To the Harkness Memorial State Park employee who was "just doing her job" and going only by my license plate, thank you for doing your job all too well and denying me admission to the parking lot without paying a $15 fee. I explained very reasonably and politely that I'm a Connecticut driver who is unfortunately driving an Enterprise rental car with a Rhode Island plate because my car is currently in an autobody shop. She replied, "I just go by the plate, sir" despite the fact that I produced my driver's license before I even pulled up to the booth. This type of "customer service" and public relations is absolutely poor and is a reflection of insensitive/inflexible training. While I produced my license as I drove up and provided a more than reasonable explanation (twice in a calm and measured tone) for the situation, the attendant was still unable/unwilling to respond reasonably and with human decency.

This is inconscionable. I'm a 57 year-old, single male who was simply coming into the park- alone- to eat lunch and play guitar by the water for a few hours. I guarantee that I will take my tourism dollars elsewhere in New England/to other states and avoid Connecticut state parks as a result of how I was treated. I, like everyone else residing in CT, pay automobile registration fees which include admission to Connecticut state parks. If that is fully paid, then I will now print out a copy and produce it regardless of the license plate on the vehicle I choose to drive (if there ever is a next time) and won't tolerate anything less than immediate admission without a fee being demanded and paid.