Taken a bunch of heat in the last few days about my post May 6 2010 "Thunder in the Valley"
So today I am going to clarify things so a few narrow minded people do not take the opportunity to make political hay out of my comments.
Yes I made a mistake on the title it should have been Rum Runner Days & Thunder in the Valley. I did not intend to focus all of the attention on just Thunder in the Valley.
Second the reason for the post, often I receive requests on where "your" tax dollars are spent, when I am asked I attempt to supply that information, I was asked in person via email and phone what the taxpayers spent on this weekend, I posted that information.
For example I was asked last week how much we spent on snow clearing this year versus last, why would I not supply that information?
Do I has a councilor have the right to say I'm not going to tell you?
Third I have been accused of attacking groups that put this event on, not true read the post who do I attack in my post? Look at the words " Great weekend that draws lots of people in to the Valley" which of those words are negative?
"and is a boon for most of our businesses" which of those words are negative? quite the contrary I think they speak very positively about the whole weekend.
Now do I have concerns about this weekend? of course when you have 30,000 people here if one percent of them are idiots that's 300 people, (could do a lot of damage in a small town). yes I see that side of it, I work that weekend as a jail guard at the local RCMP establishment and I see what those people have to contend with.
As far as the comments to my post, I post almost all of the comments that I receive go back and read some of the Crowsnest Centre stuff on this Blog some of the comments I received they were not all favourable to myself. The only comments I have refused to post since I started this blog were a couple of which I believed to be libel, and a couple of comments that made fun of a local persons medical condition.
Anyway back to the point of this "clarification" the original post was presented as an answer to questions I was asked by taxpayers. And under no circumstances was it an attack on any individual or group(s), and if somebody took it that way I apologise.
The idiots put aside this weekend brings a lot of good, business, and publicity to this town.
13 comments:
Dean
So what is the number on snow clearing?
Dean,
No need to apologize. I'm sure most of us know what you meant. In reality, though, it's Thunder In The Valley that draws the masses to the Pass, not Rum Runner Days. Ask the 30,000 visitors and I'm sure most will say they are attracted here mainly for the fireworks display, not the parade, the mini carnival or any of the other Rum Runner celebrations. I'm not trying to take anything away from Rum Runner Days, but without the fireworks most of these people would not be here during this weekend. Downtown Blairmore would be pretty quiet come dark Saturday evening, at least compared to the way it is now.
While it might be a hard pill for the firework's organizers to swallow, they have to start realizing its "Thunder" that creates the majority of the problems that occur in our community during Rum Runner Days. If there's 300 trouble-makers visiting here, that's 300 too many. The organizers, including the municipality, are responsible for straightening things out.
We have to face reality. This event is largely based on generating money for “some” business’ and a couple of clubs/organizations. There’s nothing wrong with this, but why do they have to do it in a way that disrupts people’s lives, puts private property at risk and causes other issues within our community? Some people say we should, "Shut up and put up with it" or "It's only one weekend of the year." I disagree. We shouldn’t have to put up with these things, even for one day!
I remember going to the first couple of fireworks displays, back when they first started. While there were always a few "out-of-towners" around, the spectators were mainly made up of CNP residents. The fireworks were not as spectacular as they are now and they didn't receive the attention they do these days. Back then, everyone went home afterward. Not anymore, I guess.
I notice in your original posting there's $18,000.00 allocated for "Activities & Entertainers." Can anyone apply for a portion of this? I can juggle a bit :)
Thunder is the draw.It is the greatest promotional event in the CNP.Is that not what we are looking for?Today a few businesses thrive on thunder weekend,but the future, if promoted properly can lead to many great opportunities.
I was thinking if I lived near the center of attraction that maybe some temporary fences could be put up to keep the crowd on the street.I do think the fire department should work a little closer with the municapality as far as security goes.Try and make this a family event only.No beer gardens.
I am willing to put up with it for 1 day a year as long as it does not get out of control.We will never have a better opportunity to promote this area than thunder.
Dean,
I agree with Anonymous #3. Thunder is a huge draw and it's a great event for the entire Crowsnest Pass. Most people living here don’t deny this and want to see it continue. However, there are some serious issues that need to be dealt with. Hopefully, the people who organize the fireworks will read your blog. Here are some ideas that might help. There are probably other suggestions, comments and concerns out there. Let’s hear them.
I’d like to note that I do not live near the fireworks location and I’m not affected at all by what happens here. I know some of the people who live here, though, and they are extremely frustrated. Let’s help them with this. These people are residents/taxpayers of CNP and have rights, too.
