Friday, April 24, 2009

From Ray Gronso


10282229723, originally uploaded by bucklesw1.

Dear Stephanie Nelson,

I am writing in reference to your shows statement: "With the reality of rampant animal abuse and cruelty in the circus world, we are dedicated to preserving the welfare of these beautiful creatures."

Shame on you for such an irresponsible and dishonest statement. I will make sure your statement goes out to all circus performers and circus fans I can reach and ask them to distance themselves from your show for your inaccurate and slanderous fraud.

Ray Gronso

Past President Circus Fans of America

Posted by Buckles at 4/24/2009 06:29:00 AM

11 comments:

Jimmy Cole said...

This is on their web site:

"The Great American Royal Circus will be launching its inaugural year in 2009. We look forward to meeting you, your family, and friends while fighting hunger in your community. Bring a can of food to the circus and get in for FREE.

Please check back soon for show times, dates, and locations."

For those who do attend this "Animal Free" circus...if it ever makes it...be sure to bring along a can of food that has MEAT products in it. See if they accept it at the gate! Wonder if they will be serving hot dogs at the concession stand?

Jimmy Cole

24 April, 2009 07:17
J.C. Hall said...

Me "Smells an Alibi"

24 April, 2009 11:40
Anonymous said...

HERE ARE ALL THE CONTACTS INVOLVED. INFO IS FROM THEIR WEB SITE


Carolyn Dickey Chairman -
Board of Directors CDickey@freecircus.org

Patrick McManaman Treasurer - Board of Directors PMcmanaman@freecircus.org

Thomas Hand
Chief Exec. Officer THand@nonprofitcircus.com

Sara Christiani
Director of Development Development@freecircus.org

Stephanie Nelson
Director of Sponsorship and Marketing Stephanie@nonprofitcircus.com

Jared Zeller Sponsorship Associate JZeller@nonprofitcircus.com

Clifford Ruffin
Sponsorship Associate CRuffin@nonprofitcircus.com

Jonathan Givens
Technical Director JGivens@nonprofitcircus.com

24 April, 2009 14:35
Logan Jacot said...

I highly doubt that the show will ever go out. They have been having their "inagural" year for the last 3 or so years. I can't say I'd be upset if they never went out.

24 April, 2009 14:41
Anonymous said...

yes this show is Run by Thomas Hand who's father was......?

24 April, 2009 14:56
Anonymous said...

Thank you Ray! This is pathetic.
We will do all that we can for our part.
A couple of Fans

PS We assume, with hope, that Sara Christiani is NOT a true Cristiani as she spells her name differently.

24 April, 2009 16:17
Little John said...

Hooray, I have found an opportunity to quote myself: “People come to the Circus to see the Elephants and y’all gave us a place to make a living showing off.” lj

24 April, 2009 17:54
Anonymous said...

these shows have stolen the great name of CIRCUS from the Great Animal Circuses of the World.

Robert Perry
Australia

24 April, 2009 19:29
Anonymous said...

Is Thomas hand related to Jim Hand the showpainer of FL?

24 April, 2009 20:20
Jim Zajicek said...

Yes this is Jim Hands son...Jim told me about this and was very concerned and he also said "It will never Fly" ...

24 April, 2009 22:27
Dick Flint said...

As a non-profit, their most recent (2007) tax return is publicly available. From it, I've learned that they were organized in Nov 2006, primarily as a "museum." At three points in 2007, the Jacksonville-based group acquired 3 computers at a cost of just over $2700; the only other property they owned in 2007 was a cell phone and they rented no office. Their traveling show is to include a museum with “historical circus items…posters…antique props…from our President’s [Thomas hand] own private collection, donations [etc.] … and our budget for acquisitions is $40,000.”

Their total revenue for 2007 was $15,306 against expenses of $11,332. Only four people were associated with the operation as officers in 2007: Thomas and Carolyn Hand, both of the same Jacksonville address, and Patrick and Angela McManaman, both of the same St. Augustine, FL, address; none drew a salary in 2007 and only Thomas Hand stated he worked 40 hours per week with the other three working half that or less.
Dick Flint
Baltimore

26 April, 2009 14:28

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