Here’s what I know about the upcoming BFW Board Elections: There are four board members whose terms expire this year. One of them will not be running for re-election. Three of them are running for re-election.
An announcement for applicants interested in serving on the BFW board was made in an email message to “Bikies” on 7/12/7 with the application deadline being 8/16/7. Four applicants for the board were interviewed on 8/27/7. For this year’s election, the board has nominated two of the four applicants. Their names will appear on the ballot with the three incumbents (Five names for four open seats). The other two applicants will not have their names on the ballot but were given the option to run a “write-in” campaign. Some details and thoughts: 1) Per the BFW website, the four board members whose terms expire this year are Dick Kendall, Eric Schramm, Chick Veenstra and Ken Bates (Mr. Kendall is not seeking re-election to the board). 2) The four new applicants for the board are Aaron Crandall (Madison), Joel Savilonis (Dodgeville), Pam Barrett (Madison) and one other individual whose name I do not know. The nominating committee has chosen Aaron and Joel to be on the ballot. You’re truly and one other candidate (whose name I don’t know) were not selected. Members could have had the luxury of voting for 4 of 7 candidates. Per the BFW Board’s desires, you will choose 4 of 5 nominees. I would point out that the board is acting well within the parameters of the new by-laws (ratified in August of this year). After the Board decision was made, I asked for clarification that my name would not appear on the ballot. I was informed by the nominating committee chair that the policy of excluding candidate names from the ballot has been going on for “as long as I recall.” I contacted Jean Hoffman, executive director from the mid- to late-90’s and she assures me that no candidate was ever left off of a ballot. Perhaps in the last few years names have been left off of the ballot but this procedure was not previously part of any policy or the old by-laws from what I can find. I would also point out that BFW members do not have access to the membership database and thus, the suggestion that one mount a “write-in” campaign places a potential candidate at a greater disadvantage than the Dennis Kucinich presidential bid. At least he has access to registered voters. I am not surprised that the board does not want me to join them given how publicly critical I have been of the manner in which they handled the termination of the previous executive director. I still believe they handled the situation poorly. In not reconciling their actions with BFW membership they have weakened the status of the BFW both financially and with regard to good will in the community. If you are a BFW member, I humbly encourage you to vote for Aaron Crandall and Joel Savilonis to get some “new blood” on the board. I don’t know Joel but, sometimes, change for the sake of change can be a positive thing. I know Aaron. He’s a good fella, dedicated bike commuter and a tireless volunteer. Pam _______________________________________________ Bikies mailing list [email protected] http://www.danenet.org/mailman/listinfo/bikies
