Posted on 06/28/2002 2:22:34 PM PDT by chance33_98
Discount Cut Makes For Some Unhappy Campers State Eliminated 50 Percent Discounts Posted: 10:24 a.m. CDT June 28, 2002
OKLAHOMA CITY -- Oklahoma has discontinued 50 percent senior discounts at state parks, a move that has led to some unhappy campers.
"There's definitely discontent out there," said Wayne Ratcliff, a 69-year-old camper and state AARP board member from Durant.
Faced with a $750,000 budget cut for fiscal year 2003, the Oklahoma Tourism Commission voted last week to end the discount starting Friday. Instead, seniors will get a flat discount of $2 a day.
The new rate means residents 62 years and older will now pay $8 more a day to camp in prime spots in their recreational vehicles, said Ron Stahl, of the Tourism and Recreation Department.
The 50 percent discount had been in place for 15 years.
Stahl said the move was a last resort, and tourism officials had to choose between that and cutting services.
Oklahoma was one of nine states that offered a 50 percent discount to senior campers, and is still one of 29 to offer some form of discount.
Kansas and Texas offer no discounts, and both charge fees to enter parks, Stahl said.
Arkansas still offers a 50 percent discount to seniors.
Jim Marti, Assistant Park Manager at Lake Thunderbird State Park, said he doesn't expect a mass exodus of senior campers.
"I don't look to see them rebel too much because most of them that drive in here are driving those $80,000 to $100,000 motor homes," he said. "They fight over these slots out here."
Doesn't matter. The whole thing will be declared unConstitutional....My understanding is that the Director of the Tourism Commission said: "By God, let's eliminate the old-folks discounts!"
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