Park project creates jobs

Dear Editor:

All I could think was “What the...?” when I read that the state is being asked to invest $23 million in Cacapon State Park, and that a county commissioner thinks this is critical to the region’s economy.

You see, we’ve been told relentlessly by certain conservative and “Tea Party” Republicans that government doesn’t create jobs. But, wait, what’s this I’m reading? The plans call for a large expansion to the lodge in addition to indoor and outdoor pools, a fitness center, dining rooms, meeting rooms, a bar and a lounge. Hmmm. I wonder if that might involve jobs?

Also planned are nearly $1 million worth of improvements to the golf course. Well, okay, then. Jobs plus fun. Maybe government isn’t so bad after all.

When you think about it, the original Cacapon Park was created by the federal Civilian Conservation Corps in 1937. On average, 250,000 people a year visit the park. I wonder if any of those visitors ever spend some of their money in local towns? And do some people decide to relocate to Morgan and Berkeley counties partly because of those government-initiated and funded parks?

Maybe the Tea Partiers have been partaking of the wrong tea!

Mike Harman
St. Albans