To the Editor:

In March the North Carolina State Parks system celebrated its 100th anniversary with events, gathering and celebrations at the more than 40 state parks scattered across our state. It was a proud day indeed to mark the time a century ago when our legislators at the time had the foresight and devotion to the people of North Carolina to take the bold steps in preserving our shared history and the many unique natural resources and special places we have been blessed with. We should be thankful to these wise people and honor them with our continued commitment and reaffirm our goal of protecting the many wonders our state holds within its borders.

But instead, Gov. Pat McCrory and his cronies marked the day by ramming through dramatic budget cuts to our state park system despite rising visitation rates and use of these spaces by residents and tourist alike, topping 15.6 million visitors in 2014. 

Most of the folks that I have met across the state and the country travel often to visit and explore our state's many gems, so why would the governor choose to chop off more of its very lifeline after having already cut 25 percent of their budgets in recent years? It’s a fact that businesses, tourists, investors, retirees and outdoorsmen are attracted to our state because of its natural attributes — as showcased by our state park system.

It would be difficult to attach a dollar figure to the values these attributes have in attracting others, not to mention the intrinsic value put on these places by those of us who live and work here.

And yet our legislators in their self-defined genius have chosen to reallocate those important park monies to fund efforts to promote hydraulic fracking, development of offshore oil and gas drilling and the degrading, encroachment and virtual sell off of these “golden eggs” that nature and creation have given to us all. 

It’s alarming to me to see this blatant and obvious kick in the face to our state parks done in the name of job and wealth creation. I’m sure that there are those chosen few who will benefit from this absconding of the public trust and our commonly owned property, but I'm left with the taste of boot heel in my mouth as a taxpayer.

At the very least these actions and budget cuts lack the foresight that our historical legislators of 100 years ago possessed, and the good will entrusted to those that followed to consider the future of all North Carolinians rather than a handful of special interests. Perhaps it's time for the governor, his handlers and his blind supporters to take a long view of our great State — far from the mansion in Raleigh.

Please let him know your thoughts.

John Beckman

Cullowhee