This morning, I go down to meet with Inspector Tim Timperly (ttempe@milwaukee.gov), and he doesn’t show up. Fifteen minutes pass, and I’m still sitting there, happy, prepared. I’ve got a nice little packet for him, just a few pages, MSD sheets on the materials being burned, a small video of a hot MC kiln being unloaded with tweezers, and a quench bowl, and a Solderite kiln shelf that had been crash cooled, so he could see how easy it was to drop a shelf full of hot metal, when/if one fails in crash cooling. Maybe ten minutes of stuff, max. Nothing extra.
So I sit there. I called him at his office (414-286-2590) to ask if he had forgotten our meeting. He just said “No.”
Just.. no! I was confused, as our last conversation was rather detailed, and I thought enjoyable. At least I enjoyed it; I found him intelligent and well-spoken, and funny, and he seemed like a person with a lot of common sense, someone I could talk to. And after all, we did have an actual appointment, and he is a civil servant, and I am a citizen.
I said, “Are you coming over?” and he said “No. I met with my supervisor (no doubt the one who shut me down last week) Marlene Vail, and the staff of the convention center on Tuesday, and we toured the facility, and they feel that what they are doing is fine and so do I, and so there is no need to meet.” He apparently intended to stand me up; it was deliberate. No phone call, nothing. And the Show says that they will not and can not move the kilns out of the classrooms.
So I’ve been refused a meeting, and honestly, I’m not sure what else I can do except go on record to say that the Bead & Button Show (mvail@kalmbach.com) is deliberately and knowingly making the decision, against professional advice, to fill your classrooms with burning MC binder, cork clay, resin fumes, polymer clay fumes, and whatever burnout cores the instructor would like to include. And I don’t believe that I can stop them.
They flatly refuse to segregate the kilns into a kiln room, and vent it; they reject the idea that being in a classroom with a firing kiln is an issue in any way. Despite the clear directions on the MC packets that warn you directly not to sit in a room with a firing kiln.
If you want anything to change you will have to make your own voice heard, over time, until someone sets the standard. I am frustrated, sure, but mostly I’m just amazed at such willful foolishness, in the face of such common sense evidence.
And honestly, I think I will be amazed at being stood up by Inspector Temperly for a long time; it’s so odd to me that I can’t even comprehend it. How can a citizen complaint be solved and closed before the citizen even gets a chance to be heard?
Crazy, man. We are going to look back on all of this and just shake our heads, the number of years MC kilns were in classrooms. Just shake our heads, like we shake our heads, thinking about those Styrofoam balls in the original PMC curriculum. Like, “what were they thinking?” They laughed when I asked them not to fire those kilns in the classrooms; God, how many? How many people are still firing with Styrofoam or Styrene? We don’t know. Tim doesn’t know.
I tried: now it’s up to you. Feel free to contact Inspector Temperly, and remind him that you are citizens too.
Visit the Beadmobile blog and keep up on the progress of our new book, Geometrics!
June 10th, 2010 at 11:19 am
Kate…Will you please post where the ‘stand-up’…can be reached. I’ll be happy to write to him.
Fits right it with BP (foreign Co.) using US Soldiers to keep the US media out of the public beaches…and telling the cleanup workers not to say ‘anything’…Absolutely amazing stuff!!
Sorry you had to experience that!
Barbara
June 10th, 2010 at 8:48 pm
His contact information is in my post.
I admit that I was too surprised at the 180 in his treatment of me to be as hurt as I ended up to be by the time it all soaked in.
I overheard Marlene Vail saying to an employee “Just call security if she tries to enter a classroom” and I thought, is she talking about ME?
Calling security?
Hopefully not, but honestly, at this point, I guess I have to admit that they don’t give a damn about me, or who sucks up what fumes.
Hard for me to admit; I don’t like to think that anyone can be either so stupid or so…focused on profit.
June 10th, 2010 at 11:28 am
Amazing, I feel lots of empathy for you. This is really bad customer service! I thought we were the employer for these people.
