Monday, June 23, 2003
Sorry for the lack of updates over the weekend.
Attention in Springfield
Tim Hickmann returned my call Friday morning. He's the man in charge of land management at DNR and oversees the state park system. I had made a courtesy call to him earlier in the week letting him know our plans since they involve his agency. We had a good conversation and I sent him more information in the afternoon.
Andrea Preston, a reporter for the Evansville Courier-Press also stirred the pot for us in Springfield. In preparation for her Sunday story in the paper about last Thursday's meeting she made the rounds calling the press secretaries of the governor's office, DNR and IHPA. None of them had heard about it, but it did get them started asking questions. At one point the somebody in the governor's office was asking somebody in DNR exactly what law allowed them do to what we wanted them to do. We sent the information to Andrea who I presumably forwarded it to whoever had asked. The legal reference is (20 ILCS 805/805-300):
Open it NOW! Rally
John O'Dell of the Saline County Tourism Board got us permission to rally at the courthouse steps in Harrisburg. I think we'll start at 11:30 a.m. We'll have more on this as we get it developed.
Resolution Updates
The Saline County Board has the resolution on its agenda for this Thursday night. Ron Wilson of the Gallatin County Historical Society has it on the Village of Ridgway's agenda for Tuesday, July 1. He also called me this morning to say that the historical society has also endorsed the plan.
Attention in Springfield
Tim Hickmann returned my call Friday morning. He's the man in charge of land management at DNR and oversees the state park system. I had made a courtesy call to him earlier in the week letting him know our plans since they involve his agency. We had a good conversation and I sent him more information in the afternoon.
Andrea Preston, a reporter for the Evansville Courier-Press also stirred the pot for us in Springfield. In preparation for her Sunday story in the paper about last Thursday's meeting she made the rounds calling the press secretaries of the governor's office, DNR and IHPA. None of them had heard about it, but it did get them started asking questions. At one point the somebody in the governor's office was asking somebody in DNR exactly what law allowed them do to what we wanted them to do. We sent the information to Andrea who I presumably forwarded it to whoever had asked. The legal reference is (20 ILCS 805/805-300):
Sec. 805-300. Public accommodation, educational, and service facilities. The Department has the power to develop and operate public accommodation, educational, and service facilities on lands over which the Department has jurisdiction and to lease lands over which the Department has jurisdiction to persons or public or private corporations for a period not to exceed 99 years for the construction, maintenance, and operation of public accommodation, educational, and service facilities. Those public accommodation, educational, and service facilities include, but are not limited to, marinas, overnight housing facilities, tent and trailer camping facilities, recreation facilities, food service facilities, and similar accommodations... (Source: P.A. 91-239, eff. 1-1-00.)
Open it NOW! Rally
John O'Dell of the Saline County Tourism Board got us permission to rally at the courthouse steps in Harrisburg. I think we'll start at 11:30 a.m. We'll have more on this as we get it developed.
Resolution Updates
The Saline County Board has the resolution on its agenda for this Thursday night. Ron Wilson of the Gallatin County Historical Society has it on the Village of Ridgway's agenda for Tuesday, July 1. He also called me this morning to say that the historical society has also endorsed the plan.