| Subject: | RE: Beating a dead horse |
| Date: | 02/18/2000 12:03 AM |
| From: | Martin Clan |
|
Gosh Scott, I'm sorry if I screwed up in terms of not meeting a commitment to you that I don't remember making but is very definitely something that I would have done. However, please let me set the record straight regarding my inactivity with regard to Northwest cycling in the past year: In 1999, once I gave up on the prospect of having my own project fly, I turned my energies toward getting the disagreeing parties talking face to face, which eventually did happen, as you will recall both Evan and Warren come to Oregon to see if issues could be worked out with Mike. Although there may not have been the results we were all hoping for, I can show you the documentation that would prove that my consistent "badgering" (for lack of a better word) played a significant roll in making such a meeting come about. Secondly, I also focused on expanding the State Games of Oregon to include BMX racing as well as a "LAJORS" track event (there were not enough free days to have a Marti Nothstein 3-day series). Thirdly, (which actually came before the first two). I personally went to last year's "Kids on Bikes" conference, paying out of my own pocket so that I could confront the "powers that be" personally with my disappointment in the fact the region's Junior participation had increased by 64% in 1998 and that although their agent Clark Natwick had decided not to hold a camp it was the USCF's responsibility to have followed through on their promises. Following that meeting I made a commitment to make arrangements for said camp for the summer of 1999, however since there were still some talented juniors who contacted me last spring because they had not "earned" an invitation to the camp, I did make a concise effort to get more races involved in putting on Junior events last year, which is most likely when you received your call, as I was trying to arrange more opportunities for those individuals who hadn't made it in 1998. (I spent about a week working on that project then focused my energy on getting the USAC to provide ribbons to the LAJORS promoters as I had paid quite a bit the year before purchasing two complete sets of ribbons and saw that as one contribution that would cut the cost of putting on a Junior bike race. The ribbons did happen, as you should know if yours was a LAJORS race last year.) Fourth, I followed through with my commitment to arranging the Northwest Selection Camp and after finding a site and initiating contracts, David Mayer-Oaks, Phil Sanders, and I spent about a week driving course. (And, no my son didn't attend the camp, so please don't infer that I was setting things up for my kid.) And, finally, I set about educating myself with regard to other Junior programs and coaching needs, by thoroughly reviewing the Canadian Sprockids, LA's "BLAST", the Florida PAL's (Police Activities League) track programs (which I had hoped to fund here in Oregon through a similar ATF settlement grant however there was a freeze put on the Oregon monies), while also completing the coursework required for my USCF Sport and Expert Coaching licenses. I have quite a library if anyone is interested. I understand your frustration Scott, but please, before you too make blanket accusations (which is what got me into trouble in the first place), take at least a small part of the responsibility for my not showing up or following through with regard to your event, as I am sure that if someone had given me a reminder call, David and I would have both been more than willing to help. I'm sorry if you were put in a bind, but, I'm glad that John was able to come through in a pinch, Bonnie Rider-Martin If you have a problem, call me 503/292-5990 -----Original Message----- From: Scott Goldstein [mailto:sgold-@mail.bit-by-bit.com] Sent: Friday, February 18, 2000 11:32 AM To: ob-@topica.com Subject: Beating a dead horse Hello All: At the risk of beating a dead horse, I have an anecdote to share that is relevent to the Bonnie Martin/OBRA bashing issue. Last year, when planning an Oregon race, my partner and I were telephoned by a certain Bonnie Martin and asked why we didn't have a junior field for our race. We explained that we insist on full support for each field (lead and follow vehicles) and thus, it simply was prohibitably expensive to have a seperate (and small) Junior field. We offered to include (and fund a prize list for) a junior race if Bonnie would provide two support vehicles and drivers for the day. We were willing to take a financial loss (sure bet) to "do our part" and help develop junior cycling in Oregon. Bonnie agreed and away we went. Well....the day of the race arrived and guess who DIDN'T SHOW UP to the race. If you guessed Bonnie, you guessed correctly. We were scrambling around at the last minute to find two extra support vehicles for the Junior field. (thanks to J. Benenate for pitching in) What is the point? It doesn't really do much good to whine, point fingers and complain about how things don't work. What really matters are actions. There are many people involved with the Oregon racing scene that are DOING things to make it as good as it can be. The Murrays certainly top the list of these people. OBRA isn't perfect, there is always room for improvement. But, before you attack the efforts of others, ask yourself this question: "Am I going to SAY something about improving Oregon Cycling or am I going to DO something about improving Oregon Cycling? We need more "Doers" and fewer "Sayers" Scott *************************************************** USC: 24 - Notre Dame: 25 Luck of the Irish! *************************************************** _____________________________________________________________ Who will win the Oscars? Spout off on our Entertainment list! http://www.topica.com/lists/showbiztalk |
