Well, if you are as dismayed with what is going on nationally regarding the early and constant politicking for President of the U.S. of A, as I am, now comes the Delegate Body moving up the politicking from a February 1 deadline to a November 15th one. That gives us two and a half full months of Board campaigning to say nothing of probably immobilizing the Board into a lack of even further action than before. In the words of a Board candidate who was both on the Board and running for a seat as well last year, “Don’t expect me to support Petland when I’m running for election!” Unfortunately, it is an accepted fact that when elections come up—which they do annually for the Board (that’s another proviso I would change)—many board members are reluctant to get involved with anything that may help the corporation but which is controversial amongst the delegates and can cost them votes.
Were you as surprised as I was when AKC never announced who the Nominating Committee selected for the TWO classes to be voted upon in March? I am told that AKC never has sent out press releases in those matters before. That surprised me, as I sort of remember seeing such releases, but I could be wrong. What really outraged me was a board member telling me it was posted on the AKC Web site (it was not—at the most it was on the delegate portal, which, of course, is not for public consumption), and it is my “obligation as an ‘investigative reporter’ (I did not know I was one) to read that site.” First of all, AKC sends out press releases when someone sneezes there. Why not when something really important happens! Secondly, who is he to tell me what to read? Do I tell him to read THE NEW YORK TIMES? I mean really, how do they ignore what the Nominating Committee did? Rubber stamp committee or not! And on that subject, what about press conferences being reinstated! I’m sick and tired of hearing that only “Sari and you ever come to them, and that’s why we called them off.” Try having one in Long Beach and then try that argument out.
I hope everything is getting straightened out at CHF. The silence from those who have resigned from its Board is deafening, to say the least. I fear some major explosion is on the horizon. By the way, I hope you read John Mandeville’s article on that subject in this week’s issue. It is of major importance in helping to understand what is happening with the Foundation..
I would certainly be remiss not to comment about Mel Downing’s death. I held him in the higher stratosphere of people in the dog world. Not just because of his talent, ability, and integrity as a judge but because every ounce of his being was toward the advancement and development of the dog and the sport of the purebred dog. He was a true gentleman, a major advisor to me about DOG NEWS and our editorial policies. I lost Mel lo those years ago when he became ill. Now that he is gone physically, I thank whomever for having put us together at all. He helped me tremendously in evolving editorial stands for this newspaper, for which I am and remain eternally grateful. •
