Student bonfire misses deadline
By: Hunter Sauls
Issue date: 9/19/06 Section: News
Brazos County Judge Randy Sims said Student Bonfire organizers missed the deadline he set for multiple permits needing to be filed for the stack to burn on Nov. 21.
According to state law, the deadline for filing a mass gathering permit is 45 days prior to the event, however, Sims said he set the deadline for this permit and other requirements such as arranging for the needs of engineering contractors, the College Station Fire Department, the Texas Department of Transportation, security and other emergency services for mid-August.
"I met with them and told them they were way behind the schedule we established for them last year," Sims said. "They missed the window for everyone to check on the plans. They should have gotten on this early so that everything would be in place. They haven't even told me where it will burn or where cut will be - not that they are required to, but I think they are way behind in the necessary preparations."
Sims said if Student Bonfire organizers have not arranged for all the required services, he will not allow them to go forward with the event.
"According to the statute, they still have time," Sims said. "However, I will not allow it if everything is not ready at the 45 day point."
When Bonfire burned on campus, Texas A&M had control over the event, but now that students are organizing the off-campus event, Sims said he has authority.
"On-campus bonfire was in complete control (by) A&M," Sims said. "I'm in charge of ensuring the welfare of the citizens of Brazos County, so I have to make sure that the event will be safe."
Student Bonfire senior truck pot James Frazier said bonfire will burn regardless if Sims approves of their permits.
"We're going to act professional and continue the tradition," Frazier said. "We will still build bonfire to the best of our ability. I'd like to encourage everyone to come to first cut even if someone doesn't approve."
Frazier, a senior agriculture engineering major, said they were still within the window of getting the required permits, citing the statute that gives them 45 days prior to the event.
"We don't know from where Judge Sims said that we were late," Frazier said. "According to the law, we still have until October 9th. His deadline put us out 70 or 71 days in advance. I don't have a clue where he is coming from."
Frazier said it was not the actual building of the bonfire that was in question, but the permits necessary for it to burn off campus.
"Even on private land, you apparently need permits to hold a mass gathering," Frazier said. "We are working with our legal advisors to see what our options are in case we need to fight a ruling saying we can't burn Bonfire."
Douglas Coleman, a junior chemistry major, said he is behind Student Bonfire, but not if it comes to violating a ruling which prohibits the event.
"I'm a firm believer in bonfire," Coleman said. "It's an important student tradition; however, the law comes first."
According to state law, the deadline for filing a mass gathering permit is 45 days prior to the event, however, Sims said he set the deadline for this permit and other requirements such as arranging for the needs of engineering contractors, the College Station Fire Department, the Texas Department of Transportation, security and other emergency services for mid-August.
"I met with them and told them they were way behind the schedule we established for them last year," Sims said. "They missed the window for everyone to check on the plans. They should have gotten on this early so that everything would be in place. They haven't even told me where it will burn or where cut will be - not that they are required to, but I think they are way behind in the necessary preparations."
Sims said if Student Bonfire organizers have not arranged for all the required services, he will not allow them to go forward with the event.
"According to the statute, they still have time," Sims said. "However, I will not allow it if everything is not ready at the 45 day point."
When Bonfire burned on campus, Texas A&M had control over the event, but now that students are organizing the off-campus event, Sims said he has authority.
"On-campus bonfire was in complete control (by) A&M," Sims said. "I'm in charge of ensuring the welfare of the citizens of Brazos County, so I have to make sure that the event will be safe."
Student Bonfire senior truck pot James Frazier said bonfire will burn regardless if Sims approves of their permits.
"We're going to act professional and continue the tradition," Frazier said. "We will still build bonfire to the best of our ability. I'd like to encourage everyone to come to first cut even if someone doesn't approve."
Frazier, a senior agriculture engineering major, said they were still within the window of getting the required permits, citing the statute that gives them 45 days prior to the event.
"We don't know from where Judge Sims said that we were late," Frazier said. "According to the law, we still have until October 9th. His deadline put us out 70 or 71 days in advance. I don't have a clue where he is coming from."
Frazier said it was not the actual building of the bonfire that was in question, but the permits necessary for it to burn off campus.
"Even on private land, you apparently need permits to hold a mass gathering," Frazier said. "We are working with our legal advisors to see what our options are in case we need to fight a ruling saying we can't burn Bonfire."
Douglas Coleman, a junior chemistry major, said he is behind Student Bonfire, but not if it comes to violating a ruling which prohibits the event.
"I'm a firm believer in bonfire," Coleman said. "It's an important student tradition; however, the law comes first."
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