CAC - damage to a neighbour's lawn/sprinklers?

[Reijo]

The Town of Fort Macleod just called me and mentioned that supposedly someone from our group may have driven over a lawn and damaged some lawn sprinklers in the neighbourhood adjacent to the airport.

I have not heard anything from our group nor did I see anyone over on the other side driving around (presumably looking for the airport?).

I want to be able to confirm that the damage was done by someone from our group.

Does anyone know about this?

Thanks,

Reijo

[MurrayPeterson]

Sounds extremely unlikely -- our access is only via the front drive, and that doesn't go anywhere near the neighbourhood houses/lawns.

[k1l4m]

I do remember somebody (not part of our event) did come to the area where we pitted for the SoloPro school on a quad and rode back towards the houses.

[NickST]

Was this during nationals?

Did they get a description of the vehicle at least? How much damage?

Might be worth it to just offer up the cash if it isn't too much; not doing so might cast a shadow on our relationship even if it wasn't one of the people participating in the event.

[James@SpecR]

I do remember somebody (not part of our event) did come to the area where we pitted for the SoloPro school on a quad and rode back towards the houses.

I recall this as well.

[Midnightsky]

but that's totally our fault

[Canuck]

but that's totally our fault

I do recall this one and the Macan driving on the side of the apron, but no one on people's lawn.  Evidence or hearsay, I say.

[Terry Johns]

Keeping this lot is the real issue, so rather than trying to find out who did, lets apologize and pay. Like RIGHT NOW.

This isn't who did it its about us keeping people sweet.

[Reijo]

I'll find out what this guy is claiming first before taking any other steps ... or even thoughts.   

[jopete]

The two young guys who checked in at 9 on Saturday went down the residential road first - don't know if that's significant.

[Jackal]

As I mentioned in another forum,  If the resident is certain that it is one of us,  then a description of the car with make and model would most certainly be at the ready.  If it happened early in the day,  I would have expected that they would have come forward at some point during the day to ask about the driver.

I am of the thought that without specific details,  yet a certainty it was us sounds a bit suspect...  if that is indeed the case.   

The town mostly loves us there,  as I was told by the lady that runs the campground. The motels fill up when they normally wouldn't, and the rest of the service industry there  makes money too.  While I wholly believe we are ambassadors of our sport and need to maintain that level of trust with the community,  I also don't believe in simply paying for damages based on loose details and speculation.

[Terry Johns]

I guess the difficulty is try to understand why this person has complained and what they want !

We need to encourage the FM city to find out what this person wants. Do they want us, gone, are they angry, do they want money. Any conflict resolution specialist will seek to ascertain what the offended person needs to fix the issue.

Although I respect the opinions of others who may not want to pay up, its of paramount importance that this doesn't become a justice issue, "we didn't do it so we don't need to pay", In the end we keep our eyes firmly fixed on our agenda, which is keeping the lot. And what ever we need to do including grovelling, we do.

This mustn't end up about who did it. Let's find out what these people need and fix it for them. That's taking the high ground.
 

[Reijo]

Exactly!  So I'm waiting to "hear" back from the person.  Actually the loudest complaint was from one of his neighbours who has a habit of complaining about us ... nothing new there.

[Terry Johns]

Your doing a great job Reijo.

[JB.STI]

The fact of the matter is, whether it was one of the registered drivers, their guests, a spectator looking to gain a better vantage point, or it was someone entirely unrelated to our activities that caused the damage the homeowner apparently suspects or believes it was “us”.
No amount of discussion is likely to change that opinion. Realistically the damage likely would not have occurred had “we” not been there.

I’m not suggesting that we blindly pay any requested amount, but it would be best to come out of this situation as the group that took responsibility and acted quickly to remedy it. If doing that is a simple matter of paying for the damage to a couple of sprinkler heads… well, that’s a small price to pay really.

If there is the possibility a member here has significant experience in installing or repairing sprinkler systems please step up and help resolve this. Property quickly returned to pre-accident, working condition is always preferable to a bit of cash in hand and the hassle of completing the required work.