See what happens when you let gays marry?

Stop being such cheap-ass bastards and pay the fee to park that gas-guzzling, highway-hogging, non-speed-limit-reaching, shiatter-was-full, tacky condominium on wheels.

They say it's unfair that licensed campgrounds must comply with regulations, such as supplying drinking water and waste-removal facilities, while parking lot owners don't.

They have a point there...

FTFA: "If this legislation passes, it may well set a precedent for the rest of the country, and we could see our freedom to choose where we park permanently revoked!" the club said in an electronic newsletter.

there's something wrong there but I'm too high to figure out exactly what

My parents (cheap-asses) do this all the time. They'll pay for a spot if they're going to stay for more than a few days. Maine is a nice 12 hour drive from their place and stopping in Bangor after the first day just makes sense... having to pay for a site is a waste.

I just emailed them this article... I expect they will not appreciate this.

The majority of people that use the lots pull in late at night and move on in the morning.

ecmoRandomNumbers: Stop being such cheap-ass bastards and pay the fee to park that gas-guzzling, highway-hogging, non-speed-limit-reaching, shiatter-was-full, tacky condominium on wheels.

this.

RV = Road Virus

makebusy7: FTFA: "If this legislation passes, it may well set a precedent for the rest of the country, and we could see our freedom to choose where we park permanently revoked!" the club said in an electronic newsletter.

there's something wrong there but I'm too high to figure out exactly what

Well, since you're free to get stoned, I wouldn't worry about it.

Just don't get caught.

In a time of decreasing tax revenues this will pass. They should have seen this coming. "If it moves, tax it. If it keeps moving, regulate it.

Proponents say the measure would help local campgrounds and RV parks stay in business and also allow the state to recoup nearly $1 million in lost state lodging taxes take Maine off the destination of RVers.

Headso: They say it's unfair that licensed campgrounds must comply with regulations, such as supplying drinking water and waste-removal facilities, while parking lot owners don't.

They have a point there...

They do - but it simply means that the rates they're charging are too high. If I'm driving an RV, I want to dump my sewage and fill up with fresh water. However, I might not need to do so every day. But, at $36, that can be a bit pricey for an entire vacation. So, spending a few nights paying for the service, but most without it seems like a great cost saver to me. If they want to compete with Walmart, they need to actually compete. Sounds like they've priced themselves out of the market. Especially seeing as how Walmart parking lots are likely to have noise, Walmart employees, and other things that'd make parking there undesirable.

I see a difference between "camping" and "parking overnight".

If you are "parking overnight" with the property owner's permission, you don't need water, electricity, dump tanks, etc. You are essentially just finding a place to get some sleep for safe driving the next day.

Now, if the campgrounds would have, essentially, some no-services (water, electricity, etc) spots and a nominal fee for dumping your tanks, they could very well pull back some of the overnighters and get business to their own convenience store and maybe even a return visit for camping in the future.

If there is law that basically says "you have to be in a campground overnight" then both the businesses and campgrounds are likely to lose out as RVers decide that it's not worthwhile to visit or pass through the area.

ronaprhys: They do - but it simply means that the rates they're charging are too high. If I'm driving an RV, I want to dump my sewage and fill up with fresh water. However, I might not need to do so every day. But, at $36, that can be a bit pricey for an entire vacation. So, spending a few nights paying for the service, but most without it seems like a great cost saver to me. If they want to compete with Walmart, they need to actually compete. Sounds like they've priced themselves out of the market. Especially seeing as how Walmart parking lots are likely to have noise, Walmart employees, and other things that'd make parking there undesirable.

But camp grounds don't have the convenience of a WalMart Super Center^tm

No, seriously. My mom loves it because they can get food and booze and are close enough to the town to go to pubs and shopping.

Erond: Now, if the campgrounds would have, essentially, some no-services (water, electricity, etc) spots and a nominal fee for dumping your tanks, they could very well pull back some of the overnighters and get business to their own convenience store and maybe even a return visit for camping in the future.

