GettysBLOG

Tuesday, November 10, 2009

Mel Poole Named Interim Superintendent of Gettysburg NMP

National Park Service
U.S. Department of the Interior
Gettysburg National Military Park
1195 Baltimore Pike, Suite 100
Gettysburg, PA 17325
717/334-1124 phone
717/334-1891 fax
Gettysburg National Military Park News Release
For Release:

Mel Poole Named Interim Superintendent of Gettysburg National Military Park

Philadelphia, PA, November 10: National Park Service Northeast Regional Director Dennis R. Reidenbach has named Mel Poole as interim superintendent of Gettysburg National Military Park. Poole, who is currently superintendent of Catoctin Mountain Park in Thurmont, Maryland, will assume his duties on November 23, 2009. Reidenbach also named Gettysburg Chief Ranger Brion Fitzgerald as acting deputy superintendent.

“I appreciate that Mel has agreed to serve as interim superintendent during this time of transition for the park”, said Reidenbach. “Since he has already stated that he will not seek the position permanently, he will return to Catoctin Mountain Park once we have selected a new superintendent in early 2010."

END

Experience Your AmericaTM

The National Park Service cares for special places saved by the American people so that all may experience our heritage.

-------------NPS-------------

GettysBLOG

We support the Roadmap to Reform!

“Be steadfast in your anger, be sure in your convictions, be moved by the right and certainty that abuse of power must be defeated at every turn; uphold Liberty as the just reward of a watchful people, and let not those who have infringed upon that Liberty steal it away from you. Never loosen your grip on Liberty!" -- GettysBLOG

“Legislation without representation is tyranny.” -- GettysBLOG

Remember in May and November! Before you vote, GettysBLOG!

Copyright © 2005-2009: GettysBLOG; All Rights Reserved.

Monday, November 02, 2009

Gettysburg NMP Updates Visitor Estimates

National Park Service
U.S. Department of the Interior
Gettysburg National Military Park
1195 Baltimore Pike, Suite 100
Gettysburg, PA 17325
717/334-1124 phone
717/334-1891 fax

Gettysburg National Military Park News Release
For Release:

Gettysburg National Military Park Updates Visitor Estimates

Gettysburg, PA, November 2, 2009. The National Park Service has updated the formula used to estimate monthly and annual visitation to Gettysburg National Military Park. Retroactive to January 1, 2009, the park’s visitation estimates have been revised to use new people-per-vehicle numbers, resulting in a lower estimate of park visitation. The people-per-vehicle numbers are based on the results of a 12 month survey.

“This new visitation estimate will create a more accurate baseline and provide a better look at trends for the future,” said acting superintendent Brion FitzGerald.

The National Park Service Public Use Statistics Office requested a persons-per-vehicle (ppv) study at Gettysburg National Military Park (NMP)to provide an update to the formula the park had been using since 1992.Statistics for people-per-vehicle (ppv) are used to estimate monthly visitation to national parks. The park conducted the persons-per-vehicle study from October 2008 to August 2009 on Hancock Avenue within Gettysburg National Military Park (NMP).

The survey and the formula used for estimating park visitation follow procedures recommended by the National Park Service Public Use Statistics Office, which coordinates visitor counting protocols throughout the National Park system and provides visitation statistics for areas administered by the National Park Service.

Survey results:

The National Park Service survey determined a new person-per-vehicle multiplier of 2.4 for November through March; and 2.6 for April through October. Previously the park had been using a multiplier of 3.3 for November through March; and 4.0 for April through October. These outdated numbers were the highest in use in any park in the national park system.

How Gettysburg NMP’s visitation estimate is determined:

The National Park Service estimates monthly and annual visitation to Gettysburg NMP based on readings from an inductive loop traffic counter across Hancock Avenue (one-way traffic only) adjacent to the 19th Maine Infantry marker. The traffic count is reduced for guided tour buses and battlefield tour buses. The reduced traffic count is multiplied by the person-per-vehicle multiplier of 2.4 for November through March; and 2.6 for April through October.

