...this thread had gone places I never imagined or intended. I’ve been debating whether or not to try to respond, but in the end, I felt I should.

First of all, Kristen, you are correct. You don’t know me; as far as I know, I have never met you. Jim, on the other hand, I’ve met several times, although I am not particularly surprised that he doesn’t rember me. It’s been years ago, we met, had some nice discusssions/conversations, not that much to remember. I’ve been to KRZ on several occasions. I think the first time was back in the late 80’s maybe. My brother was a teacher at Frenchburg and he told me about a “snake place” in Slade, so once when I was visiting him, I stopped in KRZ.

I think it was in the early 90’s that the company I worked for at the time had a contract to install cable television at Natural Bridge State Park (also in Slade, for those reading along and not familiar with the area). It was a pretty cool project. We had the National Guard bring in a helicopter to set the TV tower on the highest peak in the park. Does that ring a bell? Maybe not, but I thought possibly, since not that many helicopters are flying around Slade, except for the ones looking for pot fields on park property. Because I was in Slade on business anyway, I stopped in KRZ a few times. Again, nothing that memorable, I’m sure I was just another patron.

I think I met Jim on one other occasion in Lexington. It was a chance meeting. I think he was visiting Rob and Amy, and I stopped by (I’m pretty sure he will know who Rob and Amy are). I used to work in Lexington and spent way too much time at Jungle Pets and at Rob and Amy’s house. Again, not a show stopper, we just met, which in my orginal post was all I claimed. Jim and I have met and talked about snake related topics.

Most of your posts are not directed towards me, since I only had two points of discussion, so I will skip to those that apply to me, and let the rest go. Your point #1 validates my statement that Jim is, or has been, involved in the venomous trade. Thank you, validation of the truth is always appreciated.

Your next comments direct towards me are points 4 and 5. These also validate my observation that there is nothing on the KRZ website taking a position on the exotic ban/conflict. After reading your posts, now I reallize that the ommision is by design, and not oversight. I personnally find fault with the logic, but it’s not my business, its Jim’s.

As far as your question in point #9, I would not let my family relationship stop me from doing the right thing if I felt strongly about it. For example, I see on Tim’s website that he has been active in getting ridiculous ordinances past in cities like Dayton and Cleveland, including silly statements like boids greater than 3 feet are dangerous. To answer your question, I’d be at every one of those hearings with the biggest contingent of reputable herpers I could muster, fighting his position with all my might. It’s not that hard to do, love the person, hate the behavior, and fight the behavior. Well, people are different. Maybe Jim’s just not a fighter, or maybe he doesn’t feel that strongly about the issue, or maybe there’s something else. As I stated earlier, I don’t know Jim, I’ve only met him.

So, that’s it I guess. We understand each other. We basically disagree on some key points, and that’s OK. I’m sure we’re all good people; we just have some different opinions.

Mark
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uncommonboa.com

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