OK, cool they have a new coordinator, but there's no way in hell I'm attending based on giving them my real SSN. Not only is it an invasion of privacy, identity theft is a real issue these days. Screw Keith Spangler and the BD commission! :*
Perrine or many other good sites will be at the top of my list instead. - Chris
Who is Keith Spangler?
How many BASE Jumps does he have?
Hi Mick!
From what I've been reading, he's part of the Chamber of Commerce of Beckley (sp?), or whatever small town near the bridge. He's not a jumper as far as I know. cya - Chris
>Who is Keith Spangler?
>How many BASE Jumps does he have?
> Spangler said the chosen proposal will make BASE jumping at Bridge Day "more visually exciting for the spectators than in past years."
Does anyone know how they are going to make it more "visually exciting"?
--Tom Aiello
tbaiello@ucdavis.edu
Copy of letter from BDA to the Bridge Day Commission.
The International PRO BASE Circuit
To Whom It May Concern:
We the IPBC would just like to say a few words on our behalf regarding Bridge Day 2002.
Some of you know that we will not be attending or organizing the jumpers this year. This is for several reasons.
1) We are not respected for our expertise
2) We are discriminated against
3) We are provided no guarantees or commitment from the commission.
4) The commission’s lack of support, micro management and cost impositions make Bridge Day all but feasible to organize.
For almost ten years now the three of us, Avery Badenhop, Dennis McGlynn and Harry Parker have been at the forefront of organizing the jumpers at the bridge and off the bridge.
Our Company, The International PRO BASE Circuit (IPBC) is the ONLY BASE jumper organizing group in the WORLD and the ONLY group to have a full scale competitive BASE jumping circuit in the world. We are recognized as the leaders in our small but demanding sport. Our organization holds three competitions a year and organizes at least one event overseas a year. We hold more world records and legal jumps than anyone. Our experience, professionalism and resume speak for its self and can be matched by no one.
On the jumper’s side, we are responsible for the many creative and positive outcomes for Bridge Day in recent years. This includes, but is by no means limited to, an increased safety record and for creating the best show Bridge Day has ever seen from the jumpers. Beyond that we have created more advancements for the community of BASE-jumping than anyone. No one can match our record of bringing the community together, standardizing practices and raising the professionalism of our sport.
When we first started, there were only two little wooden steps that lead jumpers to the rail at the center of the bridge. Today, despite all roadblocks from the commission and lack of support, we have a full stage completely elevated for the spectators complete with colorful banners and a PA sound system that connects the bridge spectators and the bottom spectators for a real show.
For the last eight years our National Championships have dominated the bridge. Despite the commission’s lack of help or support we have a full judging staff on top and bottom and a professional competition that jumpers from all over world come to participate in. The format is easy to understand and spectators can follow the action. In the letter drafted to us, outlining the guidelines for our management proposal, the commission had the “idea” of a competition. It’s as if the commission doesn’t even pay attention to what we are doing.
The show that we created keeps parachutes in the air for the spectators all day, safely and efficiently (not an easy task), and completes the day with the crowd loving prestigious World Record attempts. No one else in the world does this or has the experience to do it. Remember that, NO ONE ELSE has the experience to do that.
And it doesn’t stop there. Most of the money generated by the organizers stays in the community. From photos to pizzas and hotels we spend our money in town and hold the world’s largest BASE-jumping tradeshow right down the street. In addition to organizing the actual jumps we are responsible for the first ever BASE safety seminar and first jump orientation complete with training from the world’s best. Our first ever and ONLY BASE trade show attracts manufacturers and leaders from all over the world coming to spend their money in town. We’ve even held the first ever BASE-jumping film festival in town.
It takes over 6 months for us to create this and over 100 volunteers to make it work. That’s a lot of work, time and money. And it’s something the commission doesn’t see, understand and takes for complete granted. Like it or not and no matter how much you hate to admit it, we are the MAIN spectator and press draw. We work hard at fostering yearly relationships with the press creating much positive press for the event and the community. It is NOT our fault that you as the commission cannot figure out how to control the crowds or make money at this mega event attracting over 250,000 spectators.
We have worked hard to secure just a shred of respect from the commission, to no avail. We are treated like children and kept off the playing field. The commission refuses to allow our organization a seat on the commission without reason or just cause. We have no say, no vote, but are used as a big part of the events marketing, structure and draw for the event. Anyone who questions this should look at the brochure. Instead of being seen as a team member we are treated as a nuisance. We feel completely taken for granted.
Keith Spangler told me over the phone “We don’t understand what is so hard about organizing jumpers, anyone can do it, we were thinking about doing it ourselves!” And as outlined in the commission’s documents the commission is now looking into taking the permit away from the jumpers.