June 10th, 2010 at 11:31 am
While I was rooting for your success on our behalf, I did wonder how you would be stonewalled. Now we know.
Thank you SO MUCH for trying. You are right. Ball’s in our court now. Seems like we need to all be responsible citizens ourselves and stop spending money on classes that don’t respect our health and safety needs.
That Bead & Button won’t respond sucks because, like you, I love them! While I am not giving up hope, it seems I’ll be considering some B&B alternatives for next year.
Sending you a giant hug! (feel it?)
June 10th, 2010 at 8:49 pm
Yes, I do. Thank you.
I might be considering some alternatives myself, I honestly don’t know.
I am fairly crushed in spirit; I look around at the people taking classes, the new ones are all so excited, and naive.
June 10th, 2010 at 11:33 am
Not that this makes it right or okay, but since this guy works under the other inspector, he may very well have been told not to meet with you if he wants to keep his job. I used to work in a similar field, and was told on many occasions similar to this one to “leave it alone”. (The one time I decided NOT to “leave it alone,” I was fired a month later.)
The fact that he decided not to call and to just not show up tells me that something else is at play here, Kate. He may very well have concerns about what is happening at the show, but if he wants to keep his job, as Lord knows we all do, he has to keep his head down.
I’m so sorry that this happened.
June 10th, 2010 at 2:14 pm
Exactly. Bead & Button brings in X amount of dollars to Milwaukee each year – to the hotels and restaurants. Sadly, money talks.
June 10th, 2010 at 8:51 pm
Hard to know. I was pretty amazed; I guess I just wasn’t raised that way, I don’t know how else to say it.
I would never deliberately leave someone standing there waiting for me. When I asked why he didn’t call, he said, “well, you were there anyway, right?”
Stunning.
June 10th, 2010 at 11:52 am
Indecent. Regardless of the reason for the inspector’s decision not to meet, you deserved, at minimum, a phone call. This does not reflect favorably on B&B.
June 10th, 2010 at 11:58 am
Wow, how about the simple courtesy of a phone call?
I went through the same in grad school where we used toxic chemicals and our fume hood did not function properly. I was given a hard time by almost everyone for complaining, as if it was not all of us breathing in toxic fumes. It was so frustrating as protecting my lungs seemed to make such sense to me … why was I the only one to step up? Everyone was afraid to say something as it was a very competitive program. But the possible damage to my body spoke louder than me wanting to be accepted.
So Kate has a voice and is not afraid to say something and I support that and will write, as I did before on this issue. I vent my kiln and it was very easy to do. I don’t fire cores that are toxic or any cores for that matter as it seems to be a really stupid thing to do. How can this not make sense to everyone? I am not at Bead & Button but if those reading this are there stand by Kate and say something. There is strength in numbers and you are all going to be effected by this. Tell them you will stop spending money on classes that don’t respect your health and safety needs.
And thanks Kate for all you do, I am in support of this and will take action.
June 10th, 2010 at 12:03 pm
Vail and the convention center staff simply preempted you, Kate. Discrediting a whistleblower by claiming they’re a disgruntled former employee, or a disgruntled former customer, and a disgruntled current nutcase, is a very common practice. The most common, because unfortunately it’s the most effective.
The spineless Inspector Timperly stood you up because he was told not to cancel the meeting with you via e-mail or voice message. Both of those methods would leave evidence of who canceled the meeting, and you could use them to make your case to the media when the inevitable happens and there’s a serious fire or injury at the convention center. By standing up up, Inspector Weaseldick made certain it will be your word against his.
June 10th, 2010 at 8:56 pm
Interesting, I’m sure it’s something like that.
It was just so strange to be treated as if I were all of a sudden an idiot; as if it were OK to be discourteous, to leave me standing in a doorway for twenty minutes of my life I didn’t have, and to spend the several hours I definitely didn’t have yesterday, preparing the things for him.
If he knew on Tuesday, it sure would have been nice to be tossed out with the trash then.
