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View Full Version : Blue Ridge hotel defies Park Service shutdown. “If not now, when? If not me, who?”




phill4paul
10-05-2013, 01:29 AM
Park rangers on Friday were turning away people who want to visit the Pisgah Inn on the Blue Ridge Parkway in an effort to enforce the National Park Service’s decision to shut down the private establishment during the government shutdown.
Inn owner Bruce O'Connell confirmed to The Washington Times that rangers were parked at the entrance to his inn and denying people entry — a move which Mr. O'Connell said makes it much tougher if the rangers had to respond to an accident or another safety call elsewhere on the parkway.
A Washington Times reader sent photos of the rangers blocking the entrance.
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The Pisgah Inn, a private hotel that holds a concession on the Blue Ridge Parkway, has become a national sensation as it defies “intimidation” and a National Park Service order to close its doors.
Park rangers on Friday were turning away people who want to visit the Pisgah Inn on the Blue Ridge Parkway in an effort to enforce the National Park Service's decision to shut down the private establishment during the government shutdown. A Times reader sent in photos of the rangers blocking the entrance

After a tumultuous few days, inn owner Bruce O'Connell told The Washington Times on Friday morning that he had just reopened his doors for customers, despite the park service telling him he had to shut down. He says he’s essentially private property, on a road that’s still open, and uses no government personnel, so he sees no reason to quit operating.

“I’m questioning their authority to shut me,” Mr. O'Connell said.

The National Park Service is involved in several high-profile battles during the shutdown, including having barricaded open-air monuments and memorials in Washington. Veterans busted through barricades at the National World War II Memorial earlier this week, gaining national attention.

But the Park Service closures extend throughout the country, shuttering parks — and many of the private businesses that run concessions in them, such as City Tavern in Philadelphia, and Nauset Knoll Motor Lodge on Cape Cod.

Pisgah Inn, which Mr. O'Connell described as one of the last mom-and-pop places along the Blue Ridge, is just southwest of Asheville, N.C. And while most national parks are closed, the Park Service has deemed the Blue Ridge Parkway a thoroughfare and has left it open.
Mr. O'Connell said since the road is open, and he uses no federal personnel — even his fire and police services would come from town — he isn’t drawing on federal resources and sees no reason he should have to shut down.
Michael Litterst, the Park Service’s chief spokesman, said they have no choice but to shut down concessions.
“It’s a matter that we consider the National Park System to be a single entity, and without an appropriation, the entire system is closed and cannot reopen until funding is restored,” he said. “We do not believe it is appropriate or feasible to have some parts of the system open while others are closed to the public.”

Mr. O'Connell said he made the decision to keep open early in the week, posting a Facebook message saying he was doing so for the safety and health of those traveling the parkway. But on Thursday, he reversed his decision and said he would close. By Friday morning, he said he had reversed course again and was reopening.
“The level of intimidation and coercion became such that we backed down. Then after sleeping on it, our own convictions took front and center and we decided to reopen,” he said.
Asked about the intimidation, he said that may be too strong a word, but “when you’ve got uniformed rangers directing you to cease operations, that’s what I call intimidation.”
He said he didn’t question the rangers, who he said were doing their jobs, but did question the way the park service handled it. He said he never heard from the park superintendent nor has he gotten a certified letter, but rather was sent an email from someone in the park business office telling him to close.
“I don’t even know it’s official,” he said.
The park superintendent’s office didn’t return a message left seeking comment on Friday.
For Mr. O'Connell, the fight is about taking a stand.


“If not now, when? If not me, who?” he said.


Read more: http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2013/oct/4/blue-ridge-hotel-defies-park-service-shutdown/?page=2#ixzz2gpWne243
Follow us: @washtimes on Twitter

tod evans
10-05-2013, 02:38 AM
Good!

Jackie Moon
10-05-2013, 03:26 AM
“I’m questioning their authority to shut me,” Mr. O'Connell said.


http://www.reactiongifs.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/barney-yes.gif


“The level of intimidation and coercion became such that we backed down. Then after sleeping on it, our own convictions took front and center and we decided to reopen,” he said.

Asked about the intimidation, he said that may be too strong a word, but “when you’ve got uniformed rangers directing you to cease operations, that’s what I call intimidation.”

I can't blame him for initially giving in, I think "intimidation" may be not be strong enough of a word.

mad cow
10-05-2013, 03:36 AM
The Fascist FDR seized the land for the Blue Ridge Parkway from families who had been living there for generations so people who had never lived there could take a scenic drive and watch the leaves turn.

Now Obama wants to shut it down to punish those people who never lived there because they won't accept Fascism.

Keith and stuff
10-05-2013, 08:15 AM
I've been on much of the Blue Ridge highway and it didn't seem much different from other government highways except it has pretty views and very slow speeds. I remember a truck going just a few miles per hour at a couple of the turns because the highway was so narrow and the turns were so sharp.

I fully support this business and all other small businesses staying open if they want. Obama shouldn't be ordering the closure of random small, businesses just to score political points. He is acting like a rabid animal.

vita3
10-05-2013, 08:59 AM
Common Sense Rules Always

LOVE IT.

seapilot
10-05-2013, 09:23 AM
He said he didn’t question the rangers, who he said were doing their jobs

The rangers are still going to get paid for shutting things down as was passed by congress. If this was strictly about funding they would not get paid and possibly the states that could afford it would fund to keep the parks open (eg Wisconsin) as most bring in much needed tourist revenue. This is pure political posturing. The rangers are literally taking away a persons right to make an honest living while they will get paid. I was hoping that some of these rangers would take a blind eye to this stuff, they are federal employees and can never get fired no matter what stupid stuff they do.

No one is allowed to listen or sing this song due to the government shutdown. *sarcasm*


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FeMLaQTwIgU

ClydeCoulter
10-05-2013, 09:25 AM
Blue Ridge inn's act of defiance lasts about 2 hours

Video at link: http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2013/10/04/blue-ridge-parkway-pisgah-inn/2923169/

seapilot
10-05-2013, 09:41 AM
A handful of guests had lunch before Park Service patrol cars blocked the driveways, turning on their orange flashing lights. Rangers turned customers away, saying the government was closed.

shut•down (ˈʃʌtˌdaʊn)

n.
a suspension or stoppage of function or operation.


Looks like the government is still functioning in some ways though not to the benefit of the taxpayer. That ranger interviewed in that video looked like he did not want to be there and knew what he was doing was BS turning people away. Following orders.....