Yes, anyone can light a firecracker but not everyone can create a fireworks display. That is the difference. We just don’t put jumpers off the bridge; we create and orchestrate a show that Bridge Day, as an event and the commission, can use to achieve its goals for the community at large. And, with over ten years of experience we are by far the ONLY and most EXPERIENCED group to do this.
When someone builds a house they usually don’t do it all by themselves, they contract the experts to do it. From the plumber to the roofer, most people want the job done right. The commission is made up of experts, from law enforcement to EMT’s everyone has a position and is treated as an expert in their field. We, the organizers of the jumpers, are not. For whatever reason no matter how hard we work at proving ourselves, we never do.
It is obvious the commission never has realized what we do and over the years has just come to expect. We have never sat still. Every year we improve what we are doing and for the most part with no support from the commission. What the commission has come to expect as normal is something that has taken us a very long time to create under hostile conditions. The reason it seems easy is because we make it look easy.
In order for our company to create a better show from year to year for the community and have an opportunity to grow we need a contract well in advance. The organizers have begged for at least a five-year contract and we can’t even get one for the next year in advance. From year to year we must go out on a limb with commitments and our own money never knowing if the commission will just pull the plug on us for whatever reason and open the event to any BASE jumping Joe in the universe. As an organization this makes it impossible to make commitments affecting local businesses, the event and the growth of our own organization. Instead of looking into the future the commission would rather drag their feet and wait till the last minute year to year.
The commission’s discrimination towards us knows no bounds. We are scrutinized farther and are asked more from than any other branch of Bridge Day. The commission’s demands, its micro management and its cost impositions have made it all but impossible to make organizing Bridge Day feasible.
From charging us $3,000 just to show up with no explanation what it is for and with out receipt to dumping the latest cost of professional photo security ID badges in our lap the commission’s impositions and expectations have gone to far.
One doesn’t run a circus by charging the trapeze artists or telling them how to set up their high wire. It just doesn’t make sense.
This year we are supposed to divulge the most private information from everyone that is even remotely connected to the jumpers. We understand the need for tighter security and are willing to comply. But, we are supposed to do it with NO GUARANTEES. Nothing to let ANYONE know the information is secure, private or confidential.
All we have ever asked is for room to grow, a chance to succeed while helping to attain the goals of everyone sitting at the commission’s table and those of the community. What we get is ultimatums, no chance to discuss and reasons that consist of “just because”. We are not allowed to question anything nor will the commission work towards a middle ground. We are expected to swallow whatever the commission requires without question or even a consultation on how it affects us, the organizers. This is NOT how everyone else is treated at the table.
Each year we are scrutinized deeper and deeper. As contractors we are now required to produce all our accounting for the event. Our position is that we have no ethical or legal obligation to anyone to do a complete accounting of the event. I am sure that no other businesses are required to do this.
For years now we have taken everything the commission has thrown at us and made it work. We have put in almost a decade of time, passion, sweat and money into an event that we love. Giving up this event this year is by far the hardest thing we have ever done as organizers.
As organizers we orchestrate & direct the show with a passion that is hard to find in today’s world. We work hard as Americans and from the heart in the interest of the event and the community. Ask anyone or local business who has worked with us. We are not just about us; we are about the community and the success of the event. You can’t buy dedication or loyalty like that, anywhere.
We still want to run the jumpers for you at Bridge Day. But, our business relationship must change. At this point there is just no incentive for anyone to organize. We are contractors for hire. You hire us to do a job for you. You tell us Bridge Day’s needs and we let you know what we can do for you. We will even suggest ideas of what else we can do to make your event better. Our management plan will consist of what we all have agreed on, what we need to get the job done and how we will do it. Our business relationship will be one of coming together and solving the problems to accomplish your goals. What you get is a packaged show to market and take pride in. Remember, we take care of everything but the shuttles and require very little management. Ask any of the officials from the Park Service, Jan Care or Wildwater. We all work very well together and look out for each other’s needs.
All we want in return is:
1) We get rights to the exit area and other marketable venues so we can make money. (Obviously this must not conflict with your current sponsorship commitments)
2) We get a minimum of a three-year contract for hire.
3) We get a percentage of all monies brought in from sponsorship. (In other words, a piece of the pie that you are still trying to create.)
4) Real support from the commission.
Not a bad investment for no money down, a group you can trust and one that you already know can do the job. Remember, the circus INVESTS money in the trapeze artists and other acts and makes the money off the crowd.
