and Senate), particularly Speaker of the House Kirk Adams, that you will not tollerate a totalitarian legislative system and demand the immediate hearing of HCR2040 in the House Appropriations Committee.  See ASPF's website page "Advocacy Alerts" for a sample letter and contact information.
 
 


 Arizona State Parks Foundation is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization founded in 2004 to serve as a key partner to Arizona State Parks.  For more information on ASPF, visit: www.arizonastateparksfoundation.org
 
 

 

psaznews file photo

Tonto Natural Bridge website

I made a last walk through the Tonto Natural Bridge grounds yesterday before the 4pm closing.  It would be nice if it could stay open during repairs.

 

 

Photo by Alan Holmquist

Photo by Alan Holmquist

Reader comments:

 

We took our family at this park last November.  It was a highlight of their trip and Doug and I would definitely want to see this remain open.  Prior to last November, we took another member of our family who loved it.  I'm not sure what specifically is needed from each of us, but please contact Doug and I and we'll see what we can do.  Thanks so much for keeping us in the loop.

 Judy

2-24-09

 

Anna Mae Deming, an Arizona Pioneer Daughter, grew up at the Tonto Natural Bridge; was married there and loved this place so dearly.  My husband, Bill, has been a volunteer ambassador at the Bridge, giving talks to groups of adults and children, for six or seven years working every Sunday and has earned over 1500 hours during that time.  He and the other dedicated volunteers are saddened by the news of the Bridge closing.  Everyone in Rim Country should be too!  Every week Bill comes home to tell me about the numbers of families who visit and picnic; the young couples who hike the trails; the visitors from all over the world who are amazed by the beauty and serenity found there.  There is no place like it in the world!  And it’s right here in our back yard!

 

We need YOUR help, YOUR voice, and YOUR reaction to the sad news about our Bridge!  This closing will impact EVERYONE in Rim Country!  The merchants and other business owners MUST read and take action on the attached article printed in Friday’s Payson Roundup.  We need calls to Arizona State Parks, (602) 542-4174,

1300 W Washington Street, Phoenix 85007
.  It is imperative that the merchants, town council, and others circulate, collect and deliver petitions stating our position against this closing to Arizona State Parks (please see my attachment at the bottom of this email). 

 

John Stanton, Manager, Rim Country Regional Chamber of Commerce, www.rimcountrychamber.com <http://www.rimcountrychamber.com/>, was featured on KMOG this morning and his and the Chamber’s position are clear.  We NEED this beautiful park (when was the last time YOU were there?) and we NEED your help TODAY to stop this closing.  Please think about how you can help and what action you are prepared to take and please start helping today.

 

In closing, the last time our Bridge was in danger of closing, the “board” who made this decision visited the Bridge and the outpouring was incredible; it was standing room only at the Lodge and the “board” was impressed and impacted by the enthusiasm and interest of all who were there.  In fact, some of the current very involved volunteers came from that meeting.  It worked then; with everyone’s help, it can work again!

 

Can we count on YOU to help!  I hope so!

 

 

Janice K Armbruster

 

Top of Page

Read the article in the Payson Roundup.

 

and also the editorial and news article.    Feb 2009

What follows is a series of communications between John Stanton and Arizona State officials:

 

Subject: Potential Closure of the Tonto Natural Bridge State Park

 

Dear State Parks Board:

 

I am the manager of the Rim Country Regional Chamber of Commerce.  Our Chamber represents over 390 organizations in Rim Country.  As that representative, we object to the closure of the Tonto Natural Bridge State Park.  This park represents the major tourist attraction in Northern Gila County, as shown by the 87,000 visitors in 2007, and provides a major source of income (from visitors to Rim Country) to support our communities of the Town of Payson, the Town of Star Valley, Pine, Strawberry and Christopher Creek. The figures in your 2007 Economic Impact report show that impact as $3,621,346.   The loss of income to our communities from the closing of the Tonto Natural Bridge State Park would be devastating.  Our end of Gila County does not have natural resources, such as copper to provide income for residents of our area.  We rely on tourism to survive.  Without our biggest asset to draw tourists to Rim Country, many of our businesses would go out of business.  In a very hard hit local financial environment (due to past fears of fires and water capabilities), we are faced with the economic impact of current state and national economic hardships as well.  The additional loss of the Park would serve to “break the camel’s back”, and potentially destroy one or more of our communities.

 

I am available, on your timetable, to discuss these ramifications and both the short term and long term effects of the closing of the Tonto Natural Bridge State Park.

 

John Stanton

Chamber Manager

Rim Country Regional Chamber of Commerce

 

 

 

Subject: Tonto Natural Bridge

 

John,

We met at the recent Parks Board meeting and I wanted to make a connection with you regarding Tonto Natural Bridge and its closure dates. I also know you contacted the Parks Board Chair and asked when and why questions regarding the park.

 

So I will tell you what I know and we can work on your questions as they arise.

