By JOEL GEHRKE
National Park Service officials cited the government shutdown as the reason for ordering an elderly Nevada couple out of their home, which sits on federal land. “Unfortunately overnight stays are not permitted until a budget is passed and the park can reopen,” an NPS spokesman explained to KTNV.
Ralph and Joyce Spencer, aged 80 and 77, respectively, own their home, but the government owns the land on which it sits. “I had to be sure and get his walker and his scooter that he has to go in,” Joyce Spencer told the local news outlet.
“We’re not hurt in any way except it might cost me if I have to go buy more pants.”
Similarly, the NPS forced privately-operated inns on the Blue Ridge Parkway to close during the shut down.
“We’ve been told to make life as difficult for people as we can,” an unnamed park ranger told the Washington Times. “It’s disgusting.”