Restore America’s Parks

October 11, 2019

The Honorable Mitch McConnell The Honorable Nancy Pelosi Majority Leader Speaker of the House of Representatives United States Senate United States House of Representatives U.S. Capitol Building, Room S-230 U.S. Capitol Building, Room 232 Washington, DC 20510 Washington, DC 20510

Dear Leader McConnell and Speaker Pelosi: We are elected leaders of cities, towns, and counties that are adjacent to national park sites. The preservation of these sites is critical to the health of our local economies. That is why we urge you to advance legislation, S. 500 and H.R. 1225, that would dedicate federal funding for their repair. As you may know, the National Park System has a nearly $12 billion deferred maintenance backlog that affects the upkeep of historic artifacts and buildings, water systems, roads and trails, and many visitor facilities. As gateways to national parks, we understand first-hand the economic importance of sustaining these special places in ways that attract visitation and tourism. Our communities provide the lodging, gas, food establishments, and other amenities that tourists require before, during, and after their park visits. According to the National Park Service, in 2018, the 318 million visitors to national parks contributed more than $40 billion in national economic output, which supported 329,000 jobs. Those jobs are economic lifelines for many of our residents. We are proud neighbors and partners of America’s national parks and understand the important roles these places play in protecting and providing access to our natural and cultural heritage. We need to repair and maintain these cherished sites, not only for the economic benefits they supply, but to keep intact our National Park System, which historian Wallace Stegner called “America’s best idea.” Please provide your leadership in guiding S. 500 and H.R. 1225 through to final passage. Sincerely, Alaska

Charlie Pierce, Mayor, Kenai Peninsula

California

Rochelle Nason, Mayor, Albany Margarita Rios, Mayor, Norwalk Lee Brand, Mayor, Fresno Barbara Coler, Mayor, Fairfax Pauline Cutter, Mayor, San Leandro Ann Morrison, Mayor, Larkspur Rochelle Pardue-Okimoto, Mayor, El Cerrito Lance Walker, Mayor, Greenfield Ken Carlson, Mayor, Pleasant Hills Reinette Senum, Mayor, Nevada City Susan Seaman, Mayor, Eureka Chuck Puckett, Mayor, Tustin Linda Northrup, Mayor, Agoura Hills Robert Moon, Mayor, Palm Springs John Mirisch, Mayor, Beverly Hills Randall Putz, Mayor, Big Bear Lake

Catherine Blackespear, Mayor, Encinitas Megan Sahli-Wells, Mayor, Culver Paul McNamara, Mayor, Escondido , Mayor, Chula Vista Serge Dedina, Mayor, Imperial Beach Elizabeth Brekhus, Mayor, Ross Bill Widmer, Mayor, Atherton Ron Kott, Mayor, Rio Vista Harvey Rarback, Mayor, Half Moon Bay Ron Lander, Mayor, Coalinga Ian Bain, Mayor, Redwood City Frank Gonzalez, Mayor, Sanger Daniel Yost, Mayor, Woodside John Wilke, Mayor, Maricopa Elizabeth Patterson, Mayor, Benicia Megan Sahli-Wells, Mayor, Culver City Harry Price, Mayor, Fairfield Mary Casillas Salas, Mayor, Chula Vista Amy Harrington, Mayor, Sonoma Gleam Davis, Mayor, Santa Monica Greg Gomez, Mayor, Farmersville Heidi Harmon, Mayor, San Luis Obispo Brett Lee, Mayor, Davis Bob Link, Mayor, Visalia Naresh Solanki, Mayor, Cerritos Donald Sedwick, Mayor, Laguna Hills Todd Rogers, Mayor, Lakewood Tom Butt, Mayor, Richmond Martine Watkins, Mayor, Santa Cruz Robin Grundmeyer, Mayor, Norco Ron Lander, Mayor, Coalinga , Mayor, San Bernardino Frank Gonzalez, Mayor, Sanger Alejandra Sotelo-Solis, Mayor, National City John Wilke, Mayor, Maricopa John Dell 'Osso, Mayor, Cotati

