Letter to the
editor
It is difficult to
believe the political connections of Pavilion Partners had nothing to do
with signing such a favorable long term lease with the DNR of such beautiful
and valuable property at Indiana Dunes State Park.
Liquor was banned
for twenty-five years at the park because of violence, but this lease would
give them a highly profitable monopoly to sell alcohol there if they obtain
the proper permits. This is not just about having a glass of wine at a fine
dinner. Alcohol sales imperil the safety and quality of the park.
It may very well be
cheaper to pay Pavilion Partners back the money they have invested now
rather than later. If Pavilion Partners are unable to continue to sell
alcohol in the park the way they intend, (perhaps bad violence recurs) they
can break the lease. In a few years, the State would have to pay them back a
larger sum of money than they would have invested, and also have to
remove or maintain a large, glass windowed white elephant banquet center.
Citizens have been told there has not been money to maintain the Pavilion,
even though millions in profits have been sent away from our Park.
None of the other
State Parks have bars. Adding bars to Indiana Dunes State Park is like
building a bar in a playground. Will watching children and young women on
the beach be entertainment for those idling away time drinking at the bar on
the Pavilion roof top?
The public has
spoken overwhelmingly that they do not want alcohol reintroduced into the
Park. HB 1247, co-authored by Representative Tom Dermody, would circumvent
the will of the public, as well as alcohol permitting authority of the
agency now called the Alcohol and Tobacco Commission, established over 80
years ago.
None of this
would have happened had Governor Pence and his appointed Director of the
Department of Natural Resources, attorney Cameron Clark, formerly of the law
firm, Clark, Quinn, Moses, Scott & Grahn, remembered the purpose of the
state parks, namely “to preserve a primitive landscape in its natural
condition for the public’s use and enjoyment.” This commercialization sets a
horrible precedent for all of our state parks.
What is the purpose
of a resolution congratulating Indiana State Parks on its 100th anniversary
while this is happening?
Schemes to exploit
our State Parks and natural resources for profit are unacceptable. Our
legislators should finally commit to properly funding the Parks and the
Department of Natural Resources. All of our common public natural treasures
and resources deserve protection rather than exploitation and destruction
for profit.
HB 1247 will be
heard before the Public Policy Committee, chaired by Representative Dermody
this Wednesday, January 27, at 9 a.m. Eastern Time.
Please email
Representative Dermody at h20@iga.in.gov and let him know that you oppose
this bill and that it would be a poor legacy. Thank you.
Julie Roesler