Can you post copies of the contracts that your source received for this event? I'm a bit confused as to why the coordinator for the event is saying that it was lack of participation if it wasn't.
I love this! So Bill Mayer agreed to issue the license, and Mayor Claar agreed to officiate? this is funny as hell. Of course they caved to all the religious wacks in bolingbrook. What are they afraid of, the holy rollers not saying a prayer at the village address?
They are so busted. Why agree in the first place then change your mind once the bible thumpers start whining. I live in Bolingbrook, and don't care anything about the civil unions. If it makes money for the community go for it.
They tried to move the event to the Loft, but could not work out the financial aspects of the deal.
According to the anonymous sources, the last minute changes by the golf course/Village only gave them 6 wks to find a new location.
They believe they were too trusting and considered the relationship with the golf course/Village to be a social partnership, and very disappointed in how it turned out.
That's too bad. In essence, the village left the group no choice but to cancel. How many charitable events are held at the golf course with very little turn out? Plenty.
Personally, I believe the organizers, because if there's one thing you can always count on in Bolingbrook it's that Bill Mayer and Roger Claar will never give you the "straight" story.
Why dont Claar and Mayer forfiet the donations to their favorite charities like the criket club and h2o, and instead give the money to the Gay, Lesbian and Bisexual teens organization.
How soon will we see it on the agenda for the next meeting?
I am a Tea Party advocate and we do not hold the same view as those left wing Republicans or moderate republicans like Claar and Mayer on same sex marriages. I am not surprised that they cancelled it, I am sure Quiqley begged his master not to do it as it was against his beliefs and the teachings of the church. This would have generated a ton of revenue and great publicity for the Village and is another reason why we should not have a government funded golf club.
Sorry Rhonda, you're way off the accuracy scale on this one. If there were 600 people scheduled to attend, why were you not able to quote any? Also, is it the Township that can perform ceremonies or a county official? Did you actually post your unnamed source stating that the Mayor gave permission to keep the Township office open late? I know that Roger controls a lot of things, but does he really control the operating hours of the township office over Mayer? Did this really slip by you or are you being deceptive? Did you really converse on the Patch comments section today with Brian and then ignore his quoted source on the gay wedding event side, calling the Patch "soft news" but not naming a source from your 600 potential guests? I like your site when it fights the power, but your opinions are all over the place. Stick to the numbers, please.
To Anonymous: Re. accuracy of the article and implied deception.
One of the many duties of DuPage Township is to issue marriage licenses.
According to the "source", Mayor Claar was directly involved in approving the Township staying open til midnight. So yes, looks as if Claar had some say in it.
In regards to calling the BB Patch "soft press". It's a name we use to describe any press that's soft when it comes to confronting local government. [just being honest]
Brian Feldt did explain on the Patch that the Planners were the ones that cancelled the event, not the Village/GC. I pointed out that fact in the article. Although I consider it to be a forced cancellation. Basically, the Village left the group with no choice but to cancel.
One more point, I appreciate the "reliable sources" opening up to me and telling their side of the story. Otherwise, we would never know their struggle.
Just because I don't give up their names doesn't mean the story is false.
Rhonda, you say that they tried to move the event to Aloft but the website for the planner says differently. They had a completely different event scheduled there for June 1 but they- the party planners- cancelled that one as well.
I found the planner's website and you are correct. They had two different events scheduled. I also found some other articles and they say that the planner cancelled both of them.
You said to Paul that you stand by what you said so how do you explain that the website for Big Gay Weddings has had two events listed, one for the hotel and one for the golf club?
The planner canceled both of them so it wasn't a matter of not being able to reschedule at the hotel like you said.
Rhonda, My mistake for using the wrong name for the organization. It is Dream Gay Weddings.
However, they still had two different events scheduled in Bolingbrook. One was to be 6/1/11 at the aLoft hotel and the other was to be 6/2/11 at the golf course.
Dream Gay Wedding canceled both of them but you're saying that they tried to reschedule at the hotel and were unable to.
Did Cheryl Hooten show you copies of their contracts with the aLoft hotel and with the golf club?
I guess you can't explain why you were told that they tried to reschedule when they already had an event scheduled. That alone brings into question everything else that you were told. Did you verify any of your report by reviewing the facts of the contracts?
Hey Marie, what are you smokin? Rhonda published the facts, Cheryl Hooten publicly states that it's all true, and Brian Feldt from BB Patch issues an apology to Rhonda.
