do tell...

response i got from phil ray,,,


07ag,

Howdy! As you can see below, the University is working on it.

Thanks and Gig 'em! Phillip

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From: Office of the President
Subject: FW: Kyle Field Cannon Situation


Thank you for your email. The President is the ultimate decision maker on this matter. First and foremost the health and safety of the patrons who attend an Aggie football game are the most important factor in any decision such as the one made about the cannon. Environmental Health & Safety (EHS) has determined that the decibel levels from the cannon when fired inside the stadium are at an unsafe level. The University has worked to find locations outside the stadium that allow it to be fired and enjoyed by Aggie fans during the renovation of Kyle Field.

We will work with EHS, the Kyle Field Redevelopment Committee and the Corps of Cadets on possible future solutions for the cannon in our game experience, and we will always keep the safety of our fans as a top priority. Thanks again for your email and for your continued support of Texas A&M University.

Office of the President
Texas A&M University

Mark Hussey (or staff rather) sent that a week ago to different inquiry. It's a copy and paste, much like the copy and paste of the Commandant's post on TexAgs.

ok thanks,, i hadn't read through all 18 pages

I just meant that it's a canned response. It hasn't been posted on this thread, but it was drafted days ago.

quote:

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You'll get passed along to someone else next.

Phil Ray is more involved than he is admitting.

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This. Don't be surprised if Chris Meyer refers you to another office.

quote:

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quote:

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You'll get passed along to someone else next.

Phil Ray is more involved than he is admitting.

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This. Don't be surprised if Chris Meyer refers you to another office.

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The lack of accepting responsibility is more frustrating than the actual offense at this point.

Our kids have gone to school together from middle school to A&M...I did not know that Chris was involved in this issue. I need to get his reply before I can comment...knowing him, I can't think that he would work against the canon inside Kyle ~ but then again.

It just pisses me off that they're wanting to just put it outside the effing stadium.

PUT IT IN THE MUTHA****** STADIUM DAMMIT!!

EHS determined the decibel level would be too high if fired inside the stadium?

So, did they actually measure the decibels and fire it inside the stadium? or is this just an assumption - you know what they say about assumptions.

I still say build the Northwest tower to withstand WW3, put cannon on top of it, Fire it towards Austin. Done!

I got the same response from Mr. Ray. I sent this in email:

quote:

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Thank you for the quick response, but the reason I emailed you was because no one is working on it, it
seems. In fact, no decibel spec has been noted in any email, website, or
official comments on this issue. I don't suspect this spec even exists
because lightening and even our regular pre game fly overs would subject the
fans/stadium to an even higher decibel level. I also know for a fact that
testing with the cannon in the new stadium configuration for decibel levels
hasn't happened.

For some reason a disingenuous attempt to remove the cannon from our game and our traditions is happening and
everyone seems to be passing the buck. Will you help me find the
responsible person/committee? I'd like to offer comments in writing or at
the next meeting ASAP.

Thank you,

---

I would be curious to know the threshold that EHS has deemed "safe". In my industry, typically we cannot exceed 85 decibels. I don't know if that is the standard for pretty much everything or if it varies by situation, but the crowd noise alone is typically higher than 85 dB.

quote:

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Mark Hussey (or staff rather) sent that a week ago to different inquiry. It's a copy and paste, much like the copy and paste of the Commandant's post on TexAgs.

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So, that statement citing the Environmental guy was made before the Assistant to the Acting President stated she didn't know the source of the decision to cease using the cannon, anywhere, within Kyle Field. They clearly can not get their story straight, since she first claimed to me that the Commandant was responsible for the decision (which she later recanted when I told her she would be quoted here).

Then, Dave South states during the football broadcast that the cannon will be on he practice field for the next home game.

Now, the Real Estate guy is in the spotlight.

And, we have yet to hear from the very public face of the KFRC press conferences, John Sharp.

Such a litany of incompetence and malfeasance in delivering and managing an important public relations message is beyond the pale.

This onion is being peeled, and each layer is increasingly disappointing. Can our leaders be so ignorant to think they can obfuscate and delay this issue indefinitely? They have apparently missed their opportunity for meaningful dialogue, and are now in damage-control mode. Unless there is a sudden reversal of their behavior, this won't end well for them.

^^^^

Excellent post and I, unfortunately, agree.

So...it's no surprise that everything begins and ends with the president's office. The president's office has multiple advisers working this issue. No one will talk unofficially ~ meaning that they will work only through official channels and only when legally required.

This opens up with a FOIA request to the presidents office releasing documents and communications relating to the issue of the cannon in Kyle.

Still begs to question why a team (mostly) of former students, most with ties to the corps would push this agenda. It truly boggles the mind

Personally, I don't think it was necessarily an agenda to keep it out. It was more "Well, this is a luxury. And one that wasn't around when I was in school (lots of c/o 60s in leadership). It will be easier and no one will notice anyway."

Of course, they were wrong. And now that the sheet storm is in high gear, they are in 100% CYO mode.

Just my $0.02.

Alright, I would request these documents, but I am overseas and wouldn't be able to see them till December. However, if any of you are feeling adventurous, simply insert your name print and mail. I would love to hear the response.

quote:

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[Your Name]
[Street Address]
[City, ST ZIP Code]

[Date]

Dr. Mark A.Hussey
InterimPresident
1246TAMU
Texas A&MUniversity
College Station, TX 77843-1246

Dr. Hussey:

Under the Texas Public InformationAct, 6252-17a et seq.,I am requesting an opportunity to inspect or obtain copies of public records
that pertain to the Texas A&M's decision not to include the Spiritof '02 cannon as part of the Kyle Field redevelopment plan. The records should include any studies,
memos, policy letters, email traffic, and any other internal documents referring
to this decision. Key departments should
include but not be limited to the President's office, the Chancellor's office, the
Kyle Field Redevelopment Committee, the Commandant's office, and the Environmental
Health & Safety office.

