Reggae: Past, Present and Future

Hi Everybody

After months of trying to settle with Dimmick Ranch and People
Productions, no agreement has been reached. This leaves the
community's festival in jeopardy with hundreds of thousands in
costs and no permit or venue.

To produce an event two things are required - the permit and the
site. In the beginning it was felt that the Mateel as owner of the
festival permit for almost 23 years in addition to their binding
contract with the land owner would have no problems.

Then Dimmick Ranch terminated the Mateel's lease. People Production &
Dimmick Ranch posing as the permit applicant applied for the Mateel's
permit under Reggae Rising. Then "Reggae Rising" (the property owner
and People Productions) announced their intention of doing the Reggae
Rising Festival on the same day, at the same time and at the same venue.
The planning commission who handles the permit process decided to allow
both sides to continue with the application (crazy but true). Then, the
commission would not rule on who the applicant was, stating "let the
decision be made by the courts". Even though the decision is clearly
the commission's responsibility, they skirted it to avoid the
political fallout. This doomed the event to conflict that could only be
settled within the court system. We held out as long as possible in
hopes of a resolution. The Mateel has tried everything in their power to
convince Dimmick Ranch to settle fairly and in good faith.

Without a permit and venue this leaves us no choice but to cancel the
event for 07. All tickets will be refunded at the place of purchase.

We wish to thank all of you for the, love, understanding and support
you have shown 2b1 and the Mateel during these trying times. We know
it's a difficult transition that will not be easy but we will do
everything we can to help alleviate problems.

2b1 was asked to help the Mateel in its time of need, because their
doors were on the brink of closing. Financially they were loosing the
fight for survival. We felt it was important the dream stayed alive.
Humboldt is a community built from the ashes of the 60's, forged by a
self sustaining economy that fostered a world renowned festival. This
adventure spirit, anti-establishment philosophy, and spiritual belief in
unity built the community, which developed a festival so full of love
the world has taken notice. This spirituality is important and above all
must continue.

"Reggae on the River" has become a place of almost religious
importance. It is a yearly renewing of the faith, a time where goodness,
caring for one another, sharing one's love, shedding the worlds
problems, and cleansing from the everyday bull, all happen in the name
of "UNITY". It is a place where we raised our children and met our
wives, husbands, lovers and companions. It is where groups of people
meet from around the world to socialize and renew their faith in our
culture, reinforcing our beliefs and strengthening our morals and
renewing our code of ethics. This is the spirit and love we have all
felt at "Reggae on the River," this is what's important.

2b1 will wait for the courts to resolve the dispute and is 100%
behind the Mateel. Once resolved we believe the community can again come
together behind Reggae on the River's founding principals of love,
spirituality and "UNITY"

Much love and respect,
Boots-2b1