Big Burke announcement

[Steve@jpr]

I'll step in and take some slugs for Andrew (who is more than capable but out being capable, somewhere else, at the moment.)

First, with respect to KT, Burke is far from taking its lift and going home. Ary Jr felt that the contract didn't work but remains interested in working something out so that everything is connected come Spring. The media characterized the 'severing of ties' in a much more dramatic/hyperbolic way than what reality represents, but I completely understand it. Lots of this could have happened differently, should have been tended to with more touch and it wasn't. That's on all of us involved with this particular incident.

As to the Q before Burke, it is what it is. Whether or not I, nor anyone else without a last name that rhymes with Quiros, agrees with the strategy can certainly still be germane to the conversation-but it, in reality, doesn't matter. I can say that the family felt that adding the Q was positioning the resort differently, and wanted to as a result of year's of financial water-treading, and acted on that instinct. I don't have the year's of association to the brand that many do, but I still empathize with those that feel awfully weird about this; When Warren Haynes filled the Jerry role and they still called themselves the Dead, I felt icky too. Worse when Joan Osborne got involved. Even wrote them a letter. They ignored me.

Suffice to say, Andrew will continue to report back here from time to time, and you've all been kind enough to not expect parted waters from him. We are hopeful things can improve. If that's all we have to go on at this point, at least for us, it has to be enough.

Regardless, I hope all of you have a good holiday and we have better things to talk about in 2014.

Steve

Not for QBurke. It is just Daddy and son AFAIK. Bill might have a minority interest, but JPR has done a good job distancing themselves.

 

[dlague]

At this stage, we will not be visiting Burke at all this year! This type of stuff is a turn off! The MTB competition is increasing with more resorts offering this type of adventure. Kingdom Trails is well known already and is established in the MTB community. In fact, the services in the area benefit because of that. Taking away the down hill portions of KT MTB and all the work that they put into it does not seem right either.

Damn it! Just realized that we have two Fox 44 cards which include a stop there! So I guess at least one trip is warranted! I will make sure I eat in the village instead of at the lodge!

 

[from_the_NEK]

Damn it! Just realized that we have two Fox 44 cards which include a stop there! So I guess at least one trip is warranted! I will make sure I eat in the village instead of at the lodge!

Just let me know when you head up. Wouldn't mind making some turns if I can get a hall pass.

 

[from_the_NEK]

One things for sure, this whole situation has made getting to 3,000 posts (worth another entry in the giveaway threads) a lot easier. 8)

 

[dlague]

Just let me know when you head up. Wouldn't mind making some turns if I can get a hall pass.

Sure thing!

 

[oldtimer]

Steve- thank you for chiming in from JPR.

I will speak for all to say that we are glad to know that you all at JPR are in contact with the folks here at Burke.

And with that I would like to wish you good and profitable holidays.

let us all hope for wrap around snow on the backside of th3e current weather event-

 

[thetrailboss]

Thanks Steve. I guess we are all hoping that you will help them out.

And as for the article, I have to disagree. It's easy to slam the press, but I don't think that it's there fault what happened here. Ary called someone from VTDigger and smiled for the camera as he said what he said. I think that the article was pretty diplomatic about what happened--I've heard from local friends that things were not as you suggest but I understand you're in a tough spot. I will also say that Ary has rubbed a lot of people the wrong way.

 

[thetrailboss]

Here's the WCAX video I've referred to:

http://www.wcax.com/story/23920473/building-a-new-kingdom-part-4

 

[from_the_NEK]

Well on another forum someone else posted a link to a MTB Google Group. Check out the "Kingdom Trails and Burke..." thread. https://groups.google.com/forum/#!forum/uvmba All I can say, if this is an actual unedited quote from Ary is HOLY SHIT.:-o

 

[DoublePlanker]

What a douchebag. QDoucheBag. QBag.

 

[whitemtn27]

Well on another forum someone else posted a link to a MTB Google Group. Check out the "Kingdom Trails and Burke..." thread. https://groups.google.com/forum/#!forum/uvmba All I can say, if this is an actual unedited quote from Ary is HOLY SHIT.:-o

^^^That can't be real, right? The attitude sounds about as expected, but a Yahoo email address?

 

[fbrissette]

Well on another forum someone else posted a link to a MTB Google Group. Check out the "Kingdom Trails and Burke..." thread. https://groups.google.com/forum/#!forum/uvmba All I can say, if this is an actual unedited quote from Ary is HOLY SHIT.:-o

If he really wrote that (and I have a hard time believing he did) he definitely needs to work on his PR skills (or lack thereof)

 

[thetrailboss]

Wow, really?!

