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Our duty to keep parks open

Editor, Index-Tribune:

 

Our state is facing very tough fiscal times. Recently, the director of State Parks announced the closure of 70 of the 278 current state parks. Many of these are in our immediate area, including Jack London State Park, Sugarloaf Ridge State Park, the Petaluma Adobe State Park, Samuel P. Taylor State Park, Tomales Bay State Park, the Benicia State Recreation Area, the Benicia State Capitol, Bothe-Napa Valley State Park, and the Bale Grist Mill State Park.

Recently, Assembly Bill 42, introduced by Assemblymember Jared Huffman, D-San Rafael, which provides for the state parks to enter into partnership with nonprofit organizations to maintain and keep the state parks open, passed unanimously and is now awaiting action in the Senate.

As a member of the Native Sons of the Golden West, an organization dedicated to preserving and promoting California history, I urge all Californians to contact their state senators and ask them to support Assembly Bill 42.

Our state parks preserve our historic, cultural and scenic treasures for our children and contribute to our state's economy. All the Native Sons of the Golden West and Sonoma Parlor #111 have been actively promoting and preserving all State Parks for 100 years. It is our duty to do what we can to recognize the problem and come up with a solution between the State of California and the public at large.

Sen. Noreen Evans, of the 2nd District, is in support of this bill and should be contacted at (916) 651-4002. Join me and the other members of the Native Sons in supporting Assembly Bill 42.

Ron Brocco, President, NSGW Sonoma Parlor #111

Dean Zellers, Grand Trustee, GP NSGW