The number of buses is estimated by taking the total guided bus count from the park’s museum and visitor center plus 20 percent to estimate the buses not recorded and multiplying the count by 40 (the number of persons per bus). In addition, the number of commercial use visitors such as those on horseback, Segway, bicycle tours, etc., the number of battlefield bus tour visitors, and the number of visitors staying in the park’s youth group campground are accounted for.

Attendance figures for the park’s Museum and Visitor Center are collected and managed by the Gettysburg Foundation and are not specifically included in the park visitation estimates.

The Gettysburg Convention and Visitors Bureau estimates that 3 million people per year visit the Gettysburg area.

END

Experience Your AmericaTM

The National Park Service cares for special places saved by the American people so that all may experience our heritage.

-------------NPS-------------
GettysBLOG

We support the Roadmap to Reform!

“Be steadfast in your anger, be sure in your convictions, be moved by the right and certainty that abuse of power must be defeated at every turn; uphold Liberty as the just reward of a watchful people, and let not those who have infringed upon that Liberty steal it away from you. Never loosen your grip on Liberty!" -- GettysBLOG

“Legislation without representation is tyranny.” -- GettysBLOG

Remember in May and November! Before you vote, GettysBLOG!

Copyright © 2005-2009: GettysBLOG; All Rights Reserved.

Wednesday, October 28, 2009

Gettysburg Slimes Unnaturally Obsessed

Day after day, issue after issue, the Gettysburg Slimes tros out the same story, changing only the context in which it is framed. It has become an obsession...an unnatural obsession as their inability to move on and accept what both the Department of the Interior and the object of their invective have already explained.

Germane? screamed the headline. Apparently the Gettysburg Slimes does not understand the concept of confidentiality of personnel issues. Would the Insipid Reporter and the Editor of the Slimes publish their entire personnel records? Hardly.

What is it about the Inspector General's report that the Insipid Reporter and the Editor fail to comprehend: the scope of the investigation was limited to the 17 allegations, of which the Superintendent was exonerated fully. The computer images were not one of the allegations and were a by-product of the investigation...and they were a personnel issue which was confidential, and not subject to public scrutiny.

We have the highest regard for the former Superintendent for the way he stood up and accepted responsibility for his actions. Not for his actions on the computer. But for his hadling of this final issue and of course, for his accomplishments here as Superintendent.

According to the only real newspaper in the area, the Hanover Evening Sun, the maximum penalty for what the Superintendent did was a five day suspension for the first offense. Apparenly that was not enough for the person who leaked the reports to the Washington Post, and the Washington Post has as little respect for the confidentiality of personnel issues as the Gettysburg Slimes.

The actions of these newsrags is despicable. They go beyond what you see in the checkout line at the supermarket.

Time for the Gettysburg Slimes to change ownership, and editors, and restore decency, honor and honesty to their paper, a reputation that has not just been tarnished, but has been trashed.

GettysBLOG

We support the Roadmap to Reform!

“Be steadfast in your anger, be sure in your convictions, be moved by the right and certainty that abuse of power must be defeated at every turn; uphold Liberty as the just reward of a watchful people, and let not those who have infringed upon that Liberty steal it away from you. Never loosen your grip on Liberty!" -- GettysBLOG

“Legislation without representation is tyranny.” -- GettysBLOG

Remember in May and November! Before you vote, GettysBLOG!

Copyright © 2005-2009: GettysBLOG; All Rights Reserved.

Sunday, October 25, 2009

End of Year Events at GNMP

NOVEMBER 2009

• November 19: 146th Anniversary of the Gettysburg Address. This annual observation with brief memorial services in the Soldiers' National Cemetery begins at 9:45 a.m., preceded by a wreath laying at 9:30 a.m. This event is sponsored by the Lincoln Fellowship of Pennsylvania, Gettysburg National Military Park and the Civil War Institute at Gettysburg College.