June 10th, 2010 at 12:56 pm
This is really disheartening. What the heck is wrong with people? I know how much of your heart and soul you’ve poured into this issue and their obvious disregard for our well being stymie’s me. Even if the facts aren’t all formally posted somewhere, doesn’t common sense tell everyone that you can’t breathe this stuff? I am so sorry Kate. Obviously any metal clay classes we take should only be in Tucson.
June 10th, 2010 at 8:57 pm
Hey, thanks, Sarah. It is disheartening, how little they care about you. How can they not want to love and protect the students, the lifeblood of the show? I can’t fathom it.
June 10th, 2010 at 12:58 pm
Oh Kate – I’m sorry, as this was all going so well. Hope had sprung eternal..
The rudeness (or was it embarrassment on his part since he’d been told not to meet you?) of the man, whether a civil servant or not is not acceptable. I feel your shock and confusion.
Refuse to attend MC, enameling, soldering, etc. classes if our health safety is not protected. Find teachers who understand the risks of the materials they work with and intend on not only following safe methods, but also teach them. They’ll make changes when people stop attending the classes.
Hugs.
June 17th, 2010 at 6:12 am
I had seriously considered trying to attend some classes at next year’s MC, but learning about this situation clinches it for me — I won’t be there. There area other venues to learn about metal clay, and if they have better working conditions, that’s where I’d want to learn. I hope making my decision public might be one small nail in the coffin of such negligence and disregard for safety. My heartfelt commiseration for your hurt feelings, Kate. Being right sometimes has a price. I hope nobody has to get hurt before your correct assessment is proven, but like you I’m not at all sure that’s the way it’s going to be.
June 17th, 2010 at 6:20 am
I think someone getting hurt will be the ONLY thing that changes things.
Several of our senior MC instructors are looking grey, and having respiratory troubles, and these are the same people who file and sand to excess.
So we’ll see slow hurt, but one day, someone will go into anaphylactic shock and maybe die, because that’s what people with shocky systems do when they inhale big lungfuls of yuck.
Like I said, I won’t raise this issue again until it raises itself- the willfulness of not only the show but of the cult of personality that seems to be driving this is bizarre. (Tim McCreight is so jolly, Barbara Simon is so fabulous (all true) and Marlene Vail works so hard and has hurt feelings…) I can’t fathom how anyone’s feelings are pertinent when they have persisted in poisoning people for almost a decade.
June 10th, 2010 at 1:31 pm
If the hall is a city property, there is some bureaucrat somewhere in city hall calling the shots, as a favor to the hall administrators, maybe the lawyers even.
But you are entirely right about citizen access to process when it comes to public safety. Someone’ s ass should get kicked here, but good. Who’s the local State Congressperson? State Fire Marshall?
B&B attendees should find out and email them. Time to go up past the B&B/hall/city firemarshall on the food chain.
June 10th, 2010 at 1:44 pm
Wouldn’t it be great if someone whipped up a couple of dozen orange t-shirts with “NO firing kilns in class” and “Vent all toxins” and wore them to B&B? that’d get people talking…
June 10th, 2010 at 2:27 pm
I’m so sorry you had to go through that silliness. As I read your post, I couldn’t help but think of Galileo…what are the words to that Indigo Girls song? “His crime was looking up the truth.” Silly you, you’ve gone and done the same thing….Thanks for fighting the good fight.
June 10th, 2010 at 3:03 pm
Kate,
I’m SO sorry this happened. what a blow to the gut.
I’m on your side, Kate. I totally support your concerns. when I want to take a metal clay class, I’ll be looking for yours because I know I’ll be safe.
I’ll be contacting show supporters and telling them that while I had considered coming to the show next year, I definitely will not be taking any metal clay classes. In addition, if friends who attend this year have been placed close to the classrooms with kilns and thus have negative comments about the air in their own classrooms, I may not attend any future B&B seminars.
again, I’m so sorry.
Mary
June 10th, 2010 at 3:21 pm
Bead and Button should be ashamed…..
