[MR] Re: Merchants at Pennsic

[ekoogler1 at comcast.net]

I tend to agree that we do need to say something.  This is the first time in 
over 20 years of attending Pennsic that I recall hearing of this many merchants 
being kicked out of the event or not permitted to return the next year.  

So I guess the next thing is to ask, "What do we do about it?"  Perhaps if 
enough of us wrote individually, Cindy Cooper would be pressed to give us some 
kind of response.  Or there is the possibility of sending a letter, signed by 
all who want to know what happened, to her...with copies to the Crowns of all 3 
Kingdoms (East, Aethelmarc and the Middle) involved in the running of the 
event, as well as the Coopers who own the place...she again might be forced to 
respond with reasons.  Of course she could just say, "Because I say so."  

I pretty much know the reasons for Pillaged Village (feel that the punishment 
was a tad severe, but understand that the rules must be obeyed) and Iolo (read 
his letter, believe that there are two sides to every story...and it was a case 
of not obeying rules that had been in place for a number of years).  However, 
this is the first I had heard of Phil's and Casta Diva.  While I rarely even 
looked into Casta Diva (prices 'way out of my range), I did enjoy eating at 
Phil's.  And I will definitely miss his establishment when next I attend 
Pennsic.  However, I would like to hear an official explanation as to what the 
perceived problem was.  While I know that the SCA doesn't operate as a 
democracy...and the Coopers have the right to exclude anyone they wish as they 
own the property...I do feel that what has happened hear is a little heavy-
handed, not to mention unfair to those of us who patronized these merchants.  

Yes, it is a great place to hold Pennsic.  But, as another mentioned, we ARE 
their customers, and, as such, should be treated with courtesy and 
honesty...unless they are so certain of our custom that they really don't care 
whether they offend or not.

I do think we need to ask what happened...and I think it must be asked of Cindy 
Cooper, with a statement that we do expect some kind of response.

Kiri
> Achbar doth respond
> 
> >    Why get involved with this?   That is between the merchants and the
> > Coopers.
> 
> I suppose that's one view.
> 
> It concerns me as a patron of those establishments (BTW, I just heard from
> my Lady wife that Casta Diva isn't coming back next year, either).  It
> concerns me as a friend of merchants who are troubled by what they percieve
> as heavy-handed actions by the merchant autocrat.  It concerns me as someone
> who is thinking about taking up SCA merchanting in the next year or so.  And
> I am always concerned when someone tells me they feel they can't speak up
> about an injustice for fear of reprisal.
> 
> As pennsic attendees we are customers of the Coopers and deserve the
> consideration any company owes its customers.  One of the 'services' I
> attend Pennsic for is access to merchants whose goods I value.  If a
> merchant I patronize is to barred I'd like (and expect) something more than
> a resounding silence from the autocrat, and second hand reports that the
> only reason is, "because I said so!"
> 
> Further, I expect myself, my King, and my comrades, members of a fine
> organization that prides itself on honor and chivalry, not to stand silently
> by in the face of injustice.
> 
> Now we're talking about 4 merchants out of several hundred, perhaps this was
> simply coincidence, perhaps all 4 merited barring from Pennsic.  Perhaps
> there was no injustice,  though at least in the case of Pillaged Village I
> think the punishment was far out of proportion to the crime--I don't know
> for sure about the others.  I think it's appropriate that this subject be
> discussed, and that this is an appropriate forum.  I hope to learn from
> those who might know that there were sound reasons for such drastic actions.
> 
> > It is none of our business.
> 
> Send not to ask for whom the bell tolls....
> 
> regards,
> 
> McKenna