That's fairly common. They charge dumping fees, though. Walmart has free dumping and fresh water.

Nice to see it's not just the politicians in DC that are for sale. I can make my business better and more attractive to draw in more customers or I can spend far less and buy off some politicians, which should I do? It's like Marriott buying off enough politicians to force truckers to stay at their hotels instead of sleeping in their sleeper equipped trucks at a truck stop.

does NOT approve

They should have to pay the outrageous $85.00 a month self storage fee for a parking spot at their local Extra Space Storage facility like those of us in Michigan have to.

Wife & I spent 8 years living in a big diesel RV so I'm getting a kick...

What this article doesn't tell you is that most of the RVs in Wal-Mart (or Flying J) lots are fully self contained - as in will go for a week without need for any services - and all they're looking for is a safe place to park from sundown to sunup.

You want to pay $36 for a parking spot?

It used to be pretty reasonable - $10 to $14 - and the RVs weren't quite so self contained so hitting an RV camp made a lot of sense. The RVs got better and the camps didn't so now they're trying to use the law to keep their sorry asses in business.

This isn't new BTW - particularly in Maine.

ronaprhys: Headso: They say it's unfair that licensed campgrounds must comply with regulations, such as supplying drinking water and waste-removal facilities, while parking lot owners don't.

They have a point there...

They do - but it simply means that the rates they're charging are too high. If I'm driving an RV, I want to dump my sewage and fill up with fresh water. However, I might not need to do so every day. But, at $36, that can be a bit pricey for an entire vacation. So, spending a few nights paying for the service, but most without it seems like a great cost saver to me. If they want to compete with Walmart, they need to actually compete. Sounds like they've priced themselves out of the market. Especially seeing as how Walmart parking lots are likely to have noise, Walmart employees, and other things that'd make parking there undesirable.

Lets look at another problem:

You are driving along to your destination in Maine, but it's getting a bit late, and you are getting tired. The campground is only 2 hours away, but with how you are feeling, it is safer to pull over and doze rather than push it and continue to drive something the size of a coach bus down the highway with a tired driver.

I don't like this legislation one bit, as it is simply getting the government to limit the freedom of people to prop up a business that isn't making as much money as it would like.

Nevertheless, Wal-Mart is not fighting the bill, she said. "Wal-Mart is going to do whatever the Legislature tells us to do, of course, and happily so......mmmm.....mmm hmmm hmmm.... ha ha ha MAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!"

ck1938: Nice to see it's not just the politicians in DC that are for sale. I can make my business better and more attractive to draw in more customers or I can spend far less and buy off some politicians, which should I do? It's like Marriott buying off enough politicians to force truckers to stay at their hotels instead of sleeping in their sleeper equipped trucks at a truck stop.

Exactly this.

So wait, the guy who's charging a fee for something that's free next door is complaining? Does this guy still use the classifieds in the newspaper too?

The RV Campground owners want the state to legislate them business by default.

Yes, that IS a GREAT idea. Seriously, go fark yourselves owners.

I think we should clearly force RC makers to stop having kitchens inside of their vehicles, because those kitchens reduce the amount spent at local restaurants!

And we definitely shouldn't allow people to have electric vehicles, because those cut into oil company profits!

If anyone thinks this kind of shiat is even REMOTELY ok, please go DIAF.

Tr0mBoNe: Walmart has free dumping and fresh water.

If that's the case, it's a new thing. Never saw one like that in my travels.

TheWizard: ronaprhys: Headso: They say it's unfair that licensed campgrounds must comply with regulations, such as supplying drinking water and waste-removal facilities, while parking lot owners don't.

They have a point there...