Their credibility has been drastically decreased if they
had part in this action.
Where is the honesty, forthrightness, common courtesy, professionalism…..need I go on????
I think they just ‘dissed’ the wrong person and they get what they deserve.
Do these ‘people’ think that we are stupid and because they think they silenced you at this event it is over and done with??? Not by a long shot….
It is amazing to me that ‘people’ are so short sighted as to not see that they have a responsibility to their customers and their customers are smart and once they are aware, will demand and expect answers and seek accountability.
“When the truth is found to be lies, and all the joy within you dies. …..”
I could go on, but Kate you are not alone in your quest, and I encourage you to go on and know you have the support of many.
I mentioned in an earlier note to you that although you may not hear from many people, that does not mean they don’t support you.
YOU GO GIRL!!! WE HAVE YOUR BACK!!!!!
June 10th, 2010 at 9:01 pm
Thank you, but really, there aren’t any other people making enough noise to be a problem.
Certainly no one else is trying to lever the shows to get the kilns out of the classrooms.
For me, I have to say, it might be over and done with.
I have never been so thoroughly tossed out, disrespected, and had my rather hard-won professional credentials ridiculed.
I mean, I worked with chemists, physicists, physicians… these are smart people.
It’s not like I’m a wacko. Or have a personal agenda, beyond caring properly for our beginning students.
June 10th, 2010 at 3:30 pm
Oh Kate, I’m so sorry…..but unfortunately, not all that surprised. My heart sank a bit when I read that you had decided not to bring your DVD to the show, I worried that you might really need it. What will often get action and response is unfavourable media attention. If anyone local to B&B has any contacts in enviro groups (especially those concerned with air quality issues) encourage them to attend and perhaps bring along a camcorder. Post on the net, send to local and national media, etc., etc. But, all of this should not rest on Kate’s shoulders!
June 10th, 2010 at 3:32 pm
Sadly, It will likely take a serious injury and a lawsuit to get their attention. What a shame. But thanks Kate for all your efforts. Eventually we’ll get through! ~Juliet
June 10th, 2010 at 3:41 pm
I totally agree with what Ken says. They are covering their ass. Plain and simple. And the stuff about the money the show brings etc. All makes sense.
The classes bring in money. Big money. Today I found some photos online of a woman teaching a class to torch fire enamel. She was doing it at a card table with a butane torch. No ventilation. Nothing. people were standing all around her, above the fumes.
The ignorance is astounding.
June 10th, 2010 at 9:01 pm
Astounding, or willful, or both.
June 10th, 2010 at 5:05 pm
maybe the local media would be interested in this human interest story.
June 10th, 2010 at 5:08 pm
When I was a senior in college, I was a “social work intern” for a Big Brothers Big Sisters. I use quotes because I was really just an underpaid casemanager. At one point during my time there, the director wanted to push a program through to get matches made without getting the background checks back. I refused to sign off on the matches, and was told that they did not need my signature. I said that was fine, but that I thought it was wrong to match kids with adults before the background checks were complete and I wasn’t going to lose my license before I was eligible for it. I know she had pressure from “the board” to make matches, but to lose site of what was really important, the safety of those kids, because of political/burecratical pressure is heartbreaking.
I use art/crafts as my escape from that nonsense, but I guess that is prevalent in every area of life…sigh…
Sorry you have to put up with this Kate. Thank you for working hard for the safety of others. Someday they will thank you…
June 10th, 2010 at 8:41 pm
It’s not over yet…your supporters grow in numbers every day. I still have my Tim books here, not sending them back as you suggested, but sending a polite, professional letter instead. Obviously, politeness isn’t going to budge anyone.
It pisses me off knowing that my B & B subscription is showing my support of them, yet they refuse to have our backs. Seems there might be some subscriptions getting cancelled, or not renewed.
This is going to snowball…f*@k that noise!!! Even though you’re not hearing from everyone on this, there are letters and emails flyin’! We DO have your back!
