Friday, March 16, 2007
a response from Boots Hughston
After receiving the statement from Tom Dimmick yesterday (see below) I forwarded it to Boots Hughston for comment. Boots had called me earlier in the day disputing unattributed allegations posted in a thread on SoHum Parlance by someone who calls himself Omar.
"Omar" wrote, "As I hear it... The ED of the MCC gave Boots the final say on whether the agreement would be accepted.
To Be One decided that HE is going to produce the show.
The offer was rejected by him.
We all lose."
Tom D. mentions, ""More than a half dozen offers – offers that allow the MCC to recoup its expenses for the Dimmick Ranch infrastructure and equipment AND realize a return on this investment – have been put on the table. Offers for lucrative licensing arrangements have been made. All are aimed at avoiding litigation – an expense, and one with the potential to involve costly damages for our community center. I’ve actively and aggressively explored settlement in formal settings, through 'friends' and directly – all the while making it clear that I am open to counter-offers."
I asked Boots about this, and about something Tom says regarding traffic mitigation: "We instituted the sale of Thursday night arrival, Pre-Sale Camping for the Dimmick Ranch and Cooks Valley Camping Area, and this effectively solved the traffic problems. This crucial mitigation has already been overlooked by the new producer... The promotion of the event has already violated the spirit of the traffic plan we worked hard to hammer out."
Boots responds:
The offer Tom speaks of is the same Carol offered when she quit some months ago. Take 200K per year for 10 years and give them RotR. He says he’s made offers that have substance, but to my knowledge he has not.
On the other hand 2b1 suggested to Tom a deal might be possible if Tom would consider dropping his lawsuits against the Mateel and board members and the Mateel would consider dropping theirs lawsuit against him. I suggest the show remained as RotR owned and operated by the Mateel, the same as it has been for 23 years. I even explained that 2b1 did not necessarily have to be promoter. I felt this was a very clean way for everyone to get out of this mess.
In reflection I realize he doesn’t want to resolve the problems. His intent is to to take control of the festival one way or another. Just as Tom stated he bought property to have the festival and his intent was to make money. He acts like the festival is somehow already his. It’s sad he doesn’t realize his actions are tearing the community apart. The Mateel has come to him many times trying to resolve the problem. Ex-members of the Mateel have also tried to negotiate with Tom and all have failed, he refuses to even consider a different offer.
This morning he called and rejected my proposal stating he felt he had a stronger hand and wanted to talk to the Board directly. I told him I would pass this on to the Mateel.
Concerning Tom’s remarks stating we have over looked early arrival. He is mistaken, Thursday early arrival has been implemented. We are not forcing them to camp in the neighboring areas as they did last year. We are allowing early arrivals to camp on site as well. This and other options well be on sale shortly.
Other info: Many fault the Mateel stating that the Mateel sued first. The truth is People Productions had already filed a law suit against the Mateel, they just didn’t serve the papers. They was the first to sue, not the Mateel.
Much Respect, Boots-2b1
(note from Bob: I also forwarded Tom's latest statement to Garth Epling from the Mateel Board for comment. I have not heard back yet, but will post his response when I do.)
"Omar" wrote, "As I hear it... The ED of the MCC gave Boots the final say on whether the agreement would be accepted.
To Be One decided that HE is going to produce the show.
The offer was rejected by him.
We all lose."
Tom D. mentions, ""More than a half dozen offers – offers that allow the MCC to recoup its expenses for the Dimmick Ranch infrastructure and equipment AND realize a return on this investment – have been put on the table. Offers for lucrative licensing arrangements have been made. All are aimed at avoiding litigation – an expense, and one with the potential to involve costly damages for our community center. I’ve actively and aggressively explored settlement in formal settings, through 'friends' and directly – all the while making it clear that I am open to counter-offers."
I asked Boots about this, and about something Tom says regarding traffic mitigation: "We instituted the sale of Thursday night arrival, Pre-Sale Camping for the Dimmick Ranch and Cooks Valley Camping Area, and this effectively solved the traffic problems. This crucial mitigation has already been overlooked by the new producer... The promotion of the event has already violated the spirit of the traffic plan we worked hard to hammer out."
Boots responds:
The offer Tom speaks of is the same Carol offered when she quit some months ago. Take 200K per year for 10 years and give them RotR. He says he’s made offers that have substance, but to my knowledge he has not.
On the other hand 2b1 suggested to Tom a deal might be possible if Tom would consider dropping his lawsuits against the Mateel and board members and the Mateel would consider dropping theirs lawsuit against him. I suggest the show remained as RotR owned and operated by the Mateel, the same as it has been for 23 years. I even explained that 2b1 did not necessarily have to be promoter. I felt this was a very clean way for everyone to get out of this mess.
In reflection I realize he doesn’t want to resolve the problems. His intent is to to take control of the festival one way or another. Just as Tom stated he bought property to have the festival and his intent was to make money. He acts like the festival is somehow already his. It’s sad he doesn’t realize his actions are tearing the community apart. The Mateel has come to him many times trying to resolve the problem. Ex-members of the Mateel have also tried to negotiate with Tom and all have failed, he refuses to even consider a different offer.
This morning he called and rejected my proposal stating he felt he had a stronger hand and wanted to talk to the Board directly. I told him I would pass this on to the Mateel.
Concerning Tom’s remarks stating we have over looked early arrival. He is mistaken, Thursday early arrival has been implemented. We are not forcing them to camp in the neighboring areas as they did last year. We are allowing early arrivals to camp on site as well. This and other options well be on sale shortly.
Other info: Many fault the Mateel stating that the Mateel sued first. The truth is People Productions had already filed a law suit against the Mateel, they just didn’t serve the papers. They was the first to sue, not the Mateel.
Much Respect, Boots-2b1
(note from Bob: I also forwarded Tom's latest statement to Garth Epling from the Mateel Board for comment. I have not heard back yet, but will post his response when I do.)
