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Well, this is the first in what I assume will be a war of words this week and beyond. If any other individuals or entities has any press releases of their own, I’ll post them. I’m not going to be commenting much after this point as I’m already burned out on the topic and there probably won’t be much new to talk about. I’m also instituting a special rule for this topic – I want to see arguments of substance rather than gratuitous insults. As it is, the controversy is well beyond old. I’m reserving the right on this topic to remove any posts which I don’t believe to be constructive. If you feel it should be different, you can start up your own blog in less than 5 minutes time. Just hit the orange square with the B in it up in the left corner. I’ll be happy to link to it. Well, maybe not happy, but I’ll do it.
And I expect there will be court filings soon. Not today – it’s a court holiday.
Talks with Dimmick Fail to Resolve Reggae on the River® Site Dispute
February 12, 2007. Redway, CA
A mediation held on February 8, 2007, between the non-profit Mateel Community Center and Piercy landowner Tom Dimmick over whether Reggae on the River® would be held on the Dimmick Ranch failed to resolve the heated controversy. At issue is Dimmick’s announcement that he intends to cancel the Mateel’s ten-year lease because the non-profit ended its contract with the events promoter, People Productions, after that for-profit entity announced that it would not fulfill its obligations under the production agreement.
The long-standing contentious relationship between People Productions and the Mateel Community Center came to a climatic ending this year when it was announced that for two years the for-profit production company had raised little or no money for the community center. A recent attempt to audit People Productions’ Reggae on the River® accounting showed disturbing implications for the non-profit center. The audit was returned with a scope limitation showing three major areas of material weaknesses in the production company’s financial reporting that are material to the accuracy of the financial statements given to the Mateel’s Board of Directors. Per contract, People Productions, LLC. collected the income, paid the expenses, and maintained the accounting records of Reggae on the River® 2005 — yet did not fully cooperate with the auditor. Further, as former People Productions partner Paul Bassis left the partnership and moved to work as a representative of Tom Dimmick, an apparent conflict of interest and perceived ethical breaches only served to heighten suspicions.
The Mateel Community Center maintains that it’s lease with Tom Dimmick is still valid and, accordingly, plans to put on Reggae on the River® 2007 are well under way with new promoter Boots Houghston of 2B1 Multimedia of San Francisco. The Mateel also maintains that People Productions founder and President Carol Bruno resigned publicly at the Mateel Community Center’s annual meeting last November 2006 in front of 400 people. Bruno denies having done so. Bruno’s statement made at that meeting can be viewed at “http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y_d-gLLOQ-s“.
“We are extremely disappointed that Tom Dimmick is not honoring his contract and his word,” said Mateel Executive Director Taunya Stapp. “Furthermore, Dimmick’s announcement that he plans to hold a similar reggae concert on the same dates on his land constitutes nothing less than a for-profit takeover of our non-profit’s community-supporting event.” The Mateel is considering all of its available options to ensure that Reggae on the River® 2007 will go on as planned.
Tom Dimmick has indicated that he plans on holding a multitude of events on his land every year as part of a larger plan. “That he feels he must destroy the community center’s biggest fundraising event, which benefits scores of non-profit groups every year with much needed funds, is very sad. It would be hard to imagine how he could walk down the street and hold his head up in this town given what we know of his plans.” She added, “Millions of dollars are at stake here. It’s not surprising that some people are placing their own self-interest above that of the community. That is the community’s investment that they will be reaping.”
“The active and ongoing continued interference in our event simply will not be tolerated.” said Mateel Vice-President Garth Epling. “Dimmick seems to be advocating a scorched earth policy regarding Reggae on the River® — if he can’t do it his way, then no one will have a concert. We believe in the spiritual message of reggae — unity and respect. The concert will go on and the Mateel will prevail,” added Epling.
Reggae on the River is a Registered Trademark of the Mateel Community Center.
Addendum: By request I am also linking to a letter posted at Bob Doran’s Reggae blog by Cassandra Taliaferro.
Captain Buhne is, well, all over the story.
If you see one, report it here.
Buhne is also reporting that Gallegos is an alien.
And Rich Somerville thinks that blogs aren’t serious news sources! Hmmmf!
Although a Republican filibuster prevented the Senate debate from reaching the floor last week, the Republicans don’t have the parliamentary tools for a repeat performance in the house. The debate is set for three intense days.
Both parties will jockey for prime time before the C-SPAN cameras, with leaders claiming the best time slots and rank-and-file members trying to make the most of the five minutes each will be allotted. If all 435 House members use their five minutes, debate will last 36 hours. It is likely to begin by late morning and run until midnight tomorrow, Wednesday and Thursday. A vote is expected Friday.
If the Democrats aren’t stupid (no guarantees), the national debate can come out on the other side completely reframed.
The GOP, whose members have conceded they are likely to lose, is treating the debate like a mini-political campaign, deploying a rapid-response team to counter Democrats’ statements, aggressively trying to get its leaders on television and radio, and creating a “resource center” off the House floor where members can fill their arms with maps, research material, videos or other visual aids to use during their floor time.“We may lose the vote, but we’ll win the debate,” said Kevin Smith, a spokesman for House Minority Leader John A. Boehner (R-Ohio).
But some among their ranks aren’t quite so cocky.
One House Republican close to the GOP leadership spoke on the condition of anonymity in order to be blunt. “This next week is going to be a very tough one for us to get through,” he said. “The Democrats know that. We can sit back and hope they overplay their hand, but I don’t think they will.”
And some are jumping ship.
House Republicans say as few as 20 or as many as 60 Republicans could vote with the Democrats, regardless of the wishes of the Republican leadership and the White House.
“Every time I go to another funeral, every time I go to Walter Reed, people are really gracious, but what do you say? What are we doing over there now?” asked Rep. Wayne T. Gilchrest (R-Md.), whose Eastern Shore district has lost 23 service members in the war.
Those of you who have time to demonstrate outside Mike Thompson’s office on weekdays have a rare opportunity to make an impact now; with letters to key swing votes, letters to the editor, etc. This could be a pivotal moment.
Rep. John Conyers is being particularly aggressive this time around. And at The Nation Tom Englehart provides a talking points “surge scorecard.”
The resolution itself can be read here.
On our way home this afternoon I was treated to some nice comments about this blog on KHUM. I’m pretty sure the DJ was Larry. He brought up the blog just before playing Darryl Cherney’s new song No Reggae No Cry (which Darryl had just dropped off at the station). The DJ mentioned that he was brought to the blog while reading up on the Reggae on the River site and mentioned that he enjoys some of my non-Reggae related posts as well.
Jana, my wife, looked over and said. “You’re famous. I’m going to have to remember to mention to my friends that I sleep with you!”
The lyrics are great by the way. I’m certain the various schism factions will complain about what was left out, but let’s try to remember that it’s a song and not a news article. Dylan left out plenty about the Ruben “Hurricane” Carter story as well (facts which make his innocence somewhat less certain), but it’s a great song nevertheless.
Maybe Darryl can add some stanzas after the court battles.
Hey Darryl, I’d love to post your lyrics for discussion – or a link to them. Couldn’t find them on your website. Guess it’s a bit early.
Sohum Parlance II 
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