Published: June 28, 2008 08:45 pm            

FLASHPOINT: Sullivan Park and Lake board should consider new direction

For the past five years I have enjoyed camping at Sullivan Park and Lake with my family. My in-laws and other members of the family spent 20 years enjoying the park and camping nearly everyday of the week. Reminiscing past times help me remember why I chose Sullivan Lake as my summer retreat.

This year has me wondering if I made the correct choice. Drama, turmoil and frustration have taken the place of rest and relaxation at the once-fun park. The majority of the park board has kicked their governmental power into high gear by passing controversial rules. In addition, the park seems to be selectively enforcing outdated rules that were overlooked for years. The campers who are on the receiving end of these outdated rules are the campers who have been vocal against the decisions of the park board.

I do commend park board member Mr. Trotter, for he has been very attentive and appreciative of the campers’ thoughts. Several members of the board seem more concerned about achieving, what they perceive, as their ideological campground over doing what is right for the whole park.

I chuckled as I read the May 22 edition of LAKELINES. The unquoted sentence stated, “Board members said they sought to protect the right to quiet and avoid traffic congestion”. I would like to remind the government-appointed board that as a government agency it is their job to protect the rights of everyone including the campers who choose to play their jukebox loud. I pay the same amount to stay at the campground as the campers who want quiet and I am entitled to my rights also.

Why not make the tennis courts and shelters quiet places? Then the campers who want quiet can seek refuge there. I would also ask the board to honestly answer how often the volume of music bothers other campers. When is the loud music played, mostly on weekends and holidays? On the weekends … I’ll venture to say every other weekend. So who is being treated unfairly?

The park is quiet through the week and half of the weekends. And the board says “protect the right to quiet”? Who is protecting my and others right to play music loud every once in a while?

Board President Jerry Payne mentioned that some musical choices were “downright ornery”. Whose standards deems music ornery, Mr. Payne? Your opinion is based on subjectivity. Some may say TV is downright ornery, but others may not see a problem with it.

As far as the congestion of traffic, I don’t see the problem. Is the board trying to limit holiday weekends or festivals? Those events draw more of a crowd than karaoke or loud music.

Was the cruising rule necessary? The particular golf cart causing complaints could have been stopped after 11 p.m. by your “quiet rule”. It could have been stopped by the no-alterations rule, but that would affect 90 percent of the campers and some board members.

Unfortunately, the board found it easier to pass a rule affecting everyone. This year the board has displayed poor management and leadership in my opinion.

I would also ask the park board why I’m being singled out because my tent is mistakenly less than five feet too long. Why was I told to shorten it after Superintendent Stanley and I had an agreement to bring it into compliance? The rules applied to me have been nearing harassment considering I have recorded at least 30 other violations within the park that have not been dealt with. Why can’t my tent be five feet too long but others have two or three structures in addition to their camper? Is it because I’ve been critical of the board? Is it because I’m not a park employee? I find it hard to believe that a government agency is being so selective with enforcement of rules.

Why is security enforcing quiet time before 11 p.m. with some campers, because someone complained? If three people out of 400 camp sites constitutes a major complaint, then we’re all in trouble. Maybe the three people should take care of their own business and leave everyone else alone.

If I didn’t enjoy Sullivan so much I wouldn’t take the time to write this letter. I have a lot invested in camping and my family enjoys it so I have a vested interest to improve this situation. The burden will lie within the board to be more receptive and open-minded. If the board is interested in improving the park I ask they implement the following changes.

1. The board should, without delay, use last year’s rules until more information is received about the new rules.

2. The board should alter its rules and change the dates and/or times of meetings in order to facilitate more camper participation.

3. If the current meeting place is not conducive to public participation the board should meet at adequate facilities.

4. The board should establish an advisory committee comprised of campers which represents the diversity of the campground. Future rules and rate changes would rely heavily on the voice of the committee as approved by the board.

5. Board members not appreciating the checks and balances or the scope of their position, or the willingness to promote harmony with the campers, shall immediately be brought up for causal dismissal by their appointing authority.

6. An immediate review and revision of the rules would be conducted by the advisory committee with all due respect given to the fact these rules should be fair and equitable to all and they should promote the betterment of the park.

I hope this finds itself with a board and park management that is willing to do what is right for all and not what is right for them.

— Scott Dalton

Blackhawk

        

• Click to discuss this story with other readers on our forums.