 Open Letter to State Parks Director, Jim Stratton by Scott Ogan June 22, 2002
I would have replaced the sign stating the "parks are closed due to legislative budget cuts" if we would not have found the other sign underneath the one displayed that said "closed due to pending legislative budget cuts. You have illegally closed the parks by not following your own laws regarding closure by regulation. Please provide to me, the dates when the parks were closed and the "pending legislative budget cuts" sign was posted. I find that sign highly offensive and a misuse of your office for political gain. Can you imagine the uproar if every project we funded said "construction due to legislative funding", or if we posted a sign on every school bus that said your child is riding in this school bus because of legislative funding? It would be an inappropriate use of state funds for political reasons. The legislature sets the public policy with the budget process and you have chosen to ignore the legislative directive to keep the parks open. Before I left Big Lake, I called your office and was later assured by Peter Panarese it was OK to keep the signs until legislative hearings on the issue are over. I am sure my legislative colleagues will be very interested in why there was a "closed due to pending legislative budget cuts" sign posted on an illegally closed park. Please answer my questions I presented to you yesterday. Also provide to me, the dates you intend to hold the public process required by law to close the parks by regulation. Please provide the letter outlining justification for closing the parks. Please include why less drastic measures were not considered, including justification for closing parks predominantly in Mat-Su. Does your punitive action have anything to do with the fact that Big Lake residents are suing DNR for their handling of the Millers Reach Fire? DNR seems to be Big Lake's worst nightmare. I removed those signs in my official capacity as a sworn officer of the state and they have been in possession of the legislative branch every since. They are still state property in state possession. I will be happy to return them to the executive branch as soon as legitimate legislative business with them is over. They are evidence for a legislative hearing I am requesting on the malfeasance of office you have displayed by using state resources for political reasons. You seem to confuse my actions with a private individual. But, we all understand the disrespect for the legislative branch you have by the dishonorable comments you have made in the press. Representative Scott Ogan
Editor's Note: Scott Ogan (R) is an Alaska Representative, District 27 - Palmer
|