SO Chairman

[tj15m]

I am running for the office of Stock Outboard Chairman, as Ed had decided not to run. I have been politically active within Region 6 for 30 years and have been a commissioner since the current system of appointing our commissioners has been in place. I have attended all of the APBA annual meetings and all except one of the Stock Outboard Nationals since beeing elected commisioner. If you have any questions feel free to contace me at tjohnston@localdialup.com or call me at 517.451.9120.
Tom Johnston
15M

[nbass]

What is your platform?

What is you position on new engines?

What is your position on the D-stock Tohatsu fiscal.

How do you plan to allow old race engines to keep racing, meaning retain those members?

How do you plan to attract new racers?

What is you position on APBA investing in new stock engines to test and promote?

What is you position on parity rules?

What is you position on number of classes, combining classes?

Thanks,
Neil Bass

[AOFoffice]

1. What is your position on co-sanctioning and cointinuing the co-operation between AOF and APBA as per Ed's agreement signed at the Winter Nationals
2. Any new ideas on the subject of continured cooperation between SO APBA and the other national organizations?
3. Your position of honoring cards or sharing points with other organizations?

[raceright]

You up

Well it seems as though the next Stockoutboard Chairman is going to be quite challanged. The questions being asked is mostly about strong leadership
and growth,the questions I have asked you please post your responses.

many awaite your replies

Pat

[Composite Specialties]

Safety

Hey Tom,

I would like to hear your thoughts on any Safety issues that you would like to address, Composite cockpit sides, rounded pickle tips, etc.

thanks,

[DougMc]

I will vote for you for Chairman.

Here is what I would like to see championed by you and my Region 5 Stock Chairman Dave Shubert if possible regarding safety - mandated Kevlar type of weave, weight and number of layers for cut suits. I believe rules now only state Kevlar; however, I have come to learn that there are many different types of Kevlar. Type of Kevlar and number of layers matter. It is especially important since we have children racing and their parents may not be aware of the differences in Kevlar cloths and thus not able to choose wisely in protecting their children. I believe it would be a shame to see a child lose a limb because a manufacturer decided to make a profit at their expense by only meeting the bare minimum as expressed by APBA rules.

Doug McAlarney, 50-F
APBA Region 5 2008 Stock Activites Chairman

[tj15m]

I will continue the efforts that Ed has put into "joint sanctioning" with other organizations.
TJ

[G Stillwill]

Doug here is why it just states Kevlar if its mandated a certain kind then it opens up law suits against APBA as if a certain type is required and someone gets cut , hurt or maimaned then APBA is lible this is why the Helmit rules were changed to just say DOT approved. See even with a waver signed there are some rights you cant sign away.

[tj15m]

Marc,
The issues you have asked about are out of the hands of the category chairpersons, and in the hands of the safety committee. Safety of our members is a main concern of all of the categories.
TJ

[raceright]

Marc,
The issues you have asked about are out of the hands of the category chairpersons, and in the hands of the safety committee. Safety of our members is a main concern of all of the categories.
TJ

Well maybe but Bob Wartinger and Brian Small will listen to you and the Stock Outboard safety commission as they have listened to me as I serve as the Pro Capsule Safety Chairman and we have a great relationship. So your
feeling's reguarding safety will be valuable for Stock Outboard

Pat

[Brian10s]

Marc,
The issues you have asked about are out of the hands of the category chairpersons, and in the hands of the safety committee. Safety of our members is a main concern of all of the categories.
TJ

The MORC has already approved some of these items and the SO Rules Committee approved the MOD rules as written to be voted on by the SORC in 07. The SO & Pro chair's were looking for a "uniform" rule that would cover the needs of all 3 categories and so, the items have been reworked by all 3 of the category chairs during the summer. I have heard that set of uniform proposals are close to being finished and should be presented to all 3 commissions in Detroit.

Brian Williams
2007 SO Rules Committee Chair

[Dr. Thunder]

Well it seems as though the next Stockoutboard Chairman is going to be quite challanged. The questions being asked is mostly about strong leadership
and growth,the questions I have asked you please post your responses.

many awaite your replies

Pat

With all due respect to Pat and other posters on this thread ... what makes any of you think that the SORC Chairman position on any of the issues mentioned influences any of the decisions of the SORC? Leadership, statesmanship, strategic thinking, vision ...any of the qualities you would hope to find in an individual seeking this type of "volunteer" position in a "volunteer" organization are only helpful if that individual actually yields some authority.

