Pantagraph.com | News | Many people emotional over closing of Moraine View State Park

Note: All views and opinions expressed in reader comments are solely those of the individual submitting the comment, and not those of the Pantagraph or its staff.

sonetdug wrote on Sep 12, 2008 9:10 AM:

" Hey if you can't make it out to sign the petition, there is one on line. Just search for Save Moraine view or save state parks. There are several online so I won't point out just one. Please. Save our parks.

Doug "

asmythe32 wrote on Sep 3, 2008 8:00 PM:

" Dave is correct in one part of his argument that the state parks are funded by taxpayers. On the other hand the money that is made from hunting and fishing licenses is supposed to go to the upkeep of these parks. I start to wonder wher some of that money goes. I paid $40 this year alone for my hunting license, imagine that price and the number of people that hunt in this state and you have a large sum of money my friend. That doesn't even include the money generated from fishing licenses. It may be tough for the Gov. to balance the budget and have to cut all these "expenses" ,as he calls them, but I wonder how much we spent on jet fuel last year flying him back and forth to chicago all the time. Hell if he isn't going to use the governors mansion maybe we should just sell that to balance the budget! "

common sense,too wrote on Sep 1, 2008 9:54 PM:

" To: Dave
Why expect the government to fund our recreaction?? Are you kidding me? So does this mean all funds from the state for ball parks, grants for extras for recreational tools at schools, universities, etc. should be done away with also? It's WELFARE? I'm sure you've never taken a part in anything state funded without paying for it when you get there. Ever heard of paying taxes??? We are already paying for it. It isn't welfare. "

common sense,too wrote on Sep 1, 2008 9:43 PM:

" to: ConcernedBNcitizen
WHY oh why would we need to volunteer to keep a state park running? We are TAXPAYERS. We "volunteer" our money every time we earn a paycheck. These parks are for relaxation, enjoyment, and education. This is Labor Day---we work, pay taxes, and enjoy the things our taxes pay for. This includes the salaries of employees at these parks who, by the way, ALSO pay taxes. We do not want to work all week, go home and do household chores, and then go clean up, maintain, etc. the very places we go to relax and teach our children about nature. There are a million things we can and DO volunteer for. This should not be one of them. This is just another trick of Blago to get what he wants out of the budget, just like a two-year-old's tantrum! "

Home Plate wrote on Sep 1, 2008 7:28 PM:

" Well....Dave
Much of the state funding for recreation is provided through fishing and hunting licenses and stamps and etc. along with a small percentage of tax, which goes directly to employee funding. As far as a link card, I do not plan on using one and I wonder how much growning there would be if link cards were closed. I don't want to pay for a link card that I will not use, but will pay for a state park that I will use...do you think I get a choice? Like it seems you wish for us to have. "

Home Plate wrote on Sep 1, 2008 6:51 PM:

" I have read over a hundred blogs on this subject, but while all of the comments about Gov. Rod seem to be right on, it seems that perhaps the real reason for his actions have been completely overlooked. Not that this is breaking news, but a different perspective of why he is closing Pontiac prison and state parks. I believe it could be that our governor is a little afraid that at the end of his term, he will be seeing the inside of the Pontiac prison from the inside and if given work release, he could be picking up cigarette butts at Moraine View State Park. That could be the concerns of this governor, as he is covering his future. "

gbfans66 wrote on Sep 1, 2008 6:26 PM:

" BC, you said the parks were going to close on Oct. 1st but the original article stated Nov. 1st and just for the record, Moraine View is open in the winter also. The Gibson's close the restaurant for a few months, but not until after the hunting season is over and then reopen early in the year. You can still go to the park though. You just wouldn't hike on the trails in the winter I'm sure! LOL You could walk around the lake though and it's quite enjoyable. Maybe someone should take Gov. Blow out there and make him walk all the way around it, then walk some trails and then go out in a boat. Oh forget that, he probably couldn't handle walking 1/4 of the way around it and his JET can fly over it to see it so that's enough for him I'm sure. Please sign the petition, as well as writing your congressmen and the Governer's office! "

Dave wrote on Sep 1, 2008 5:30 PM:

" rukiddn wrote on Sep 1, 2008 6:05 AM:

" dave:
are you really saying that having a link card is the same as using a state park?? Please send me my link card. thanks "

They're both funded by taxpayers.
Why expect the government to provide our recreation? "

hackrider wrote on Sep 1, 2008 5:02 PM:

" I don't think it is just the local closings but all the closings that are effecting those who camp fish and teach the children to enjoy nature "

kramer wrote on Sep 1, 2008 2:49 PM:

" to Floyd : Try looking here... State to lay off 450 and close parks, historic sites

in the archives "

queencamper wrote on Sep 1, 2008 2:32 PM:

