Government Shutdown, Week 2

The United States is facing a second week of stalled negotiations in Washington, D.C., with the government still closed and all nonessentual personnel being furoughed without pay while politicians at Capitol Hill debate on how to end the stalemate over affordable health care and the looming debt limit on October 17th which could force this once great country to default on its financual obligations.



The results of the default could send the US into a depression, causing global markets to tumble out of control. It would seem that our leaders are playing a game of chance with the future of the people they were elected to serve. One of the areas of major concern where Ranger Ricardo lives is the loss of tourist dollars as the national parks remain closed to visitors.



Blount County Mayor Ed Mitchell says operating the Smoky Mountain National Park using local deputies and their highway department employees would cost them, but it's nothing compared to what they stand to lose. Mitchell and other local officials and tourism leaders held a news conference Friday, announcing that's exactly what he communicated to Interior Secretary Sally Jewell in a letter sent Thursday. He was turned down. It would seem that the government is not interested in the Smokies being open by any means.

Mitchell says he isn't sure exactly how much the idea could cost, but the sheriff is in support of the idea. Deputies already patrol the foothills and the volunteer rescue squad act as the area's emergency responders, and Mitchell says he would like to see them all come together to reopen the Smokies during the park's second busiest month. In the letter, he also pitched the possibility of allowing Blount County to contract with the National Park Service to pay for the federally employed rangers to return to their posts. Sally Jewell sent him a letter of denial.



As the shutdown drags on, Blount Partnership Director of Tourism Tami Vater says the county stands to lose millions. In 2012, she said the county had a $312 million economic impact, which was a $7 million increase over 2011. She says they've been networking with local businesses and communicating with potential visitors about what remains open. Horseback riding, rafting, fishing, and several local festivals are recreation options still available to tourists, and Vader says they're hoping people will use county roads that are accessible regardless of Washington's status to enjoy one of the Smokies most impressive times of year.

Foothills Parkway is closed to traffic as part of the closure of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, but some road work continues in spite of the shutdown. Work to complete the portion of the highway known as "the missing link" continues. Since the work is already funded with a contract in place, the work doesn't have to be supervised by park officials and can continue to completion, eventually linking Happy Valley in the south with Wear Cove in the north at the western end of the park in Blount County, Tennessee.

Plans to re-pave Newfound Gap Road in the Smokies also will continue. The national highway is not closed to traffic, but all rest areas, restrooms and visitors centers along the scenic route are shut down.



GATLINBURG (WATE) - As the government shutdown goes into its 12th day, many people are frustrated with the Washington's inability to work together. In East Tennessee, the closure of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park has angered many. A protest was held Saturday at the entrance of the park to get Washington's attention. Hundreds of people gathered to show their frustrations about the park being closed.

"After being kicked out of Cades Cove, and hearing so many stories, heart breaking stories, of people that were there for family reunions, people who had planned weddings there, I decided I wanted to do something rather than stay mad and complain," said protester Malia Lane

The protest was organized by Jeremiah Spelas of Gatlinburg.



When asked why he did this, Spelas replied, "To show people they should stand up for what they believe in. We have the freedoms of speech. If we stand up together we can make a difference."

Spelas says he really was not sure how many people would show up but was pleased with the turn out. He says it was amazing to see many people from outside of the state who joined in the protest.

"We brought 36 people from a hiking club in Las Vegas down here to hike for a week," said protester Nadine Whitacre. "We can't hike and it costs us a lot of money."

"We have been coming down for 35 years and this is the first time we have not been able to camp inside the park," said protester Kim Weber. "We are very upset."

All of the people we spoke with said they are unsure if this protest will get the park reopened, but they feel it will make a difference.

"This matters," said Weber. "If you don't have the right to speak then you don't have anything."

"I don't know if our voices will be heard, but I think it's time Americans stood up for what they felt was right," said Whitacre.

"If it's just my voice," said Lane. "If it's just Jeremiah's voice, but look at all the people, listen to the honking, yea I do think it will make a difference."

Spelas has only lived in Gatlinburg since April, but says as an artist, the national park gives him a lot of inspiration for his paintings. He says he felt compelled to organize this protest.

"I'm just a guy that waits tables," said Spelas. "I'm an artist. I'm just outraged by the fact that I feel that's our land. Everything we do creates a ripple, so I don't expect to open the park. But as we spread awareness, other places will try to do the same."



