Hey Bob. Regarding Reynolds Administration assault on out State Parks and Preserves, I was at the last public comment subcommittee meeting at the Capitol in March and spoke against SF 2324. The three-member panel comprised two republicans and one democrat. Those of us against SF 2324 were numerous and passionate. Maybe 14-2? Something like that. BUT, it passed out of the subcommittee, only to meet its demise the following day. I was worried but Professor Hamilton said to let's see what happens tomorrow. I spoke against this legislation last year too. My point is that Iowa citizens must vote some republicans out and attend any and all public comment hearings on negative bills. That is all we can do. Show up and vote. Show up, and SPEAK up!
One reason we have publicly owned parks is because they can’t be managed properly (ie as a “park”) profitably. Entrance fees would be unaffordable for most. Another thing the public is unaware of-a lot of DNR land has been rented out to farmers over the years.
The governor is going to be remembered as “Overreaching Kim Reynolds.” An interesting thing about her dismantling of government is that few people have ever been as “government” as she is. It’s been her whole career and much of her life.
Thanks for this reporting, Bob. As you say, it's a huge story happening across the board with Reynolds. One of the keys to her "success" is making policies appear fairly normal or inevitable when in fact they are ruthlessly ideological.
This totally fits in the Republican playbook “Mandate for Leadership: The Conservative Promise” I was reading about the dismantling of public lands. The governor is in line with the extremist MAGA agenda and ruining Iowa. When will Iowans wake up to what is really going on?
I was saddened by your description of the decline of Iowa’s state parks. But not surprised. It’s been going on a long time.
I grew up on an Iowa farm but spent most of my adult life in St. Louis, going back to Iowa generally twice a year. I remember staying a night at the Hotel Manning in Keosauqua and taking my kids to Lacey Keosauqua State Park. My kids were young, so I’m guessing this was about 1990. Located on the Des Moines River, the park had a swimming area with lifeguards. The kids had a great time wading and playing in the sand. Afterwards, we cleaned up and changed in the CCC-built shower house. (How long has it been since you’ve been in a roofless shower house?)
I went back about 20 years later. No lifeguards. Shower house closed.
The piece we are not hearing about as a reminder is from Martin Niemöller, that starts with: "First they came for The Communists, but I was not a Communist," and ends with, " then they came for me, and there was no one left to speak out for me". The only thing that has changed is now they go after the things that sustain all those parts of things we simply don't think of, until they are gone; our support systems are failing or the things we have always relied upon are absent. We simply hadn't paid attention as to what was happening! Active participation is required in a Democracy, and if you don't participate ACTIVELY, it is just a matter of time before they come for what you care about and there won't be anyone to speak for you!
Governor Reynolds is ruthless in many ways. She is definitely following the current Republican playbook making Iowa government look very uninformed about needed changes.
I was at Sam A Baker State Park in Missouri for the eclipse and it was so nice and taken care of. They had a visitors' center with nature displays and information about the trails. The park held programs about the eclipse. I admired the park and thought much more highly of the state of Missouri!
I agree with others, that I am torn between grief and rage. I remember Governor Vilsack's Iowa 2010 committee who all agreed that our Natural Resources are one of the most important aspects of Iowa life. We must preserve them. You can see the same thing happening out west where open public lands are being increasingly leased to ranchers for grazing and mining companies, and species like the Sage Grouse, wild horses and burros and native flora are disappearing.
Thanks for this information. I only wish more people could see and read it.
Illuminating and chilling. I foresee a spike in drug activity in those parks. It’s what is happening in remote parts of Montana.
Hey Bob. Regarding Reynolds Administration assault on out State Parks and Preserves, I was at the last public comment subcommittee meeting at the Capitol in March and spoke against SF 2324. The three-member panel comprised two republicans and one democrat. Those of us against SF 2324 were numerous and passionate. Maybe 14-2? Something like that. BUT, it passed out of the subcommittee, only to meet its demise the following day. I was worried but Professor Hamilton said to let's see what happens tomorrow. I spoke against this legislation last year too. My point is that Iowa citizens must vote some republicans out and attend any and all public comment hearings on negative bills. That is all we can do. Show up and vote. Show up, and SPEAK up!
One reason we have publicly owned parks is because they can’t be managed properly (ie as a “park”) profitably. Entrance fees would be unaffordable for most. Another thing the public is unaware of-a lot of DNR land has been rented out to farmers over the years.
The governor is going to be remembered as “Overreaching Kim Reynolds.” An interesting thing about her dismantling of government is that few people have ever been as “government” as she is. It’s been her whole career and much of her life.
Thanks for this reporting, Bob. As you say, it's a huge story happening across the board with Reynolds. One of the keys to her "success" is making policies appear fairly normal or inevitable when in fact they are ruthlessly ideological.
This totally fits in the Republican playbook “Mandate for Leadership: The Conservative Promise” I was reading about the dismantling of public lands. The governor is in line with the extremist MAGA agenda and ruining Iowa. When will Iowans wake up to what is really going on?
I was saddened by your description of the decline of Iowa’s state parks. But not surprised. It’s been going on a long time.
I grew up on an Iowa farm but spent most of my adult life in St. Louis, going back to Iowa generally twice a year. I remember staying a night at the Hotel Manning in Keosauqua and taking my kids to Lacey Keosauqua State Park. My kids were young, so I’m guessing this was about 1990. Located on the Des Moines River, the park had a swimming area with lifeguards. The kids had a great time wading and playing in the sand. Afterwards, we cleaned up and changed in the CCC-built shower house. (How long has it been since you’ve been in a roofless shower house?)
I went back about 20 years later. No lifeguards. Shower house closed.
Jim Mason
Portland, Maine
The piece we are not hearing about as a reminder is from Martin Niemöller, that starts with: "First they came for The Communists, but I was not a Communist," and ends with, " then they came for me, and there was no one left to speak out for me". The only thing that has changed is now they go after the things that sustain all those parts of things we simply don't think of, until they are gone; our support systems are failing or the things we have always relied upon are absent. We simply hadn't paid attention as to what was happening! Active participation is required in a Democracy, and if you don't participate ACTIVELY, it is just a matter of time before they come for what you care about and there won't be anyone to speak for you!
Governor Reynolds is ruthless in many ways. She is definitely following the current Republican playbook making Iowa government look very uninformed about needed changes.
Good grief. “combines twice as big as ours, and they are doing amazing things” destruction is her passion
That part about Reynolds' wistful noting that the combines are bigger in Brazil... OMG. I am torn between grief and rage.
Think you are correct re: privatization plans.
Whew. Very upsetting. I hope your reporting, as well as that of others, prevents the dismantling of these wonderful parks.
Margaret
Excellent points. All disturbing!!
I was at Sam A Baker State Park in Missouri for the eclipse and it was so nice and taken care of. They had a visitors' center with nature displays and information about the trails. The park held programs about the eclipse. I admired the park and thought much more highly of the state of Missouri!
I agree with others, that I am torn between grief and rage. I remember Governor Vilsack's Iowa 2010 committee who all agreed that our Natural Resources are one of the most important aspects of Iowa life. We must preserve them. You can see the same thing happening out west where open public lands are being increasingly leased to ranchers for grazing and mining companies, and species like the Sage Grouse, wild horses and burros and native flora are disappearing.
Thanks for this information. I only wish more people could see and read it.