Response From Palm Springs

I've posted on a Delphi site about the Palm Springs event cancellation. I asked if their was any feeling that bikers should just show up anyway. A few have said they'll just be showing up. I posted again and asked if anyone thought we should boycott Palm Springs or engage in other concerted action. As of now, I have not gotten any response to that post (other than it's too bad that so many events are being canceled.) There's obviously very differing views on this Forum about the best course of action.

As for action, I'd ask everyone to think of their goal. If the goal is to "punish" Palm Springs, then don't spend any more money there. If the goal is to convince the people of Palm Springs that bikers are overall good people and should be permitted to have an event in THEIR town, any comments to the City of Palm Springs should be crafted in a way that doesn't antogonize the very people who control the decision making process and VALIDATE their thinking that bikers are a dangerous bunch.

98rk said:

JimmyK, I've been gone a week and you dump the Kia?

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LOL! No I did not dump it. I've had the SOB so long waiting on The MO Co to come up with a left fork that it required an oil change.

To any of you who think Local81Patch sent us in the wrong direction, THINK AGAIN.

This is about MONEY and The Chamber is the one that answers to the local bussiness owners. It is THEY the local bussiness owners that will suffer because of the lame assed direction their City is taking.

Guess who votes the lames into office? The same ones that can vote em out.

With all the cities in this Great Country that leave the Welcome Mat out for us, why in the HELL would anyone want to ride somewhere where folks have snubbed us yet open their arms to the Fruit Loops?

Well paint a Rainbow on yer rear Fender and go. That is your right. But true to the HEART BIKERS want no part of those lames.

ANYONE who wants to take up a debate on the pros and cons of supporting those lames bring it on. Right here. I will take the position that it is LAME for any Harley Rider to want any part of the folks who snubbed us.

"The best way to deal with cities, that take the position like that of Palm Springs, is to refuse to EVER support any future plans they have for a Harley Rally."

AFFIRMED! JimmyK

Step up and deny it and we have a debate. May the most logical position win. Choose your champion, name him, and I will debate him. Y'all can sit back and watch.

Pasedena I hope you pick up the gauntlet.

"If the goal is to convince the people of Palm Springs that bikers are overall good people and should be permitted to have an event in THEIR town..."

I have to ask you why in the hell should we have to be placed under the microscope? The vast majority of Harley Riders are American Vets who fought for and lost brothers protecting the assholes in Palm Springs. Now we have to prove that we are "overall good people.." Why? Because we ride Bikes? We should have to shine our boots and meet THEIR approval?

FU(K Them!

"...permitted to have an event in THEIR town..." It was ok when they were snatching the $$$ out a yer pocket.

Jim it is ASSHOLES like these that sterotype Bikers. If we are to prove ANYTHING, let them read the papers about the successful Rallys that take place EVERYWHERE BUT PALM SPRINGS. We do not have to prove ANYTHING to them other than the fact that WE DON'T NEED THEIR SORRY LITTLE RETIREMENT VILLAGE.

JimmyK, I understand and appreciate what you are saying. I also understand that the choices are pretty clear: 1. ignore what's going on and get the short stick; 2. boycott the offending cities/entities that offend us; or 3. work the system and change the minds of the small-minded.

I liked the event in Palm Springs. I enjoy walking the streets there, drinking in the bars and hanging out at hotel pools. I leave the gays alone. They leave me alone. That live and let live philosophy should appeal to bikers. The folks in Palm Springs control Palm Springs. They can decide what kind of events that want to permit to shut down the main street through town. I for one would like future events to be held there. I'm interested in turning around their misperceptions about bikers. 'Haven't decided whether I'll just show up in October. There are a lot of places to ride to. A lot of places to spend my money. I'd like to spend it in Palm Springs again, someday.

Don't forget, though, that Palm Springs was but one of many places that has already canceled biker events. Do all of them get boycotted? Or do we try to correct the imagine in people's minds that resulted in the cancellation of events that are often frequented by doctors and lawyers and such?

pasadenajim said:

JimmyK, I understand and appreciate what you are saying. I also understand that the choices are pretty clear: 1. ignore what's going on and get the short stick; 2. boycott the offending cities/entities that offend us; or 3. work the system and change the minds of the small-minded.......


......Don't forget, though, that Palm Springs was but one of many places that has already canceled biker events. Do all of them get boycotted? Or do we try to correct the imagine in people's minds that resulted in the cancellation of events that are often frequented by doctors and lawyers and such?

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Thanks for the response Jim. I would ask you to consider something that has yet to be discussed but I know it to be true.

Let's look at the Vendors for a moment. For the most part, these are small bussiness owners etching out a living from Rally to Rally. They are AMERICAN small bussiness owners and are conducting their bussiness in an honest manner. Many of these folks have decided they do not want to carry a lunch pail for a large Corporation.

Here is the scenario now. A guy forks out hundreds possibly thousands of dollars to have T-Shirts, Cups, pins, patches, and the list goes on. Another small bussiness owner who has a print shop takes the order. He buys the needed supplies and adjusts his schedule to accomidate his customer. Both small bussinesses stand to make some money but it is not a huge profit margin due to overhead cost. For both the cost is there and they are living from order to order. Bang! Some fat ass cancels the Rally. Now you have a number of small bussinesses that are stuck with a bunch of junk that has no resale value whatsoever. Hundreds and hundreds of pins that have been printed saying "Palm Springs Rally 2002". Totally worthless.

