Despite a rule requiring 45 days' advance application for events, the Maree Group's rodeo proposal will be up for a vote at the Sept. 9 regular meeting, 8 p.m. in Municipal Court, 325 Watchung Ave.
The date requested is Sunday, Sept 29 and the venue is Municipal Parking Lot 1, behind Chez Maree on Watchung Avenue.
Anyone wishing to comment on the resolution will have a chance before the council votes.
--Bernice
The resolution calls the event a "Rodeo Celebration." The permit application calls it a "Celebration of the Rodeo." It remains unclear exactly what this event even is, since absolutely no details have been provided regarding the size and scope of the event, who the principals are, etc. All we have to go on is the pitch made by the entrepreneurs that they want to bring a "rodeo" to Plainfield. I am glad you posted the photo of Lot 9, Bernice. It illustrates just how ridiculous this idea is. Also, charging $40 (!!!) for this event (again, whatever it is) is ridiculous. The well-known Cowtown Rodeo down in south Jersey only charges about $15 for a REAL rodeo! You can check out their Facebook page and website. All the issues of safety aside for a moment, who in their right mind would pay $40 for entry to a city parking lot to watch animals run around on asphalt? Will there even be animals, or just mechanical animals? If we are talking about livestock, I cannot imagine that this (the asphalt rodeo) would pass muster with the NJ SPCA or with public safety. Again, we have not been provided with any background information about who the company is that would be bringing in the animals, what their reputation is (whether they have done rodeos on asphalt-paved city parking lots with success in the past), what their track record is, what animals they would be bringing in, whether those animals are properly licensed, disease-free, and safe. Where would the animals be penned? Veterinary records, etc., would have to be produced as well for each animal. Who will be inspecting the animals to ensure that they are healthy and fit? A veterinarian would have to be present at the rodeo as well--who is the veterinarian? In addition, I would imagine that the event organizers will provide the city council with proof that they adhere to NJ laws regarding the ethical and humane treatment of livestock. Again, I have no detailed information about any of this. I could not find, through a web search, any info about the non-profit corporation listed on the permit application as "Aztex Dream"--or "Aztec Dream"--which is supposed to be receiving funds from the event--maybe I didn't look hard enough. I would like some background information on this non-profit as well. I am concerned that this event would even be listed as a new item on the agenda when the organizers have not even seen fit to provide the city council with background information so that we could make an informed decision. It also doesn't pass muster regarding Plainfield law that a special event permit application (see Section 9.9 for the definition of "Special event," which deals with animals and mechanical rides) be filed with the License Bureau 45 days in advance of the event. This event is scheduled for 20 days from now--I cannot imagine that any responsible rodeo would expect it to be seriously entertained to occur in 20 days.
ReplyDeleteRebecca
You don't have a rodeo on blacktop! Will there be a representative for the animals so they are not hurt. When has anyone been to a rodeo in a parking lot? He obviously knows nothing about this. His request should go before the Freeholders, and he should ask for the use of the Union County Parks.
ReplyDeleteThis is an absolutely ridiculous request, if for no other reason other than that, this is no environment for a rodeo!
ReplyDeleteIf this proceeds I'm sure PETA would like to know and so would all the local news outlets.
Enough already with the nonsense!
Therefore the only animal event should be A Flea Market.
ReplyDeleteahhhhhhhhhh.. but did they contribute to SRB and Jerry's campaign ??? That will determine if the show must truly go on ...
ReplyDeleteWho supported putting this on the agenda ?? Was it Rebecca ??? I think not from her stance against it from the get go... That leaves Storch, Mapp, Rivers, Reid, Brown and Greaves.. and whoever put it on the agenda... Who told them to???
Let's start asking those bigger questions...
Doing a rodeo on blacktop makes no sense -- for the animals or the people.
ReplyDeleteWalking/trotting on blacktop is not a problem. But, if this rodeo involves bull and bronc riding with bucking and lunging, cow roping with horses doing sliding stops -- asphalt would tear them up.
Also, if a rider falls -- blacktop is unforgiving. Sliding and falling on blacktop will tear you up.
Most show-type events have soft footing for animals doing work at speed, to cushion their joints, as well as giving a soft landing in case of falls.
Animals traveling over state lines -- there is specific paperwork required from a health and communicable disease standpoint. Horses require Coggins tests, as well as other tests to travel, so diseases aren't spread.
Most professionals take care of their animals, because they are their living. I can't imagine a responsible owner wanting their animals doing rodeo performances on asphalt.
If an event like this were staged in a grassy area like the park, people have to understand the grass area would get torn up from the rodeo activities.
Olive Lynch
Olive Lynch
Sand? On blacktop? This is how he thinks the horses will be protected? Scary.
ReplyDeleteHorses should never perform on blacktop. It is very dangerous and horses will definitely get hurt.I am a former rider and I have never entered a competition that was held on a blacktop surface. No,No, No!
ReplyDelete