Outfitters Told Of Inforcement Of Old Law Keeping Them Out Of Park

[Gavin]

I agree, I'm sure the Jim Rogers pays some hefty concession fees to operate his business in the park and these outfitters have not been paying for pick up and drop off priveledges. I dont think that they should be barred from picking up their customers in the park but they should be paying the park something in order to do so. The owner of NRO wants to negotiate...so I'd bet that something gets worked out...I'd only cry fowl if the park refused to negotiate or made unreasonable demands from these businesses.

[fishinwrench]

I did notice that ol'Bob was serious about making sure he collected his piddly parking fee from us last January at NRO.

I've never been to hip on the way they TAKE CONTROL of the public access when they want to dump off a load of floaters. Riverfront doesn't pull that crap, neither does Adventure or Fort Niangua....only NRO. Burns, in all reality pretty much acts like he owns that darn river. Not too cool IMO.

[Justin Spencer]

Would I be right in saying that anyone wanting to put a boat in at the park now would have to bring two vehicles and shuttle themselves since no one would be allowed to shuttle a vehicle for a fee?

The law is the law, but I have a problem with it being one way forever, and then they decide to enforce a law that I doubt the outfitters even knew existed. I know us outfitters are often looked like as the big bad wolf, but most of us are just trying to scratch out a living doing and living somewhere we enjoy. Some have probably made a fortune like Bob Burns, but as their family grows many get involved with the business so it has to support a lot of people.

I just ask you to think for a minute if the govt. came in and claimed imminent domain on your place of business, and this was the only place you could do business (as we can't very well rent canoes on a highway) how would you feel. SInce Bob Burns (despite what you would think seeing him) has pretty deep pockets, I have no doubt they will work it out and continue to operate out of the park.

[oneshot]

Ok how far will Jim Rodgers go to ruin the Park for anything but Trout Fishing.They quit having Black Powder Encampment down there during Hillbilly Days because too much skin was being shown.Then they did away with Hillbilly Days altogether.

But of course NRO is going complain their the biggest outfitter on the river.But all the Outfitters have been cutting each others throats last couple years even their own Partners.

I use to enjoy it down there,I was Baptized there in the river and my remains are to go into the river,which I may reconsider with the way it is changing.

I really wouldn't put it past the state to quit letting Outfitters use other State Grounds considering they are using them for business.

oneshot

[FishinCricket]

Just for clarity:

There is no put in/take out "in" the park. The park surrounds the spring branch. At the end of the spring branch there is a boat ramp and parking lot (labelled "concessionaire use area") but this isn't the outfitters put in/take out, it's the Parks ramp and it's where their customers put in or take out. I am unaware of any outfitters that use that ramp.

All the outfitters use the Bennett Springs Public Access 1/4 mile downstream, it's a state public access with 3 separate launch ramps that gets pretty well covered up with aluminum from various outfitters from 9am to 3 pm during the warm summer months.

What's apparently being enforced is simply the outfitters picking up the Bennett campers IN the spring branch and then taking them out of the park and to the river then dropping them back off IN the park. The state doesn't want to compete, and it's realized that technically it doesn't have to. Instead their customers will simply drive to the outfitter of their choice.

(Or to use the analogy from earlier: I can't solicit car sales at the park, but if you were at the park and called ME and said "bring a truck on out, I'd like to look at it", I don't think I am legally barred from doing so..)

Pretty darn stupid argument if you ask me, but maybe I'm misunderstanding it?

[oneshot]

So if my wife meets at the Park Restaurant with a customer for her Advertising Company she is breaking Regulations,even though they both spend money there? Isn't no different that us spending a weekend in Branson at the Radisson,doing business there,using their Internet but still going to some Shows and yes I slipped in some fishing.

Seems to me the Park will be losing considering some may just decide to Camp and Fish where they can be transported to and from a Float.

oneshot

[fishinwrench]

True enough! If someone is staying in the park cabins or campground would they not be allowed to call for a cab, or call AAA if they had auto trouble? Or have a pizza delivered?

Upon further thought this does seem to be a personal attack by the state on the people who choose to lodge there. Even requiring a fee payable by the outfitter is totally out of line. Any fee the park would impose upon them for "permission" wouldn't be any skin off the outfitters back, they'd just tack on an additional buck or two onto their rental fee.

[Wayne SW/MO]

Would I be right in saying that anyone wanting to put a boat in at the park now would have to bring two vehicles and shuttle themselves since no one would be allowed to shuttle a vehicle for a fee?

No, the ramp in the park is for the park store's use exclusivly, and that includes the public. We bought it, but only they get to use it.

The consessionires picking up people in the park is more a convenience for the public than for them.

I'm no fan of the rental outfits, and even less of the park consessionaire, the park had no business getting into the canoe rental business to begin with. Why would a state agency go into competition with private business operating outside the park, and then use public money to buy a launch area and close it to public use? It ain't hard to smell it!

[lovetofish]

I would start calling the Park Sup JD Mushany that guy is a creep, he has been in there to long. If yo look at the numbers going to bennett and the other trout parks they have lost the most since he arrived. He thinks that he was sent there because he is the greatest thing since slice bread, but in reality he plays the system and has friends in the state offices.

that guy is bad for bennitt and the parks along with the rangers who have so little to do that they go after the stupid things.

[lovetofish]

Just let the rental shops pick up and drop off those that use their service. It is not that hard and it won't take business from the park it would be a good will and make the parks look like they care about the community they are in. I think the person behind this is JD and the rangers. Go after them I think Jim Rodgers is just riding their shirt tales to get the bid again when it comes up.