Update: The plan has been dropped.
City Clerk Locke (credit: his Facebook page)
The item, up for discussion on Wednesday night, reads:
A. Subject: Discussion and Consideration of Resolution No. 2012-XX of the Nevada City Council Approving the City of Nevada City Becomes a Companion City to Black Rock City for One (1) Year
Recommendation: Council Policy Action
“Both have a very similar history,” according to the resolution. “Both were/are in a remonte, inhospitable, beautiful area governed by physical laws that should not be ignored (and) citizens were/are responsible in every regard for their own survival, safety, comfort and well being.”
“Therefore be it resolved that the city of Nevada City becomes a Companion City to Black Rock city for one week per year,” according to the resolution.
Burning Man begins Monday, August 27 and ends Monday, September 3.
The resolution is here.
“SOME OPPOSITION”
City Clerk Niel Locke requested that this resolution be provided to the Council for consideration of adoption. This morning he posted this on Facebook:
Good Morning Burners,
Some info about me, I am 75 and this my 6th time attending BM and the City Clerk for Nevada City ,CA. Our area has a large number of Burners, and I thought a Proclamation was in order because of the similarities between our 2 Communities.
Weds 22 Aug there is a Proclamation making Nevada City a companion City to Black Rock City listed on the agenda. My understanding there is some opposition by some members of the City Council .
This is caused by the great distortion of truth that BM is Nothing but an event of drugs, sex, alcohol, dirty people etc. etc.( Which I experience every day in our area ). You have heard this all before but it does continue in the world of little knowledge.
I would appreciate some support from the Burner Community either by e-mail to the City or live support from the locals at our meeting tomorrow night.
I realize this short notice but I just learned about the opposition and we are preparing for the Burn and are busy.
baiwang@netscape.net
nevadacityca.gov
My thanks and see you at The Burn,
Niel Locke
Exit question: Before Council members and some residents gets “uppity” about Locke’s idea, I wonder if publicizing this “companion city” relationship could drum up some business in Nevada City prior to Burning Man. Nevada City already is becoming a “destination” for Burning Man attendees before, after and during the event, as I reported previously.
Black Rock City
Nevada City
Filed under: Uncategorized
Yeah…thats all we need.
PeteK, your response sounds like you are against the resolution. Do you have any specific reasons you are opposed, if that is indeed the case?
Michael, My point is this. With all due respect to past and present members of the hippie nation, Nevada City needs to promote and provide events that are family friendly. Events at BM in my opinion do little to promote this.BM is a chance for people to let go of the inhibitions (smoke pot, dress minimally at best, forgo showers or hygiene ect. and are able to “Be Free”. That’s all fine and good but I think it will do “little” to promote our area in a positive light. Now the NC Film Festival is an awesome example of the types of events that bring in all kinds of diversified people and promotes the environment.(a great cause that few can argue with) With all due respect to “Neil” I think we can do better to shine a light on Nevada City than this idea. How about a “concert in the park” series in Pioneer Park? how about kyack races at scotts flatt? how about some more sanctioned bike race series??? how about an “yoga in the park” fundraiser…all events that promote a healthy lifestyle and promoting the area…BM seems to me to do none of this.
PeteK, have you ever attended the event?
60,000 people go to Burning Man. About 40K come from the Bay Area and pass by HWY 80. We a just a short detour and could use the extra tourist dollars. What are the negatives? I say “go for it”.
I have never been to a burning man and in fact never heard of it until Chamba Lane talked about it. It seems a bit over the top for our local area but I am always in for a good party.
Ben, the only thing “over the top” about Burning Man is that it is the largest avant-garde art festival in the world. The “party” aspect is certainly a component, but that is hardly what defines the event.
If you want to learn more about what Burning Man is really all about, I would start with the Ten Principles: http://www.burningman.com/whatisburningman/about_burningman/principles.html
Michael,
Just about everything I stand for and with is almost always misrepresented and defined by a small controversial element, I get it. I know enough people who are many year participants of BM and they all have different reasons for going. I would say that It sounds fun for me but my parents and elder relatives who live in Nevada County would not like it, which is the reason for the a bit over the top comment. The key question for city council becomes is it an outreach for inclusion and much needed tourism or is it a desperate grasp at some possible tourist dollars that makes Nevada City a caricature of what it is “supposed” to be? I am not not taking a position one way or another but I like to look at issues from many different angles before shaping an opinion. As I said in my previous comment and in this one, it seems like it would be a very fun experience and event.