• November 19: Unveiling of the Lincoln Sculpture. The Gettysburg Foundation will unveil a life-sized bronze statue of Abraham Lincoln, the 146th anniversary of the Gettysburg Address. Read the news release about the sculpture unveiling (PDF)

• November 21: Army Materiel Command Band Performance. Gettysburg National Military Park Museum and Visitor Center Group Lobby; 10 a.m. Enjoy patriotic music from the Army Material Command Band. The AMC band proudly serves the soldiers and civilians of the U.S. Army Materiel Command stationed at more than 140 locations nationwide, including Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Afghanistan.

DECEMBER 2009

• December 4: An Evening with the Painting. View a special program on the Cyclorama Painting at Gettysburg National Military Park Museum and Visitor Center; 5 – 7:30 p.m. Tickets for this program are coming soon.

• December 1-31: An Eisenhower Christmas. The Eisenhower home is decorated in the traditions of the Eisenhowers. Some original decorations and Christmas cards are on display. (Included in site admission.) Eisenhower National Historic Site. Call 717-338-9114 for more information.

Courtesy of the National Park Service, Gettysburg National Military Park, the Eisenhower Presidential Site, and the Gettysburg Foundation.

Come and Experience Gettysburg at the new Museum and Visitor Center, featuring the newly restored Gettysburg Cyclorama. You won't believe your eyes!

GettysBLOG

We support the Roadmap to Reform!

“Be steadfast in your anger, be sure in your convictions, be moved by the right and certainty that abuse of power must be defeated at every turn; uphold Liberty as the just reward of a watchful people, and let not those who have infringed upon that Liberty steal it away from you. Never loosen your grip on Liberty!" -- GettysBLOG

“Legislation without representation is tyranny.” -- GettysBLOG

Remember in May and November! Before you vote, GettysBLOG!

Copyright © 2005-2009: GettysBLOG; All Rights Reserved.

Friday, October 23, 2009

Management changes at Gettysburg National Military Park in Pennsylvania

National Park Service Washington Office, Public Affairs.
Washington, DC - Oct 23, 2009. This note confirms that John Latschar has been reassigned to National Park Service headquarters as a special assistant to the Associate Director for Cultural Resources.

Gettysburg National Military Park chief ranger Brion Fitzgerald will serve as acting superintendent effective October 26, 2009.

An interim superintendent will be named shortly as we begin a Nationwide search for a permanent superintendent.

We will issue a more detailed statement early next week.

David Barna
Chief of Public Affairs
National Park Service
Washington, DC

END

Experience Your AmericaTM

The National Park Service cares for special places saved by the American people so that all may experience our heritage.

-------------NPS-------------GettysBLOG

We support the Roadmap to Reform!

“Be steadfast in your anger, be sure in your convictions, be moved by the right and certainty that abuse of power must be defeated at every turn; uphold Liberty as the just reward of a watchful people, and let not those who have infringed upon that Liberty steal it away from you. Never loosen your grip on Liberty!" -- GettysBLOG

“Legislation without representation is tyranny.” -- GettysBLOG

Remember in May and November! Before you vote, GettysBLOG!

Copyright © 2005-2009: GettysBLOG; All Rights Reserved.

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Timely Quotes

Timely Quotes

"Seize the power back from those who would deny you its use and protection; wield it then for yourselves to secure your lives, your liberty, and your honor!"--GettysBLOG

"Be steadfast in your anger, be sure in your convictions, be moved by the right and certainty that abuse of power must be defeated at every turn; uphold Liberty as the just reward of a watchful people, and let not those who have infringed upon that Liberty steal it away from you. Never loosen your grip on Liberty!"--GettysBLOG

"Legislation without representation is tyranny!"--GettysBLOG

"Arrogance is a fool's disease!"--GettysBLOG

"Hubris is a contagious disease found in politicians who have been in office too long."--GettysBLOG

