Annual Christmas Lights this weekend at Three Rivers

The annual Christmas Lights Show will begin this weekend at Three Rivers State Park. Located on Highway 271 (River Road) just north of Sneads, the beautiful park borders Lake Seminole and has been part of the state park system since 1955.

If some in state government have their way, this could be the last year for Three Rivers. The state is proposing that the land on which the park is located be given back to the federal government. The move would save Florida less than $200,000 out of a state budget of more than $70 BILLION. (a budget, by the way, that has more than doubled in the last ten years). Apparently our state leaders can double their budget but no longer have the money they need to maintain Three Rivers and a number of other state parks. I encourage you to voice your opposition to this plan by writing to Gov. Crist at Charlie.Crist@MyFlorida.com or by contacting your local senators and representatives. You can obtain their emails and mailing addresses at http://www.myflorida.com/.

In the meantime, take the time to head out to Three Rivers this weekend to enjoy the lights. The display opens at 5 p.m. both Friday and Saturday night and continues until 7 p.m. If the state goes through with its plans, this will be your last year to enjoy the display.

Three Rivers State Park Facing Closure - Please Speak UP!

Jackson County is on the verge of losing one of its real treasures.

Three Rivers State Park has been identified by officials in Tallahassee for closure. This park, located near Sneads, brought nearly 23,000 people to our county last year and has been part of our landscape for decades.

While I certainly appreciate the fact that the state needs to reduce its spending, I am inclined to believe that enough overhead could be cut in a few departments in Tallahassee to save every state park in Florida. It seems unfortunate to me that our leaders are looking at closing facilities that have been enjoyed by generations of Floridians and were preserved by our forefathers for the enjoyment of our generation and the generations to come.

I hope you will join me in voicing your objections to any moves to close Three Rivers and a number of other state parks in Florida. Please write to Governor Crist at Charlie.Crist@MyFlorida.com, Sen. Lawson at lawson.alfred.web@flsenate.gov and Rep. Marti Coley through her website by clicking here and encourage them all to stop this plan in its tracks before it is too late.

Thank you.