Hhhmmm.......

Below is a blurb from Renee Moore; I took the liberty of copying it from the ED's Blog. Take a minute. Read it. Re-read it. Digest it......


Tuesday, June 28, 2011


From Renee Moore:


Bad News with a Solution


The CASI Board was advised at this weekend’s Board Meeting that a burn ban is in effect for Brewster County. This ban prohibits the use of ‘any’ outdoor fire sources, including propane stoves, grills, BBQ pits, fireworks, camp fires, etc. In other words, no chili or BBQ cooking. The County has been asked if they would approve our event if cooking were done in the pavilion & stage areas; they advised that would not be authorized either.


Even though we are over 4 months from TICC, we would be remiss in not addressing this problem. It is our fondest hope and prayer that rain will fall in the Terlingua area, as well as in the many areas that are currently experiencing drought conditions and wildfires, but we must be prepared if it doesn’t.


As many of you are aware, CASI is required to obtain a Mass Gathering Permit prior to TICC. In the event this permit is not approved by Brewster County, we would be unable to hold the event. To ensure the approval of the permit, we must take action at the Great Peppers Meeting in September to allay any fears officials might have regarding TICC.


The Board is prepared to request that the Great Peppers pass an emergency rule change that would allow cooking of chili in an enclosed structure, such as an RV or travel trailer, during TICC, if necessary. This rule change would not extend to tent structures.


If this emergency rule is passed, it would also necessitate those chili cooks who have RVs and trailers to allow those cooks without such to open their “homes” to them so everyone is given an opportunity to participate. Knowing the generosity of the chili family, I’m sure this would not be a problem. We would compile a list of those needing to be accommodated on the day of the cookoff and match them with chili cooks.


TICC will NOT be cancelled. This is our 45th Anniversary and chili cooks are some of the most resourceful individuals in the world. We will keep you apprised of the situation. Please don’t hesitate to contact me or any of the Board if you have any questions.


Please pray for rain in all those areas currently experiencing drought conditions!

Renee



First of all, I have to give the BOD kudos for not going all ostrich on the situation. I'm thrilled that they took action so far ahead of time and came up with a Plan B.

However, maybe they could come up with a Plan B1, or Plan C, even and find an ALTERNATE LOCATION ENTIRELY for the 45th TICC. Maybe just limit it to BBQ cooks and qualified chili cooks. Maybe not invite the public. Or, implement an emergency plan with the County to show that we too have a responsibility to Brewster County to be safe and mindful citizens. Offer a safety/fire protection plan. Maybe that would ease their fears. Maybe not. Still...I don't know how I feel about people with propane stoves cooking in motorhomes. I'm obviously going to be in there cooking on the stove that's attached to the RV and then add a few people with their propane stoves to the mix...how safe is that? And with the way chili cooks act anyways....the worries about unfair advantages, how people cook their chili, the secret stuff that people do. I know we're a family and very resourceful....but something like that happening at TICC? I don't know how that would go over. I know I sound negative and I don't mean to be....I'm just trying to be somewhat realistic. I don't want TICC cancelled; none of us do. That would be terrible. I'd just like to see a few other well thought out plans to act as a solution to the potential problem rather than a knee jerk reaction. Maybe the GP's should get with the Board now to start working on something a little more feasible and even scout different locations that would be able to accommodate us. I mean, we are an "international" organization. I'm sure that there are other parts of the country that could host us if we needed to...as well as different areas of Texas.

What do ya'll think? What are your feelings about this? First and foremost, I hope South Texas gets an assload of rain and this is just something we laugh about while we're sitting around our campfires in Terlingua in November. In the event that the area does not have torrential floods before then, I hope everyone starts looking for a different place to hold the event so as not to take away from the spirit of the cook off. We can still have National Scholarship Day and give the proceeds to the charities in Brewster County that benefit from our cook off.

I think now is the time for EVERYONE to put their heads together and really brainstorm!! Let's find a way to make this work so that TICC can go on as planned and with as little headache as possible! And remember: This is just my OPINION and not an attack on any board member or their solution to the problem. Like I said - I'm so glad that they are actually on the ball and discussing the what ifs of the situation!

Spread some joy and kindness....and some good ideas today! Let's pray for our leadership as well as rain :)

Kelly