I work for a local public lands agency for the federal government. I have been working there for 15 plus years. I have personally been a frequent visitor to the hot springs for over 10 years. This whole vendetta against Mike Castro has gone way out of control. The laughable part is that those who seem to mainly be perpetrating this, (DCHS INC.) are absolutely not credible. When one works for the federal government in a land agency one sees this pattern again and again, its becomes foreseeable, and most us can see through it with X-ray vision. Credibility is everything. Can I say that again? Credibility is EVERYTHING! Without credibility one cannot be trusted. One looses credibility when one goes to a public meeting and turn people feelings against a particular person when the goal of doing that is your own particular gains or politics. One looses credibility when one becomes so emotionally tied to the outcome that one can no longer see clearly. Such a person cannot be trusted.
In all my years I have been around the Deep Creek area, I have had nothing but positive interactions with Mike Castro. I have heard nothing from other people but positive interactions as well. I have even met many people who have been sincerely helped by him. I have known him to keep out local gang punks from entering his land. That is his right, and it ends up being a service to the well being of the area. He has been there long enough to have an idea who wants to trash it.
I am quite familiar with visitor use patterns and how they relate to facilities. The idea of developing Bowen Ranch into a visitor center and such is poor. Part of the charm of the area is the ruggedness. When one starts developing an area for visitors to come, they will come, in ever increasing numbers. The ruggedness, the journey to the Deep Creek allows for a certain appreciation. Easy access and facilities allows for a lack of appreciation, and an extent of the city atmosphere most have come to get away from. There is no need to further advertise the area.
For those who write in to the forum with their own issues and passions around Mike Castro (Katrina): let it go. Relax. Go soak in the hot springs more often and let is dislodge these hateful that are so evident to everyone else you have. Let it dislodge and flow down the creek. Let it be replaced with a spirit of co-operation and mutual understanding. The war in the Israel is a good example when two sides become so entrenched. It is the ultimate pillar of taking seriously ones own ego. Let it wash away. There are more productive and healing activities that need to be done for the area. This particular area of healing is one of them. Take care.