"Cowardice asks the question...is it safe? Expediency asks the question...is it politic? Vanity asks the question...is it popular? But conscience asks the question...is it right? And there comes a time when one must take a position that is neither safe, nor politic, nor popular but one must take it because it is right." ~Dr. Martin Luther King

Sunday 17 April 2011

A Tidbit From The Homeshow

A Chamber Member showed me the same card Councillor Abel produced at Council last Tuesday.

It was a St Kitts  Music promotion.

The question was; did I know who was distributing the card? I did not.

I did notice however   continued absence of   acknowledgment of support from the Town of Aurora.

Council has  a recommendation on Tuesday's agenda from the C.A.O. to release $5 Ks to the Snowball outfit ,as approved.

I understand  the Jams and Jelly lady from  the Farmer's Market, was responsible for distributing the card.

Chamber rules are  only those renting a booth at the Show are entitled to promotion rights.

How much more evidence of a total lack of respect  for principle does one need?

The Jams and Jellies lady is a member of the cabal of women that includes  several familiar names.

10 comments:

christopher watts said...

I can report another sighting of that Jams&Jellies lady today at the Seedy Sunday show (honestly, how could anyone miss someone who dyes a neon pink skunk stripe in their hair with kool-aid?
Tell me that's not someone who is desperately seeking attention.) but I didn't see any evidence of her spreading Jazz+/- festival promotional material.

Cold stares and growls were in abundance and given freely.

Luckily all of the vendors there were excited about how well the show was received. They were all very happy, smiles and some good tips were in abundance, which helped to negate all of the negative energy spread around by o'l pink skunker.

I agree with Clr. Buck that the handing out of materials at an event without having a booth is incredibly cheesy. It is highly disrespectful to both the organizers being the Chamber of Commerce, as well as all the paying vendors.

Seems like a backwards way of trying to get support.

Playing by the rules seemed to be front and center when just last fall she approached the now Mayor believing he shouldn't be campaigning at the market (which of course was her own self righteous misinterpretation of rules...that were never adopted) but now a few months later rules don't seem to be of interest.

And then there's the question why would someone who makes gooey stuff that you spread on toast spend her time promoting a "festival for the arts" (A-Farts for short)?

Isn't she on the executive for the Farmer's Market? Wouldn't she find a better use of her time at the Home Show promoting the Farmers Market instead of some private group?

One who Knows said...

I nominate Chis Watts for this Town and every other town who is seaching for a roving reporter, Always in the Know and always presenting the colorful facts as he sees them , we are lucky to have you Chris , Keep exposing the Jam or make that Jan

Anonymous said...

I believe Susan Morton Leonard was the main distributor of the cards on Friday eve.

There was a women at the booth distributing the St.Kitts Festival(idea taken from Mike Moran)cards.

Devil's Advocate said...

C Watts said:
"And then there's the question why would someone who makes gooey stuff that you spread on toast spend her time promoting a "festival for the arts" (A-Farts for short)?"

Why not? If this person has a personal relationship with Sher St Kitts et al, why would she not support them? I was at the AHS on Sunday afternoon and did not see her, but I did see Geoff Dawe walking around.

Do we know for sure what the CofC rules are or are we surmizing? It would not take much effort to get into the building with a bunch of stuff to distribute - there is no security, no ticket takers.

Personalities aside, what is wrong with having someone promote an event at another Aurora event? If these people were no involved and it was someone else, would the same outrage be displayed?

Devil's Advocate

Anonymous said...

To Devil's Advocate

"but I did see Geoff Dawe walking around"

And why does that seem to bother you?

He is the Mayor of this Town, and Aurora did have a booth at the show, why shouldn't he be there?

On Friday night the place was crawling with politicians, I think it's part of their job description to be where they can shake hands and kiss babies.

christopher watts said...

It's nice that someone wants to play Devil's advocate, this assumes they already know the answers but instead of being forthcoming they wish to play games. Perhaps the ones that Clr. Ballard so triumphantly declared have begun.

"Do we know for sure what the CofC rules are or are we surmizing?"

What do you think the rules of a Home Show would be regarding others soliciting without permit? Why would the Chamber of Commerce which charges membership fees be anything different?

Why would all the money and effort be spent on behalf of exhibitors if you could just walk around and hand out stuff to attendees?

"It would not take much effort to get into the building with a bunch of stuff to distribute - there is no security, no ticket takers."

I am not about to debate the ease of doing it, it has been reported to be done.

As for security and ticket takers, there were both. Didn't everyone say hello to Mr. Clowater and pay him their $2 admission? I did.

If someone broke the rules, I agree that there probably wouldn't be any repercussions.

It does not however negate the fact that it is wrong.

Instead of promoting a business or event anyone participating in this behavior shows a complete lack of respect to other local businesses and chamber members.

"Personalities aside, what is wrong with having someone promote an event at another Aurora event?"

Perhaps the fact that they are not promoting an event, at another event, by adhering to the rules. That is wrong.

"If these people were not involved and it was someone else, would the same outrage be displayed?"

If these people were not involved, would the same behavior be displayed?

Instead of spending your time in speculation, why not stick your pitchfork right into the muck that is front and center and tell us how you feel?

Tim the Enchanter said...

Devil's Advocate

Yes - it would be nice to know if the C of C has rules regarding this but rules or not, "event" is not an accurate description.

The Home Show is a business venture. It's a money raiser for the C of C and businesses pay for space so they can promote the goods and services they provide.

The Jazz Festival is also a business venture. If they thought the Home Show was a worthwhile vehicle for promoting their business then they should have bought a space like everyone else.

Yeah OK - using one display space to promote two businesses doesn't warrant a Royal Commission inquiry but it is, as Mr. Watts said, cheap and cheesy and shows disrespect for those that did pay.
Those involved ought to know better.

I must be getting old but in so many instances these days it seems to me as if the Golden Rule has been tossed in favour of "Unless you can show me where it says I can't - then it's OK"

Devil's Advocate said...

"To Devil's Advocate

"but I did see Geoff Dawe walking around"

And why does that seem to bother you?"

Who said it bothered me? He was the only person that I saw that has any linkage to Aurora events. I was just pointing that out!

I recall a Home Show a number of years ago that the walk between the two areas was like a reception line with councillors. Good thing this doesn't occur in the fall closer to municipal election time.

Dr. Phil said...

There are 5 accepted stages of grief... Denial, Anger, Barganing, Depression and Acceptance.

It seems as though the majority of Aurora bloggers are stuck in the second stage with regard to the previous council.

In order for life to return to normal, you must successfully negotiate all five phases. Based on what I read here and the other blogs, this will be a long grieving process and is not healthy.

christopher watts said...

wow the Devil and Dr. Phil in the same thread! Or they could be one in the same, as I expect that "Dr" Phil, who has no medical credentials would be someone I would turn to for advise as much as the devil himself.

As for claiming "Aurora Bloggers" are stuck on "anger" with respect to previous council is as phoney as Dr. Phil's show.

The stage that all the members of past council that failed to get re-elected have yet to achieve is Acceptance. I don't expect they ever will.

If you don't like hearing about their antics and how they continue to affect our town by all means change the channel. I'm sure you're dying to get back to "The View" or your fearless leader : "Oprah".