" I have been camping at Moraine View State Park for many years. About twenty years to be exact. My family thouroughly enjoyed every moment spent there. It has been our sancuary from the everyday world. There isn't a place as beautiful for miles around where people can go to enjoy nature, fishing and camping! I don't understand it over 500,000 visitors a season and they can't make a go!! This is like being kicked in the stomache. What a sad, sad day!! "

justme2 wrote on Sep 1, 2008 2:28 PM:

" I didn't vote for this fool either time he was up for election. I lived in the state of Georgia for the second election and was just FLOORED that the great people of Illinois put their faith in him for a second round. I couldn't believe it for anything, he has been moving in this direction since day one and now he's making major cuts that benefits him and his. Essentially, he is saying he doesn't give a rats hiney about the citizens of our state, as long as he can get his hair done, fly between cities everyday, and live the life he WANTS to live. What does he care about parks and historical sites, ask him if he has EVER visited one, I'm willing to bet he hasn't if it didn't benefit him in some way, shape, or form. "

floyd wrote on Sep 1, 2008 1:32 PM:

" Irritating that Chicago politicians remove things downstate people PAY for thru taxes and enjoy and at the same time send their Cabrini Green residents here to live. I wonder how much taxpayer money was spent over the years on that chunk of slime in Chicago. Slap in the face and people should be outraged.To ConcernedBNCitizen. Please move to Orlando. I'm sure you'd fit right in. Olympics in Chicago? Lets hope not or we'll get more government housing dumped downstate. "

TATER SALAD wrote on Sep 1, 2008 12:24 PM:

" illinistephen, what makes you think that the hunters would get their monry back?? I know some campers who cancelled their reservations, way back in April, and they have not yet gotten their refunds. And don't blame the local park employees for this, the refunds are handled in Springfield. "

smithysmithy wrote on Sep 1, 2008 10:49 AM:

" A copy of the petition can be printed and returned to the concessions restaurant at Moraine View State Park. Go to www docstoc dot com and search for Moraine View. Open the 'Keep Moraine View Open' document. The print icon looks like a blue paper tray. "

turtlelover wrote on Sep 1, 2008 10:48 AM:

" And Hey!
Tell Blago and your other representatives what you think about this: go to congress.org and type in you zip code and just like that you can email directly to his royal hi-ness and tell him where he can stick his budget cuts (in a polite way, of course). "

turtlelover wrote on Sep 1, 2008 10:46 AM:

" Solve the problem:
IMPEACH BLAGOJEVICH!!!!!!!!!!!!
Why not cut some of the pork for the rich? No, we cut out the stuff poor and middle class people can do.
Who's going to take care of the David Davis Mansion while it's closed? Or will it just sit and rot.
This state STINKS! Several years ago the state spent $600,000 to "beautify" about 200 yards of North Main Street (between the I-55 underpass and Raab). This money was spent to make people feel good about coming into Normal. Now they're tearing up all that "beautification" less than 10 years later. I'm certainly not a math genius, but if that $600,000 had been saved until now, that money plus interest would probably be enough to fund Moraine View and David Davis and more. But even if they didn't spend the money on that, the state would have wasted it somewhere else.
STINKS~STINKS~STINKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

IMPEACH BLAGOJEVICH!!!!!!!!!!!!! "

mcleanfarmgirl wrote on Sep 1, 2008 10:09 AM:

" Someone please find a location in Bloomington for more of these petitions so we can get there to get them signed! It is unthinkable that this great place is in danger of closing! "

Vido wrote on Sep 1, 2008 9:58 AM:

" What about having State Farm pitching in to subsidize the cost of keeping the park open? Since they already own half of Bloomington/Normal I’m sure they could negotiate a fair agreement with local and state governments. And/Or perhaps wage a local sales tax on the surrounding counties say around .005%? It seems that in the land of corn and beans there are very few wildlife sanctuaries where our children can see and experience nature in an inviting environment. "

illinistephen wrote on Sep 1, 2008 9:54 AM:

" Is it possible that the parks are not losing money? Is it possible that Rod placed the park's $ into the general fund so he could spend it on things other than the parks? I do know what impeach means and when a leader is making decisions in GOP dominated counties as a power play that is a gross manipulation of power. From a budget standpoint the state will have to refund $15 per hunter for the "Controled" pheasant hunt lottery that money has already been cashed. Why wouldn't you wait until Jan when you can bank that money instead of having to reimburse roughly $12K/mo, not to mention the time and resources needed to issue and mail the checks. To me it is obvious what Rod is trying to pull. If you are too blind to see it, let me know and I'll give you some more FACTS as opposed to the speculation that the pro-gov bloggers have provided. "

keep-sarcasm-alive wrote on Sep 1, 2008 9:42 AM:

" BC, if closing Pontiac truly is all about saving money, then why is Stateville getting off the hook? I did look it up and it costs more to house inmates at Stateville than Pontiac, AND the state could save over 30 million by closing it. Hmmmm...if I could save 30 million over 3.9 million....I'd be a fool to close the one that saves less.