"Greed knows no limits, and has no character. Greed endures no absolute moral values, and has its own ethics. Greed has no memories but vengeful ones. Greed has no friends and no family, only partners, and partners are expendable. Greed consumes and corrupts absolutely. Greed is blind to itself."--GettysBLOG

"With all its misleading promises about the benefits of a casino, maybe Chance investors really do think they are running a charitable institution. We certainly do not begrudge them their attempt to profit from Pennsylvania's decision to legalize gambling; we only ask that they find someplace else to put their casino. They can put their slot machines anywhere, but no one can move Gettysburg's hallowed ground."--Jim Lighthizer, CWPT

"When we show respect and try to keep a casino from being built near sacred ground in Gettysburg, we show respect for those who fight and for those who did fight. We show respect when we take care of sacred earth. We do not show respect when we even consider putting a casino within a mile of one of the holiest spots in American history at Gettysburg. That idea is so stunningly inappropriate that it makes my head spin."--Ben Stein

"They [the battlefields] were places where people died in incredible agony, alone, by themselves, for causes that they had to have believed in with every cell in their body. And for us to neglect them now and to say it is just as meaningful to have a casino where people are going to put dimes in a slot machine as to have a place where people gave up their lives for a cause theybelieved in it's just insanity."--Ben Stein

Pertinent Quotations

"We make war that we may live in peace."--Aristotle

"In great deeds something abides. On great fields something stays. Forms change and pass; bodies disappear, but spirits linger, to consecrate ground for the vision-place of souls. And reverent men and women from afar, and generations that know us not and that we know not of, heart-drawn to see where and by whom great things were suffered and done for them, shall come to this deathless field to ponder and dream; And lo! the shadow of a mighty presence shall wrap them in its bosom, and the power of the vision pass into their souls."
--Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain

"The shadows of age are rapidly stealing upon us. Our burdens are like the loaded knapsack on the evening of a long and weary march, growing heavier at every pace. The severing of the links to a heroic and noble young manhood, when generous courage was spurred by ambitious hope, goes on, but you have lived to see spring up as the result of your suffering, toil and victory the most powerful nation of history and the most beneficent government ever established. While you are in the sear and yellow leaf your country is in the spring-time of the new life your victory gave it. This is your abundant and sufficient reward." --Rufus R. Dawes

"I hope to live long enough to see my surviving comrades march side by side with the Union veterans along Pennsylvania Avenue, and then I will die happy." --James Longstreet

"That we can come here today and in the presence of thousands and tens of thousands of the survivors of the gallant army of Northern Virginia and their descendants, establish such an enduring monument by their hospitable welcome and acclaim, is conclusive proof of the uniting of the sections, and a universal confession that all that was done was well done, that the battle had to be fought, that the sections had to be tried, but that in the end, the result has inured to the common benefit of all." --William Howard Taft

"I exhort you never to debase the moral currency or to lower the standard of rectitude, but to try others by the final maxim that governs your own lives, and to suffer no man and no cause to escape the undying penalty which history has the power to inflict on wrong." --Lord Acton

"Liberty is not a means to a higher political end. It is itself the highest political end...liberty is the only object which benefits all alike, and provokes no sincere opposition...The danger is not that a particular class is unfit to govern. Every class is unfit to govern...Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely." --Lord Acton

"It is in vain, sir, to extenuate the matter. Gentlemen may cry, Peace, Peace--but there is no peace. The war is actually begun! The next gale that sweeps from the north will bring to our ears the clash of resounding arms! Our brethren are already in the field! Why stand we here idle? What is it that gentlemen wish? What would they have? Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!" --Patrick Henry

"These are the times that try men's souls. The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of their country; but he that stands it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman. Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered; yet we have this consolation with us, that the harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph." --Thomas Paine

"The way to secure liberty is to place it in the people's hands, that is, to give them the power at all times to defend it in the legislature and in the courts of justice" --John Adams

"Rightful liberty is unobstructed action according to our will within limits drawn around us by the equal rights of others. I do not add 'within the limits of the law' because law is often but the tyrant's will, and always so when it violates the rights of the individual." --Thomas Jefferson