Hi PeteK and everyone,
I attended and volunteered at the Nevada City Film Festival. As it happens, one of the shorts was filmed at Burning Man last year. The filmmaker and his spouse also attended multiple screenings and Q&A sessions afterwards. I’ll link you the film so you can see. I think it does a fantastic job of showcasing the event:
http://vimeo.com/37149784
Your event ideas are sound. Perhaps you could look into making them happen, or helping to organize them? I’ve explored having film events at Pioneer Park. It seems doable. Music events at the park are more tricky to sort out as there are rules about noise levels.
Earlier this year, I helped (with many other amazing people) organize the 2nd annual Burnal Equinox event at The Miners Foundry, which was successful in bringing hundreds of people from other areas to town for the weekend. Before the event, we combed the neighborhood to speak with the community, and most people seemed thrilled to have it here. Just for the record, there were no calls to the Police or complaints about noise/problems before, during, or afterwards.
This year we’re planning on making this event family friendly during the daytime and possibly adding some workshops and building projects to help showcase a more well rounded day and night’s worth of activities. If you’re curious to have a sampler of Burning Man, stop on by for a bit. I promise we won’t bite, unless you ask us nicely.
Todd
The Union chased down this scooper and put it behind a “paywall.”
http://www.theunion.com/article/20120822/NEWS/120829941/1066&ParentProfile=1053
So what these guys are saying is that they don’t want any of these “undersiables” to buy their food, or ice, or body paint, or tires, or tarps, or gas, or pay someone to fix that 1973 Winnebago from around here……
Glad we got them out of this area as we sure don’t need their money right?
I here the big echo of nothingness coming from those people!!!!
Spend, spend, spend is my motto! Keep money here where our people can benefit from it without the close minded-ness!
I received this email from Niel:
Hi Jeff,
Thank you for the story.
My decision is to have the Resolution pulled.
The matter has been so blown out of proportion mainly by ignorance and the ill-informed. I understand the Bee has called and some other media outlet but I never heard about this until just recently. I do not know why as my e-mail and telephone numbers are very visible as is my home telephone number especially if a reporter is really interested in seeking the info, as You well know.
The following was posted on my Facebook page :
Niel “Rabble Rouser” Locke lands on front page of The Union, causes kerfuffle in town with proposed resolution to proclaim friendly companionship with between Nevada City, CA and Black Rock City, NV residents. Townsfolk in uproar over potential increase in hardworking, motivated, passion-driven, creative, imaginative, industrious, loving, caring, talented, pioneering, spirited people from all over the world.
This what I experience at the Black Rock City event Burning Man. The items that the others complain about, I experience in Nevada City when I am in town.
Many thanks for your efforts,
Niel Locke
I just rolled through town and saw a KOVR satellite truck parked in front of City Hall, presumably to cover the council meeting.
It’s a real shame that this harmless, and economically beneficial, resolution received such negative attention. But that’s OK, I predict it will be back, and next time coupled to an educational steamroller that will help the naysayers understand that they really have absolutely no idea what they’re talking about.
There are lots of web pages and videos concerning the Black Rock Burning Man Festival that show why it’s held in such a remote, wide open spaces area. http://www.youtube.com/embed/d-SWV6eLrTU?feature=player_detailpage
Bonnie,
…and hopefully it will continue to be held there. Nice video, BTW, though a little heavy on the fancy costumes. When I go out I wear exactly the same thing I wear here in Nevada City…old school, I guess.
The resolution (that will next time surface as a proclamation) was merely an attempt to welcome the Burning Man community to Nevada City on their way to the event, and on their way back home. So they could leave lots of money behind with our fabulous businesses.
I have a funny feeling you’d like to give Burning Man a try, Bonnie. You would love it, I guarantee it. You should catch a charter out of KGOO and give it a whirl some year. You won’t be disappointed.
Michael A.
Bonnie, thank you for sharing the video with us. It was very generous.
Bonnie, I have a Silicon Valley friend who’s flying into the event for a day – September 3rd, and I was speaking with him and he said he’s got an extra seat (he has a very nice 8 seat private plane), so if you’re interested in going for the closing day / evening please post and I’ll see if it’s still available.
You’ll leave GVAP at 9:00am September 3rd, and be back the following day – September 4th at the GVAP at 1:00am. You’ll need to handle the food aspect, but it would be a wonderful chance to see the end of thisevent upclose and personal