Give it up and go back to your day job promoting teaching creationism in schools or folding napkins at the golf club or donating taxpayer money to Bill Mayer's favorite charities at your job at the township - you lost this one.
Your big evidence that PROVES Rhonda story isn't true is that someone didn't update a website properly?
You talked to no one involved in the situation (like Rhonda did). You apparently know none of the parties involved or have any first hand information of the incident in question but you know Rhonda is wrong.
The Patch is hot on this story. They've updated the story and have included a copy of the email sent by Ms. Hooten requesting to cancel the party. Looks like no one was going to come to the party and the people of Bolingbrook would have been left holding the bag.
It saddens me to inform you that there has been a recent push by the GLBT community to look upon Civil Unions as discrimination and not something worthy celebration; until full marriage equality is achieved in Illinois I do not expect this perception to change. This new and unforeseen turn of events since we began working on this event in March coupled with the current depressed economic condition has dealt a crippling blow to what was expected to be an overwhelming successful event. Therefore, due to a lack of interested participants, I would ask that you please consider this formal and written notice that I am canceling the gay wedding event I had scheduled for 6/2/11 at your facility.
I sincerely appreciate all the efforts made by your staff regarding this event; their efforts will be always be remembered."
Numbers don't lie. Either they had enough for it to be profitable or they didn't. Seems to me that since the numbers people aren't posting the numbers, they didn't have enough.
I read the email from Cheryl Hooten. The cancellation was due to lack of participation and not some wild conspiracy that you've made it out to be.
Your website used to be about numbers but this article is not. Go back to your background in accounting and see if there was money to be made or not.
I can assure you that if this went off at a cost to the taxpayers, this site and the other watchdogs would have been yelling about how the money was wasted!
I like the sound of "Big Gay Weddings" over Dream Gay Weddings, don't any of you's? Makes me think of Charles Nelson Riley, & Liberacci,or Rock Hudson!
To all concerned...you too Marie, don't want to leave you out. They all screwed up. They could've had the Less expensive package if offered by the Bolingbrook Park District. They all could have gathered at the "Newly Recognized Jim Boan Memorial Pavillion" located at the end of Trout Farm road just off Boughton Rd. I Know Jim would be Honored to have such a Galla Gay Festivity in a pavillion that was dedicated to almost all his achievements. The Park District could've offered shuttle butting...oops I meant bussing to the Golf Club for cash bar drinking. The Guests could have played "lets fill every seat in the house(including Rogers)for a few hours of drinking and flirting" then STIFF the Bartenders and waitresses. Then the buss could take them a 1/2 mile away to the Americanna Estates where there would be private tents and cotts available on all the empty lots. Ahhh, imagine a Bugle photographer/reporter following them during the festivities!
Nice idea. Do you think Roger Claar and Bill Mayer would come out for it? Personally, I think if anything could get Roger and Bill to come out it would be something like this.
Rhonda~you're wrong on this one. Ms Hooten herself said in her email that there wasn't support for this event.
I do have to give you credit for allowing comments to be made here without being approved by you first. That is something that the other watchdogs are too chicken to do!
Since Honorable Claar likes money so much, he can charge extra to officiate every gay wedding at the golf course or jim boan gazebo. Package deal would include a picture with Honorable Claar and a nite on the town at The Nest, and cap off the evening in the empty lots at Americana Estates. Little money for the Village, but more money in Claar's pocket.
If the Bolingbrook Golf Course requires a $18,000 down payment from every organizer planning an event there, it's no wonder that place continues to lose money year after year.
If they don't require an $18,000 down payment from other organizers than it's a clear that they were persuaded to change their minds and were trying to find ways to make the organizer take the event someplace else.
It seems the organizer has shown a lot more class than BGC or our village and township officials have.
Rhonda, If you stuck to crunching numbers you would have realized that it's a good thing it was canceled. Why on earth would you want the golf club to order food/drink and staff an event without a deposit so that when no one showed up, the people of Bolingbrook would be left paying the bill?
I think that Cheryl Hooten is embarrassed that she couldn't get anyone to pay her outrageous fees and is trying to pass the blame.
Can you post copies of the contracts that your source received for this event? I'm a bit confused as to why the coordinator for the event is saying that it was lack of participation if it wasn't.
ReplyDeleteI love this! So Bill Mayer agreed to issue the license, and Mayor Claar agreed to officiate? this is funny as hell. Of course they caved to all the religious wacks in bolingbrook. What are they afraid of, the holy rollers not saying a prayer at the village address?