GATLINBURG, Tenn. (WVLT) -- Protestors holding signs encouraging cars to honk are hopeful their message to congressmen comes across loud and clear:

"They really can't do things like this without there being a cause and effect," said Jeremiah Spelas, who organized the protest.

Jennifer Kittredge owns a shop in Gatlinburg. She said October is extremely important to her.

"This is our biggest month of the year. So this is like our Christmas for most retailers," said Kittredge.

But with the national parks closed because of the shutdown, business is slow. Kittredge isn't the only one feeling the pain:

"If you can't make your bills and your rent and your overhead, and you can't pay your employees, you fold up. And you have no choice. And it's going to happen to all of us," said Doc Waddel, who owns seven shops around town.

The tourists who are in town can't enjoy what they came for. The Whitacres traveled all the way from Nevada with 34 others to hike the Smokies. They planned their trip a year ago.

"The plans were already made. Everyone had their airline tickets and you know, hotel reservations and really it was too tough to cancel, so they're all coming in today and we'll just do the best we can," said Paul Whitacre.

Organizers said people donated their land to create the park back in 1940.

"They were promised to always have access. Now they're denied the access to the graves of their loved ones. It's ridiculous and I just thought if we all get together and practice our freedom of speech, maybe other people in other places will do the same," said Spelas.

He's hopeful that will encourage lawmakers to reach a deal and reopen the government.

A Western Carolina University economist estimates that the park closure cost North Carolina and Tennessee more than $33 million in lost visitor spending in just the first 10 days of the shutdown.



SEVIERVILLE, Tenn. (WVLT) -- Sevier County Mayor Larry Waters says he's working to get the Great Smoky Mountains National Park open quickly. In a statement released Friday, Mayor Waters said:

We in Sevier County have been working to expedite the opening of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The park is vital to the economic health of our county, with millions of people visiting it each year. I, along with the mayors of Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge, Pittman Center and Sevierville, sent a letter this week to our Senators and Representatives in Washington, D.C. explaining the urgency of opening the park due to the negative economic impact that our county would sustain if the shutdown is prolonged.

According to the U. S. Department of the Interior press release from Thursday, Oct. 10, "Secretary Jewell will consider agreements with Governors who indicate an interest and ability to fully fund National Park Service personnel to re-open national parks in their states." Today, my office has been communicating with the staffs of Governor Haslam, Senator Alexander, the National Park Service, Blount County Mayor Mitchell and the city mayors within Sevier County, to work on a plan to open the park as soon as possible. It is our hope that Congress acts quickly to end this government shutdown so that we will not sustain any further economic damage.



GATLINBURG, Tenn. (WVLT) -- An economist who studies the Smokies says the government shutdown has cost the area millions of dollars in lost tourist spending over a 10 day period.

Dr. Steve Morse, Director of Western Carolina University's Hospitality and Tourism Program released his study at a Join Legislative Luncheon in Gatlinburg on Friday. He says the park's closure will hurt more in October.

"It's the 2nd highest month for visitation in the Great Smoky Mountain National Park," said Morse. "So October is big and having the government shutdown right now is devastating to this area."

Morse studied a 60 mile radius around the park and says it's not just the shoulder communities that are impacted by the closure.

"There's a lot of spending that takes place in Knoxville in restaurants, hotels and people doing other things in Knoxville. So that ripple effect to Knoxville is big as well," said Morse.

According to the study, each day that the park is closed:

~ 26,577 visitors are lost per day in Tennessee, and 10,335 visitors are lost per day in North Carolina. In the 10 days since the closure began, 369,120 people who would have visited the park were unable to do so (265,767 in Tennessee and 103,354 in North Carolina).

~ $3,314,232 per day is not being spent by visitors in the local economy ($2.38 million in Tennessee and $927,985 in North Carolina). Since Oct. 1, that equates to $33,142,324 in total lost visitor spending ($23.86 million in Tennessee and $9.27 million in North Carolina).

~ $1,226,266 per day is lost in worker wages and paychecks ($882,911 in Tennessee and $343,354 in North Carolina). Since Oct. 1, that totals $12,262,660 in lost worker income ($8.82 million in Tennessee and $3.43 million in North Carolina).

~ $181,343 is lost per day in state taxes ($130,567 in Tennessee and $50,776 in North Carolina). That adds up to $1,813,429 in lost state taxes during the first ten days of October ($1.30 million in Tennessee and $507,760 in North Carolina).