Colorado

Mirabai Nagle, City Council, Boulder Sam Weaver, Mayor Pro Tem, Boulder Aaron Brockett, City Council, Boulder Mike Lavey, City Council, City of Cortez Cindy Carlisle, City Council, Boulder Suzanne “Zan” Jones, Mayor, Boulder Dave Bowman, Mayor, Montrose Lisa Morzel, City Council, Boulder James Langfelder, Mayor, Springfield

Delaware

Jeff Hall, Commissioner, Kent County Janet Kilpatrick, County Councilwoman, New William Hare, Council President, Dover Castle County David Carter, Council, New Castle County Matt Meyer, County Executive, New Castle Tim Sheldon, Council, New Castle County County Tim Slavin, Council, Dover Ted Becker, Mayor, Lewes Dee Durham, Council, New Castle County Robin Christiansen, Mayor, Dover Michael Purzycki, Mayor, Wilmington

Iowa

Ray Peterson, Chairman, Clayton County Board Terry L. Donahue, Mayor, North Liberty Jim Evans, City Council, Johnston Michael Kidd, Mayor, Dallas Center Larry Nagle, City Council, Asbury Emily Babinat, City Council, Tama Carmen Sorensen, City Council, Griswold Joseph Jones, City Council, Windsor Heights Bill Frommel, Mayor, Guttenberg Rob Archibald, City Council, Hiawatha Lyle Troester, Mayor, McGregor Jerome Amos, City Council, Waterloo Greg Staner, Mayor, Cascade Dick Olson, City Council, Hiawatha

Anna Bergman, City Council, Waukee Ann Rathe, City Council, Waverly Dan Miller, City Council, Adel Dan McCulloch, City Council, Carlisle Brendt Bernard, Mayor, Tripoli Tom Wieseler, City Council, Mt. Vernon Ross Hadley, City Council, Decorah Kelly Summy, City Council, De Soto John Edwards, City Council, Clive Dan Byrnes, County Board, Allamakee County Rick Bodensteiner, City Council, Osage Nancy Wulfekuhle, City Council, Fayette Chris Jimerson, City Council, Atlantic Andrew Smith, City Council, West Union Rob Green, City Council, Cedar Falls Andy Carlson, City Council, Decorah Toni Graham, City Council, Shenandoah Joel Greer, Mayor, Marshalltown A.J. Patel, City Council, Woodward Zac Bales-Henry, City Council, Windsor Mike Wolf, City Council, Council Bluffs Heights Jay Wickham, Supervisor, Dubuque Susan Judkins, City Council, Clive Josh Mandelbaum, City Council, Des Moines Rhonda Martin, City Council, Johnston Luis Del Toro, City Council, Dubuque Dave Baker, Commissioner, Dubuque County John Beard, County Board, Winneshiek County

Idaho

Ron Jacobson, Mayor, Post Falls Dave Bieter, Mayor, Boise Stan Ridgeway, Mayor, Eagle Niel Bradshaw, Mayor, Ketchum

Illinois

George Van Dusen, Mayor, Skokie Nancy R. Rotering, Mayor, Highland Park Tom Page, Mayor, Chester Deborah Frank Feinen, Mayor, Champaign Diane Marlin, Mayor, Urbana Jerry Smith, Mayor, Dekalb Raymond Rogina, Mayor, St. Charles Steve Hagerty, Mayor, Evanston Curt Lang, Mayor, Sycamore Frank A. Trilla, Mayor, Willowbrook Andrew Pryzbylo, Mayor, Niles Dave Kaptain, Mayor, Elgin

Kansas

William Nusser, Mayor, Larned Mike Kelly, Mayor, Roeland Park Henry Schwaller IV, Mayor, Hays Jonathan Wells, Mayor, Iola

Kentucky

Albey Brock, Bell County Judge Executive, Suzie Razmus, Mayor, Corbin Pineville James B. Phelps, Jr., Mayor, Hodgenville Harry Berry, Hardin County Judge Executive, Randall Curry, Mayor, Horse Cave Elizabethtown Jimme W. Greene II, McCreary County Judge Tommy Turner, Larue County Judge Executive, Executive, Whitley City Hodgenville Michael O. Buchanon, Warren County Judge Robert H. Lawson, Mayor, Burnside Executive, Bowling Green

