Editor:
Hopefully someone from Child Protective Services read the news reports about the start of the Kinetic Grand Championship Race and launches an investigation into the actions of Alice and Al Krause, the “parents” who tried to force their children’s entry into the race (“Know Your 2011 Kinetic Sculptures!” June 2). From the news reports, it appears that the entry of their minor children was more about the Krauses’ stubbornness than about the children, the race, or its rules.
According to sources I’ve spoken with, the Krauses had been told months ago that their minor children could not formally compete in the race due to liability issues. In case anyone isn’t aware, the race’s volunteer organizers must negotiate with a series of governmental entities whose permission must be granted for the race to take place: the Cities of Arcata, Eureka and Ferndale, plus Caltrans, the Highway Patrol, and the Harbor District. The race takes place in jurisdictions controlled by each of these government agencies and liability is correctly a major concern to them. It is true that, in the past, race organizers looked the other way when minors participated. Those days, however, are long gone. This race is covered by national media and issues such as liability cannot simply be ignored.
The Krauses knew this, yet insisted on forcing their children’s entry. From the news reports, it also seemed like these “parents” were attempting to incite a riot on the Arcata Plaza at the start of the race when the race organizers refused to allow them to enter. Shame on them. Hopefully Child Protective Services will look closely at this family and explain to the parents what a poor example they are to others as well as their children.
John Graves, Arcata
This article appears in Robert’s Vow.
Hi John-Call me if you would like to be educated correctly on this .I am in the phone book.
This actually made me laugh out loud. Thanks for the morning amusement, John.
I think you should call Dave. You clearly have no idea what you are talking about.
The Kinetic Race gets it’s insurance from here:
“Francis L. Dean & Associates is a national general underwriting facility specializing in sports and student related risks.” (Home Page}
See: http://fdeanca.com/about.asp
Age of insured is NOT the problem here. We would welcome a visit from CPS, or even you John. Let’s see who the bad guys really are in this issue.
While Kinetic Universe was dragging their feet in signing a contract with Justin Hobart Brown I was asked to begin getting “back up” permits for the Race. I started May 2, I was usually calling before KU did. I was very diligent in asking if there were age requirements for the event. THERE ARE NONE. The answer was always, “as long as we are listed as additionally insured on the policy we don’t care about age of the participants”
This decision to enforce a rule created by former Kinetic Universe member Elin Beltz, {remember her? See Hobart’s Children: http://www.northcoastjournal.com/news/2009/01/22/hobarts-children/} was paybacks to Al and I using our girls as pawns.
Al and I sat with Justin during mediation for 5 hours across the table from Monica Topping, Katy Texas-Ward, Suzanne Ross-Kohl and later when a quorum was needed, Laura Granedos. After 2 hours they finally agreed to start looking over the contract, by hour 4, the final version spelled out a few changes including I should not call any of the permitting agencies or sponsors. Justin agreed to leave the rules as they were because they said all the printing had been done. They would not acknowledge Justin’s ownership of the Rutabaga Queen contest saving it to discuss later. With these concessions by both sides and the understanding that the age rule would not be in the rules next year the contract was to expire June 15, 2011 and we were to meet again for new negotiations June 30.
The payment of 19.69 and 4 t-shirts has not been paid. The Humboldt Kinetic Association, The Hobart Brown Trust, and Justin Hobart Brown never received additionally insured certificates promised. Looks like the contract wasn’t valid.
The Tiger and Amazons entry was already registered, on all the timing and judging sheets, and approved the night before by race registrar Jenette Kane. We did not force ourselves into the race, we had already been admitted.
Maybe you should have been on the plaza John, you would have seen 2 young women eloquently calling to the crowd to support their cause, the crowd reaction was positive and loud. How embarrassing for KU.
Throughout the race spectators and racers came forward to us and the girls voicing their support of the team and disgust at the treatment they were receiving. The comments were all positive and greatly appreciated. Tess and Sara and the whole team worked months and trained hard to come to the race. They will be back next year and are already planning their art theme.
This is so completely ridiculous; I’m surprised it was published. You’re surmising that parents trying to allow their children to participate in the Kinetic Sculpture Race, a family tradition that they’ve been a part of for their entire lives, is somehow abuse which would warrant an investigation by Child Protective Services (who have nothing better to do, of course). Considering the activities of many Humboldt teens (binge drinking, drugs, etc.), the community should support their participation in a race which is healthy for both their minds and their bodies.
C.P.S. ?!?! Really John Graves? ANYONE can call C.P.S. on ANYONE with kids. I have the funny feeling that C.P.S. would laugh along with all of us when they showed up to do a routine check on the Krause house. Probably the most wonderful youth environment I have ever seen, and that includes Parents Al and Alice. I am also having a funny feeling that you don’t have kids of your own (or living with you) or you would know just how serious it is to suggest such things without actually having knowledge and/or proof to back your position up. especially in the press my friend!
wow, rock on John Graves!
sincerely jhb
?”Liability” is not a valid reason to exclude individuals from an activity. City governments and many other organizations continue to sponsor activities for children and purchase the necessary insurance coverage. I am proud that the Krause family has refused to accept this lame policy and is standing up to the authorities to bring attention to this injustice. Try to prevent minors from using Arcata’s ball fields and see what happens.
“?Liability is not a valid reason to exclude individuals from an activity”?
I haven’t consulted an attorney, but yes, I think it is.
A paper published letter to the editor re: blog drama…excludes readers, strays from tangible press…etc.
John’s vicious letter is hilarious, especially coming from a man of such questionable morals, ethics and character (informed by an incident of an employee getting fired at The Works). Hey John, somehow you forgot the disclaimer that your sole-proprietor company produced the race promo for the Queens. A little worried that they will lose the race contract and you’ll lose one of your few clients? Graves obviously has no clue about the Krauses or the race, its rules, and this year’s controversy.
And I am sorely disappointed in the Journal, not for publishing this trite letter, but for awarding him the Letter of the Week. How about a disclaimer from The Journal listing the ads, if any, that John’s company (J.Garland Advertising) runs in its publication.
Hey, NCJ. Shouldn’t that be an apostrophe at the beginning of “’em,” not a single open quote? Bad punctuation seen constantly because the computer does it wrong automatically (its generalized rules don’t work correctly in this instance).
I did notice that you got it right in print. Good job Judy and Holly!
I am surprised with Krause’s comment here on this, because my understanding is that when parties enter mediation, it is agreed that discussions and agreements remain confidential.
Confidentiality of the mediation was not part of the agreement, it was discussed but was decided it wasn’t necessary.
I google Kinetic Race, and end up here? Wow, these comments sure show how well managed this is going to be under these people.
Nitpicking on the internet about spelling sure tells us some personalities, is it a bit ego in here?
Isn’t the race supposed to be about participation, without anyone getting hurt? Both physically, mentally or otherwise? It would seem that there’s some deep seated issues here, politically unrelated to the Race itself.
If times changed for children to no longer be allowed to safely go unto the rigs, then so be it, they’ll just have to wait eagerly to grow up, right?
Why is there so much focus and pressure for these kids to set records?