What this is about.

[Sir Trevor]

For those who do not know, the Trumble Township trustees have been trying for quite some time to close down Great Lakes Medieval Faire.

This forum is to discuss what they have done, what they are doing now, and ways that we, the patrons, can help our faire.

I ask that all things pertaining to this stuff be kept in this forum.
Anything started in other areas will be moved here.
Anything put in existing threads will be deleted and/or edited.
I want to keep all of this in one place and out of the other areas of the board.

I ask that everyone keep things civil in here.
Do not personally attack anyone (especially those trying to harm the faire)
Do not threaten anyone with any kind of harm.
I will edit or delete any such postings.

I will not give them any reason to shut this forum down.

[Jezzy MacPeaks]

All I can say is I can't even imagine my life without GLMF anymore. I also can't imagine why they would want to shut it down in the first place! Anyway, I WILL be at that meeting on Thursday the 13th to show my support. Gibbon's, and the King's words brought tears to my eyes, and what they said is true...nowhere, nor at any other faire is there this impassioned love between the people and for the faire itself. And, if we truly love this faire and care about what could happen, we MUST go to this meeting. We must show strength in numbers! We aren't just faire patrons, entertainers and vendors, but we are FAMILY! GLMF is our "Home"! We yearn for Opening Day so we may reunite with one another. It's so much like a family reunion every year! Heck it's better than that! Afterall, how many of us actually look forward to, get excited about, and attend family reunions annually without fail? Yet, we can always count on seeing each other at GLMF, and if anyone's missing, everyone knows it and is saddened by their absence! I've never experienced that to the degree at my own family gatherings as I have here.

I can only hope that should the worst case senario be realized, that Larry would find a way to move the faire to a new location. I simply cannot fathom living without spending this cherished time with all of you every year. But, I also can't imagine that GLMF would be the same anywhere else. There is a magic in this place. Yes, it's we people who bring the magic with us, but I think there's a certain spirit in this place,

I know this is where we're supposed to discuss the issue itself, but I know I'm not alone in my emotional and personal feelings, and so wanted to express that side of it, too.

[Allyn]

I'm going to jump in here and try to post some info that I hope will be helpful. (Recently fought the creation of Zoning, here where I live) We were able to defeat it 100 yes/ 1000 NO!
If you are a township trustee and you normally have 10-20 residents (maybe) show up for a meeting....can you imagine what they think when all of a sudden they have got 50-100-200-300 show up? IT MAKES THEM STAND UP AND TAKE NOTICE!
And just a reminder....to those calling or writing these people, passion and support for our Faire.....BUT swearing, threats, vulgarity and etc. has no place here! We can show them The New Army of AVALOCH...... Allyn

[Mickey]

Trevor, I just wanted to say thanks, for yet again, being there for us all. I really appreciate all you do so that we can have this board to 'get together' with each other. Today, while still at the faire, I found myself thinking, "I know this will be up on the board tonight." Thanks for supplying everyone with the information on people to contact, etc. also. It's vitally important!!

I hope everyone will do what they can to help our faire. Just one or two things that I'd like to say, which may be considered my opinion, but I hope they are shared by others. Any thing we do to help our faire, must be done so that it will do the most good, and not do any harm. *I know that sounds like a "Duh!", but emotions run high and we sometimes say or do things we shouldn't. We must remember to be civil and respectful when speaking to people, either in person or by phone, or when writing to anyone in regard to these issues. We don't want to give anyone any additional 'fuel' for their fire!!

We want to make sure that we look and sound like the intelligent people that we are!! Also, many of the people we may be speaking and/or writing to, are elected officials, or put into their jobs by elected officials! Please remember to remind them that you are a registered, voting citizen, if that is the case! All positive contact with any of these groups and/or individuals should help us. Reminding them that you're their 'boss' should help carry that much more weight. Also, try to remind them of the positive things the faire does, such as providing employment and commerce, which is always necessary, but that much more so now!! The increase in visitors to the city, county, and other businesses that are in the surrounding areas because of that.

People come to our faire from inside and outside of not only that city but the state, and I'm sure even the country. This means additional business to the area in a widespread rippling effect. Campsites and hotels, restaurants and stores, gas stations, etc. These and I'm sure many others get additional business from those of us that go to our faire.

Thanks again, Trevor, for giving us this place so we can have our faire, even when we're not at our faire!!

[Sir Trevor]

Yes. And correspondence or conversations with elected officials must be kept civil and intelligent. Otherwise it will carry no weight.
We don't want to sound like a group of weirdos playing in the woods.
Reminde them of the positives of the faire, and how it affects them.
Remind county commissioners of all the tourism and money brought into the county.
We draw people in from Cleveland, Akron, Youngstown, Columbus, etc.
Remind state politicians that we draw our friends from Pittsbugh (many who attend our faire more than their own now) Michigan, Maryland. Heck, I even know people who come down from Canada to visit our faire.

All these people bring money into our local economy. Not just at the faire. But at local gas stations, resturaunts, hotels, motels, campgrounds, and other local attractions.

And anyone who lives locally needs to remind them they are not only concerned citizens, but also voters who will remmber how things play out at election time.

[bunbun / Hank]

Trevor...If this is not the correct thread for what I am about to say then put it where you feel is most appropriate.


Since a great many of you on this board live outside the local area you probably cannot get the local news about the GLMF. So here are a couple of sites you may wish to check out.