Bruce Wilkerson, Mayor, Bowling Green

Massachusetts

Tim Ryan, City Council, Springfield Nicole LaChapelle, Mayor, Easthampton Melvin A. Edwards, City Council, Springfield Angela Otis, Select Board Chair, Town of Marcus Williams, City Council, Springfield Goshen Owen M. Zaret, City Council, Easthampton Kristine B, Select Board Clerk, Town of Goshen Salem Derby, City Council, Easthampton Sarah Etelman, Select Board, South Hadley Margaret A. Conniff, City Council, Easthampton Jeff Cyr, Select Board, South Hadley Thomas W. Bernard, Mayor, North Adams Steve Smith, Select Board, Worthington Bill Kilgore, Mayor, Monroe Chuck Sokol, Select Board, Rowe

Maryland

Chad W. Weddle, Burgess/Mayor, Walkersville Tom Hucker, Council, Montgomery County Deb Jung, Council, Howard County Patrick Wojahn, Mayor, College Park Gee Williams, Mayor, Berlin Emmett V. Jordan, Mayor, Greenbelt Bernard C. "Jack" Young, Mayor, Baltimore James D. Crudup, Mayor, Prince Georges Ken Lord, Mayor, Keedysville Ryan M. Warner, Mayor, Manchester Wayne S. Creadick, Jr., Mayor, Myersville Jeffrey Slavin, Mayor, Somerset Loucretia Wood, President, Charlestown

Michigan

Ryan Covert, City Council, New Baltimore Ken Trester, Mayor, Saugatuck Paul LaBine, Mayor, Hancock Michael C. Taylor, Mayor, Sterling Heights Lamar Tidwell, Mayor, Ecorse Mark Behnke, Mayor, Battle Creek Lamar Tidwell, Mayor, Ecorse Jim Carruthers, Mayor, Traverse City Rod DesJardins, Mayor, Munising Anthony Ansorge, Commissioner, Leelanau County Derek Dobies, Mayor, Jackson Dan Seguin, City Council, Hancock Michael DeVore, Mayor, Lowell Ken Harris, City Council, Port Huron Rosalynn Bliss, Mayor, Grand Rapids Ty Wessell, Commissioner, Leelanau County Floyd Kloc, Mayor, Saginaw Will Lytle, City Council, Hancock Chuck Jacobson , Mayor, Adrian Stephanie Tubman, City Council, Hancock James Gardner, Mayor, Luna Pier

Minnesota

Jacob Frey, Mayor, Minneapolis Tom Stiehm, Mayor, Austin Myron Bailey, Mayor, Cottage Grove Dave Napier, Mayor, West St. Paul Marv Calvin, Mayor, Willmar Janet Williams, Mayor, Savage George Tourville, Mayor, Inver Grove Heights Ron Case, Mayor, Eden Prairie Jo Emerson, Mayor, White Bear Ted Kozlowski, Mayor, Stillwater Dave Napier, Mayor, West St. Paul Maria Regan Gonzalez, Mayor, Richfield

Mark Peterson, Mayor, Winona Rhonda Pownell, Mayor, Northfield Tom Kuntz, Mayor, Owatonna Dai Thao, City Council, Saint Paul Elizabeth Kautz, Mayor, Burnsville Emily Larson, Mayor, Duluth

Missouri

Steve Sarver, Alderman, Smithville Greg Duncan, City Council, Liberty Gerri Spencer, Alderman, Kearney George Head, City Council, Brookfield Melissa Hays, Alderman, Monroe City Michael Hagan, City Council, Liberty Madison Davis, City Council, Saint Joseph Brenda Blessing, City Council, Saint Joseph Marty Novak, City Council, Saint Joseph Bill McMurray, Mayor, Saint Joseph Brian Myers, City Council, Saint Joseph Eileen Weir, Mayor, Independence

Montana

Quentin Schwarz, City Commissioner, Andres Haladay, Commissioner, Helena Livingston Bill Berg, County Board, Park County Diane Dimich, City Council, Red Lodge Clint Tinsley, County Board, Park County Rob Weamer, City Council, Red Lodge Tyrel Hamilton, County Board, Stillwater John DiBari, City Council, Missoula County Richard Hildner, City Council, Whitefish William Larson, Mayor, Red Lodge Chris Burke, City Council, West Yellowstone Wilmot J. Collins, Mayor, Helena Pierre Martineau, City Council, West Jordan Hess, City Council, Missoula Yellowstone Melissa Hartman, City Council, Whitefish Gwen Jones, City Council, Missoula Mary Cameron, City Council, Red Lodge Ed Noonan, Commissioner, Helena Steve Caldwell, County Board, Park County

