final word...I hope?
Ok guys, I've stayed out of this pretty much, but maybe it's time to put this one to bed?
Everyone's had their opportunity to share thier views.
If you will indulge me this one last post...
First, why are we hammering on each other? We as Corvette enthusiast need to stick together.
To respond to Stangkiller (and yes, I met him at the show...nice guy:thumbsup: ):
Here's what "could" have happened (legally):
1-Reckless driving (if they'd gotten there in time to witness the act)
2-Disorderly conduct (if he wasn't drinking)
3-Disorderly Intox for those assisting him that were.
4-Criminal Mischief (vandalism).
(betcha can't guess what I've done all my life
):lmao:
The other matter is the alcohol consumption on premises. As I recall, the hotel is not licensed for consumption in the parking lot. They could loose thier liquor license for simply allowing it and you and I could wind up in jail.
"If" (there we go with that again-"
If" the Queen had balls she'd be the King!)
there had been an accident, the driver could have been charged with reckless driving even without a LEO witnessing the act. Florida statute allows an officer to cite a driver based upon the results of an investigation and the statement(s) of witnesses.
The videos and stills could have been confiscated as evidence in a criminal proceeding and of course the evidence in the parkling lot speaks for itself.
Yep, that
ONE PATRON of the hotel could easily have caused us some
major problems!
Yank- There are a lot of "if's" that fortunately, never came to fruition (thankfully), but you're correct, could have.
At that time of morning, it's highly unlikely, but still theoretically possible, for a small child or old lady to suddenly walk out from between 2 cars.
A more likely scenario is another drunk driver retuning from one of the local watering holes or "show venues":lmao: and driving (or stumbling) into the path of the moving vehicle.
I wasn't aware that TBV's sent someone to repair the damage? Thats great PR BTW.
I was aware (from conversations) that they interviened in the management decision not to call the Police. BTW in case you didn't know it. The SHERIFF'S district office is less than a mile south of the hotel and they are in the area frequently. Thier response time is
not that long
and they respond quickly to the hotels calls anyway.
I don't like putting the offenders name on the net, but it appears it's already been done on other sites, so no harm, no foul.
Stangkiller, as far as having "fun" goes, I just turned
50 in october but still feel like I'm in my 20's. I love to have a good time and sometimes, I'll admit I don't act my age.
That said, I have also learned over the years, sometimes the hard way, that there's a time and place for everything!
The hotel parking lot was neither:NoNo:
I'm sorry if that sounds old foggyish to you, but it's a fact. Yes, a few people got a kick out of it, and no, no one was hurt and no property was damaged...this time...
At least he could have picked a remote area of the parking lot to do it! (that parking lot really doesn't have any "remote" areas).
Again, if those members hadn't interviened, we could be refused use of the facility next year. Or, there could be a higher law enforcement presence when we come.
I've worked venues where we were hired specifically for an event because of the attendees and thier "history" of damage to the property. I'd hate to see us get painted with that brush!
I'm also not one of those that feels everyone under 50 is a kid. Nor do I like being painted with the "old guy" brush simply due to my age. I take offense at that comment. I'll party with the best of them, but know when to stop.
Bottom line I feel here is that we have a difference of opinion. Unfortunately, as I've pointed out, what CD did was criminal on severla levels. It was not done malisciously nor with the intent to harm, but still, by Florida Statute, criminal with a couple of inclusive traffic infraction thrown in for good measure.
It was (on the surface) dangerous, and goes to give the group as a whole a bad name. It also tends to leave a bad taste in the mouth of those staying at the hotel who are not Hi-Performance nuts as we tend to be
.
Had I been there (unless you woke up my 8 month old Grand daughter-then I'd be pissed!!!!) I probably wouldn't have cared. Maybe it's from sleeping on underway boats in the USCG or ??? but I can sleep just about anywhere (just ask my wife:lmao: ), and I might have been right out there with you? I just don't know. That said, it would still have been dangerous.
But to the un-indoctrinated, it's an annoyance caused by those "Corvette people!"
This is why I asked early on about a venue specifically dedicated to a burnout contest? Maybe on Friday or Saturday night?
Rather than saying TBV's do not support it, why not ask? Lets see if there's some place that would support it? Lets see if there's any real interest in it?
There are a lot of member in TBV's and a lot of differing opinions. I realize there is a committee that puts this thing together, but if they are not willing to ask, then get someone who will! You don't know until you ask!
It's a better option than just burying your head in the sand and hoping it'll go away
I apologize for the length of this response, but both sides have valid and interesting points to make.
Instead of fighting among ourselves, lets see if we can come to a solution to the issue?
I would hope Cajun Dude understands where this is coming from? It's not about being young or old, it's about not getting our butts kicked to the curb for future events. He's a business owner and I'll bet he'd understand that.:thumbsup:
There's no need for name calling or finger pointing.
I would ask that any further anger be vented in PM or chat.
I hope everyone had a great time at the event and a safe and enjoyable Thanksgiving. Look forward to seeing all of you again soon.
Take care and Thanks,
Gordon
