From

Location

Message

Date Posted

Washington State

Thanks to all the growers that gave us positive support when the GPC decided not to let us have a table at the Las Vegas event. Thank you also to KEN D for having this site so the growers have a positive way to learn from other growers about this great sport of Giant Pumpkin growing. Joel and I appreciate each and every one of you-Mari Lou

1/25/2012 10:22:40 AM

On top of Brush Mountain, Pa.

Last night I came on this site and was reading a long post started by Joel Holland. Today I cannot find it, only a thank you from Joel and Mari Lou for the support they received.If there is a real problem should it not be addressed or buried? I think that most of the people here are adult enough to be able to exposed to the thoughts of other growers. In short, is censorship really a good thing in the long run. Marv

1/25/2012 10:31:51 AM

Eastern Pennsylvania

I too am alarmed by the total disappearance of the original post. I did not find that it had been moved to the gpc or equipment for sale lists.

1/25/2012 12:51:40 PM

nOVA sCOTIA

Very alarmed.Wayyyy too quick to dismiss this one.

1/25/2012 1:05:06 PM

Spanish Ontario

they havent got the BALLS to stand up

1/25/2012 1:17:04 PM

Minnesota

Supplier grower is not aloud to sell stuff because he was told not to, now he is banned for selling at a convention. I support them both, there has got to be rules and regulations to follow. The grower supplier has done tons for the sport of growing giant pumpkins, supplying growers with supplys and know how to do so. Maybe instead of a president (think I got my facts straight) a counsel of three people, majority decides instead of a president on decisions, maybe a penalty or fine for not following regulations. Thank You Hollands Giants for the supplys and info on how to grow them.

1/25/2012 2:31:47 PM

virginia

lol at mudflap. Very true,,,greg

1/25/2012 6:02:49 PM

Annapolis Valley Nova Scotia

KenD is between a rock and a hard place when it comes to this one. No one should be blaming him for removing the original thread.

1/25/2012 6:03:30 PM

On top of Brush Mountain, Pa.

There is the rock and the hard place and then the rest of us? Why remove the things a lot of people would like to know about? Why not have an open discussion? Transparency would be nice. Why remove anything just because it might prove contoversial?

1/25/2012 8:18:33 PM

San Diego

There is obviously politics in the pumpkin community and the GPC and some pretty hurt feelings between people. I have had nothing but good experiences with the Hollands and odering their products. I have said this before on this site and I'll say it again. Pumpkin growing should be fun, plain and simple. This quest to grow the hobby and promote the sport is great, but not at the cost of what I am seeing. Let's get back to working together for enjoyment and the sheer fun of helping others enjoy this sport. Jim

1/25/2012 8:53:09 PM

Team Munson

This is a personal invitatation to all posting on this thread & the threads that were deleted:

http://www.bigpumpkins.com/msgboard/ViewThread.asp?b=15&p=425198

I will be standing there infront of all attendee's answering any question not hiding behind a computer key board.

1/26/2012 8:30:21 AM

Washington State

That is all well and good Dave, but since the GPC wrote us and told us they will not discuss your decision with us, unless we har from you, our options are limited, and I have no choice but sit at my computer. Here is the last paragraph from your letter to us:
The GPC will not discuss this topic any further with you & ask that if by some chance in the future we would consider you as a vendor we will contact you.

Thank you for considering the GPC,
The GPC Executive Committee

1/26/2012 10:21:24 AM

Mill Bay, British Columbia

Thanks for clarifying and providing that statement (link above) and information regarding the opportunity to speak in Vegas.

For the rest that seem to want to sling mud, please be reminded that being a 'volunteer' in a non profit organisation and running a 'for profit' business are two very differant situations. I applaud both groups, they both take considerable time and effort.

1/26/2012 1:13:44 PM

Knopp, Germany

No one is questioning that the gpc or Joels intents are good. No one is questioning that the rules the gpc represents are good or Joels products are good.

bigpumpkins.com used to be a great place to visit (behind my keyboard) without the gpc's or Joels influence.

now i can only guess, since i will not be in vegas, that this website has turned into a puppet, the reason i say that is that i have never seen the gpc censored.