North Carolina

Danell Moses, Commissioner, Webster Bruce Davis, Mayor, Lumberton Julie Mayfield, City Council, Ashville Allen Joines, Mayor, Winston-Salem Paige Posey, City Council, Flat Rock Esther Manheimer, Mayor, Asheville Jerry Smith, City Council, Hendersonville Tracy Rodes, Mayor, Webster Steve Caraker, City Council, Hendersonville Scott Neisler, Mayor, Kings Mountain Albert Gooch, City Council, Flat Rock Al Heggins, Mayor, Salisbury Gwen Wisler, City Council, Asheville TJ Cawley, Mayor, Morrisville Steve Little, Mayor, Marion Ian Baltutis, Mayor, Burlington Dick Sears, Mayor, Holly Springs Dr. Janet Banks, Mayor Pro Tem, Maggie Pam Hemminger, Mayor, Chapel Hill Valley Linda Lavelle, Mayor, Carrboro Dena Barnes, Mayor Pro-Tem, Summerfield Stan Anthony, Mayor, Shelby Bill Dusch, Mayor, Concord Bruce Rose, Mayor, Wilson Darrell Hinnant, Mayor, Kannapolis Barbara Volk, Mayor, Hendersonville Hank Guess, Mayor, Hickory Steve Schewel, Mayor, Durham Jeff Miller, City Council, Hendersonville Costi Kutteh, Mayor, Statesville Ginger Brown, City Council, Flat Rock

John Dockendorf, City Council, Flat Rock Gail Dunham, Mayor, Summerfield

New Jersey

Jim Perry, City Council, Hardwick Township Kevin Duffy, Mayor, Hardwick Township Gene Crawford, Deputy Mayor, Montague Richard Innella, Mayor, Montague Township Township Steve DiDonato, Mayor, Hammonton Joe Venezia, Mayor, Estell Manor Robert D. Parisi, Mayor, West Orange Richard Palombo, Mayor, Upper Township Jack Glasser, Mayor, Somers Point George B. Harper, Jr., Mayor, Sandyston Ken Haeser, Mayor, Weymouth Township Township Richard O'Neil, Mayor, Highlands Susan McCartney, City Council, West Orange

New York

Jackie Izzo, Mayor, Rome Randy Casale, Mayor, Beacon Lovely Warren, Mayor, Rochester Paul Pontieri, Mayor, Patchogue Angie Carpenter, Supervisor, Islip Paul Dyster, Mayor, Niagara Falls Thomas Zoller, Mayor, Cove Neck

Ohio

Ed Klco, Mayor, Village of North Perry Brian Stewart, Pickaway County Commissioner, Quinton Babcock, Mayor, Oak Harbor Circleville Mike Summers, Mayor, Lakewood Bob Stone, Mayor, Beavercreek , Mayor, Dayton Dan Horrigan, Mayor, Akron , Mayor, Toledo Carol Roe, Mayor, Heights David Scheffler, Mayor, Lancaster Joseph Koziura, Mayor, Lorain Tom Bernabei, Mayor, Canton

Oklahoma

Breea Clark, Mayor, Norman Stan Booker, Mayor, Lawton Craig Thurmond, Mayor, Broken Aaron

Oregon

Pam Ackley, City Council, Warrenton Claire Elizabeth Hall, City Council, Lincoln Amanda Fritz, City Council, Portland Brandon Ogilvie, City Council, Cannon Beach JoAnn Hardesty, City Council, Portland Rich Rosenthal, City Council, Ashland Greg Evens, City Council, Eugene Casey Kulla, City Council, Yamhill County Betty Tayolor, City Council, Eugene Claire Syrett, City Council, Eugene Xanthippe Augerot, Commissioner, Benton Pete Sorenson, Commissioner, Lane County County Lianne Thompson, County Commissioner, Jay A. Barber, Mayor, Seaside Clatsop County