If there are any fees for searching or copying these records, please inform me
if the cost will exceed $250. However, I would also like to request a
waiver of all fees in that the disclosure of the requested information is in
the public interest and will contribute significantly to the public's
understanding of this controversial issue. This information is not being sought for commercial purposes.

The Texas Public Information Actrequires that you "promptly produce" the requested records unless,
within 10 days, you have sought an Attorney General's Opinion. If you
expect a significant delay in responding to this request, please contact me
with information about when I might expect copies or the ability to inspect the
requested records.

If you deny any or all of thisrequest, please cite each specific exemption you feel justifies the refusal to
release the information and notify me of the appeal procedures available to me
under the law.

Thank you for considering my request.

Sincerely,

[Your Name]
[Your Phone number]

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How about building one of the concessions on the top of the towers strong enough to support the cannon? Pull the cannon up the ramps, lift the cannon to the roof of the concession using a lift concept similar to what AggieFactor suggested on page 10, and point the cannon out of stadium. Potentially no loss in seating or concessions.

quote:

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So...it's no surprise that everything begins and ends with the president's office. The president's office has multiple advisers working this issue. No one will talk unofficially ~ meaning that they will work only through official channels and only when legally required.

This opens up with a FOIA request to the presidents office releasing documents and communications relating to the issue of the cannon in Kyle.

Still begs to question why a team (mostly) of former students, most with ties to the corps would push this agenda. It truly boggles the mind

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I don't think you realize how many people in power esp in the system leadership have little to no tie to A&M.

A lot of folks in the administration at the university level had no idea until it was brought to their attention by us.

quote:

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I don't think you realize how many people in power esp in the system leadership have little to no tie to A&M.

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A lot of folks in the administration at the university level had no idea until it was brought to their attention by us.

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I'll be the first that I've been delusional about our school and leadership. I used to think our administration had nothing but our best interests in mind (used to chat with Dr Gates on the Quad occasionally and have a beer with LT GEN Weber at the Chicken) until I graduated and started seeing everything from the outside in. I just don't understand why our administration is going down this road. Call me ignorant, but I refuse to believe that this is solely based on money.

I was still a glass half full kind of guy...

Organization is the key ~ it starts with FOIA. I can't do it because my houshold income (not mine) is too close to the situation to be the tip of the sword. While I'm in the dark on the situation, the FOIA would probably be taken a few doors down for a WTF is your spouse doing...

In reading between the lines in a reply email last night ~ I really get the feeling that there is some ridiculous noise standard that is being used to draw this line in the sand and that some involved are having the data make the decision for them over their personal choice with no option to find a workable solution.

Some of these people bleed maroon, and have........for years.

I believe that the court of public opinion is still in our favor here in Texas, from a historical and second amendment (reaching on that one) perspective this has to be uncomfortable for some. As long as this stays on the net boards and not the press then their is no fuel for our fire. We should also be swamping the e,ails of KBTX etc. to see if they can press the admin for information.

A Cav Gold Kyle @ Ole Miss would be a good first public display of our opinion on the matter. The gold would show up on the national broadcast, it would be a talking point (maybe minimum) for the announcers who like to talk about our traditions, and it would be something that the system and administration could not overlook.

Some (administrators) may boast of powers bold, until they see their Aggies standing in gold...

The idea of making a statement with "Cav Gold Kyle @ Ole Miss" t-shirt is a good one in my opinion. Maroon literally gets lost in the crowd. I can imagine some on TexAgs arguing that wearing gold isn't different from wearing neon. But it's for a completely different purpose. "Look at me I'm special" =/= "Administration pay attention"

But has the t-shirt train already left the station? Is there anyone actually working on the Cav Gold Kyle idea right now? I'd buy that shirt.

The cannon would be no louder than the silly fireworks preceding the game or the toy cannon in the old Reliant. Bring it Back!!

I messages the guys who are making the shirts. I'll let you know when I hear back.

What is the shirt gonna say? "Put the Cannon back B**ch"

I'll just get a nice gold polo...or a Minion t-shirt from despicable me

spread the word!

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Can our leaders be so ignorant to think they can obfuscate and delay this issue indefinitely?

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That's pretty much what they did for Bonfire. Keep delaying the decision until all of the students on campus with experiences of the tradition are gone and then decide officially to get rid of it.

What is the significance of wearing gold to the game?

I'm not familiar with this tradition.

quote:

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What is the significance of wearing gold to the game?

I'm not familiar with this tradition.

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Cav wears the goldenrod yellow cords.

The shirt guys (Put It Back on FB) are looking into yellow shirts.

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Of course there's still opportunities for next year. What indication does anyone have that decision makers are not already planning on something?

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If there are "real" opportunities for next year, and if they are working on a solution, then someone needs to communicate that to the rest of us.

My point is this, should we sit around and just hope that they fix this problem? Or should we let them know that we really want it fixed while there is still time? There is nothing wrong with letting others know that you want the cannon to remain part of the Kyle Field experience.

The Pres is appointing a 12 member panel to find the next Rev. Who is working on the solution for the cannon?

her bark does not pose a noise hazard to our game day experience...