Crickets

[harveym]

Ok guys, what am I supposed to do with this???

I, like everyone else, can see merit from all sides, but...this is getting out of hand. I have been paying for, and maintaining this site since 2004, and the only hope I ever had for BBQTalk was that it would somehow promote the growth of BBQ in Canada. Unfortunately, I'm not seeing that reflected in the posts in this area of the forum. Not only are we arguing, but now we're calling each other out???

The posts may not be many, but the visits and viewing of this site, are huge...so you tell me, what I am supposed to do...

[reg]

Harvey I will take some responsibility for this but at the same time point out that I did not start this thread nor did I say what the heading states. In an earlier post I did make a comment about what was in the sauce but if you notice there was a wink at the end of my comment. It was not intended to create what has already taken place in this thread but I feel I should be able to defend myself

If you want to delete the thread that is up to you but at the same time I see that the thread has had a lot of hits. Its your call but either way its fine with me no problem

rEG

[reg]

Has this issue been delt with privately ? Obviuosly I'm the only one that replied so I would like to know if it is still an open issue

Thanks

Reg

[harley]

.

[expatbill]

Yikes, I leave for a couple days, and what happens? I don't have a dog in this fight, but my commentary will be, for Harley, keep looking for that pony, and for Reg, don't throw the baby out with the bathwater. I did join the CSBBQA, because I didn't think that it was fair for me to criticize from the gallery. I do plan to do an assessment of my first hand observations and experiences and either contribute to the organization, or just ride off into the sunset. I hope that it is the former, rather than the latter.

[mikita21]

I surely do hope to hear from actual members of CSBBQA on what we are doing right and wrong........

I guess when I said this is way better than what was happening before was not levelled at the organizers of any one contest (paris, especially under Scotty, was well done). No, it was more about the repeated collapse, back-bighting, in-fighting, thievery (at least, reported to me -- stop me if that part is wrong) and all the rest. The fact is, BBQ in southern Ontario has had NO cohesive organization for 2-3 years now. I was prepared to get involved a few years ago, but backed away rapidly because even I could see from a distance the train wreck that was about to happen -- and did.

We are building off the models of organizations that are tested and true in the field of competitive BBQ. We are trying to maintain at least some semblance of a Canadian flavour (or flavor, depending on where you are) to be distinct, yet on the same page with barbecuers across the continent. They love having Canadians at the major U.S. events, and we think we can help foster a bit of that international detente without teams having to go cook solely in the States.

I judge at a major event in Murphysboro, Illinois each year, a combined KCBS and MBN event -- "Praise The Lard". It's an event that attracts several workd champions every year. Last year, 65 teams, up from 51 the year before (#'s are approximate). Maybe 4 or 5 former world champs cooking last year alone. Point is, that event gives away $17,000. Smoked to the Bone in Ottawa has a $20,000 prize pool. AWESOME!!! That is a serious, serious committment on the part of sponsors to BBQ competition in Canada, and CSBBQA is pretty much the only organization, even with its imperfections, that seems able to try and ensure serious cooks get a serious and honest evaluation of their competition meets.

To that end, we have all kinds of rules, regs, guidelines, and so on in place -- probably still works in progress, as is the case with every good organization. And right now, any bashing that is going on seems to be on the personality side. I think at some point, we need to collectively trust people involved to put their passion for all this ahead of personal gain. I do not see at this point, anyone involved in this getting anything much out of it, except for lots of grief in here. When we are away from this site, working on CSBBQA stuff, things seem pretty cool!!

Jack tickets ARE a work in progress. There is one for sure. There may be more than one. Those are not my forte; I am on the fringe of that discussion, but recognize at least the possibility. Teams may have to travel to cook; judges may have to travel to judge. It does not seem to phase people who love this in the States, but almost seems an issue in Canada right now. I'll be in Ottawa, Windsor, Memphis, Quebec, Murphysboro, Illinois and who knows where else this season. Why? because I am serious about what I do in here, and loooooove it!

Gotta go; I think something's burning!

[mikita21]

.....trusting y'all are edumacated enuff to interpret my speling and tiping misteaks...........

[harveym]

Has this issue been delt with privately ? Obviuosly I'm the only one that replied so I would like to know if it is still an open issue

Thanks

Reg

Nothing has been dealt with privately, reg, I was away with my family, and not thinking about what was happening here.

and quite frankly, I still don't know what to do...

[mikita21]

If it were me, I'd end it here. We can find lots to say for and against CSBBQA in other threads, although I still puzzle at that "against" concept..........