Ken, my hat off to you for turning your job (information technoloigy) into a website where your job and hobby could also be addressed.

i do not believe for a minute that you ever meant for one committee to have so much influence.

So, as much as I believe that the GPC has done a lot to promote OUR hobby (not a GPC hobby) I would rather have this wbsite without the GPC then with it.

1/26/2012 1:41:35 PM

Connecticut, USA

Owen, the GPC does not tell me what to do. In fact, I am pretty sure I am a big headache for Dave and Andy every weigh-off season.

The GPC did not tell me to remove the posts. I removed them because they were getting personal and bringing down the community. If you want to hear what the GPC has to say I would suggest you read the thread of who is going to Vegas and get them to take your questions with them. Perhaps the GPC would take questions via email to be answered at the conference? Ask them.

1/26/2012 3:43:18 PM

[email protected]

The GPC would much rather favor having the Questions asked in person. This way the question and or answer would not be taken out of context and should our answer lead to another question, it can be dealt with immediately.

It is my understanding the Hollands have now registered for the Vegas Conference, thank you and welcome.

1/26/2012 4:46:37 PM

canal winchester ohio

as someone that has had to have threads removed by Ken in the past for things I've said I can honestly say it's normally when it gets personal. I figured when it went to a he said/she said about something Jim did or didn't say it was going to be removed.

1/26/2012 4:57:22 PM

Woodburn, Indiana

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1/26/2012 6:42:20 PM

Somers, CT

tKen's non-profit operation is top shelf. If he decides to remove a post it is for a good reason including the post or replies are going to pose more harm than good to the community which he serves. He is a great friend and would and has given away the farm for me, you and the rest of the community. I like the Hollands and the GPC Maybe everyone is correct and should compromise. Life is short, so is the season.

1/26/2012 10:04:39 PM

Littleton, Colo

....Mayhem iz everywhere.....

1/26/2012 10:13:15 PM

Washington State

Joel and I will be in Las Vegas, as it was always our intention. I look forward to the meeting on Sunday and I hope the GPC board can and will explain how and why they make the decisions that they do that involve all the growers they represent. Such as elections,(are the growers able to be a part of this) sponsorships and contracts with the companies involved and what is expected and promised with the contracts. Are there minutes taken at the Board meetings and are those available to the growers, and many more questions and concerns for all of you out there.
We appreciate Ken D. with all he does for the growers, and certainly is within his rights to take control and do whatever he feels he needs to do control this site.
Thank you, Mari Lou

1/26/2012 10:45:16 PM

Boise City, Oklahoma, USA

I do hope and ask, after the convention, if someone makes a transcript of the Sunday meeting and makes it available somewhere, so that all members can refer to it if they wish to. I will be one that is not able to attend and am interested in that meeting. Just a suggestion, and thank you in advance.

1/28/2012 12:03:51 AM

Lexington, Ky

http://www.bigpumpkins.com/msgboard/ViewThread.asp?b=15&p=425198

And this post isn't personal?! Even though the person with the axe to grind wasn't mentioned by name, anyone with any sense knows exactly who's being referred to......

1/28/2012 9:07:09 AM

Lexington, Ky

For what's it's worth, I don't think I've ever seen a post removed from the Watermelon Forum! It has been overly ugly in there. I can see where some might think the GPC may have influenced thread removal.

1/28/2012 9:09:43 AM

canal winchester ohio

two possibilities 1320, either no one pointed out to ken what your refering two or Ken doesn't read the watermelon forum

1/28/2012 10:15:29 AM

Rhode Island

why? do people actually grow watermelons?

1/28/2012 3:23:47 PM

Rhode Island

lol just kidding ---dont want to get anyones feathers ruffled.

1/28/2012 3:24:42 PM

Connecticut, USA

If someone does not like which threads I decide to remove and which ones I don't they can email me directly and discuss it.

1/28/2012 4:14:30 PM