To All:
Jan Harde makes some harsh comments in his open letter regarding the club.
But the truth is often difficult to bear. He makes some powerful, salient
points and I am certain his comments came from frustration and love of the
marque, not from the depths of despair.
This Buttonwillow incident is one in which I concur wholeheartedly. The club
has apparently turned a blind eye to this program intended to help our
friend Dale. I was set to donate a carbon fiber hood (minimum value $550.00)
for a supposed auction, but no one has EVER contacted me about it. And that
crappy idea of holding a swap meet at the club to raise funds for Dale on
Easter Sunday...what do these guys use for brains, anyway??? Some of you
will recall that Jan and I were going to hold one of our famous and income
generating swaps ourselves, but deferred to CAT because we didn't want to
get involved in politics like we did the last time. So look what happened.
Nobody showed up--to sell or buy!
Jan's also right about Seal Beach. I was there with five other neat Tigers.
But this was a Triathlon event! Did any club officers even bother to show up
besides Mr. Mueller? Hell no! We should have had a dozen cars there at what
is considered one of the best shows in Southern California. Where was our
illustrious prez? Or the parts chick? Or anyone else who pretends to gather
in the sheep? Who knows...
Jan made a swiping comment about club funds. A good point that needs--no
demands--some immediate clarification and action from our non-profit
organization. One of the non-profit organization's primary responsibilities
in maintaining its status is financial full disclosure. So, Mr. Mueller et
al, where in the hell is all the money going, what's in reserve, what are
our expenses, etc. Inquiring minds and the State of California want to know.
Whether Jan drops his membership is up to him. But if he does, it's because
he like many of us have tried to make the club better over the years all to
no avail. It does seem like a clique is in control and the rest of us be
damned. Heck, Jan and I would have LOVED to have held office in hopes our
voices could make a difference. But we were always turned down because of
the club bylaws not permitting anyone with any business in Sunbeams to hold
office. And yet that never kept the club from having others, like Steve
Alcala and Dan Walters hold office. Now don't misunderstand: Steve and Dan
did and are making a difference. But why are the club laws so selective? And
does personal interpretation of the laws extend to full financial disclosure?
Listen, guys, my company has just been swallowed up by Republic Industries
and my future here is very much in doubt. But I do take time to pay
attention to issues that are important to me. And it concerns me a great
deal when my dear friend Jan gets so upset that he vents on the Internet.
Thus my comments.
Perhaps his message and mine will generate some positive response from
listers. I hope so.
With respect to all,
Jeff the Tigerman
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