ReplyDeleteThey are so busted. Why agree in the first place then change your mind once the bible thumpers start whining. I live in Bolingbrook, and don't care anything about the civil unions. If it makes money for the community go for it.
ReplyDeleteMacho Bill was willing to work all nite to process gay marriage licenses? Hmmmmmm
ReplyDeleteI thought they were having this event at the Loft.
ReplyDeleteThey tried to move the event to the Loft, but could not work out the financial aspects of the deal.
ReplyDeleteAccording to the anonymous sources, the last minute changes by the golf course/Village only gave them 6 wks to find a new location.
They believe they were too trusting and considered the relationship with the golf course/Village to be a social partnership, and very disappointed in how it turned out.
That's too bad. In essence, the village left the group no choice but to cancel. How many charitable events are held at the golf course with very little turn out? Plenty.
ReplyDeleteClaar is stuck in the dark ages.
Personally, I believe the organizers, because if there's one thing you can always count on in Bolingbrook it's that Bill Mayer and Roger Claar will never give you the "straight" story.
ReplyDeleteno doubt. the organizers were taken advantage of.
ReplyDeleteWhy dont Claar and Mayer forfiet the donations to their favorite charities like the criket club and h2o, and instead give the money to the Gay, Lesbian and Bisexual teens organization.
ReplyDeleteHow soon will we see it on the agenda for the next meeting?
very funny.
ReplyDeleteI am a Tea Party advocate and we do not hold the same view as those left wing Republicans or moderate republicans like Claar and Mayer on same sex marriages. I am not surprised that they cancelled it, I am sure Quiqley begged his master not to do it as it was against his beliefs and the teachings of the church. This would have generated a ton of revenue and great publicity for the Village and is another reason why we should not have a government funded golf club.
ReplyDeleteSorry Rhonda, you're way off the accuracy scale on this one. If there were 600 people scheduled to attend, why were you not able to quote any? Also, is it the Township that can perform ceremonies or a county official? Did you actually post your unnamed source stating that the Mayor gave permission to keep the Township office open late? I know that Roger controls a lot of things, but does he really control the operating hours of the township office over Mayer? Did this really slip by you or are you being deceptive? Did you really converse on the Patch comments section today with Brian and then ignore his quoted source on the gay wedding event side, calling the Patch "soft news" but not naming a source from your 600 potential guests? I like your site when it fights the power, but your opinions are all over the place. Stick to the numbers, please.
ReplyDeleteTo Anonymous: Re. accuracy of the article and implied deception.
ReplyDeleteOne of the many duties of DuPage Township is to issue marriage licenses.
According to the "source", Mayor Claar was directly involved in approving the Township staying open til midnight. So yes, looks as if Claar had some say in it.
In regards to calling the BB Patch "soft press". It's a name we use to describe any press that's soft when it comes to confronting local government. [just being honest]
Brian Feldt did explain on the Patch that the Planners were the ones that cancelled the event, not the Village/GC. I pointed out that fact in the article. Although I consider it to be a forced cancellation. Basically, the Village left the group with no choice but to cancel.
One more point, I appreciate the "reliable sources" opening up to me and telling their side of the story. Otherwise, we would never know their struggle.
Just because I don't give up their names doesn't mean the story is false.
There's no deception here.
Also note, the planners wanted to move the event to Aloft, but could not work out the financial detail.
ReplyDeleteThey are so upset, and wish that they listened to others and chose another community.
Too bad the old Boughton Inn Bar at Boughton and Rte 53 was closed down,....they could've had it there....& I mean HAD IT( if ya know what I mean!)
ReplyDeleteRhonda, you say that they tried to move the event to Aloft but the website for the planner says differently. They had a completely different event scheduled there for June 1 but they- the party planners- cancelled that one as well.
ReplyDeletePaul,
ReplyDeleteI found the planner's website and you are correct. They had two different events scheduled. I also found some other articles and they say that the planner cancelled both of them.
Marie
Paul, I stand by the article 100%. Take it for what it is, or not. Your choice.
ReplyDeleteIf it makes you feel better to consider the article all fiction, go right ahead. It's your right.
Rhonda,
ReplyDeleteYou said to Paul that you stand by what you said so how do you explain that the website for Big Gay Weddings has had two events listed, one for the hotel and one for the golf club?
The planner canceled both of them so it wasn't a matter of not being able to reschedule at the hotel like you said.
