Newsletter of the Missouri Parks Association Post Office Box 30036, Columbia, MO 65205 Volume 31, No. 1 May 2013 Susan Flader, Editor A Wild Ride in the 2013 State Legislative Session Missouri State Parks had a wild Kelly chair of a special ap- ride in the Missouri General Assem- propriations subcommittee bly during the session that con- on Infrastructure and Job cluded May 17. But in the end, Creation to shepherd the parks came out better than in any measure. recent year. With leadership support With the November elections and a bipartisan list of 80 over, veto-proof majorities in both co-sponsors on the House houses, and continued low interest bill, it appeared that 2013 rates, Republican leaders in both would finally be the year houses seemed to buy the logic of a for the long-sought bond bond issue for higher education, issue. MPA and other park state buildings, and infrastructure support organizations ar- rehabilitation. New House Speaker ranged a special legislative Tim Jones listed a Fifth State Build- day in early February to ing Fund bond issue as one of his explain what park officials priorities for the year, sponsored a calculated was now almost joint resolution (HJR 14) similar to $400 million needed for infrastruc- Meanwhile, Senator Kurt Schae- one introduced by Democratic rep- ture repairs and improvements in fer, chair of the Senate Appropria- resentative Chris Kelly the previous the park system. tions Committee, introduced a com- four sessions, and then appointed panion bill in the senate, SJR 3. Like HJR 14, it provided for a $950 MPA ANNUAL GATHERING - SAVE THE DATE million bond issue primarily for in- stitutions of higher education, with MPA’s popular annual gathering of members with tours, panels, dinner $250 million reserved for state and events has been set for October 11-13 at Lake of the Ozarks State agencies, including "no less than Park with headquarters at the brand new rebuilt lodge and dining hall at $40 million" for state parks. It was Camp Pin Oak. The historic dining lodge, beloved by generations of Girl heard and reported Do Pass from his Scouts who camped at Pin Oak every year from its opening in 1938 until committee by February 27, but then 2004, was struck by lightning and burned to the ground in September put on hold while Kelly's subcom- 2010 in the depths of economic crisis. Governor Nixon pledged to re- mittee worked out further details in build, and that has been accomplished in an extraordinary partnership the house. effort. Come see and hear all about it—you won't want to miss this year's event. Accommodations will be available in rustic cabins in Camp Pin With a Democratic chair of a Oak and elsewhere in the largely Republican House commit- park as well as at nearby tee, there was a good deal of horse motels. Please mark your trading during a series of hearings calendars now and stay and work sessions over the next tuned for registration de- several months in Kelly's subcom- tails. This year’s confer- mittee and the parent budget com- ence promises to be a mittee. A new 2012 study that unique and memorable showed state parks generate more adventure. than $1 billion in economic activity The rebuilt dining hall at Camp Pin Oak. (See "Legislature" on Page 3) Page 2 The Missouri Parks Association President’s Message by Steve Nagel: MPA Honors Park Employees In a salute to Missouri State Parks the St. Louis ognize selected individuals in five different cate- Business Journal reported that more visitors took gories as State Park Employees of the Year. Deb advantage of the state's parks last year with atten- Schnack and I had the privilege of introducing dance rising by roughly a quarter-million people each of the winners and presenting them with for a total of over 18 million. Lake of the Ozarks monetary awards along with a plaque and en- State Park, where MPA will hold its annual gath- graved clock. Also MPA board member Nonie ering next October 11-13, had the most last year McClammer, who during her career with state with 2.2 million. According to a recent study, visi- parks had been superintendent at Lake Ozark, was tors to state parks generate more than $1 billion in on hand to assist with the awards and take photos sales, adding tremendous value to local economies. of the winners. Why do we see the rising tide of visitors and Gerald “Zero” Phillips won the award for main- what is it that makes Missouri’s state parks tenance with 29 years of outstanding service. He continue to rank high nationwide? has performed countless upgrades and “miracles” in fixing and improving water and electrical sys- There are two reasons that work hand in glove. tems at Cuivre River, Onondaga Cave, Washing- Our state park system has repeatedly been ranked ton, Lake of the