They do - but it simply means that the rates they're charging are too high. If I'm driving an RV, I want to dump my sewage and fill up with fresh water. However, I might not need to do so every day. But, at $36, that can be a bit pricey for an entire vacation. So, spending a few nights paying for the service, but most without it seems like a great cost saver to me. If they want to compete with Walmart, they need to actually compete. Sounds like they've priced themselves out of the market. Especially seeing as how Walmart parking lots are likely to have noise, Walmart employees, and other things that'd make parking there undesirable.

Lets look at another problem:

You are driving along to your destination in Maine, but it's getting a bit late, and you are getting tired. The campground is only 2 hours away, but with how you are feeling, it is safer to pull over and doze rather than push it and continue to drive something the size of a coach bus down the highway with a tired driver.

I don't like this legislation one bit, as it is simply getting the government to limit the freedom of people to prop up a business that isn't making as much money as it would like.

YOU WILL EITHER PAY US OR WE WILL PASS LEGISLATURE FORCING YOU TO PAY US!!!!! WE AREN'T COMING UP SHORT AGAIN THIS YEAR!!

I think this is a good piece of legislation. And don't give me they are pricing themselves out of competition. Wal-Mart is proving their lot for free, so there is no competition. But you know what? Don't like it, don't come to Maine then. Drive your RV around scenic New Jersey. Like we need more farking tourist up here

Headso: They say it's unfair that licensed campgrounds must comply with regulations, such as supplying drinking water and waste-removal facilities, while parking lot owners don't.

They have a point there...

No they don't. Campgrounds are for camping, parking lots are for... parking. It's no surprise that a parking lot doesn't have the utilities the campground has. They're two different things!

I, for one, am sick up and fed with owners of overpriced RV parking lots demanding the price of a motel room in exchange of a night in their lot. It sickens me further that politicians allow themselves to be used to further extortion on the part of these sleazy operators. If an RVer wants to pay $35 for utility-supplied electricity and hose-supplied drinking water for one night, let them pay it. If Wal-mart thinks it's a smart strategy to offer the hospitality of their huge parking lot overnight, stay out of their way -- it is their property. I sincerely hope the State of Maine will not be taken in by this scheme.

Maine: The way life should be Hand over your wallets at the border and turn around, flatlandah.

Dumbasses in Disgusta will pass it.

/Where'd the tourists go?
//Ayuh.

I feel for the campground owners, Maine is a tough place to make a living.

It's like the snowbird tax in Florida... but it sure smells like they were inspired by the RIAA.

Why not just issue a "park your RV in Maine" tax stamp, like the "millfoil" graft boaters have to put up with?

//why not DIAF

Publikwerks: I think this is a good piece of legislation. And don't give me they are pricing themselves out of competition. Wal-Mart is proving their lot for free, so there is no competition. But you know what? Don't like it, don't come to Maine then. Drive your RV around scenic New Jersey. Like we need more farking tourist up here

Well said my friend, well said. Furthermore I would like to introduce legislation in our fair state of Maine thus barring individuals from purchasing water from anyone but me. Furthermore, citizens caught drinking from streams, puddles, rivers or holding out their tongue in the rain should be arrested and sent to federal prison for no less than six years.

*This message brought to you by Dave's water company.

Camp in a tent like real people.

Publikwerks: Like we need more farking tourist up here
So, you feel like your taxes aren't high enough? Think your state can do without tourism? Fine, I'll just cancel my annual windjammer trip this summer. We'll see how long Camden lasts without tourists. I'm sure blueberries and lobster exports are more than enough to sustain the entire state.

God forbid Maine should run out of taxmoney. Whatever would they do? Then they wouldn't be able to hire as many tax enforcement agents.

heinekenftw: Camp in a tent like real people.

Individuals traveling in an RV are not usually looking to go camping in the wilderness. Those I have met that do usually park the RV in a camp with utilities, pack up their gear and hike off somewhere. For them the RV is a mobile home that conveniently allows them to travel across the country.

/knows a couple with an RV and PO boxes in 30+ states.

36 bucks for a parking "RV camp" spot?

No thanks.

