Gov. Fife Symington's proposed use of the National Guard to reopen the Grand Canyon during a six-day federal government shutdown was political grandstanding at taxpayers expense, critics say.
"It was a big publicity stunt used to divert attention away from the things the governor doesn't want talked about - like his finances," said Sierra Club director Rob Smith, who questioned the state's ability to run a national park.About 50 National Guardsmen, two dozen state park rangers and about 10 state troopers were dispatched Friday to the Grand Canyon in hope of persuading President Clinton to let Symington reopen Arizona's biggest tourist attraction.
The offer was rejected by the U.S. Interior Department, and the issue became moot over the weekend as the White House and congressional Republicans struck a deal to keep the government in business until Dec. 15.
"It didn't result in anything," Smith said Monday of Symington's actions. "That agreement would have happened regardless. Simply going up there and beating on the park gates with the press around, knowing the feds were going to say no, didn't get it done."
The state estimates it cost about $10,000 to send the National Guardsmen and other personnel to the Grand Canyon, said Symington spokesman Doug Cole. However, he said no itemized list detailing the expenses will be sought.
Cole said he feels the governor's efforts helped push the Clinton administration into a compromise.
"This story had headlines everywhere and played an integral role to solving the crisis," he said.
In numerous articles reported Monday, however, Clinton did not list the Grand Canyon's shutdown as a factor in reaching the compromise.
Sen. Sandra Kennedy, D-Phoenix, said Symington's action last week was another "bombshell" planted by the governor to deflect publicity about his personal bankruptcy problems - all at a cost to Arizona taxpayers.
"We're left to pick up the tab and he doesn't seem to care," she said. "He just tries to boost himself up and not show the negative side of things."
Lt. Eileen Bienz, a National Guard spokeswoman, said it will likely take a few days before the Guard can determine how much it cost to pay for officers, their meals and the fuel and maintenance for a convoy of military vehicles.
Ken Travous, executive director for the state parks department, said initial figures indicate it cost his agency about $4,000 in overtime pay, hotel rooms, food and travel.
Marion Harmening, a Sun City resident who was visiting the canyon Monday with relatives from Florida, said she appreciates the governor's effort.
"I don't know if it did any good. It didn't seem to do any harm and it probably did him some good," she said. "He seemed to be trying."
In a letter written Monday to Clinton, Symington encouraged the president to open negotiations to prevent future canyon shutdowns. The talks would be aimed at finding ways to deal with legal holes cited by an Interior Department official who rejected the state's offer to help Friday.
In rejecting Symington's offer, the federal spokesman said it might be legal for the Park Service to have accepted a state donation that would cover the entire cost of running the canyon.