The T-Shirt guy has invested too much now and has, as a result of the cancellation, taken a loss he cannot recover from. The Print guy gets stiffed and has equally taken a loss too big to recover from. Both guys are out of bussiness and this years Christmas will suck for their kids.

If you think this is far fetched you are mistaken.

The image in peoples mind that we should seek to correct is that we are a bunch of disorganized biker trash that can be stepped on. If we were to get together and it became NEWS that a Boycott of all future Palm Springs Rallys was being called all over the Internet, then other cities would think twice before they cancelled a Rally.

All of the cities that cancel are waiting for the smoke to clear. When they feel it is "safe" they will plan new Rallys. They have therefore shown that when the chips are down they cannot be counted on. They are only Biker Friendly when the sky is blue and the birds are singing.

Good times and Bad times are when true friends stick together. These cities have proven NOT to be our friends and therefore our support should go to those who deserve it. Hollister did not run because they understand that things happen but you must take the good with the bad.

This is a false fear that these folks have and news from other events elsewhere will prove that out.

Palm Springs is a city that attracts the retired for weekend retreats. They really will not suffer from this because a good City Manager could easily come up with a plan to offset the losses. They could contact Travel Agencies, Airlines, and Bus Lines and offer discounts for that same time frame. Buy a ticket on Southwest to Palm Springs and you will receive a 10% discount of lodging at any of the Cities Hotels and resturaunts. Just show this coupon!

Plain and simple, they have screwed many folks and it is time that Americans put a stop to it.

Nothing would have happened and they know it. Fact is however that when they stage their ****** Parades and events, SOMEONE will travel to Palm Springs and leave with AIDS. Based on the statistics, a *** PARADE is far more dangerous and likely to lead to death than ANY bike Rally ever could be.

They have their asses for hats and they should be BOYCOTTED as a clear message to all that Bikers WILL stick together and WILL NOT be walked on.

Thanks!

Just in case you still need it...


David H. Ready, City Manager (Palm Springs)
Phone: 760-323-8201
Fax: 760-323-8207

Drum Roll Please!!!!!!

Email - [email protected]


Don't mention it, any time...

Letter to P/S City Manager

I sent the e-mail below to the City Manager of Palm Springs. I will let you know of the response (if any). FYI. I travel in Mexico regularly. I NEVER have problems. Why? Because I realize I am a "guest". If you are going to write Palm Springs, I encourage you to remember, it's their town. Yes, we spend our money there but we are still their guests. Write accordingly.



David,

I'm a fan of Palm Springs. You have a great city and I enjoy visiting. I'm also a fan of motorcycling and I enjoy coupling my enjoyment of biking with your fine city. In this regard, I have been an attendee at the P/S Bike Weekend (now Hotride and Bike Weekend) since it originated in the parking lot at the Spa Hotel & Casino.

I have always made the experience at least a 2 night adventure. My girl and I were planning on once again enjoying steak and crab cakes on the Friday night of the event. We were looking forward to walking along the street, enjoying the experiencing while checking out several of the shops. We enjoyed visiting with the retirees serving beer in the beer garden. We were both very disappointed to hear that the event had been cancelled.

I recognize the concerns of your residents following the events at the Laughlin River Run. I attended the Laughlin event. The group I was with LEFT Laughlin after the terrible situation at Harrah's. I do not approve of gang violence. The overwhelming percentage of motorcyclists do NOT approve of gang violence. Such behavior is reprehensible.

Almost all of the motorcycle community attends events to have fun. We go to laugh, party and to spend money. We go to have a good time. We go to be with friends. We do not attend events to bring harm to a community.

Are large events likely to bring someone who misbehaves? Of course. However, Palm Springs is a convention community and you are aware that occasionally individuals may misbehave. The prior Bike Weekend events, though, have NOT brought any disproportionate misbehavior to Palm Springs. Rather, I believe the bikers have increased revenues for the community and overall behaved responsibly.

Palm Springs is a wonderful place for a biker event. I am asking on behalf of the thousands of responsible motorcyclists who have previously attended the Bike Weekend for the City to reconsider its decision to cancel the event. I am also asking that the City commit at this time to the dates for the event next year.

Although I live in Pasadena (thus, the name "pasadenajim"), I'd enjoy the opportunity to drive over to Palm Springs and chat. With you or whoever would enjoy a cup of coffee. My girl would come with me. She also rides. Oh, she's a first grade teacher. If this "chat" means talking to a group of people, fine. I've often given presentations at the Rivera Convention Center. If it means talking to just you, fine. I'd like the chance to make the pitch to save this wonderful event. And no, I do NOT have a financial interest in the event. I just think that Palm Springs and many motorcyclists would benefit from it.

Not all bikers are bad. Not all bikers are dangerous. Many of us have real jobs. Many of us would like to spend money in Palm Springs.

What can we do to get the event back on track? If not for this year, for next year? I'd appreciate hearing from you. You can reach me at the office, 213/894-5210. If I'm unavailable, ask my secretary to break in and tell me you are calling.

James Small


Jim [email protected] 2000 FLHTC
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