The train don't come by here no more

[PDittie]

At least not if Rick Perry and the Republicans in the Texas Lege get their way. Houston Chronic:

The venerable Texas State Railroad may run from here to Palestine, but it's about to get sidetracked in Austin.

The 110-year-old railroad is the most endangered of the 114 properties in the state parks system, which is going on the offensive for increased funding after more than a decade of tight budgets that have led to decaying facilities and reduced services. ...

"Best I can determine, we're either going to become a static display, or (local railroad boosters are) going to find a private operator," said Robert Crossman, the railroad's superintendent. "Nobody has come back to me and said, 'If funding greatly improves, y'all are going to continue to operate.' "Ellen Buchanan, a Texas Parks and Wildlife Department regional director, said she's been told her agency will not keep operating the trains even if funding increases in the next legislative session. Crossman is hopeful money can be found to keep it rolling a bit beyond the planned Dec. 31 closure, but he isn't optimistic.

Most of the parks in Texas are in shambles:

More than half the state's parks, historical sites and other preserves have considered or enacted service limitations because of money problems. They include the slowed reconstruction of Sea Rim State Park after Hurricane Rita, and the Sunday-Tuesday closure of the Varner-Hogg State Historic Site in Brazoria County.

Penny-pinching for more than a decade also has affected quality, said Walt Dabney, the state's parks director.

"We're absolutely in the ditch," Dabney said.

Dabney fondly recalls working at the Inks Lake State Park near Burnet as an intern in the late 1960s. And then there's the recent memory of a visit to the rest rooms he once cleaned.

"They are absolutely amazing. Just worn out," Dabney said. "You can see the building is literally collapsing in on itself."

Chris Bell, David Van Os, Hank Gilbert, Fred Head, VaLinda Hathcox, Maggie Charleton (State Board of Ed. Dist. 9), Charlie Thompson (CD-05) and Sharon Davis (SH-8) all were in Palestine yesterday talking about this:

Bell said that the railroad is just one of the state parks suffering to the brink of closure. Texas ranks 49th in state park funding, and per capita, Texans spend $1.20 on state parks annually, compared to the national average of $7.50.

Money problems have been mounting at state parks for years, forcing Texas Parks and Wildlife to cut park hours and staff and limit maintenance.

Bell said that the Battleship Texas is held together with "tape and Silly Putty," and that the elevator at the San Jacinto Monument no longer goes all the way to the top.

"Seriously, sometimes the punch line writes itself," he said.

Somervell County Salon was there and took pictures and video (to be posted later today).

http://salon.glenrose.net/default.asp?view=plink&id=1575

[acmejack]

1. Great Post PDittie!

Consider yourself enshrined in a place of honor to the "I wanna buy you a beer list"! The list is long but distinguished, entree to the list is the easy part, however, it is collecting the beer from the always elusive acmejack that has proven to be the tough part for the other members of said list! Of course, my address & other information are a matter of public record...

[PDittie]

2. Thanks, jefe! The videos are up now...

Chris and David and Hank and Fred and VaLinda and all the others:

http://salon.glenrose.net/default.asp?view=plink&id=1576

[MagickMuffin]

10. Thanks for Posting this important information

Just went a watched the video of Chris. He's da man, to save us from becoming the Corporate State of Texas.

:applause:RING THEIR BELLLLLL, RING THEIR BELL; RING THEIR BELLLLLL, RING THEIR BELL:applause:

[sonias]

3. What a beautiful shot!

Great post!

Sonia

[midnight]

4. I love trains.

Isn't Laura Bush on the Parks Committee something organization. Why doesn't she get some fund raisers together.

[BrightKnight]

5. Petition Supporting Texas State Parks:

http://www.petitiononline.com/txprks1/petition.html

To: Texas State Governor, Senators and Representatives
Petition Supporting Texas State Parks


We the undersigned are requesting that our Governor and State Legislators work toward a solution for the problem of inadequate funding for our state parks system. Our state parks contribute to the success of education, historic preservation, tourism, economic development and quality of life. We ask that the Governor and State Legislators read the Texas Parks and Wildlife mission statement: To manage and conserve the natural and cultural resources of Texas and to provide hunting, fishing, and outdoor recreation opportunities for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations. We ask that our Governor and State Legislators keep this mission statement in mind when TPWD funding decisions are made. Thank you.


Sincerely,

The Undersigned

[johncoby2]

6. what the hell is fred head holding?

[sonias]

8. The novel?

The steamy Susan Comb's novel. Just a guess.

Sonia

[PDittie]

9. Fred is holding a

photograph of himself at the opening of the park back in 19-whatever. You should go watch the video of his 3-minute remarks (and David's, and Chris').

There are more good photos at this link.

I stole one from my friends at SCS (cof):

[flamin lib]

7. All this on top of the fact that Texas has less public land than any

other state. All the state owned land was sold off to pay war debt in the struggle against Mexico so the State could be annexed into the US.

Compared to other states we have almost nothing and now we can't even afford to maintain the piddling land we have for public enjoyment.