By Steven Spencer
As concerns and conversations continue throughout the community regarding the AltonWorks idea to designate land in the area under the National Park Services, Congresswoman Mary Miller has issued a statement on the park.
Following Calhoun County’s and Jersey County’s Resolution of Opposition to the National Park, Congresswoman Miller said she agrees with her constituents and opposes any “power grab” by the federal government in the region.
“I agree with my constituents in Calhoun, Jersey, and Madison Counties who oppose the proposal to place a national park along the Mississippi and Illinois Rivers. The county boards of both Calhoun and Jersey Counties have formally passed resolutions opposing this proposal because of the threat that it poses to local hunters, local businesses, and local control free of interference from the federal government. Several communities that would be impacted by this proposed national park have not been included in the decision-making process, yet the national park has the potential to severely disrupt their economies and the way of life of their residents. As always, I will oppose any power grab by the federal government in our region, and I will stand in strong support of our hunters and county boards,” Congresswoman Miller said.