I personally believe that Ed did an excellent job during his term as Chair ... (contrary to many other opinions expressed on this board) and in spite of his efforts he may not have always been successful in accomplishing his agenda).

The APBA bylaws are quite clear on the authority of the Commission itself ... "
Section 12.3. Racing Commission Authority. Each Racing Commission shall act as one common body in all matters involving discipline, new
classes, appeals from rulings of race committees and referees, developing and maintaining rules for each class in their category, national championship selection and selection of offi cials for national championship events subject to its grant of authority.

I guess what I'm trying to suggest is that the real question that needs to be asked of Tom Johnston is how much support does he have from returning SORC Commissioners for his election? Do they know what his agenda will be? And, based on that agenda will they support his candidacy? Since many of the commissioners may not yet have been elected by their respective Regions he probably won't know what support they will offer his candidacy. In addition, the Chairman, once elected, has the authority to appoint at-large members to the SORC (but not more than 60% of the SORC membership). If elected, who will Tom appoint as "at-large" members?

The membership really has very little to say about who will be the next SORC Chairman.

[raceright]

[QUOTE=Dr. Thunder;91305]With all due respect to Pat and other posters on this thread ... what makes any of you think that the SORC Chairman position on any of the issues mentioned influences any of the decisions of the SORC? Leadership, statesmanship, strategic thinking, vision ...any of the qualities you would hope to find in an individual seeking this type of "volunteer" position in a "volunteer" organization are only helpful if that individual actually yields some authority.

I personally believe that Ed did an excellent job during his term as Chair ... (contrary to many other opinions expressed on this board) and in spite of his efforts he may not have always been successful in accomplishing his agenda).

The APBA bylaws are quite clear on the authority of the Commission itself ... "
Section 12.3. Racing Commission Authority. Each Racing Commission shall act as one common body in all matters involving discipline, new
classes, appeals from rulings of race committees and referees, developing and maintaining rules for each class in their category, national championship selection and selection of offi cials for national championship events subject to its grant of authority.

I guess what I'm trying to suggest is that the real question that needs to be asked of Tom Johnston is how much support does he have from returning SORC Commissioners for his election? Do they know what his agenda will be? And, based on that agenda will they support his candidacy? Since many of the commissioners may not yet have been elected by their respective Regions he probably won't know what support they will offer his candidacy. In addition, the Chairman, once elected, has the authority to appoint at-large members to the SORC (but not more than 60% of the SORC membership). If elected, who will Tom appoint as "at-large" members?

The membership really has very little to say about who will be the next SORC Chairman.[/QUOTE

All very good points but (and there is always a but) Tom will if elected have
like you say the ability to select 60% like minded people (not un like president and supreme court judges) and I would hope he has some supporters in the Stock outboard Commission. I will be behind anyone who
helps stockoutboard grow I believe in the past this was taken for granted
and need some open minds to take some bold steps to grow membership not just business as usual.
Also if you have read the financial reports he will have alot of influence as to how $40,000.00 will be spent and hopfully to help increase membership in Stock outboard. Why do I care because I believe that stockoutboard is the breading ground for all powerboat racing. Even more so than J.
As a member of the Pro promotional committee it is my duty to talk as so.

Pat Wright

Top Hydro

[Dr. Thunder]

[/Quote] ...Also if you have read the financial reports he will have alot of influence as to how $40,000.00 will be spent ...

Top Hydro[/QUOTE]

I know you didn't say this but I doubt that the Chairman has blank check authority regardless of how good his ideas might be ...

PS: What budget line item reflects the 40K?

[csh2z]

The chairman has less control than some of you may think. His primary job function is to assemble the agenda for the national meeting, conduct the meeting and appoint and keep on top of the various committees to accomplish what has been approved at the national meeting. The agenda is created by the membership. Any current SO member can submit a rule for the agenda either independently or through his commissioner. The chairman doesn't even have a vote on an issue except in the case of a tie breaker. Ed was an excellent chairman, most of the duties throughout the year are administrative, dealing with sanctions and deadlines and APBA business.