I negotiated Destin personelly . Our terms don't contain anything that would indicate that the direction we take goes anywhere close to KW in the near or distant future. I love Key West it is a strange mistress. Offshore lost 3 of its star players in a short time in KW. (Mike Poppa, Dick Fullam, and Chris Lavin) I saw the accidents happen from the inside of a cockpit on the course. . It gives me mixed emotions every time I go back. But then I think of Lew Cooper a 73 year old warrior who climbed into the Miss Gallo boat in KW for the last time before he passed away at The Pier House doing what he loved best and I think that would be an acceptable end for any true racer doing what he loved best. Moving on and going to Destin is not some complicated agenda filled issue. In order to succeed you must have the ability to change. We are changing our destination for our worlds (which I think should be called OSS North American Championship) to Destin. For better or worse that is where we will be.I have known JC for about 25 years and I think it would take a fool to think you could "take away" KW from him. I wish him and anyone who races KW a safe,successful, and happy race. By the way I am sorry for all of you who are freezing your butts off while I sit at my kichen in Destin, watching the sun come up, nursing my sunburn, and waiting to go back on the beach today (which is exactly 78 steps from my back porch!)
sw

Stan,
I guess the threshold question is whether you were an OSS board member at the close of the 2005 season or incoming for 2006 and whether you were presented with a letter regarding an ivitation to come to Key West and discuss the worlds?? This would have been in December or prior to the release of the schedules for 2006. Did you see such a document and was it even discussed????

I was not on the board until December. I did NOT see the document. That does not mean it could not exist but I never saw it and I was not privy to any conversation about it.
sw

With the permission of Ken D, I am willing top post the documents. I will say this, I do not think that anything contained within the documents, disparages, berates, or says anything negative about any of the parties involved. If I am wrong then I will deal with the consequences... although I pride myself on reading comprehension.

Its only 23 out right now...... But the sun is out....



Mike

Well Stan, it's 26 degrees here in Jersey. This sucks but hey...I hope your fuc$in' sun burn ain't that bad. Please watch walking down your friggin' steps to the beach, I only tell you this cause ALL our steps are full of ICE from the SNOW STORM 2 days ago. Have a great weekend, me and Smitty will be thinking about how warm it is by you when I get to the Marina today. Augie

I think on final analysis that the sticking point was the 2 race min.(UIM 104) All partys negotiated in good faith but JC had no choice but to follow APBA/UIM rules and our members were not willing to ante up on 2 race issue. The deal is done. Maybe some ambitous promoter will come up with a late Nov. early Dec. venue that has no restrictive barriers so all organizations can attend. I know it won't be me. This is a lot harder that just going to the races.
sw
Augie, I am leaving today to go home. My condo is empty until next week and I will leave the key at the gaurd gate for you http://www.destincam.com/ or http://www.remaxsouthern.com/cam.htm http://www.beachview.com/destin_640.htm

Stan,
there is no doubt in my mind that you did not see the offer that was extended. My concern is that none of the other OSS members did either because this appears to be a tremendous effort on the part of JC via Ken to bring about a Worlds in Key West that allows OSS to maintain autonomy. If you were not even informed of the offer how could you be a fully informed member run organization?? I suspect that quite a few teams will be surprised at the lengths that JC was willing to go to make it happen. If there is filtering or censorship of information at the highest levels then I think that a huge disservice is being done to your members. If the offer was extended, all members fully informed and a vote of the members took place then all is good and we MUST respect the decisions of the member run OSS, if not there is a fatal flaw in the system. From your prior post I am of the opinion that you were not aware of the offer...... that is troubling.

(UIM 104 does not even become an issue here)

I also want to say that none of the above should be construed as negative comments made about a Racing organization; its staff & officials, and fellow racers. I am not intending to cast bad light, negative feelings or problems for any of the above. I have read, edited and re-read my posts to ensure that I am in full compliance with OSO Admins rules. If there are complaints about my posts bring them to my attention first and I will rectify the problem. I dont need Steve PO'd at me.

Thanks Stan. SMITTY, Jersey Boyz Party at Stan's House. There goes the neighborhood!