Bridge Day means so much to us. From being one of the most beautiful areas in the country to the hospitality of the people, we love it. But, under the dictatorship of the commission and it’s lack of foresight regarding the jumper’s part in the festivities and their inability to share, we regretfully decline to sacrifice anymore of our time, sweat or money fruitlessly trying to prove ourselves and earn the respect of the commission. We simply just cannot continue to pay out of pocket, bend any farther backwards or work harder anymore in hope the commission will treat us as equals. We can only hope that our absence will show one way or another if we are right in all that we believe we do.
To everyone who we have worked with over the years, you are missed and we will miss being there. To all those on the commission, we hope to work with you again in the future and wish you all the best this year.
And, to the towns of Beckley, Fayetteville and Oak Hill, thank you for all your support over the years. It has been a true pleasure working with all of you these years and you are sorely missed already.
Respectfully Yours,
Harry Parker
Avery Badenhop
Dennis McGlynn
IPBC Coordinators
I guess you're not the only ones who can organize jumpers, huh?
"anyone can light a firecracker but not everyone can create a fireworks display"
Harry, Avery and Dennis have done a great job over the years at many different base sites.
Let's see what Jim can produce before we comment on who can organize jumpers.
Amen guys.
From Rick (and Joy, who really does the work) Harrison, the keeper of the BASE numbers and the head of the US BASE Association, quoting the head of the BDC years ago, "THE JUMPERS ARE BRIDGE DAY!" Keith Spangler and his group can devastate his community and our BASE event with their stupid demands.
Rick, give us some input with your vast historical knowledge of bridge day from years past to guide us now! This is a long term problem.
West Virginia is cool and the whole bridge day scene is cool, thanks to the organizers, past and present. As the first jumper at the 1996 Bridge Day, I screamed "Thank you West Virginia!" before I lept, which made CNN and the many national newspapers. Bridge day is cool. It's a shame that the bridge day commision may ruin it.
-Chris Stokely
yahoo muff muff muff just a note to add my 2 cents worth i really do hope that this can work out were all of us (the just learning and the really experienced) can get together for bridge day at n.r.g. this year as i know i learned a lot in 2000 when i did my 1st base jump and i think it is great that us just learning (20base jumps )can learn from all of the best by association and watching them plus all of the manufacturers would be there in 1 place if we all dont go there together at least please dont devide us and hold the meet the same weekend as b.d. if its not there have it on another weekend so we all can be a part of both i know i also disagree with the ssn B.S. as if they dont stop all vehicle traffic on the bridge whie we are there they have not accomplished a thing because whats to stop some nut with a truck full of something and a switch from blowing us all up i really think it is kind of stupid knee jerk gov over reaction without thinking but oh well you all know how stupid gov minds can be .they dont realize we are not the enemy we need to get back to liveing life without all of these overreactions .but i want to be able to go and also learn more from a higher safe place so i hope the 2 groups ipbc and jim guyers group can get together and work out a plan . just my mindless ramblings hoping to see you all there till later have fun & love each other seeya mb65 johnny gates
Congrats to Jim and his team. I for one look forward to helping make BD02 the best Bridge Day ever.
Tree:x
"To the extreme I rock the mike like a vandal
light up the stage and wax a chump like a candle"
www.TandemBASE.com
tree, you said you were going to be running bridge day this year. why didn't they except your proposal? what really happened out there? does this mean we are screwed as far as having to give up our rights with the ss numbers to be able to jump on bridge day? there seems to be a lot of guessing going on about what is going to happen this year.
oh well, if they are still going to require my ss number, i am still going to have to pass. to many "ifs" and not enough "whys".
curious &-)
Can we find documents of the "Legal" case they have to be able to ask for SS#'s? I have heard there is already presidence, but not sure where it comes from.
I suspect that the BDC selected the proposal they liked the best. I didn;t really have the time to do it this year which is why all I did was re-submit the plan I submitted last year. I'm happy for Jim and offer my help to him and his team to make BD02 the best BD yet.
Either way I will be be there this year jumping and laughing my a$$ off!
Tree }>
"To the extreme I rock the mike like a vandal
light up the stage and wax a chump like a candle"
www.TandemBASE.com
why will you be laughing your ass off? do you know something that the rest of us don't? or are you just a laughing kind of guy?
manOHman I don;t get you people. what is the big friggin deal over a stoopid SSN?. Many americans have the same numbers. It came in the brand new wallet they bought as a sample card and they adopted the number as thier own. you dudes are paranoid. here is my number (ever here of a random number generator?) 371-05-7215 come and get me. (I have my 98 year old grannypa's number too, should I use that?, BTW, my grandpa doesn;t drink Ensure or GoFast, LOL) I sit here shaking my head like any of you big players or Bill Gates or sumthin. And I'm sure this fodder is amusing to the international community. stupid is as stupid does. put down your flag. confused I am.:* see ya there
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