News-Herald.com The BOLD Herald is exactly how it is written in the newspaper. So you may have to search a bit to find the correct site.

The local Ashtabula Co. newspaper is starbeacon.com

On the front page of todays News-Herald is a very POSITIVE article about the GLMF. featuring our very own Bill and Sue Merryman.

So for those of you living in an area not serviced by these newspapers, well you can now keep informed.

HANK.

[Jezzy MacPeaks]

Also, since GLMF does bring so much commerce to the local and surrounding businesses such as motels, campgrounds, small town markets, gas stations,the evil empire *smile*, restaurants, etc., it couldn't hurt to let the owners, managers and employees who benefit from faire-related buisness to know what's going on!

Whenever you go to fill up, or eat at one of your favorite places, or go in to pay your camp fees, or ask for fresh towels, be sure to leave them a copy of a news article or explain to them what's going on and leave the posted contact info, then ask them to support us if they want to see us again next year and in the future!

[wyldfire]

Aug 3, 2009 6:47:34 GMT -5 bunbun / Hank said:

Trevor...If this is not the correct thread for what I am about to say then put it where you feel is most appropriate.



News-Herald.com The BOLD Herald is exactly how it is written in the newspaper. So you may have to search a bit to find the correct site.


So for those of you living in an area not serviced by these newspapers, well you can now keep informed.

HANK.

The web site is www.news-herald.com/ (just in case anyone wants to bookmark the site).

[wyldfire]

I know that flyers were passed out yesterday, but for those who did not receive one.....the Trumbull Township website is www.trumbulltownship.org/index.html All trustee information is listed there.

[countessofmidnight]

All I can see is that Everything About the GLMF is A PLUS ... I have been attending it for 4 years and i have NEVER seen a Disruptive or Unruly Incident.

---All Those Hundreds of People & Only Good, Postive Vibrations...

...HOW CAN WE LET THIS DISAPPEAR ?

...THE Answer is : No,No,No,NO....................!!!!!!! NEVER>>>>>>>>>>>>

[Athena]

Looks like I'm going to be sending out a few letters. I have friends from out of state who've attended GLMF and love the faire, and would be more than happy to send letters too.

I wish these people would realize how much revenue the faire brings to their township and the surrounding areas. Given the poor state of the economy that's a POSITIVE - especially since many people are watching their money and planning "staycations."

Trevor, I couldn't agree more about reminding the trustees that we're registered voters. I wish I could vote in Trumbull Township!

[Sir Trevor]

Yes. But those of you who cannot vote locally can still do your part.
Write the Ashtabula County Commissioners. Point out that you bring your money into their county. And without the faire that will not be happening.
The commissioners are always beating the tourism drum. Talking about how tourism is going to help save our econmy. So they should be doing something to help retain the tourism they already have.
Letters to the editor of the local newspapers would also be helpful.
Also pointing out that you bring your money into the area every summer.

[BeerBlessings]

I wouldn't be sure just how accurate their information is. The most recent meeting minutes listed is from March 2007.... Yet that the 2009 Transient Vendor Resolution is posted shows they use the site. Apparently they do not bother updated it for the general public's interests.

[Kelly Beard]

Hi Guys,

I thought I would post some legal info about this farce. We vend at the faire and this past weekend all of us vendors received citations to appear in court on August 13, at 9:00am.

However, I will post the web pages that I found this info from so that it maintains being legitimate and not personal opinion.

Here are the basic facts. On June 25, 2009 the Trumbull Trustees revised their ordinance for "Transient Vendors". They are allowed by law to amend their own ordinances HOWEVER, they need to follow guidelines and are governed by the Ohio State Legislature. There is a House Bill Number 657 that states an exception:

"This division does not authorize a board of township trustees to apply a resolution it adopts under this division to any person invited by an owner or tenant to visit the owner's or tenant's premises to sell, offer for sale, or solicit orders for future delivery of goods."

I can tell you that Trumball Trustees are having a meeting August 13, at 8:00pm. We can only hope that patrons, business owners etc. that can attend that meeting, should. Last weekend many vendors, their employees and in some cases, their children were greatly upset by receiving citations. People who enjoy this faire and live in Trumbull or Ashtabula County should go and let these trustees know they won't stand for their bullying tactics.

Here are the websites: first the Trumball Trustees and their attempt at reinventing the transient licsense requirements:

www.trumbulltownship.org/TRANSIENT_VENDOR_RESOLUTION_2009.pdf

now the House Bill # 657

www.legislature.state.oh.us/BillText122/122_HB_657_ENR.pdf

Here is even another point that is interesting. Even if, for some odd reason, we vendors were required a license, the House Bill states that the application fee cannot be more than $75.00 and the Trumbull Trustees are trying to charge $150.00.

Thanks for letting me post this.
Kelly Beard

[raini]

Facts Sheet with talking points

To read as an opening statement at the town hall
(less emotional and will set the tone you have prepared and will be able to address questions in a factual manner)

Given to the tv media, radio stations, and news papers

The fact sheets serves as a leave behind and can be given to the given to faire patrons

Prepared electronically to be posted/shared

I.e. the talking points

Number of attendance... over the faires history

List the states the faire draws guests

Number of jobs the faire provides to young adults... and i am assuming Great Lakes food court employees more combined than the area pizza hut, McDonald's, and burger king