And as far as the parks....everyone is doing exactly what ol' Rod wants them to do....scream so that the lawmakers will HAVE to take notice of the budget. It's a dirty trick, and I'm just as upset about it as the rest of you.....but since I'll probably be moving upstate when the prison closes, I guess I'll be living the good life. "

ConcernedBNCitizen wrote on Sep 1, 2008 9:34 AM:

" americanfamily.........i am fully employed and bowhunt out at moraine view, fish and hike there. My wife runs 5ks out there. What I get sick of is whining and nearsightedness. The simple fact we are in a budget crisis is because Thompson, Edgar and Ryan put us there........now we are stuck making sacrifices. Its like when your family loses a job, you don't go to the movies anymore.........the park is going to be closed for about what? 8-9 months? I can't stand cult like downstate republicans. You follow your leaders off a cliff if they told you to. "

woodsgirl13 wrote on Sep 1, 2008 9:34 AM:

" Hey, BC, you have some good ideas. Too bad you need to resort to namecalling. I thought this was not supposed to be about attacking each other! Keep voicing your positive ideas. They're great. Leave the other stuff out! Sent with love. "

blmres1984 wrote on Sep 1, 2008 9:27 AM:

" I am so sad to see this park close. I just can't believe it. I used to eat at this restuarant and get bait and other supplies when we would come camping here with my parents when I was younger. This park and memories to it and I hate to see it close. "

drewman wrote on Sep 1, 2008 8:39 AM:

" Well "BC", I hope you are right and this is just a temporary closing. However, I stand not only to use a place that I have been camping, hiking, fishing & riding around the last 30 years, but I also have a friend that works there as part of the park staff. I was able to talk with him the other night and they are trying force him and the others into retirement. That doesnt sound too temporary to me. "

floyd wrote on Sep 1, 2008 8:27 AM:

" Pantagraph. Could you get us a list to see what all is being shut down in the entire state? It would be interesting to see what money pits Chicago gets to keep while downstate gets the shaft! Blogo is a Idiot. "

cemccon wrote on Sep 1, 2008 8:21 AM:

" To the Illinois Republican Party: please, please, please back a candidate that actually has a chance of winning our next gubernatorial election (irregardless of their seniority in your party)!! We can't have Blago for another term!! "

woodsgirl13 wrote on Sep 1, 2008 8:18 AM:

" I will go today to sign the petition. I visit Moraine View at least once a week to walk the backpack trail. I drive about 30 miles one way just to enjoy the beauty there. It's always been my special place to unwind, find peace, and get fit all at the same time. It's one of the last places around McLean County that offers access to lakes, woods and trails for public use. What a shame if we lose this! If the state closes this park, perhaps the county or another organization could take over? I'm sick about this! "

SpredaRed wrote on Sep 1, 2008 7:47 AM:

" To SuperGroover.

Do you know what IMPEACH means? I would be floored if Moraine View were to close. I think it may, for the winter, but I believe that Blago is playing hardball to get the legislatures to move on the budget. I am not a Blago fan by any means but he did inherit a broken system which will be better off for the next guy because of the hard decisions that he has had to make. Money spent has to be paid somehow. We'll soon learn that at the Federal level too. I feel for the next few Presidents who have to pay GW's charge card bill. "

BC wrote on Sep 1, 2008 7:43 AM:

" Instead of passing around petitions against the governor send them to your state rep who was a party to trying to pass an illegal, unbalanced budget. Did it ever occur to you morons that the parks are closing Oct 1st, after the main tourist season, only because our legislature didn't approve ways to generate funding for their spending? If they get back to work and finish what they are elected to do the parks could re-open on schedule in the spring. If a state operated agency in Springfield or Chicago cost double to operate over something in another district that is available and unused all of you would be whining about favoritism and wasting tax dollars. That situation is now in Pontiac's court and they don't like their own rules being applied. That rock pile cost double to operate over newer prisons that house the same number of inmates. Don't take my word for it, it's on the state prison site, find it like I did. "

americanfamily wrote on Sep 1, 2008 7:19 AM:

