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Linda Sánchez Calls on CA Parks Department to Reimburse Whittier (July 23, 2012)

July 24, 2012

Washington, DC –After recent news reports that theCalifornia Department of Parks and Recreation has discovered a $54 millionbudget surplus, Congresswoman Linda Sánchez (CA-39) today called on theDepartment to fully reimburse the City of Whittier the money the City paid tokeep the Pio Pico State Historic Park (PPSHP) open.

"It's completely unacceptable to mismanage taxpayermoney, and I am extremely concerned that $54 million can somehow be misplaced,"said Congresswoman Sánchez. "The City of Whittier and the Friends ofPio Pico worked so hard to keep Pio Pico State Historic Park open for allCalifornians to enjoy. In light of these revelations of a budget surplus,the Department of Parks and Recreation should pay back the City of Whittier allthe money the City has used to keep this historical treasure open."

Background

Pio Pico State Historic Park was one of 70 state parks the Departmentof Parks and Recreation had scheduled to close because of budgetshortfalls. In June, the City of Whittier and the Friends of Pio Picoannounced they raised $80,000 to keep PPSHP open through a partnership donationagreement with the Department of Parks and Recreation.

The full text of the letter is below.

July 23, 2012

Janelle Beland, Interim Director

State of California

Department of Parks and Recreation

1416 9th Street

Sacramento, CA 95814

Dear Interim Director Beland:

I am writing to you regarding troubling news reports thatthe Department of Parks and Recreation misplaced $54 million of taxpayermoney. Obviously, the mismanagement of public funds is completelyunacceptable.

As you know, the Department of Parks and Recreation has mademassive cuts to state parks in an effort to alleviate California's budgetshortfalls. One of the many state parks slated for closure was Pio PicoState Historic Park (PPSHP) in Whittier.

PPSHP is one of California's most valuable historic sites.The park features California's few remaining 19th century structures made fromsun-dried mud blocks. The park offers a unique glimpse into what earlyCalifornians experienced as they adapted to the American frontier afteradmission into the Union in 1849.

Due to the significant cultural loss to our community, theCity of Wittier and the Friends of Pio Pico rallied to fill the funding gap andkeep PPSHP open. I am extremely proud our community stepped up to keepthis treasured State Historic Park open. However, based upon the recentlydiscovered budget surplus, it is clear that there was no need for the City touse their general funds for this purpose.

I am requesting that the Department of Parks and Recreationimmediately fully fund PPSHP and reimburse any expenses incurred by the City ofWhittier. I am extremely disappointed that, at a time when many citiesthroughout the state are struggling to provide vital services, the Departmentof Parks and Recreation could be so irresponsible with taxpayer dollars.

I appreciate your consideration of my request and I lookforward to your reply.

Sincerely,

Linda T. Sánchez

Member of Congress

CC: Mayor Owen Newcomer, City ofWhittier

Senator Ron Calderon, Senate District 30

Assembly Member Tony Mendoza, Assembly District 56

Carolyn Schoff, President, Friends of Pio Pico, Inc.

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