Bruce Harmon
Candi:
I worked very hard with the security at the Portland Parks to get our
circuit race on Sunday June 30th. It took careful negotiation to overcome
the bureaucrats and even get to the head of security and the bosses who
could make a decision. Quite frankly, Gretchen Newberry (her name now)at the
Park District office was not much help. But sugar and spice and patience
worked quite well with her and the staff at the District and security. We
got the race scheduled, but, in short, it was hell.
I think it may be possible to get the series there, but not likely, since I
handled the negotiation last February. (There of course is no real danger
logically with our cyclists there, but they are in a headstrong, high level
of security and have orders from the feds to protect their water supplies.
You probably have seen the articles in the paper about the open reservoirs.)
The way we were able to get our race meant we had to hire a security guard
from the city ($300) and have the OBRA truck inspected and the pace care
inspected. That was after they said NO vehicles allowed up there on the
course. Also, I suspect the only way we were able to pull it off was we had
made the Mt. Tabor Race an official Rose Festival Event and of course I told
them about its long history there.
I do know that our method worked and barraging them with letters may have
only a negative effect. However, maybe city council people could help. Also
the names on the list of contacts were not the ones I dealt with.
Bruce Harmon
Team Rose City
Race Director - Phil Hohnstein Mt. Tabor classic, now an official Rose
Festival Event.
From: Candi Murray
Subject: [OBRA Chat] Cancellation of Mt Tabor Series?
The City of Portland - Park and the Water Bureau are saying that they will
only approve 1 event at Mt TAbor, the weekend Crit on Sat but not the Wed
series. I think we need to launch a phone and letter campaign to get them
to change their minds. Via the grapevine I had heard that the water
bureau wa not going to allow it because of the terrorist 'threat' to the
reservoirs - you'd think that more people out there would eliminate the
threat.
Let's try and do something about this, Jeff or Jon do you have contact
info on people or commissioners we can call?
Oh yeah....speaking of Mt. Tabor - I forgot to tell you guys, but I found
out Monday that the city (parks and the water bureau) will allow only one
event this summer at Tabor - the Mt. Tabor Crit. (the Sa. event - not the
Wed. series). Therefore, the Wed. events are cancelled for 2002.