www.CostaRicaTicas.com

I was initially going to leave it ast my initial announcement of departure but the rumormill is still swirling and as usual there are about six versions in rotation. The following is my account of waht happened and why.

The Monday after Superbowl I was terminated by one of the owners for being a drug dealer. He had an email in broken English that stated that a man with a black jacket and no hair offered them drugs the Saturday night before Superbowl. There are two issues here:

1) I do not and have not sold drugs. I am very well know down here and it would be impossible for me to keep it a secret.

2) I do not own a black jacket and was in front of 200 customers and 20 cameras Saturday night not wearing one. There were a number of guys with bald heads and black jackets including at least two security guards and the owner who terminated me. I am guilty of being bald.

Earlier in my tenure at the Dunn I was accused of the same thing by the Tica General Manager and the owner because she saw me exchanging money with a guy every Monday. It happened to be our Sportsbook guy who was partners with the owners and I. Never got a sorry for that one either. I believe the email to be written by the General Manger,

I immediately offered to take a lie detector and was told that it would be scheduled. I also then informed the owner that after I passed it I would not consider working there and basically how incredibly difficult they were to work with. Later that day I got an email from the owner stating that he did not believe I was dealing drugs but was glad that we decided to part ways mutually.
The only mutual part was I was present when I was terminated on trumped up charges.

The reality of the situation is that I have been unhappy with the direction and style of the owners for months and they believe that my view of the market and how best to approach it is off. This led to a number of differences of opinion. They believe that the CRT business is low level high maintenance business that is a short term necessity until they can get their "high roller" clientele in place. Obviously, I value the CRT business and recognize that the members come from all demographics. The hotel numbers were up and CRT represented the majority of the improvement. Also the grand opening was a huge success and driven by CRT and local expats. Some of the issues were related to short term profit versus long term customer focus. For example:

1) One of the owners personally decided to start double booking the hotel Superbowl weekend and moving clients to other hotels where he could earn a commission. I told him repeatedly that the word would get out and it would be damaging. Yupa and his buddies who have stayed at least six times this year were bumped. I do not think they will be back.

2) In the casino we were forced to charge 550 conversion plus $5 fee for credit card transactions. The competitors are at 525 flat. As soon as a local guy ran his card we got hammered as I predicted.

3) The menu was changed to dollar pricing but change is in colones at 525 instead of 508 which is the bank rate.

These are just a few examples of issue I warned them about and was literally screamed at that I obviously did not want to make money.

At the end of the day I believe they thought they could do better without me and by discrediting me in the short term it would make the transition easier. I personally find it a lose lose situation that will cost them significant money in at least the short term. In my case I was thrilled with the way the place turned out and the amenities we offered. I had worked long days six days a week with no vacation for a year and a half to see the place open. I only wanted to entertain everyone and make money for the owners while supporting myself and my family. They had every right to just say "Hey we are going in a different direction" without the other BS. As to severance I was given 10 days to vacate the apartment that was part of my compensation and a lump sum amount that amounts to about six weeks salary when the apartment is included.

I would never ask or suggest a boycott of any place and all of you will choose to stay where you are comfortable and well treated. Life goes on for me and I have started booking the Clarion rooms and will be closely involved with another CRT sponsor starting Monday who wishes to re-connect with the membership. I appreciate all the kind words and support and will still be in the area and available to all.

_________________
BKTUNA/Boyd
I am never going home

Well, if the DI owners have a rebuttal to this, let's hear it. I may be prejudiced in BK's favor but I doubt they can mount much of a response.

_________________
" Omit no happy hour that may give furtherance to our expedition."

Brother BK,

Thank you for the post and your professionalism.

I believe every word of it.

Thank you for all your hard work and contributions to the CRT community.

I will keep this reply civil in tone and only speak on my positive regard and gratitude for all of your hard work and contributions to the board.

I certainly have high regard for you and would recommend anyone visiting CR to contact you for any assistance or questions they may have.


Sincerely,

C-dude.

_________________
The difference between a Sea Story and a Fairy Tale is that a Fairy Tale starts out 'Once Upon a Time..' and a Sea Story starts out 'This is no Shit...'