"No man has a natural right to commit aggression on the equal rights of another, and this is all from which the laws ought to restrain him; the idea is quite unfounded that on entering into society we give up any natural rights." --Thomas Jefferson

"An honest man can feel no pleasure in the exercise of power over his fellow citizens." --Thomas Jefferson

"The protection of our citizens, the spirit and honor of our country, require that force should be interposed to a certain degree." --Thomas Jefferson

"Peace and friendship with all mankind is our wisest policy, and I wish we may be permitted to pursue it. But the temper and folly of our enemies may not leave this in our choice." --Thomas Jefferson

"To draw around the whole nation the strength of the General Government as a barrier against foreign foes... is [one of the] functions of the General Government on which [our citizens] have a right to call." --Thomas Jefferson

"It is our duty still to endeavor to avoid war; but if it shall actually take place, no matter by whom brought on, we must defend ourselves. If our house be on fire, without inquiring whether it was fired from within or without, we must try to extinguish it." --Thomas Jefferson

"I am ever unwilling that [peace] should be disturbed as long as the rights and interests of the nations can be preserved. But whensoever hostile aggressions on these require a resort to war, we must meet our duty and convince the world that we are just friends and brave enemies." --Thomas Jefferson

"By nature's law, man is at peace with man till some aggression is committed, which, by the same law, authorizes one to destroy another as his enemy." --Thomas Jefferson

"I have sworn upon the altar of God, eternal hostility against every form of tyranny over the mind of man." --Thomas Jefferson

"Our duty to ourselves, to posterity, and to mankind, call on us by every motive which is sacred or honorable, to watch over the safety of our beloved country during the troubles which agitate and convulse the residue of the world, and to sacrifice to that all personal and local considerations." --Thomas Jefferson

"It is an essential attribute of the jurisdiction of every country to preserve peace, to punish acts in breach of it, and to restore property taken by force within its limits." --Thomas Jefferson

"By nature's law, man is at peace with man till some aggression is committed, which, by the same law, authorizes one to destroy another as his enemy." --Thomas Jefferson

"Peace and friendship with all mankind is our wisest policy, and I wish we may be permitted to pursue it. But the temper and folly of our enemies may not leave this in our choice." --Thomas Jefferson

"We must indeed all hang together, or, most assuredly, we shall all hang separately." --Benjamin Franklin

"I believe there are more instances of the abridgement of freedom of the people by gradual and silent encroachments of those in power than by violent and sudden usurpations." --James Madison

"Public sentiment is everything. With public sentiment, nothing can fail; without it nothing can succeed." --Abraham Lincoln

"At what point shall we expect the approach of danger? By what means shall we fortify against it? Shall we expect some transatlantic military giant, to step the Ocean, and crush us at a blow? Never! All the armies of Europe, Asia and Africa combined, with all the treasure of the earth (our own excepted) in their military chest; with a Buonaparte for a commander, could not by force, take a drink from the Ohio, or make a track on the Blue Ridge, in a trial of a thousand years. At what point, then, is the approach of danger to be expected? I answer, if it ever reach us it must spring up amongst us. It cannot come from abroad. If destruction be our lot, we must ourselves be its author and finisher. As a nation of freemen, we must live through all time, or die by suicide." --Abraham Lincoln

"The probability that we may fall in the struggle ought not to deter us from the support of a cause we believe to be just; it shall not deter me." --Abraham Lincoln

"Property is the fruit of labor...property is desirable...is a positive good in the world. That some should be rich shows that others may become rich, and hence is just encouragement
to industry and enterprise. Let not him who is houseless pull down the house of another; but let him labor diligently and build one for himself, thus by example assuring that his own shall be safe from violence when built." --Abraham Lincoln

