I believe this is a relevant issue for discussion, it is long and probably will bore many of you.

As many of you are aware, there have been postcards mailed to some (if not all) members endorsing certain candidates. I sincerely believe in the right of the members involved to do this, as well as the candidates. If I were a candidate for office in this club, I would certainly be honored if I were given the support of these members.

A fellow member, who has become an outspoken critic of the club, took exception to receiving one or more of these cards endorsing candidates. That is his right as well. I did find the manner in which he expressed himself troublesome, but that is not the gist of my post. This member called on me to state my position as it related to the candidacy of Doug Smith.

I thought I'd publicly stated who I am supporting in this election, but perhaps not my reasons. In response to that request made last night (after taking some time to contemplate the issues and to pause so my response can -hopefully- be constructive) here is my position regarding the elections.

Three of the races are uncontested. If a member, or members, had felt that a better candidate was available, then they should have encouraged him/her to run, and nominated them. However, my support is based upon more than they're the only nominees.

Sunday Silverman has been my friend since the first convention I attended, which is not a reason to vote for her. She is friendly, intelligent, and dedicated to the club. She has worked with the Bruce Landau Auction, and volunteered in other capacities. She has gone out of her way to make new members feel welcome. She understands the position she is running for, and with the exception of the Czar himself, I can't imagine anybody else being more qualified for the position. THose are reasons to vote for her, and I will.

Jay Sands is also running unopposed, and I do not know him as well as I know Sunday. I have dealt with him in trades, at the convention, and socially. He is unquestionable a very bright guy. He cares about the club, and has been willing to engage in discussions about the best interests of the club. His reputation is that of a hard worker who is honest nd easy to get along with. Nothing in my interactions with Jay give me cause to dispute that.

Doug Smith is also running unopposed, but since he was the subject of the discussion last night, I will save him for last.

The hardest race for me is that of Secretary. Belinda Hixon is also my friend, she and I worked the membership booth along with the czar my first time volunteering. It was a wonderful experience, and I would encourage all of you to volunteer. Belinda and I bought our grab bags at the same time, and did some immediate trading (like kids at halloween).

Jim Follis and I routinely exchange emals discussing the various issues of the club, as well as trading chips. Jim is an intelligent and friendly person, whose dedication to the club can not be in question. He volunteers a great deal of time to make the OTYs a success and to help in any way he can. In truth, I think he would be an excellent club officer.

However, I am supporting Belinda. I have discussed my reasons with Jim, and in short they are; Belinda has done a good job as Secretary, she will add continuity to the board, she is also a dedicated and intelligent member, who has worked to make the club a better organization.

In fairness, I like both of these fols very much, and cannot say who I would support if Belinda was not the incumbent. But in a situation where I have to select from two highly qualified, and wonderful people, The experience and continuity issues tilt the scales for me.

The Presidential Race is wierd for me. I was befriended by Joe Pavlik, encouraged to participate here on the board, and he is a fellow Chicagoland Chipper. In contrast, I don't know if I have ever had a more than a passing hello with Wayne Thompson. But just as my friendship with a candidateis not a reason to support Sunday Silverman, it is not a reason to support Joe. Joe has very strong feelings, and I believe he is sincere, however I also believe that his views are not the mainstream of the club.

Wayne has served as Vice President, he has done so in a positive manner, and has the type of experience and proven leadrship needed to lead this organization. And like Belinda, his previous terms as VP, will allow a smooth transition to the next Board.

You may have noted that I have not raised issues like Slabbing or alterring chips. I do not believe the majority of the club is actually conflicted on these issues. I believe that for the moment, the club as a group oppose these activities. I hope that the leadership, whomever it may be, will always remain open to reconsidering, or discussing any issue as it relates to the club in a positive andconstructive manner.

I presume many of you are aware that Doug Smith is one of my closest friends in the hobby. In the spirit of full disclosure, he and Mr. Splashbar are prominent on my personal chip I will have at the convention. But as I've said, friendship is not a grounds to support a candidate.

Doug is as intelligent a member as the club has. He has the background to handle the requirements of the job, and the type of personality that helps liven up a group. He will be in a difficult position of having to handle the financial affairs of ou club, and he has the tools to do it, and do it well.

I support Doug because I believe he is an outstanding candidate for the job. I am pleased for him, in that he is the presumptive electee, because he is my friend, and I am pleased for myself and my fellow club members because I believe he honor the club in his service.

I am making a public pronouncement of who I will vote for in the election. I am not going to plead for you to support any of these candidates. I ask only that you vote, and that you give serious consideration to the best interests of the club, and by extension, the hobby.

There undoubtably will be those who disagree with some aspect of my post. Still others may think I am trying to gain favor with some of the prospective new board members, or am trying to be part of some clique. If you do disagree with me, god bless, it is your right (this is still America), and I would welcome your thoughts and ideas presented in a reasoned and rational manner. If you believe that I am 'kissing up' or worse, than I suggest you don't really know me, but that I hope in the future you will come to know me, and be dissuaded or disabused of your view.

Thank you for your valuable time, I hope I haven't wasted it.

Aaron