Avalon Sucks

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I know this will probably go over like a lead ballon especially when considering all the other costs and how folks feel about that...

But if there was a donation box sitting around the park to help SCICo defray the upkeep costs of the park, would you give? We can discuss the costs and value of diving in Catalina all day yet it's a personal choice to dive there. You either do or don't. I personally think it can be a fantastic place to dive - one of many fantastic places to dive in the state. Definitely there's room for improvement and while we can probably argue about the costs all day, I'm glad that it's an option. A "Casino Point" fund raiser may not be a bad idea.
I think that might be a target for theft and I'm no too fond of the volunteer system. Why allow free riders? Personally I'd rather see everyone pitch in, have some sort of permit system in place. Some places have divers wear a bracelet or have a tag affixed to the BC showing they paid the park fee. Even $5/day would generate a good deal of income in the high season and it's not much to pay for diving the park when all else is considered. Frequent divers like drbill could get an annual pass for $30 or so, or there could be an exemption in the ordinance for certain categories like island residents, scientific divers, instructors teaching classes, etc.
 
Frequent divers like drbill could get an annual pass for $30 or so, or there could be an exemption in the ordinance for certain categories like island residents, scientific divers, instructors teaching classes, etc.
Interesting idea, but who would issue/make bracelets, who and how could such a system be enforced?
Annual pass for Dr. Bill? Maybe a lifetime free pass.
 
Interesting idea, but who would issue/make bracelets, who and how could such a system be enforced?
Annual pass for Dr. Bill? Maybe a lifetime free pass.
Probably better to exempt residents altogether so they'll support the idea. Not sure who makes the bracelets, and you'd have to have daily ones with different colors or something easy to detect. Sheriff or whoever could occasionally spot check and impose big fines on offenders, which would hopefully entice them to enforce the law. Guys working the fill trailer could rat on offenders and get a cut of the fine. Some of the bracelet revenue would have to go toward the cost of the bracelets, but they could be issued by anyone (just like national forest passes are sold out here in the foothills by gas stations, sporting goods stores, and local vendors in the mountains). For starters, they could be sold by the dive shops and fill trailer, but Catalina Express or some hotels might want to get in on the game by offering them with package deals. Restaurants could attract divers by offering drink discounts for bracelet wearers, etc.
 
Thanks to this thread, it's on my "Bucket List". Sounds very cool. My mom has been to Catalina Island. She recommends it highly.
 
Thanks to this thread, it's on my "Bucket List". Sounds very cool. My mom has been to Catalina Island. She recommends it highly.
My mom, who was born in L.A. in 1942, talked of going often to Catalina as a child/teen. Apparently they would throw coins off the ferry and watch the local boys dive for them. She said there was dancing in the streets. That's about all I remember of her reminiscing. She took me a few times when I was a kid and we'd do some of the touristy stuff, always the glass-bottom boat, and I'd snorkle right off the beach. We saw Lloyd Bridges there once. My mom was excited, but I didn't know who he was.
 
I think that might be a target for theft and I'm no too fond of the volunteer system. Why allow free riders? Personally I'd rather see everyone pitch in, have some sort of permit system in place. Some places have divers wear a bracelet or have a tag affixed to the BC showing they paid the park fee. Even $5/day would generate a good deal of income in the high season and it's not much to pay for diving the park when all else is considered. Frequent divers like drbill could get an annual pass for $30 or so, or there could be an exemption in the ordinance for certain categories like island residents, scientific divers, instructors teaching classes, etc.

The State of California does not allow such a thing... otherwise it would be a good idea.
 
Hear in Vermont, we tell a similar sorry about the skiing. Let me explain further;

If you live in Boston or New York, NH and MA skiing is much closer. The gas prices are far less expensive in NH as well. Then once you get hear you will find the "quaint VT lodging" you payed $400 a night for means; a bunk house with 10 frat kids who snore and ate chilly that night for dinner and consumed a case each of PBR.
Then you have to get to the mountain in the morning and park 3 miles away because all of the on mountain lots are full. You'll wait 45 mins. for a stinky old converted school bus to schlep you and your gear to the mountain where all the thousands of people who parked at the mountain are already waiting in line for the lift to run.
Once you get to the mountain you have to fight tooth and nail for a table in the base lodge to get your boots and ski gear on, hoping to high holly hell someone does not spill hot coffee in your ski boot again! Once geared up you stash your bag with the 10,000 other bags that look just like yours hanging from the rafters and head out into the mile long wait for the ski lift you just shelled out $100 dollars to wait in line to get on!
The good news is its February and -15 with wind chill and not raining. The bad news is that all the snow has blown off the mountain from that wind and it is now "boiler plate" survival skiing.
You'll manage to get two whole runs in before its time to eat your bag lunch in the crowded base lodge only to find out that someone has stolen your bag and your lunch (car keys were in it as well) so you have to spend $25 on a burger and fries that quite possibly were made last week!
You get in two more runs and head back to your car for the LONG drive home wondering why you just spent all that money and time to come 5 hours away to ski in Vermont in the first place.

Now remember this is just a story we tell flat lenders to keep them away from our beautiful log cabin homes, blue bird ski days with light fresh powder snow and no lift lines. Remember THERE IS NO GOOD SKIING IN VERMOINT! lol That is MY story and I am sticking with it! lol
 
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The State of California does not allow such a thing... otherwise it would be a good idea.
Then it's time to lobby the State. Who's your representative? Get him/her out to the Point to see how crowded it gets on a summer weekend and to smell the fumes. Buy him/her lots of beer at the Dockside, then when they get back from using the facilities at the Casino, start your pitch. Revenue vs. urine stench, even a politician should be able to figure it out.
 

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