feedback - in reverse

Attached is a thoughtful email and my response..just my response comes first. I appreciate gracious feedback.

Nice idea and I couldn't agree more. When I was a child visiting the
> Smokies I thought of Rangers as probably the coolest job around. It led
> me into a life devoted to science and the outdoors. It dismays me to see
> how with time, our society (and the realities of running a world class
> Federal parks system) has rendered the job to be more focussed on
> enforcement and maintenance, rather than Service.
>
> However it is my opinion that a majority of first time visitiors will
> always flock to the "hot spots" of Newfound Gap/Clingman's Dome and Cades
> Cove. The outer areas (where most of we regulars go) require more effort.
> Whether we like it or not, the Smokies are becoming the world's largest
> city park. If you've hiked around the Park perimeter, there are houses
> literally on the Park Boundary throughout the TN side, and much of the NC
> side. The view at night is nothing like it used to be. We have to face
> the fact. I am no Luddite and want people out of the Park. We just have
> to find ways...and make tough choices...to deal with the
> future.....BTW...with your permission, I'd like to move this discussion to
> the blog...but only if that is OK with you. And thank you for your
> thoughtful post and kind feedback.
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Unverferth"
> To: "James Wedekind"
> Sent: Saturday, September 17, 2005 2:19 AM
> Subject: Re: [Notes by Ole Slew Foot] New Comment Posted to
> 'Ch-Ch-Ch-Ch-anges'
>
>
>>I think you are missing my point. I am not suggesting that they write
>>tickets. I would like to see them do more interpretive stuff in the park.
>>Yes it would mean an increased presence, but would that be such a bad
>>thing? I do not want anymore roads in the park and I don't see how more
>>enforcement would bring more cars. Here is my experience: I have known
>>of a number of people (most that I meet) who knew nothing about the park
>>when they vacationed there. Because of their lack of knowledge they tend
>>to go where the crowd goes. While there are places such as the Cove that
>>are overcrowded, there are other places that see relatively little
>>traffic. I believe that more staff at the visitor center and better
>>promotion at those centers about all the park has to offer would improve
>>conditions greatly. I also believe that there are a number of spots in the
>>Cove that are natural sites for bear jams. The park has even posted those
>>sites in the past with the bear warning signs--why not have staff
>>interpret there? Finally the last two Octobers that my family visited the
>>park there were rangers patrolling the Cove. They kept traffic moving
>>nicely and the jams were kept to a minimum. I do think the shuttle would
>>be welcomed for those of us that do like to hike and I for one would like
>>the chance to hike some of the trails that are the drop off and pick up
>>type. By the way thanks for taking the time to post your blog. It is
>>nice to read and talk to someone who cares about the Smokys as much as I
>>do.
>