Message

I agree it is nice to see that there are rational minds among the Site Stewards. I think the most disturbing comment that Shelly Rasmussen made in the November issue of the Site Stewards newsletter is contained on page 8 & 9. In this section of the newsletter Shelly apparently has formed her own little anti geocaching group that she calls "Stewards Against Geocaching Archaeological Sites" (SAGAS). Her comments and extremely narrow views regarding our hobby appear to be deliberate acts to try and tear down the positive efforts that have been made to resolve conflicts. I think she is a very poor representative for a program that has very honorable intentions and I do not understand her blatant hatred of our hobby. She states in her column that no geocaches have been removed which is not true. Shortly after the meeting with the land managers I archived two of my caches that were near archaeological sites . Shelly fails to mention this fact in the newsletter.

----- Original Message -----

Sent: Wednesday, November 06, 2002 8:06 PM

Subject: RE: [Az-Geocaching] RE: grrrrrrrrr more mis information from the site stewards

Permit me to add my thanks for your post. It is comforting to know that we are not the objects of universal hostility among the Site Stewards.

-----Original Message-----
From: az-geocaching-admin@listserv.azgeocaching.com [mailto:az-geocaching-admin@listserv.azgeocaching.com] On Behalf Of Jill McCormick
Sent: Wednesday, November 06, 2002 5:06 PM
To: az-geocaching@listserv.azgeocaching.com
Subject: [Az-Geocaching] RE: grrrrrrrrr more mis information from the site stewards

I just wanted to put in my two cents on this issue. I have been reading the messages regarding the article in the AZ Watch written by Shelly Rasmussen. I am a site steward and would like to say that she does not represent all site stewards, in fact, I think most site stewards disagree with her views. I do not geocache myself, but hope to in the near future. I am the regional coordinator for the Yuma Region and have an avid geocacher in my group. I also have a few sites with caches near them, but I have never had any trouble with vandalism at these sites. As a site steward our job is to monitor and carry out the wishes of the land managers, not be the police, judge, and jury regarding geocaching. As I understood it from speaking with Mary Estes, you had a productive meeting on September 27th, and had high hopes for future cooperation. I also understand that many landmanagers have no problem with geocaching, nor do they have policies against it. Please do not allow Ms. Rasmussen's comments to undo the good that has been done. I plan to speak to Mary Estes myself and ask her to no longer allow Ms. Rasmussen to publicly speak as if she was speaking for all site stewards. Hopefully this will put an end to this issue. Keep up the good work.

Regional Coordinator Yuma-Quartzsite