(export version only, some restrictions may apply, some assembly required, not valid where the sun don't shine...

if you live in the states of Poverty, Darkness or anywhere outside of The Blessings of Civilization Trust, Inc...other rules may apply)

I booked the DI several months ago and stayed for a week recently. Although I've never met you personally, BK, all I've heard is good things. From what I gather, and from my conservation with folks ay the DI and around the Gulch this past week, this will cost the owners in the short and long run. Some folks have to learn the hard way.

Best wishes.

BKTuna

You are easily the nicest and classiest guy I've met in my dozen or so trips to CR. I wish you the best and look forward to following your future endeavors. I was thinking of staying at the Dunn Inn this July now that the construction period is over, but, now, no way. I don't knowingly patronize businesses operated by assholes.

BK<

I truly wish you well in your future. You obviously got a bad deal after putting in so much time to make the DI expansion perfect. Witnessing you put your life into that place & tirelessly helping newbies get settled into the CRT routine, it saddens me that the owners think they will be better off without you. We around here know the DI will be much worse off without you & I feel for some of the excellent employees working there who will suffer due to lack of business caused by your absence. I stayed at the DI twice, only because you were there, having switched from my usual hotels.

Wherever you end up, I'm sure you will do well, & any business in SJO would be very lucky to have your talents & enthusiasm. Many of us will support you wherever you are.

mucho suerte

_________________
"cuz I'm a back-door man" Jim Morrison-1969

Hi Boyd
I briefly met you a couple years ago but you helped me politely while I was learning on this board and in PM. I am a SL guy and will always be but I also used to stay at the Clarion and was treated great by Nixon.

I believe you and will split my next visit with you and Bill. Good luck and God Speed brother! I will also visit the DI to see it have a free drink and leave and if asked I will not be shy on my reasoning for not staying or even eating there they will see no money from me ever.

I do believe the DI will suffer if someone as unknown as me feels this way I am sure I am not alone. I am hoping this is the case no matter how immature this makes me sound.

Dave/aka Smelvis

_________________
LOL I would Love to never hear the word game used again ever again! :)

Can say with 100% certainty BK does NOT DO drugs and certainly does NOT SELL drugs. Known him for almost four years and roomed with him for close to one. We laughed yesterday as we realized we'd moved the same TV three times together now... Don't take my word for it, ask ANY of the ex-pats here and the hundreds of others who come down often.

Having been in and out of Dunn Inn during Boyd's entire time there, know what he did for the place. Boyd is also a very smart man so have a tough time finding flaws in his logic which really shines a bad light on Dunn now.

I do know that BK has been a GREAT friend to me in my time living here in CR. He has shown me every trait one could wish for in a friend. His advice and guidance have also given me a better insight into myself...a true gift BK has. I have no doubt he will land on his feet and continue to do well in whatever he chooses. Saw him 12 hours ago and can say he's got a number of irons in the fire and will continue to be the go-to guy for many of us who visit the gulch!

Of course, the whole situation doesn't really change much for me. If I needed a room before I called Boyd, if I need one now, I still call Boyd.

_________________
The only thing that matters is happiness in all it forms...

I have never seen any hint of drugs either.
Boyd has my support.

Is it boycott time?
Would it make a difference?

_________________
It is cheaper to pay now and get it over with.
It is also easier to get them to leave.

all the best....carry on

This may not make a difference one way or the other but I have two questions. Are the owners Tico or Gringo? And is the tica general manager doable enough that she and some of the principles could be engaged in an illict affair of some kind?

I'm glad that enough time has passed that my great and good friend Boyd could proffer an explanation of what really went down. I join with others in taking the high road--we'll stick with Boyd and leave the bitterness and DI owners ' cynicism behind. To all the Brothers that I PMed with an explanation--I'm not always correct but I got this one right.

Boyd is Da Man--and where he is, is the place.

_________________
"A man accustomed to hear only the echo of his own sentiments, soon bars all the common avenues of delight, and has no part in the general gratification of mankind"--Dr. Johnson
"Amen, brother"-ED

my two centavos:
as far as I am concerned, I never really liked the rooms at the di. This is a winner for me because I am back at my favorita hotel, the clarion, and back in the fold with bk. The bad news is a temporary bump in the road for bk, but this will be good in the long run.
see ya at the clarion in march mi amigo

+1 , I dont have much to add but count me in as a Boyd friend and supporter. Just want to wish Boyd all the best.

That tells me all I need to know about how they value our business.