More like 100% but that is a diffrent issue.

Here is a email I fired off to the mayor and all the city council members when I heard the news of cancellation and their response.

Hello Gary,

Thank you for sharing your thoughts and comments. As City staff, we understand the frustrations from many spectators/participants regarding the news on the drag boat races. The City does not want to see the cancellation of this event either; we are extremely sensitive to the weak economy and realize how the economy is stimulated annually during race time.

However, unfortunately, this is not the City’s decision – this is between IHBA and the Chowchilla Lions Club. We are not privy to contract details, therefore, we cannot comment on that.

I did make contact with the Lions Club to inform them of emails and calls we are receiving and I was given a contact name and number to pass on to others. Anyone with concerns or questions can contact Lions Club President Varley Fitch at 559-665-4710.

Again, thank you for taking the time to write us. We do hope issues may be resolved for this event so it can continue in Chowchilla in the future.

Sincerely,    

Peggy Haupt

Public Information Officer

City of Chowchilla
130 S. Second Street
Civic Center Plaza
Chowchilla, CA  93610

559-665-8615, ext. 110

559-665-7418 fax

generalinfo@ci.chowchilla.ca.us

phaupt@ci.chowchilla.ca.us

www.ci.chowchilla.ca.us

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

From: Gary Bauer [mailto:gary@ccselink.com]
Sent: Monday, April 07, 2008 5:04 PM
To: Peggy Haupt
Subject: lions club /parks and recreation

Dear Sir or Madam,  I was reading today that the Lions Club has chosen not to honor it's contract with the International Hot Boat Association to present the Chowchilla Super Nationals Drag Boat event in June of 2008. I was extremely distressed to hear such news! I have attended this event both as a spectator and as a participant for many years. My son's grew up going to this event and were supposed to compete this year. I had setup a dozen family's to attend the event including staying at the local hotels and RV parks. Needless to say, we were prepared to throw out thousands to the local economy.  I am sure that I was not the only one planning this type of participation, as several of my competitors were in similar situations. I guess I just do not understand how a city can eliminate those kinds of funds flooding the local business for a weekend with the struggling economic situation of California as it exist. This has to be one of the premier events for which this city is known for. If not, then it should have been and it was never promoted correctly. Check with the City of Red Bluff to find out what it does for their area. Call and try to book a room close to the area and you will witness first hand what type of crowd it's drawing. That converts to revenue.... The City's leadership should encourage the event to help promote local business, potential City revenue and notoriety. It's a no lose situation. I hope they may take a second look and reconsider their options. Thank you for letting me voice my opinions.

Sincerely,

Gary  Bauer

Start FLOODING city of Chowchilla officials with educated, rational sounding e-mails in support of the race as soon as possible:

[B]Mayor:  Ron Harris[/B]   [email]ronharris@ci.chowchilla.ca.us [/EMAIL]
[B]Mayor (Pro Tem):  Justin White[/B]   [EMAIL]justinwhite@ci.chowchilla.ca.us[/EMAIL]
[B]Councilmember:  Jerry Belton[/B]  [EMAIL]jerrybelton@ci.chowchilla.ca.us [/EMAIL]
[B]Councilmember:  John Chavez[/B]  [EMAIL]jchavez@ci.chowchilla.ca.us [/EMAIL]
[B]Councilmember:  Jim Kopshever[/B]  [email]jkopshever@ci.chowchilla.ca.us[/email]
[B]Parks and Recreation Department:[/B] [email]parksrec@ci.chowchilla.ca.us [/email]

Seven members act in an advisory capacity to the City Council in all matters pertaining to parks, recreation, community services, parkways, street trees, and in the planning and development of these matters. The commission works directly...with various community affiliate organizations to coordinate and provide services and programs for the residents of our community.

This commission meets at 7:00 p.m. every third Tuesday of the month on a monthly basis. All Parks & Recreation Commission meetings are held in Council Chambers at the Chowchilla Civic Center located at 130 S. Second Street, Civic Center Plaza. Please see the Calendar of Events for specific meeting dates and times.

[B]To contact the Parks & Recreation Commission, call the office at 559-665-8640.[/B]
 
   
[B]Member List:[/B]

 [COLOR="white"] __[/COLOR][U]Name[/U][COLOR="white"]__________ [/COLOR][U]Appointment Date[/U][COLOR="white"]________[/COLOR][U]Term Expires[/U]

  Joyce Costa [COLOR="White"]__________[/COLOR]March 2007 [COLOR="white"]__________[/COLOR]January 2009
  Sal J. Dicochea [COLOR="white"]_______[/COLOR]July 2005 [COLOR="white"]____________[/COLOR]January 2010
  Elizabeth Simon[COLOR="white"]_______ [/COLOR]July 2005 [COLOR="white"]____________[/COLOR]January 2010
  Gary Twitty[COLOR="white"]__________ [/COLOR]July 2005[COLOR="white"]____________[/COLOR] January 2009
  Rickey Willet Jr.[COLOR="white"]_______ [/COLOR]July 2000 [COLOR="white"]____________[/COLOR]January 2009