1. Tonto and Jerome will both close on February 26 at 5pm.

2. Staff will be around a few days to make ready as best they can for the closure and construction.

3. All but one staff member will be temporarily reassigned to another park during the closure time.

4. The Tonto Project will bid on March 31, the Jerome Project is more complicated and may take 2 months or more.

5. Upon completion of the stabilization, the park will be evaluated by the Parks Board for reopening.

 

The big question is "Do we need to close Tonto Bridge during the stabilization of the lodge?" The short answer is yes, to explain, many of our parks are short of staff including Tonto, it is in the best interest of the agency to keep as many parks as possible 100% open as we rely on or fees. Using the staff from Tonto we can keep Slide Rock and Lost Dutchman from closing due to lack of available staff. Keeping other parks fully open is our plan. Hopefully the stabilization will be quick and we can return the park full operation as soon as possible.

 

Hope this helps.

 

 

Jay Ream

Assistant Director, Parks Division

1300

W. Washington St
.

Phoenix, AZ 85007

Phone:(602)542-4174

Fax:(602)542-4188

www.azstateparks.com

 

Response by John Stanton

Jay, I appreciate your sending this information.  When I talked to Ken Travous, it appeared that the closure would be immediate, so that the repairs would be immediate.

With this time frame, it appears that the Park will not open prior to the Board’s visit in July.

Also, it is my understanding that there is a debt service due monthly on the Park property- would it not be best to re-open as soon as possible to cover those costs?

As we discussed, the impact of this closing on the economy of the Rim Country communities will be devastating.

As you will also appreciate, I will do everything in my power to re-open the Park on as timely a basis as possible.  In that vein, I wonder about the March 31 date- can it be moved up? Who do we direct our local roofing companies to to bid for the job?

As to any other aspects of the closure, we would like to discuss alternatives and optional involvement for staffing or working with you on getting the job done, so a reopening can be achieved.

Again, thank you for your candor, I hope to see you at more Board meetings

 

John Stanton

Chamber Manager

Rim Country Regional Chamber of Commerce

 

Top of Page

 

2-24-2009

 

Jan Brewer, Governor

Sylvia Allen, State Senator

Jack K. Brown, State Representative

Bill Konopnicki, State Represenative

 

RE: Closure of the Tonto Natural Bridge State Park

 

 

The closure of Tonto Natural Bridge either on a temporary or semi-permanent basis would be an economic disaster for the Rim Country communities you represent of Payson, Pine, Strawberry and Star Valley.

 

Tourism is the Rim Country’s economic engine and the loss of the nearly100,000 visitors which spend some $3.6 million in our communities would create an even greater economic hardship that already exists in this area.

 

The operation of Tonto Natural Bridge State park costs the state little or nothing. A presentation to the Arizona State Parks Board on Feb. 20 by its own staff members said the park was self-supporting and the cost to the state was zero. So why close the park? Not only do fees charged cover the cost of operations, they provide money to make payments on the loan through which the state bought the park.

 

The Arizona State Parks Board says it decided to close the Tonto Natural Bridge State Park, on a “temporary” basis, for repairs.  Close the entire park to repair a leaking roof is ridiculous. Also, it has come to our attention that this “temporary” closure may be permanent or for such a period that it will drastically affect the economy of our five communities. Please see attached e-mail from Mr. Jay Ream, assistant director, Parks Division.

 

In response to our concerns, the state parks board has urged all potential closed park communities to go to you, our legislators, and ask that HB 2088 be passed quickly to allow for the funding of the 11 potentially closing state parks. So it would seem, our communities are being held ransom for political reasons.

We know the state has budget problems, but don’t allow those problems to adversely affect the economic well-being of our communities. Don’t take away one of our most important assets.

 

The Rim Country Regional Chamber Board and its 390 members are deeply concerned about the closure of Tonto Bridge, even on a temporary basis.  Our economy has been blasted by water and fire problems, and now housing.  These problems, combined with the current economic downturn, if combined with the closure of the major tourist attraction in Rim Country would potentially destroy one or more of our rural communities. 

 

In order to further understand the ramifications of these closures, the Rim Country Regional Chamber of Commerce requests an immediate “Town Hall Meeting” with all of you as we consider this an emergency situation.

We know you are busy at the legislature, but the closing of the Tonto Natural Bridge State Park could cost Rim Country communities dearly and the community needs to have a meeting with you on this matter within the next two weeks.

This meeting needs to be open to all concerned citizens, and would serve to assist our community in supporting our greatest natural attraction and a major economic engine of our area.

 

Please understand that the loss of the Tonto Natural Bridge State Park will significantly impact businesses, business taxes and our existence in Rim Country.

I ask that you respond in a timely manner, in order that adequate meeting space may be acquired.

 

Thank you for your time and your assistance. We look forward to your response.

 

 

John Stanton

Chamber Manager

Rim Country Regional Chamber of Commerce

.