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05 JAYCO GREYHAWK! VERY NICE! LOW MILES!

MAKE: JAYCO

MODEL: Greyhawk

MILES: 27,841
Triton 6.8 Liter V-10 Engine
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Subject: Arizona officials focus on which state parks will close
PHOENIX, Ariz. -- It's not a fun time to be the director of state parks in Arizona. Renee Bahl had her hands tied a few weeks ago when legislators reduced state park funding from $19 million in 2009 to $7.5 million in 2010. That move ensures that some state parks will close, but which ones.

Bahl told the East Valley Tribune that the system is being crippled because legislators took away revenue from the funds the park system normally gets from other sources, such as admission fees and assessments on registration of boats and off-road vehicles. The decision on which parks will close will be released within two weeks.

One of the most important criteria Bahl will use is to determine which parks make money or, at the very least, don't lose a lot. Parks like Kartchner Caverns, Rock, Lake Havasu and Catalina state parks are big money producers for the states. However, according to the Tribune, costs at Tonto Natural Bridge near Payson exceed revenues by $541,000, Red Rock State Park at Sedona operates on a $190,000-a-year loss, with six-digit deficits at Tubac Presidio, Picacho Peak, Homolovi Ruins and the Riordan Mansion.

Bahl said the board will consider one-time costs, like fencing, or costs associated with added security to reduce fire hazards and prevent tresspassing.

According to the Tribune, board chairman Reese Woodling said the parks bring in more in tax dollars from visitors to communities than the cost. He said that message seems lost on lawmakers. But board member Arlan Colton said it's not that they don't understand. He said that, facing a multi-billion dollar deficit, "I don't really think they give a horse's patootie" about the effect of taking a couple of million dollars from the parks system."

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