ATTENTION ALL:
ReplyDeleteI have posted the actual source on the site. The name, direct quote, and contact information also provided.
Marie: The correct name of the organization is DREAM GAY WEDDING.
NOW THAT THE SOURCE HAS BEEN POSTED, AND THE INFORMATION IS PROVEN ACCURATE, PLEASE STOP THE NAME CALLING. I DON'T PUBLISH FICTION.
Good job, Rhonda. Yes. Check mate.
ReplyDeleteRhonda,
ReplyDeleteMy mistake for using the wrong name for the organization. It is Dream Gay Weddings.
However, they still had two different events scheduled in Bolingbrook. One was to be 6/1/11 at the aLoft hotel and the other was to be 6/2/11 at the golf course.
Dream Gay Wedding canceled both of them but you're saying that they tried to reschedule at the hotel and were unable to.
Did Cheryl Hooten show you copies of their contracts with the aLoft hotel and with the golf club?
Marie: Let it go. The article stand as is. If you have any specific questions, feel free to contact Cheryl directly. She's really nice.
ReplyDeleteRhonda,
ReplyDeleteI guess you can't explain why you were told that they tried to reschedule when they already had an event scheduled. That alone brings into question everything else that you were told. Did you verify any of your report by reviewing the facts of the contracts?
Hey Marie, what are you smokin? Rhonda published the facts, Cheryl Hooten publicly states that it's all true, and Brian Feldt from BB Patch issues an apology to Rhonda.
ReplyDeleteWhat more do you want?
Get over it!
Maybe she needs Claar to spell it out for her.
ReplyDeleteThis is good stuff.
Marie--
ReplyDeleteGive it up and go back to your day job promoting teaching creationism in schools or folding napkins at the golf club or donating taxpayer money to Bill Mayer's favorite charities at your job at the township - you lost this one.
Wow, Marie--
ReplyDeleteYour big evidence that PROVES Rhonda story isn't true is that someone didn't update a website properly?
You talked to no one involved in the situation (like Rhonda did). You apparently know none of the parties involved or have any first hand information of the incident in question but you know Rhonda is wrong.
Woodward and Bernstein would be so proud.
Let's remember. We have only heard one side of the story. The truth is usually somewhere in the middle between the two sides.
ReplyDeleteRhonda, could you please show us the documents that you reviewed so that the residents of Bolingbrook can draw their own conclusion?
To Anonymous: Re. Documents reviewed.
ReplyDeleteI've stated several times that the article will stand on it's own. Case closed.
Now that the source has been identified, and her contact information is clearly stated on the Home page, why don't you contact her yourself.
There's no ambiguity here. If you want more answers go directly to the source.
My job is done.
The job of a reporter is to verify facts.
ReplyDeleteNo facts, no news.
Good. Take your ass to BB patch. You can get good news there. Although it will be a few days late.
ReplyDeleteThe Patch is hot on this story. They've updated the story and have included a copy of the email sent by Ms. Hooten requesting to cancel the party. Looks like no one was going to come to the party and the people of Bolingbrook would have been left holding the bag.
ReplyDeleteYou guys should be happy the BGC asked for a deposit. The taxpayers of Bolingbrook shouldn't be paying for a party that no one wanted to come to.
ReplyDeleteRead The Patch for the truth.
ReplyDelete"To whom it may concern:
It saddens me to inform you that there has been a recent push by the GLBT community to look upon Civil Unions as discrimination and not something worthy celebration; until full marriage equality is achieved in Illinois I do not expect this perception to change. This new and unforeseen turn of events since we began working on this event in March coupled with the current depressed economic condition has dealt a crippling blow to what was expected to be an overwhelming successful event. Therefore, due to a lack of interested participants, I would ask that you please consider this formal and written notice that I am canceling the gay wedding event I had scheduled for 6/2/11 at your facility.
I sincerely appreciate all the efforts made by your staff regarding this event; their efforts will be always be remembered."
Have The Number Crunchers crunched the numbers yet?
ReplyDeleteHigh numbers in attendance would be a profit for Bolingbrook. Low numbers would end up costing Bolingbrook.
Cold hard facts are hard to argue with.
sounds like Claar is trying to control the debate. Not goin to happen here. No matter how many "puff" articles Brian does.
ReplyDeleteLike Ms.Rhonda said, if it makes you feel better to believe that all of the information is false, go right on ahead. It's your right.
We will continue to follow and support The Number Crunchers.
