I went to Court in Claremore today for a sign code violation. Apparently somebody (I have my suspicions) placed a couple of my Gun Show yard signs at city hall.
I was pulled into a side room to meet with the district attorney and the code enforcement officer "Ronnie". They said that I had place signs at 104 Muskogee. (city hall). I asked them to imagine what possible reason that I would put them at city hall and not at high traffic areas. Then I explained that many of my signs went "missing" during my June show and I could not be responsible for their whereabouts. They thought that I should be able to police every one of them. So I asked if they cited Coca Cola for littering every time a can was found on the ground, crickets. I'm guessing that the City of Claremore isn't drawing top talent out of Law school. But god forbid they admit that they might be wrong!
When I explained that they could not prove that I or any of my employees placed the signs and I would not pay a fine, they threatened to cite me for more alleged violations that were not an issue until today. I explained to them in simple language that I would be happy to go to trial and if they wanted to pile on. Go ahead. I'll take my chances with the Judge. At least they are supposed to be impartial.
In the big picture a small fine is not the end of the world. I just don't want to have the situation repeat itself every time I have an event in Claremore. And I will be having many events there.
I've got a pretty good idea who did this to me, the same petty fellow that has done all of the other stupid stuff every time I have a show.
So, no more turning the other cheek. I have gone out of my way to schedule shows that do not conflict with the other promoters. No more. Game on!
I refuse to do anything illegal, immoral, un-ethical or sneaky. I will continue hold quality events when and where I like. I will market aggressively and let the public decide where to spend their dollars. The guy who puts on the quality gun show at a reasonable price or the dude that puts on an overpriced flea-market. Who knows? Maybe people really like beannie babies.
I was pulled into a side room to meet with the district attorney and the code enforcement officer "Ronnie". They said that I had place signs at 104 Muskogee. (city hall). I asked them to imagine what possible reason that I would put them at city hall and not at high traffic areas. Then I explained that many of my signs went "missing" during my June show and I could not be responsible for their whereabouts. They thought that I should be able to police every one of them. So I asked if they cited Coca Cola for littering every time a can was found on the ground, crickets. I'm guessing that the City of Claremore isn't drawing top talent out of Law school. But god forbid they admit that they might be wrong!
When I explained that they could not prove that I or any of my employees placed the signs and I would not pay a fine, they threatened to cite me for more alleged violations that were not an issue until today. I explained to them in simple language that I would be happy to go to trial and if they wanted to pile on. Go ahead. I'll take my chances with the Judge. At least they are supposed to be impartial.
In the big picture a small fine is not the end of the world. I just don't want to have the situation repeat itself every time I have an event in Claremore. And I will be having many events there.
I've got a pretty good idea who did this to me, the same petty fellow that has done all of the other stupid stuff every time I have a show.
So, no more turning the other cheek. I have gone out of my way to schedule shows that do not conflict with the other promoters. No more. Game on!
I refuse to do anything illegal, immoral, un-ethical or sneaky. I will continue hold quality events when and where I like. I will market aggressively and let the public decide where to spend their dollars. The guy who puts on the quality gun show at a reasonable price or the dude that puts on an overpriced flea-market. Who knows? Maybe people really like beannie babies.