"We all declare for liberty; but in using the same word we do not all mean the same thing. With some the word liberty may mean for each man to do as he pleases with himself, and the product of his labor; while with others, the same word many mean for some men to do as they please with other men, and the product of other men's labor. Here are two, not only different, but incompatible things, called by the same name - liberty. And it follows that each of the things is, by the respective parties, called by two different and incompatible names - liberty and tyranny." --Abraham Lincoln

"If all do not join now to save the good old ship of the Union this voyage nobody will have a chance to pilot her on another voyage." --Abraham Lincoln

"It is not the critic who counts, not the man who points out how the strong man stumbled, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena; whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs and comes short again and again; who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions, and spends himself in a worthy cause; who, at the best, knows in the end the triumph of high achievement; and who, at worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory nor defeat." --Theodore Roosevelt

"Far better it is to dare mighty things, to win glorious triumphs, even though checkered by failure, than to take rank with those poor spirits who neither enjoy much nor suffer much, because they live in the gray twilight that knows not victory nor defeat." --Theodore Roosevelt

"The liberty of a democracy is not safe if the people tolerate the growth of private power to a point where it comes stronger than their democratic state itself. That, in its essence, is fascism - ownership of government by an individual, by a group." --Franklin D. Roosevelt

"War has been waged against us by stealth and deceit and murder. This nation is peaceful, but fierce when stirred to anger. This conflict was begun on the timing and terms of others. It will end in a way, and at an hour, of our choosing." --George W. Bush

"When the conduct of men is designed to be influenced, persuasion, kind unassuming persuasion, should ever be adopted. It is an old and true maxim that 'a drop of honey catches more flies than a gallon of gall.' So with men. If you would win a man to your cause, first convince him that you are his sincere friend. Therein is a drop of honey that catches his heart, which, say what he will, is the great highroad to his reason, and which, once gained, you will find but little trouble in convincing him of the justice of your cause, if indeed that cause is really a good one." --Abraham Lincoln

"To arrive at a just estimate of a renowned man's character one must judge it by the standards of his time, not ours." --Mark Twain

"It is with trifles and when he is off guard that a man best reveals his character." --Arthur Schopenhauer

"When men speak ill of thee, live so as nobody may believe them." --Plato

"He that has light within his own clear breast may sit in the center, and enjoy bright day: But he that hides a dark soul and foul thoughts benighted walks under the mid-day sun." --John Milton

"Character consists of what you do on the third and fourth tries." --James A. Michener

"We should be too big to take offense and too noble to give it." --Abraham Lincoln

"I look to a day when people will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character." --Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

"A man's character is his guardian divinity." --Heraclitus

"Character develops itself in the stream of life." --Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe

"Do what you know and perception is converted into character." --Ralph Waldo Emerson

"Of all the properties which belong to honorable men, not one is so highly prized as that of character." --Henry Clay

"There is nothing so comfortable as money, but nothing so defiling if it be come by unworthily; nothing so comfortable, but nothing so noxious if the mind be allowed to dwell upon it constantly. If a man have enough, let him spend it freely. If he wants it, let him earn it honestly. Let him do something for it, so that the man who pays it to him may get its value. But to think that it may be got by gambling, to hope to live after that fashion, to sit down with your fingers almost in your neighbours pockets, with your eye on his purse, trusting that you may know better than he some studied calculations as to the pips concealed in your hands, praying to the only god you worship that some special card may be vouchsafed to you, that I say is to have left far, far behind you, all nobility, all gentleness, all manhood!" --Anthony Trollope: The Duke's Children

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Tuesday, November 10, 2009

Mel Poole Named Interim Superintendent of Gettysburg NMP

Monday, November 02, 2009

Gettysburg NMP Updates Visitor Estimates

Wednesday, October 28, 2009

Gettysburg Slimes Unnaturally Obsessed

Sunday, October 25, 2009

End of Year Events at GNMP

Friday, October 23, 2009

Management changes at Gettysburg National Military Park in Pennsylvania

Battlefield Calendars & Events

GettysBLOG: Give a big WELCOME to Gettysburg Beat!

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