Chesterton Tribune

 

 

County Council member Sylvia Graham opposes beach conference center at Dunes State Park

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Letter to the Editor:

The Indiana Department of Natural Resources announced it is raising park fees in state parks. This would make one feel they need more money to keep our state parks going.

But, the DNR has also announced a deal to lease the Dunes State Park Pavilion and surrounding area to a private operator for $18,000 a year, plus 2 percent of profits after 2 years. We are talking about lakefront property that has been protected by the DNR for nearly 90 years. In return, the operators get to build a banquet hall/restaurant facility and possibly a hotel and marina later. On top of that, the operator may use its own auditor to decide how much to pay the state.

No public hearings were held. The deal was just announced.

It seems the DNR is giving out sweetheart deals to connected, wealthy people for a minimum price, and raising state park fees for many people who can least afford it besides.

Why has the DNR abandoned its mission to preserve and protect natural resources entrusted to them for future generations?

Please contact your legislators and Governor Mike Pence to get this “Mistake on the Lake” project stopped.

Sylvia Graham

Porter County Council member

 

 

Posted 5/14/2015

 
 
 
 

 

 

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