Two state parks systems

Re. "Parks officials hid surplus for decades" (Feb. 15, Page A-1): It would be so redundant to say "no big surprise" or "I told you so."

There are two state parks systems. One is the group of employees who work in the field to serve the public. An old saying for many years was "do more with less for less." The second parks system is perched in a building on Ninth Street in Sacramento. How you get promoted there is no secret. It is usually not connected to job performance, but more of the who you know and how you kiss.

The number of directors, assistant directors, deputy directors, supporting staff and office assistants is beyond disgusting. Ask how many work on Ninth Street compared to park rangers? Try to ask someone where all the bond money has gone and what is there to show for it today. Ninth Street managers are experts on doing the walk and talk and having plenty of brooms to go along with the carpet. Getting your hand slapped, the worse you get, means you're doing a good job. Does anyone really need to ask what else has been going on for 30 years?

JOHN BROOKS

Gustine