Williams News Logo
Grand Canyon News Logo

Trusted local news leader for Williams AZ and the Grand Canyon

Guest column: Lessons learned from shutdown

Tusayan Mayor Greg Bryan. Photo/WGCN

Tusayan Mayor Greg Bryan. Photo/WGCN

Well it certainly has been a busy and impactful few weeks. When the park closed on October 1, we immediately began working to see what could be done to get a partial opening or at least leave Highway 64 open. Unfortunately, Washington was not going to be part of any relief in the political pressure that was being brought to bear on both national parties.

Our community, like many other destination locations around our nation's treasures, was simply cannon fodder in the national fights. The impact on our lives and families inside and outside the Park seemed immaterial. I won't repeat all the comments and responses that we received and you have already read over the last few weeks. I'll just say that it became very frustrating to be told for 10 days that there was no way third party funds could be used to reopen our park, then on day 10 we are told maybe there is a way. Eleven days wasted and jobs and incomes thrown away.

Gov. Jan Brewer's office was very helpful in stepping in to negotiate a deal with the Department of the Interior/National Park Service and the park reopened on day 12. Our community had raised $426,500 to pay for opening the park. We were able to team up with the state and pay for the first seven days at a cost of $93,000 per day/$651,000 for seven days. Interesting that in 1995/96 we were able to do a partial opening for $17,000 per day.

We would like to thank the following businesses that donated funds with no expectations of getting their funds back: Holiday Inn Express, Canyon Plaza Resort, Red Feather Lodge, Best Western Premier Grand Canyon Squire Inn, Papillon Helicopters, Grand Canyon Airlines, Stilo development, Imax Theater, Grand Canyon Brewery, Gold Wolff Jewelers, Seven Mile Lodge Northwest River Outfitters.

The Town of Tusayan had also provided $200,000 of its funds. After discussions with the state and with the government shutdown ending on day 16, we will be getting a refund from the state. Once the money is received, the town will be refunding to our contributors. We very much appreciate their stepping up to help stop the bleeding. Thank you to all who were part of that donation effort.

We were invited to speak before two Congressional committees last week about the impacts of the shutdown on our community. While we were very honored that the Governor would ask us to share our town's story, we found the experience frustrating and enlightening. Enlightening to experience how our federal government works, or doesn't. Frustrating to see how the impacts on the American people really did not seem to matter much, other than to blame the other party or the President.

It was quite obvious that it was all politics and National Parks, their employees and the private sector were simply pawns to be used by either side. I was embarrassed by the way Congressmen went after Director Jarvis when it was quite obvious he was simply following orders. While I had issues with the decisions that were made and how long it took to enable opening the park, Park Service personnel were simply following orders and did not deserve the lack of respect that was shown to him.

As we look to the future, we will be working to get legislation passed that clarifies a community or state's ability to provide funds to reopen a National Park or Monument during future government shutdowns. We also have concerns about what will happen in January when the continuing resolution and debt limit deals expire again. Surely our Congress learned something about the impacts on the American people. Unfortunately, I'm not positive they have.

Respectfully,

Greg Bryan

Mayor, Town of Tusayan

gbtusayan@gmail.com

(928) 638-8401


Donate Report a Typo Contact