[pct-l] All this H.O.O.E.Y

[David]

So what your saying is the hooey fee is really a TAX!  and not just
any tax but a SIN TAX!  NIce one, trying to sneak a new tax on hikers.
 Read my lips, NO NEW TAXES!

>  Hello from a long-time list-lurker.
>
>
>  Regardless of how you feel about the ADZKO, I think most of us can
>  take one step back and agree on the validity of the underlying
>  problem: The adverse impact and stress the herd imposes on trail town
>  services, trail angels and the trail itself is hard to deny.
>
>  With that in mind, I would suggest that we set aside any calls for
>  cancelling, moving, rescheduling or otherwise messing with the ADZKO.
>  There is no need for such a drastic and divisive step. Instead, I
>  would offer a modest proposal: Economic sanctions to make the
>  thru-hikers manage their own itineraries. The fee structure would be
>  very simple, and the mechanism for administering it is already in
>  place and has been functioning for years.
>
>  When a potential hiker submits an application to the PCTA for a
>  thru-hike permit (ANY hike longer than 500 PCT miles) they shall be
>  assessed a modest fee. The Herd Overload Offset, Expensed Yearly fee
>  will be calculated on a sliding scale: Persons leaving the southern
>  monument on the third Saturday in April will be charged a top HOOEY
>  of $100. For each day of deviation from that date, the HOOEY will
>  decrease by $4. Thus someone leaving Campo 25 days before or after
>  the peak date would pay no HOOEY at all.
>
>  Brothers and sisters, are you with me so far?
>
>  The proceeds from the HOOEY fund would eventually be applied to
>  trail maintainance and acquisition of key right-of-way. But first it
>  would be directed to address the adverse impact the herd has on trail
>  towns. The long-suffering postmistress at Warner Springs could apply
>  to the HOOEY grants committee of the PCTA for a new storage trailer
>  to be on-site during the peak month. The owners of the Raccoon Saloon
>  in Wrightwood would be given a small grant to hire extra security to
>  handle the "Animal House" antics of the herd. (Don't dispute me. I
>  was there in '05 myself when the earth shook and grown men cried out
>  in terror.) Donna and Jeff Saufley would receive one of the largest
>  grants, covering daily truckloads of water, laundry detergent, a
>  Shiatsu massage therapist on call (for Donna, not you, you dolt!)
>  and several cases of premium wine. The Andersons will receive an
>  generous ongoing stipend for bulk taco salad ingredients and certain
>  herbal supplements as needed.
>
>  As someone who has been on the trail for nine years now, I am as
>  invested in the overall well-being of the trail - and the trail
>  community - as anyone. And it's with the most sincere intent that I
>  say to you, brothers and sisters:
>
>  It's time to go with the HOOEY. The trail we love depends on it.
>
>  David Plotnikoff
>  http://www.emeraldlake.com/pctguide/