Dear Editor,
I write on behalf of many concerned visitors regarding a sudden, unexplained change to the 2026 camping reservation system for the State Waterski Show Tournament in Wood County. Without committee review or public input, the Parks Director moved reservations for this single weekend off the centralized, transparent system and onto a separate platform that has previously failed – causing chaos and inequity.
This decision was made with no supporting data, no public notice and no HIRC approval. Other large events like BMX tournaments and festivals are still allowed to use the county’s proven, streamlined booking process. Singling out Waterski Weekend – a major tourism draw, bringing in upwards of $3 millioin annually – undermines public trust and sets a dangerous precedent.
Worse still, many campers had already booked under the existing system before this change was announced. Retroactive policy changes erode faith in public institutions.
The solution is simple: Reinstate the centralized reservation system for this event. No bookings have been released yet for that week, so this fix can be made immediately without disruption.
Despite reaching out, we have yet to hear back from the HIRC, and therefore request the media to urge the HIRC and Wood County officials to take action now to restore fairness, transparency, and consistency. The public deserves policies made with data, oversight and integrity – not sudden decisions behind closed doors.
Sincerely,
Pam Heineck
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