Hey Claar Goons, stop trying to force your bullshit agenda on to others. We don't care what you post. Move on losers.
ReplyDeleteNumbers don't lie. Either they had enough for it to be profitable or they didn't. Seems to me that since the numbers people aren't posting the numbers, they didn't have enough.
ReplyDeleteseems to me your lost. Go chat with Brian Feldt at the Patch. He's the official voice for "the government". I trust rhonda.
ReplyDelete"It's our belief that numbers don't lie, people do. If you want to get to the truth, look at the numbers."
ReplyDeleteand if government wants to blur the issue have the government control blog like the BB Patch skew the issue.
ReplyDeleteWe all know Claar feared political backlash from the holy rollers if he jumped on a state-wide celebration of same-sex unions.
This is all damage control. We can see right thru it.
I read the email from Cheryl Hooten. The cancellation was due to lack of participation and not some wild conspiracy that you've made it out to be.
ReplyDeleteYour website used to be about numbers but this article is not. Go back to your background in accounting and see if there was money to be made or not.
I can assure you that if this went off at a cost to the taxpayers, this site and the other watchdogs would have been yelling about how the money was wasted!
Good. So you can read.
ReplyDeleteHow much is Claar paying you to troll the sites pushing his propaganda?
you can push and push, but nothing you say will convince me otherwise.
now you seem creepy. move on, freak.
Hello All!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the great comments.
Please continue to visit the site and participate in the debates.
Every voice counts!
Rhonda Reed-Slaughter
I like the sound of "Big Gay Weddings" over Dream Gay Weddings, don't any of you's? Makes me think of Charles Nelson Riley, & Liberacci,or Rock Hudson!
ReplyDeleteTo all concerned...you too Marie, don't want to leave you out. They all screwed up. They could've had the Less expensive package if offered by the Bolingbrook Park District. They all could have gathered at the "Newly Recognized Jim Boan Memorial Pavillion" located at the end of Trout Farm road just off Boughton Rd. I Know Jim would be Honored to have such a Galla Gay Festivity in a pavillion that was dedicated to almost all his achievements. The Park District could've offered shuttle butting...oops I meant bussing to the Golf Club for cash bar drinking. The Guests could have played "lets fill every seat in the house(including Rogers)for a few hours of drinking and flirting" then STIFF the Bartenders and waitresses. Then the buss could take them a 1/2 mile away to the Americanna Estates where there would be private tents and cotts available on all the empty lots. Ahhh, imagine a Bugle photographer/reporter following them during the festivities!
Belly Laf, I can't stop laughing. I am sending this to my girls.
ReplyDeletedon't forget Brian Feldt. He can take group pictures for the patch.
ReplyDeleteBelly Laff --
ReplyDeleteNice idea. Do you think Roger Claar and Bill Mayer would come out for it?
Personally, I think if anything could get Roger and Bill to come out it would be something like this.
Rhonda~you're wrong on this one. Ms Hooten herself said in her email that there wasn't support for this event.
ReplyDeleteI do have to give you credit for allowing comments to be made here without being approved by you first. That is something that the other watchdogs are too chicken to do!
Since Honorable Claar likes money so much, he can charge extra to officiate every gay wedding at the golf course or jim boan gazebo. Package deal would include a picture with Honorable Claar and a nite on the town at The Nest, and cap off the evening in the empty lots at Americana Estates. Little money for the Village, but more money in Claar's pocket.
ReplyDeleteWow, glad I didn't vote for Rhonda Reed-Slaughter now. She's crazy!
ReplyDeleteI will vote for Rhonda every time I see her name on the ballot.
ReplyDeleteKeep up the good work, gorgeous.
If the Bolingbrook Golf Course requires a $18,000 down payment from every organizer planning an event there, it's no wonder that place continues to lose money year after year.
ReplyDeleteIf they don't require an $18,000 down payment from other organizers than it's a clear that they were persuaded to change their minds and were trying to find ways to make the organizer take the event someplace else.
It seems the organizer has shown a lot more class than BGC or our village and township officials have.
One day soon the real truth will come out.
ReplyDeleteRhonda,
ReplyDeleteIf you stuck to crunching numbers you would have realized that it's a good thing it was canceled. Why on earth would you want the golf club to order food/drink and staff an event without a deposit so that when no one showed up, the people of Bolingbrook would be left paying the bill?
I think that Cheryl Hooten is embarrassed that she couldn't get anyone to pay her outrageous fees and is trying to pass the blame.
I'm glad it was canceled!