Zeke Gable and his company, Diversified Recyclers (formerly ReMine Recycling) is the authorized scrap metal removal contractor to NEAR-Fest. He and his crew are traditionally located right near the dumpster by the flag pole.
Last fall we received reports that another group was running around scavenging for scrap metal at the hamfest. Our long-standing agreement with Zeke gives his company an exclusive mandate to collect and remove scrap metals which means that no one else may do this at the hamfest. Apparently there are some people who do not understand the concept.
We identified the people and I attempted to advise them that no one other than our authorized contractor is permitted to solicit or collect scrap materials at NEAR-Fest. I was met by a barrage of obscenities and veiled threats. I terminated the call.
It seems these individuals are highly incensed and outraged that NEAR-Fest chooses to give these scrap materials to "non-hams" while they, a "ham family" are denied their "right" to take them.
Well, none of the Church Ladies or any of the other food contractors are licensed radio amateurs but this does not prevent them from serving up the best food at any hamfest anywhere. Our contract with the Fair Association contains a paragraph of conditions that detail qualifications and policies governing food vendors which we are obliged to follow.
It stands to reason that you don't need a ham license to collect and remove scrap metal either, In both cases what you do need is authorization which only NEAR-Fest management can grant. No one can just come in here and start performing services or selling food without our approval. Anyone who thinks that buying a $10.00 admission ticket gives them license to do whatever they want is sadly mistaken.
These fairgrounds are private property and NEAR-Fest is a private event. "Rights" are a limited commodity. We, the management team, contract with entities such as food sellers, a waste management company for garbage removal, chemical toilets, and other support services we need to run the NEAR-Fest, providing the comfort and amenities our valued attendees must have. It is our decision, and our decision alone, as to who performs these services and under what conditions. And no explanations or justifications are required either.
Zeke and his associates have been with us since NEAR-Fest One in May 2007. They perform a valuable and essential service at no cost to us. They have always been totally reliable and we are pleased to have them working with us. You should be glad they're here too because otherwise you would have to haul that junk home and dispose of it yourself at your expense. Besides recycling is good for the environment and it's the right thing to do.
Hopefully we have made ourselves totally clear on this point. We fully intend to continue supporting all our chosen contractor-partners by enforcing their exclusive mandates to provide the services they all do so well without any unauthorized competition.
73,
MisterMike, W1RC