 

[kingdom-tele]

I'll step in and take some slugs for Andrew (who is more than capable but out being capable, somewhere else, at the moment.)

First, with respect to KT, Burke is far from taking its lift and going home. Ary Jr felt that the contract didn't work but remains interested in working something out so that everything is connected come Spring. The media characterized the 'severing of ties' in a much more dramatic/hyperbolic way than what reality represents, but I completely understand it. Lots of this could have happened differently, should have been tended to with more touch and it wasn't. That's on all of us involved with this particular incident.

As to the Q before Burke, it is what it is. Whether or not I, nor anyone else without a last name that rhymes with Quiros, agrees with the strategy can certainly still be germane to the conversation-but it, in reality, doesn't matter. I can say that the family felt that adding the Q was positioning the resort differently, and wanted to as a result of year's of financial water-treading, and acted on that instinct. I don't have the year's of association to the brand that many do, but I still empathize with those that feel awfully weird about this; When Warren Haynes filled the Jerry role and they still called themselves the Dead, I felt icky too. Worse when Joan Osborne got involved. Even wrote them a letter. They ignored me.

Suffice to say, Andrew will continue to report back here from time to time, and you've all been kind enough to not expect parted waters from him. We are hopeful things can improve. If that's all we have to go on at this point, at least for us, it has to be enough.

Regardless, I hope all of you have a good holiday and we have better things to talk about in 2014.

Steve

feels great huh.

the biggest problem I see, the guy goes on air stating how he will communicate and convince everyone they are making sound choices. A new owner, a lofty development plan that is contingent on people that don't live here, and a guy who doesn't seem to be living up to his word. Make a decision, but communicate. The ego fluffing will sink the ship with the local people, you know that Steve, if there is one thing we do better than rallying to help one another its hold a grudge.

sad to see, so many options, so many things could be done to get burke and its uniqueness into the public.

 

[SnowRock]

If he really wrote that (and I have a hard time believing he did) he definitely needs to work on his PR skills (or lack thereof)

Ouch... As someone that works in PR/Communications I can say this type of thing happens way more than you might think and it sucks to be the guy that has to deal with it.

 

[thetrailboss]

Ouch... As someone that works in PR/Communications I can say this type of thing happens way more than you might think and it sucks to be the guy that has to deal with it.

Burke may be hiring soon....

 

[SnowRock]

Burke may be hiring soon....

Ha, well I do the work for a far more hated industry... so I could bring some relevant experience to the table.

 

[the original trailboss]

Thanks Steve for bringing a calm and sane response to the table here. I (and maybe more...) hope you continue to involve yourself to put "lots of things" back on the right track.

 

[Andrew]

Burke may be hiring soon....

Easy there, TB. As Steve mentioned, this is obviously a situation that required a softer touch than what was used, and we'll all take on some of that. That was obviously before this newest development, one in which we, admittedly, still need to do some digging into. I've been absent on this thread today because (as you can imagine), I've been otherwise occupied. Ultimately we'll all figure out what was said, or what was intended to be said, or however else you want to look at that. Statements will be made and conversations/arguments/discussions will be had. But in all of that, all I ask is that let's try not to lose sight of the fact that the end goal here is, and has always been, an amicable solution that is in the best interests of all involved. Have there been and will there continue to be disagreements? Yep, and if I were a betting man, I'd bet that there will be more. Will we get there? I honestly believe that we will. Will it be a bumpy road? Let's just say.... I'd probably keep that popcorn handy if I were you.

 

[thetrailboss]

Easy there, TB. As Steve mentioned, this is obviously a situation that required a softer touch than what was used, and we'll all take on some of that. That was obviously before this newest development, one in which we, admittedly, still need to do some digging into. I've been absent on this thread today because (as you can imagine), I've been otherwise occupied. Ultimately we'll all figure out what was said, or what was intended to be said, or however else you want to look at that. Statements will be made and conversations/arguments/discussions will be had. But in all of that, all I ask is that let's try not to lose sight of the fact that the end goal here is, and has always been, an amicable solution that is in the best interests of all involved. Have there been and will there continue to be disagreements? Yep, and if I were a betting man, I'd bet that there will be more. Will we get there? I honestly believe that we will. Will it be a bumpy road? Let's just say.... I'd probably keep that popcorn handy if I were you.

I will look forward to a response and hopefully a reconsideration of direction.

It also seems like you and Steve see this as some kind of misinterpretation or something that is unclear. I don't think that's fair. From the article, with your smiling boss, he was pretty clear as to what he said, meant, and did. Folks do make mistakes, but it did not seem like he made any mistake in his mind. And the only other comment I have is heaven forbid if that Email that FTN posted which recently surfaced is legit. If it is you have some serious problems on your hands.