Ozarks, and other state parks. as one of the top four state park systems in the na- tion because each park and historic site offers a Mary Dunlap has worked at Montauk State Park quality experience. However, to accomplish this it for 15 years and received the MPA award in the takes a dedicated park staff of hardworking profes- field staff category. Handling payment invoices sionals who care deeply about the mission of the for six different facilities, she also volunteers for system and their responsibility as state park em- special assignments working with bison, elk and ployees to administer and operate each of the 87 the Prairie Jubilee at Prairie State Park assists with parks and historic sites. The work involves land deer counts at Truman, Pomme de Terre and and water stewardship, maintenance of buildings, Stockton. She is the go-to person for accurate trails, campsites, drinking water, wastewater and budget information and accounting of materials electrical systems, and most importantly providing and equipment. I could tell that Mary truly enjoys the interpretion and public relations that give park working for state parks and her positive can-do at- visitors a safe and enjoyable experience. titude reflects the way she communicates with all park visitors and employees. On April 8 MPA was honored to be on hand at Camp Rising Sun in Lake of the Ozarks State Park Erik Otto, although a relatively new employee, to help host a dinner and award ceremony for state was honored in the interpreter category, having al- park employees. MPA is very pleased to extend ready developed 45 different programs. He has our appreciation to the entire park staff and to rec- been instrumental at Robertsville State Park in overseeing campground opera- tions, facility maintenance, su- pervision of seasonal and State Park Youth Corps staff and is also responsible for all revenue processing, shelter reservations, and monthly reporting for the park. He has also taken on ad- ditional responsibilities working on concept planning for the new Don Robinson State Park. He is very enthusiastic about his work and after meeting and getting to know Erik there is no doubt that MPA honors park employees(l-r): DNR Director Sara Pauley, Bill Bryan, Trail Blazer Deb Schnack, Gerald Phillips, Mary Dunlap, Wanda Doolen, Erik Otto, he deserves the award. Chris Fritsche, MPA President Steve Nagle. (See "Awards" on Page 6 Page 3 The Missouri Parks Association ("Legislature" from Page 1) language was then incorporated in a huge "omnibus bill" of DNR-related items, which also in Missouri annually and account for more than included a provision to establish a commission 14,000 jobs helped to make the case for state parks. form of governance for state parks with represen- MPA leaders then watched anxiously over the weeks tation by congressional district. Enactment could as others advocated at length for mental health (a have caused more problems and expense than the new $200 million State Mental Hospital at Fulton), loss of interest from the earnings fund. A com- repair of the state capitol (with an estimated $100- promise was finally worked out that provided for 200 million price tag), water systems in north Mis- annual open meetings in each of the three main souri, and special allocations for St. Louis, Kansas park districts in order for citizens to bring their City, and public elementary and secondary educa- concerns directly to park system leaders. tion as well as higher education—so many requests that Kelly advised and the committee agreed to cap By mid-April, park supporters were hearing the measure at $1.2 billion. that it was unlikely the bond issue would move, in part because it was being preempted by unre- MPA and other environmental and outdoor or- lated controversies. Then, unexpectedly, it began ganizations have been arguing for years that state moving again, receiving first round approval on parks, which received approximately ten percent May 2 and clearing the House on May 15. That (about $60 million) of the previous bond issue in the was too late for Senate action, according to Presi- 1980s, ought to receive ten percent of any new dent Pro Tem Tom Dempsey, who had earlier in- measure, especially since well over half of the build- dicated he thought the bonding measure should ings and water and wastewater systems that the state be a two-year process in order to allow adequate of Missouri is responsible for maintaining are in time for consideration of projects. He apparently state parks. But in this session they were reduced to intends to facilitate such discussion during a scanning each successive version of the bill to make statewide tour with regional meetings this sum- sure that the language providing "no less than $40 mer.