~ $102,423 is lost per day in local taxes in Tennessee and North Carolina cities and counties within 60 miles of the park ($73,745 in Tennessee and $28,679 in North Carolina). During the first 10 days of the shutdown, that means $1,024,235 in lost local taxes for cities and counties ($737,449 in Tennessee and $286,786 in North Carolina).



KNOXVILLE (WATE) – After pressure from several governors, the Obama administration has said it will allow some closed national parks to reopen, but the state would have to use their own money for park operations. Local businesses and lawmakers are excited because it's an option that could reopen the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Governors in at least four other states have asked to reopen their national parks, saying their state will foot that bill. Tennessee's governor's office says they are working with Congress, gathering more information about this. As the entryway to the popular Cades Cove, Townsend has been a ghost town lately. Little River Ice Cream hadn't seen a customer for hours Thursday evening.



"Usually there would be standing room only," said Betty Shuler, who works at the business. She says they've seen a dramatic drop in customers.

The idea of the national park reopening under the state offers a ray of hope in that economic struggle.

"I don't think it's the job of the state to bail out federal government. But on the other hand, state government has a role in economic development and promoting tourism," said  State Senator Doug Overbey, who oversees Townsend, and Blount County. He's for the idea.

Just last week, we reported how the Blount County mayor offered to have the county take over national park roads, during the shutdown.

"I don't see why it can't be a partnership between the city government, state government, and the business community, all coming together," he added.

Some locals have even started planning a protest against the Smokies closure.

"If this is at all possible. If we can get the parks reopened, we need to get it open. October is one of the busiest months in Sevier County," said Rep. Dale Carr, who oversees Sevier County.

"I have to see what the governor wants to do, and what the cost will be," he added, about what's next.

Until something happens, Little River Ice Cream, won't be scooping in much business.

"It's only fair because, see, there are people here in Townsend who have little kids to feed. They make not make it through the winter," Shuler said.



WASHINGTON (AP) — Under pressure from governors, the Obama administration said Thursday it will allow some shuttered national parks to reopen — as long as states use their own money to pay for park operations. Governors in at least four states have asked for authority to reopen national parks within their borders because of the economic impacts caused by the park closures.

All 401 national park units — including such icons as the Grand Canyon and Yosemite and Zion national parks — have been closed since Oct. 1 because of the partial government shutdown. More than 20,000 National Park Service employees have been furloughed, and lawmakers from both parties have complained that park closures have wreaked havoc on nearby communities that depend on tourism.

Interior Secretary Sally Jewell said the government will consider offers to use state money to resume park operations, but will not surrender control of national parks or monuments to the states. Jewell called on Congress to act swiftly to end the government shutdown so all parks can reopen.

Utah's Republican governor, Gary Herbert, said late Thursday he had wired money from state taxpayers that will open Utah's five national parks. He said he was inking a deal with Jewell that provides $166,000 a day in funding for the five red rock parks and other units of the national park system, starting Saturday. He said that will keep them open for 10 days, and the state can buy extra days as needed. Right now, specifics about how the states would reopen the parks is unclear. In Utah's Zion National Park though, the state will use their own money to pay park workers. It will cost Utah $50,000 a day to operate their national park.

Interior Department spokesman Blake Androff said the government does not plan to reimburse states that pay to reopen parks. Costs could run into the millions of dollars, depending on how long the shutdown lasts and how many parks reopen. Congress could authorize reimbursements once the shutdown ends, although it was not clear whether that will happen.

Governors of Arizona, South Dakota and Colorado have made similar requests to reopen some or all of their parks. A spokesman for Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer said the Republican governor is committed to finding a way to reopen the Grand Canyon, one of the state's most important economic engines.

"It's not ideal, but if there's something we can do to help reopen it, Gov. Brewer has been committed to trying to find that way," said spokesman Andrew Wilder.

Brewer and state legislative leaders have said they would make state funding available, but "the state cannot pay the federal government's bills indefinitely," Wilder said. Businesses outside the Grand Canyon have pledged $400,000. October is a peak month for tourism in Arizona and other parts of the West.

In South Dakota, a spokesman said Gov. Dennis Daugaard is considering the government's offer, but wants to see how much it would cost. Daugaard, a Republican, "appreciates the federal government's willingness to evaluate other options," said Dusty Johnson, Daugaard's chief of staff. "When we get the numbers, he'll consider it more fully."