Mary Starrett, County Commissioner, Yamhill Kelley Mintey Morris, County Commissioner, County Klamath County

South Dakota

Paul TenHaken, Mayor, Harrisburg Paul Aylward, Mayor, Huron

Tennessee

Jonathan Dagley, Alderman, Wartburg Trey Dykes, Mayor, Newport Ken Moore, Mayor, Franklin Madeline Rogero, Mayor, Knoxville Robbie Fox, Mayor, Sevierville Tom Taylor, Mayor, Maryville George Gantte, Mayor, Dandridge Jim Coppinger, Mayor, Chattnooga Larry Waters, Mayor, Sevier County Andy Berke, Mayor, Chattanooga Lyndon Baines, Mayor, Jamestown Chaz Molder, Mayor, Columbia

Texas

Barbara Canales, County Judge, Nueces County Juan "Trey" Mendez, Mayor, Brownsville Fred Williams, Mayor, Kountze Joe McComb, Mayor, Corpus Christi Sandy Cox, Mayor, Lakeway Rhonda Stell, Mayor, Johnson City Andy Ramos, Mayor, Alpine Bruno Lozano, Mayor, Del Rio Monty Parker, Mayor, Bee Cave Dwight Kirksey, Mayor, Fritch Dale Flach, Mayor, Dell City Kyle Deaver, Mayor, Waco

Utah

Mark Shepherd, Mayor, Clearfield City Vern Phipps, City Council, Clearfield City

Virginia

Terry R. Short, Jr., Mayor, Waynesboro Justin Wilson, Mayor, Alexandria Levar M. Stoney, Mayor, Richmond W. Chad Green, Vice Chairman Board of Carolyn W. Dull, Mayor, Staunton Supervisors, Yorktown

Wisconsin

Matt Biren, City Council, Altoona Ryland Erdman, City Council, Menomonie Sean Downing, City Council, River Falls Luke Fuszard, City Council, Middleton Clinton Anderson, City Council, Beloit Eric Genrich, Mayor, Green Bay Ryan Sorenson, City Council, Sheboygan Bryan Kennedy, Mayor, Glendale Jenny Van Sickle, City Council, Superior Deb Lewis, Mayor, Ashland

Jim Paine, Mayor, Superior Judy Gatlin, Supervisor, Eau Claire County Gordon Ringberg, Mayor, Bayfield Jerry Wilke, Supervisor, Eau Claire County Anissa Welch, Mayor, Milton Kim Cronk, Supervisor, Eau Claire County Zachary Vruwink, Mayor, Wisconsin Rapids Sandra McKinney, Supervisor, Eau Claire County Justin Nickels, Mayor, Manitowoc Lydia Boerboom, Supervisor, Eau Claire County Branden Pratt, Mayor, Altoona Michael Walsh, Mayor, De Pere Theresa Rusch, Alderperson, Milton Melissa Janssen, Supervisor, Eau Claire County Rick Dodd, Mayor, Portage Jim Dunning, Supervisor, Eau Claire County Kathleen Ehley, Mayor, Wauwatosa Martha Neimann, Supervisor, Eau Claire County Gurdip Brar, Mayor, Middleton Connie Russel, Supervisor, Eau Claire County Tim Kabat, Mayor, La Crosse Joe Knight, Supervisor, Eau Claire County Joe Chilsen, Mayor, Onalaska Sharon Johnson, City Council, Bayfield Paul Esser, Mayor, Sun Prarie Don Mowry, Supervisor, Eau Claire County Ken Tutaj, Mayor, St. Francis Kevin Stelljes, Supervisor, Eau Claire Mike Wiza, Mayor, Stevens Point Zoe Roberts, Supervisor, Eau Claire County

West Virginia

Dave McCauley, Mayor, Buckhannon Serafino Nolletti, Mayor, Logan John Michael, Mayor, White Hall Randy Barrett, Mayor, Winfield Robert Rappold, Mayor, Beckley David Smith, Mayor, Ronceverte Jim Blevins, Mayor, Man Beverly White, Mayor, Lewisburg Scott James, Mayor, St. Albans Randall Rapp, Mayor, Vienna Terry Williams, Mayor, Spencer