June 11th, 2010 at 7:32 pm
I have to make a clarification here!! I wrote “I still have my Tim books here, not sending them back as you suggested…” I don’t want anyone to think Kate said that! I doesn’t read the way I meant it. I wanted to send his books back, and Kate suggested that I DON’T send them back, and that if I’m going to send anything, I should send a polite, professional letter instead. Just want to be clear on this…
June 11th, 2010 at 9:22 pm
Thanks, luv.
June 10th, 2010 at 10:14 pm
Kate, I’m a potter. The ceramics magazines I read regularly warn of the dangers of working in a studio with a firing kiln. Monona Rossol, an industrial hygienist, writes a chemical and materials safety column for Clay Times. I sent a link to your blog post to her website – Arts, Crafts, and Theater safety – asking if they could help or had any suggestions. And, since Paragon kilns are the kiln of choice at any metal clay workshop I’ve attended, I also sent an enquiry to Arnold Howard at Paragon Kilns. Perhaps they would be interested to know kilns were being used unsafely. It takes a long time to break through such a determined wall of ignorance. I admire your effort.
June 11th, 2010 at 5:22 am
I’ve talked to Paragon before. And honestly, although there is overlap with the ceramics world, the dangers of their firing kilns and ours are quite different chemically. Thank you for your comment- honestly, I don’t think there is a)anything left I personally am willing to try or b) any hope the show will improve without an incident or a lawsuit, or more people complaining to the Show directly. I hope for the latter path, of course.
Best,
Kate
June 11th, 2010 at 12:45 am
I am utterly aghast at the sheer bad manners of this man. Completely discourteous to you. It sounds all so conspiratorial on their part from reading your posts and yet, such a simple thing as moving their kilns…how could anybody mind??? I know this sounds naive and there is big money involved in MC but that they could put up such a fuss about something so easily achievable is sheer madness.
June 11th, 2010 at 10:09 am
It’s sad to say but this is they way people conduct business these days… without common regard.
Kate, I will not buy Bead and Button ever again or support any thing they do… including the Bead and Button show… I cannot support anyone who would make an effort to discredit someone who is trying to protect us. It’s wrong and this Marlene person has decided to make it personal… She’s trying to paint you as unbalanced and it’s wrong.
Just keep your cool, don’t let them see you sweat…because they would like nothing more to have you go off … then they will say “Oh, that’s the crazy one we told you about.” Just be cool… handle your business …go there and make a ton of money… it’s the very best revenge… And if you see Marlene, smile and say Howdy! It’s make her mad as hell.
June 11th, 2010 at 9:14 pm
Honestly, I can’t even look at her.
June 11th, 2010 at 2:04 pm
My heart goes out to you! I hate that this happened and I can just imagine how hurt you must feel. I hope the support you are receiving via these comments helps you to understand that you are making such a valuable and positive impact to metal clay artists, aspiring and otherwise. I know that because of what I have learned from you, I will never breathe kiln fumes. I have a perfect little table with wheels on it that will be my future kiln’s home and that sucker will get wheeled right out the door before it’s fired up. I want to protect everyone in my household from the fumes!
As for Bead and Button…. well, I never really liked their beading magazine. There are other vendors out there and I firmly believe in voting with my dollars so they will see none of mine. As a matter of fact, Bead and Button can Bead and Button my ass.
Take care and know that we think you rock!
June 11th, 2010 at 11:37 pm
B&B my ass… I like it!
June 12th, 2010 at 7:06 am
I’m so appalled by this news. So Inspector Timperley is quite happy for Big Business to demonstrate complete disregard for the health of students. Is he a ‘jobsworth’? I wonder if he has a personal conscience about this?
I’m sick of having the health of the environment we live in, whether it be our personal space or the landscape of nature, held to ransom by dint of the fact that some people & corporations have more money than all of the ‘little guys’.
I feel so sad. Kate, dear teacher, I’m so sorry!
June 17th, 2010 at 6:42 am
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