Herbert, also a Republican, said in a letter Tuesday to President Barack Obama that the shutdown of national parks has been "devastating" to individuals and businesses that rely on park operations for their livelihood. Utah is home to five national parks, including Zion, Bryce and Arches, which attract visitors from around the world.

"The current federally mandated closure is decimating the bottom line of bed-and-breakfast business owners and operators in Torrey (Utah), outfitters at Bryce Canyon City and restaurant owners in Moab," Herbert wrote. He estimated the economic impact of the federal government shutdown on Utah at about $100 million.

Androff said the Interior Department will consider agreements with governors who "indicate an interest and ability to fully fund National Park Service personnel to re-open national parks in their states. Decisions about which parks to reopen and for how long have not been made. All 401 park service units nationwide are eligible for state donations," Androff said.

Figures compiled by a coalition of retired park service workers indicate that some 700,000 people a day would have been visiting the parks and that the surrounding areas are losing $76 million in visitor spending per day. The park service said it is losing $450,000 per day in revenue from entrance fees and other in-park expenditures, such as campground fees and boat rentals.

Rep. Doc Hastings, R-Wash., chairman of the House Natural Resources Committee, said the Obama administration was playing "political games" with national parks.

"Why now, after more than a week of refusing to allow states to pay to keep national parks open, is the Obama Administration suddenly reversing course? It appears they are truly just making this up as they go along. States and communities whose economic livelihoods are tied to national parks "deserve better than this administration's political games to make this shutdown as painful as possible," Hastings said.

In Wyoming, Gov. Matt Mead's office said the state would not pay to reopen two heavily visited national parks or the Devil's Tower national monument.

"Wyoming cannot bail out the federal government and we cannot use state money to do the work of the federal government," Mead spokesman Renny MacKay said Thursday.

Meanwhile, the park service said it is reopening to tourists a highway pull-off area that can be used to view and photograph Mount Rushmore from a distance following complaints that the agency was intentionally blocking viewing areas. Hundreds of tourists complained that park rangers blocked drivers from pulling over to take photos of the South Dakota monument, which features the stone-carved faces of presidents George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt and Abraham Lincoln.

Associated Press writers Paul Foy in Utah, Mead Gruver in Wyoming, Chet Brokaw in South Dakota and Felicia Fonseca in Arizona contributed to this report.



(WBIR-Townsend) The Great Smoky Mountain Institute at Tremont announced Friday it has suspended all school programs because the park is closed. Tremont is an independent nonprofit organization and is not part of the federal government. Since the park has closed roads and trails due to the shutdown, this well known educational facility can no longer provide its normal programs and activities. Hundreds of school children typically visit Tremont during the fall.

"We obviously hope that the shutdown is over soon," said Cathy Ackermann, Tremont's board chair, in a release. "Like many organizations involved in this situation, Tremont will suffer financially. This is one of our busiest times of the year."

Staff is still answering phones, planning curriculum, and completing projects at Tremont. John DiDiego, Tremont executive director, said in release that many of schools have rescheduled.

"Many of our schools visit on an annual basis and are willing to work with us to make sure their students get to come," said DiDiego.

Tremont is posting updates on its website. On-campus programming will resume as soon as the shutdown is over.



(Reuters) - Utah will reopen its national parks and monuments under a deal with the U.S. Department of the Interior, which closed the sites and other parks across the country as part of the partial federal government shutdown that began on October 1.

The western state will pay up to $1.67 million to the federal government to allow visitors to return to its five national parks, the Cedar Breaks and Natural Bridges national monuments, and the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, Utah Governor Gary Herbert said late Thursday.

The governor said the parks should be fully open by Saturday. The money would keep the parks open for up to 10 days, and the state could make additional payments to have them open longer.

Utah was among several states that appealed to Interior Secretary Sally Jewell with offers to fund staff in exchange for reopening some of the country's 401 national parks, and the department said on Thursday it was considering the requests.

The White House and Republican congressional leaders on Thursday appeared to move closer to ending the political standoff over the budget, which has put hundreds of thousands of federal employees out of work.

The government shutdown, in its eleventh day, also has weighed on communities that depend on tourism dollars. October is a peak travel month in many parts of Utah, typically bringing in about $100 million in tourism-related revenue, according to the governor's office.

The five national parks are Zion, Bryce Canyon, Canyonlands, Arches and Capitol Reef.