" Dear concerned BN Citizen I do not know if you are retired or not, however say you are not.....would you like someone to volunteer to work for free and you lose your job? We pay taxes yes, however employees of the state are tax payers too and to keep things running AS THEY SHOULD you need to pay employees, don't take me wrong volunteers are great, however can be less reliable than a paid employee. I've been told people have lost their jobs at Universities in Illinois because of budget cuts, yet student workers or grad. assistantships are filling in doing their jobs such as former secretarial work! Sounds like Blag is supporting the state people! Super Grover...your right and I did not vote for him! "

rukiddn wrote on Sep 1, 2008 6:05 AM:

" dave:
are you really saying that having a link card is the same as using a state park?? Please send me my link card. thanks "

Herr Hundhausen wrote on Sep 1, 2008 5:46 AM:

" I am NOT emotional over the closing of Moraine View State Park. I am enraged,fuming,furious, incensed, irate and LIVID!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! "

super grover wrote on Sep 1, 2008 12:41 AM:

" This is MAINLY Gov BLAGUDVINCH's fault....
However it is partly the fault of ALL of you that voted for him TWICE...

Save ILLINOIS : IMPEACH BLAVINKBINCH "

middle of the road wrote on Aug 31, 2008 11:35 PM:

" many of these parks where county or township parks before they were turned over to the state with the agreement the state would keep them open. TAKE THEM BACK "

Dave wrote on Aug 31, 2008 10:52 PM:

" We criticized New Orlean's residents when they expected the government to take care of them after Katrina. Welfare is welfare whether you're using government link cards or using government parks and lakes.
All these budget cuts might be a great thing for our state. "

What The Hey wrote on Aug 31, 2008 9:44 PM:

" For every item closed downstate, at least one upstate needs to also be closed. Why is it more important for Cook, Lake, etc., county people to be able to go to a state facility than it is for McLean, DeWitt, Piatt, etc.? After all, isn't what's good for one good for all? Also, since the taxpayers of IL paid for US Cellular Field (home of the Chisox), shouldn't it also be on the chopping block? "

ktlin wrote on Aug 31, 2008 9:21 PM:

" Hopefully Rod is paying for his trips to Springfield out of his own pocket and is traveling by car because of the pollution the planes cause. I think he should have just plain raised taxes. If the minimum is to keep parks and prisons open most people would want to do that. Then he needs to cut waste out of the budget. Instead he just raises everything else. "

gbfans66 wrote on Aug 31, 2008 9:05 PM:

" Family reunions are held there all the time also. So many campers and hunters and all the activity there and they want to close it. Sounds pretty stupid but then again seems like everything Gov. BLOW does lately is pretty stupid! Take this away even though there are families that use it and people use it to exercise also but all you hear is that our country is overweight. Hmmmm I agree with others who posted on the original story, maybe Rod should LIVE in Springfield and STOP flying back and forth daily!! That has to be costing so much more than keeping all these open! "

Home Plate wrote on Aug 31, 2008 8:48 PM:

" How sad, I know the Gibson's and how much they love their business at Moraine View. What have they done to deserve this? The closing of Pontiac prison, David Davis mansion, and Weldon Spirngs is stupid. They should invite our governor to witness how important all of these sites are to those that need them the most. I however am sure that Blago will not come to Moraine View, for fear of someone using him for bait. Chicago politics has never cared about those Illini residents downstate. They think everything south of I-80 is just a bunch of corn. Most of those in Chicago wouldn't ever cross the I-80 line, if they didn't have to visit their loved ones in Pontiac prison. The plan must be to build a new prison next to Soldier Field to save on gas. The tourism motto of "Mile after magnificent mile" must stop at I=80, cause everything south is closed. "

ConcernedBNCitizen wrote on Aug 31, 2008 8:44 PM:

" There is obviously a state budget problem than needs fixing and cuts need to be made somewhere. However.......why don't people put their effort forward and not just talk. why not form a group to volunteer to work the state park for free?? Or open a fund to make up the shortfall. Of course no one will do that. "

Not so Political wrote on Aug 31, 2008 8:36 PM:

" Most of the money spent at this park supports the private business running the bait and concession stand. Maybe putting in a gate like at WPP near Peoria and charing 2-3 buck per person would help support the continuing open park. Also getting rid of only the mowing crews and contracting it out would save thousand of dollars per year. "

Grandma of Two wrote on Aug 31, 2008 8:08 PM:

" If you have any way to do it, please go tomorrow and sign this petition. Leon and Judy are great people and don't deserve to lose their business because of the Governor's madness. "

moon mullins wrote on Aug 31, 2008 8:00 PM:

" Let's close the Governor's mansion. Emil's friend Rod doesn't use it. Even if he did he doesn't deserve it. Make him sleep with the homeless. It might give him some empathy for all of the state workers losing their jobs while he and the legislature gets undeserved pay raises. "

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