1.) Eliminate the campground along the train tracks and the random camping along the highway. It's bad enough that the people who live near the tracks have to put up with the huge crowds during the fireworks, but the stuff that occurs here all weekend long, as a result of the camping, is ridiculous. If camping is not allowed it will be easy to clear that entire area of people immediately after the fireworks are over, and residents along the street will be able to relax for the rest of the weekend. It’s a sad thing when it’s more important for an organization to make a few dollars at the expense of what these residents have to endure that weekend. At the very least, find a different location to set up a campground. Perhaps, somewhere on the outskirts of town? If this is not possible, scrap the campground.
Note: By not permitting random camping along the highway, near the cemetery, up past the Interpretive Center, …etc., we won’t have to clean up the mess that’s left behind each year. I’ve often wondered; where do all these people go to the bathroom … especially the ones staying in tents? Then there are the people who squat/trespass and camp on private property. There were numerous complaints made to the police last year. This has to end.
2.) I like the idea of a temporary barrier or fence of some kind, so people can only walk on the road to the grounds. The way it is now, some residents stand outside of their homes all evening, to make sure nobody does anything to their property.
3.) I agree, NO to a beer garden. In the grand scheme of things, there’s a lot more money to be made by keeping this a family oriented event, not a place to come and drink or to get "hammered." A large part of the problem (maybe the main one) during Thunder In The Valley – Rum Runner Days is excessive alcohol consumption. There are enough establishments in the Pass that can provide the venue for people to drink if they wish. And for those who think otherwise, a beer garden will not eliminate the illegal consumption of booze that occurs prior to, during or after the fireworks. It will only generate a bit of money for yet another organization and a lot more trouble for the rest of us to deal with.
4.) Talk to some of the people who live near the fireworks. They probably have ideas, too. Has anyone ever suggested inviting them to a meeting? Try working things out with them.
5.) Hopefully, there will be some changes made this year. However, the changes will have to be conveyed (advertised) well in advance, in order to inform the 30,000 or so people that will be showing up on our doorstep in July that they may not be able to do some of the things, as in the past. Attendance might go down by about 300, but that might not be a bad thing.
Having said all of this, I tip my hat to the Rum Runner Days and Thunder In The Valley organizers and volunteers. I'm sure you put in countless hours and at times it's a thankless job. There are just a few things that need to be fixed. Once this is accomplished, everyone in the Pass will look forward to the third weekend in July!
Your innocent "answer" to a question is proof of how obnoxious you are. You absolutely need to apologize.Obviously most of your readers don't know what you meant. Some of the comments after your Thunder in the Valley post are so unbelievable. I have been here for 9 years and the way that volunteers get treated in this town is shameful.
More than a few times I have heard volunteer groups called thieves and accused of padding there pockets. It is outrageous, the people that make those accusations are clueless.
Your casual "answer" has made an extremly hard working volunteer organization look like criminals.
Use your head, next time you "answer" a question.
Well sure proves a point that I do not post just the comments that are favourable to me.
First of all going back to my original post which part pointed a finger at anybody?
A question was asked a question was answered.
Once again point to the part that made any kind of accusation and I will deal with it.
Back to the numbers on snow clearing.
What a difference a mild spring makes:
2009 $163,589.56
2010 $36,033.62
Dean you got attacked for those comments May 6 unbelivable. Heavens for bid if you had said something bad. You would be in jail with all those people who thought the Centre was a dump.
I read a lot of your Blog and John Prince's. He talks a lot about the government taking away our freedoms is "speech" not one of them.
Keep up the good work
Dale
Hey Dean,
Regarding today's Letter To The Editor in the Pass Herald. I'm curious and have to ask. What would the costs be for policing, traffic control, garbage & toilets, extra municipal staff and other expenses be during TITV – Rum Runner Days, if there were no fireworks display that weekend?
According to the editorial, when TITV started seventeen years ago, Rum Runner Days had “shrunk to near non-existence ….” I’m only guessing here, but I’d say that if there were no longer any fireworks, these costs would only be a fraction of what they are now. This is because there would only be a fraction of the people coming here and we wouldn’t need the bulk of these services. Would anybody know what these costs were seventeen years ago?
I can see the point you are making and some parts of it are very logical.
But I would like to reinforce once again that I do recognize the value of that weekend and the amount of business ($$$$) it brings into the community, the publicty it gives our town.
I attempted to answer a simple question, "what does that weekend cost us".
Dean why are you back pedaling on this issue? I could care less about the fireworks. Do you think we really enjoy having 30000 people two blocks from our home.
How many people get arrested the weekend of the Sinster 7.
No about turn here, the whole weekend is a good thing for the Crowsnest Pass. I just wish we could keep the few idiots away that wreck a good thing for the rest.
Dean,
You say you just want to keep the few idiots away....
But they LIVE here right in this town.
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