Listen, I'm not saying the RV places are not pricing themselves out of competition, but free is a price you can't compete with. And if your driving your rv through my state and are cheap enough to see a $35 dollar a night charge as enough to cancel your trip, you weren't gonna be contributing to the local economy anyway, so who needs ya.

And I think Maine needs to ween off of tourism anyway, so I don't give two shiats if you don't come to Camden. But you wont, cause Maine is beautiful and undeveloped because we treat businesses like shiat.

dofus: Tr0mBoNe: Walmart has free dumping and fresh water.

If that's the case, it's a new thing. Never saw one like that in my travels.

It might have just been the supercentre in Bangor but it's becoming a more common thing. My parents have a good longhaul fifth wheel and they can go a week without dumping.

They'll do just about anything to get people to use their store if it means they have to give away a few hundred gallons of water and to take in a few hundred gallons of black/grey water.

All this will mean is that my parents will just drive through Maine and camp their first night in New Hampshire or Vermont... but that adds a few hours to the first day.

nemisonic:

Why not just issue a "park your RV in Maine" tax stamp, like the "millfoil" graft boaters have to put up with?

Milfoil? You mean you gotta keep 'em oiled?!

ronaprhys: Sounds like they've priced themselves out of the market.

THIS.

fredklein: Headso: They say it's unfair that licensed campgrounds must comply with regulations, such as supplying drinking water and waste-removal facilities, while parking lot owners don't.

They have a point there...

No they don't. Campgrounds are for camping, parking lots are for... parking. It's no surprise that a parking lot doesn't have the utilities the campground has. They're two different things!

But with their policy walmart is making their parkinglot into a campground, they should have to provide the same services.

"...but free is a price you can't compete with"

Which is farking awesome!

If someone can provide a service for free, then anyone who charges for it is providing a useless service and is completely valueless to society. They should transition to a new job, as theirs is now obsolete.

This, and every other similar situation, is a NET GAIN for society.

Tr0mBoNe: My parents have a good longhaul fifth wheel and they can go a week without dumping.

Allow me to suggest:

Ever notice how free market fundamentalists are so quick to call for governmentprotectionism of their particular interests? Shrill, too. Whoda thought WalMart would be the good guy for a change?

Barbecue Bob: 36 bucks for a parking "RV camp" spot?

No thanks.

I was thinking about buying a used one last year. I figured it out, with gas & parking fees and stuff, I could just drive my car and stay in nice hotels.

Publikwerks: And if you're driving your rv through my state and are cheap enough to see a $35 dollar a night charge as enough to cancel your trip, you weren't gonna be contributing to the local economy anyway, so who needs ya.

Y'know, it's real easy to say they're being cheap bastards over a measly $35. But the typical RVer isn't going to stop for just one night. 10 days in one spot, short enough so as not to need services, means shelling out $350. And then you're talking real money that people DO give a shiat about avoiding paying. It's called being "fiscally responsible."

They really oughta start going after all of those freeloaders that are parking in the WalMart parking lot while they go inside to shop for a couple of hours ... why should they get to park there for free while the guy running the $5/hr parking lot on the other side of town sits with a half empty lot most of the day? I mean, think of the poor local businessman running a business that fails to adapt to changing times and all of the wonderful wondeful taxes that the State misses out on taking from him.

Labrat407: In a time of decreasing tax revenues this will pass. They should have seen this coming. "If it moves, tax it. If it keeps moving, regulate it.

If it stops moving, subsidize it.
/F(inished)TFY

If I owned a campground, I'd pay some kids to cruise through Walmart parking lots with their boomer boxes automobile playing that loud rapping music.

"No. Old dude. I will not get off your front lawn! Now listen to Rapmaster Warm Glock rap about killing old people in RVs."

But then, I'm evil.

Is this an over-reaching law that protects nobody and is clearly aimed to directly serve one small special interest?
It's a good thing this doesn't happen at the state and national level.