Vacation involves getting accosted by guard?
By A Yahoo! Contributor, 09/06/09
After weeks and weeks of trying, we finally got a reservation. Yet when they told us they were full, and I begged after driving down there in person, they found "1" spot. Yet when we camped there, it seemed a full third or more of the sites were empty all the weekend? so how could they have been so full? Or is it just too mjuch TROUBLE to take a reservations?
My oldest son was following us in that evening after he got into town. The gate code did not work, and after several of the folks from the long line of people at the gate tried, my son called the posted number for assistance. The security guard came, made a horrifically debasing comment to my son's friend, to which my son objected. All the time this was happening, my son had me on the cell phone where I could hear all that was happening. Next the security guard reached into the open window of my son's Volvo, and GRABBED HIM BY THE SHIRT! He was going to pull him out of the car and hit him because he couldn't get the gate open! I was livid, and finally went up and got my son admitted into the campground. Later the security guard came and made several unwarranted remarks about my son to my husband and I at our campsite. The next day when my husband went to speak to the manager of the park, the security guard asked him "if he wanted to step outside and settle it like men!" So not only did he accost my son, he tried to pick a fist fight with my 6'4" husband.
Ever since Hanna went up on price from $18 to $30 dollars a night I have felt they wronged the taxpayers of Duval County by denying the poorer families a chance at a modestly priced family vacation. It used to be the chock camp was full of families of all colors and languages. Now it seems only older folks who can afford large RV rigs are there since it is so expensive. It is discriminatory. Everyone ought to be able to enjoy the beauty of Hanna. The abililty to shell out $60 plus tax for 2 nights of camping is too much for many families who have every right to be there too.
So why do we have our lives endangered by out of control security guards? Why is there managemennt who clearly DO NOT manage; the guards, the reservationists, the host campers, the maintenance workers? Mayor John Peyton - shame on you for allowing our wonderful City of Jacksonville to have such BLIGHT!! A major spot for tourism, and we are unable to show even a modest amount of hospitality. Shame on us all for allowing this to continue! My own attempts at dealing with this at the Department of Parks yielded NOTHING - others should try too! Maybe something could be done to save our wonderful piece of Florida, that was meant for ALL to enjoy.