BY BILL STEELE
Roughly a year and two actual miles (Holiday Inn,Ocala) from a meeting that knocked the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders and Owners Association off of its axis, the organization gathered at the Hilton

Ocala to introduce new director, Lonny Powell and to update members on what was being done to correct past sins and to take a step toward resurrecting members’ confidence in the Board of Directors and the organization itself.

Ironically the man chosen to lead the organization out of the drought is also the son of  jockey, Taylor Powell.  So tight squeezes and urging tactics should be nothing new.  One member of the audience said that Lonny Powell could be an evangelical minister (after hearing him speak) if horse racing did not work out.  Some members were still skeptical, but hope was in the voices of even the skeptics.

“Step back non-believers or the rain will never come

somebody start a fire burning, somebody beat a drum

He said some might think I’m crazy for making all these claims

But I swear before this day is over, you folks gonna see some rain”    (Lucy and The Rain Man)

The Association has been mugged by its own employees, directors, and officials; good reasons for being skeptical.

What transpired was an orderly and smooth meeting in which some of the members looked a bit less weary than when they walked in.  President Phil Matthews and new CEO Powell worked well together in dialogue which hopefully will translate to putting trust and efficiency back into the FTBOA.

The first order of business must be to correct the flawed election process.  The “proxy” ballot and the uneven playing field created by some candidates having to get fifty signatures while others are automatically on the ballot due to a back room meeting anointing them will no longer be accepted by the general membership.  This needs to be done quickly not just before the next election.  Most of the other problems will dissipate once integrity is restored to the election process.  Some board members feel that “some of the wrong people” will be elected.  People with “not enough leadership” might be elected.  My question is simple.  Could they have done worse than what we have been doing for the last five years?

The membership has been asked to be patient and yes, they should, but the board members also need to trust in the members as fully vested partners in the organization.

For the first time in a long time, everyone is rowing in the same direction and it is time to keep the momentum going.  Being a board member is not an easy job and it is a volunteer position.  On the other hand, it is a position of representation and that means representing the membership that elected you, not just the guy sitting next to you or across the table.  Members wantFloridato be a viable venue for thoroughbred breeding and racing.  They want, as do the board members, to seeFloridaracing restored to its former position.  This cannot be done without cooperation, trust and being able to look one another in the eye with honor and respect.

...well a man’s gotta have a dream

And if you can’t walk on the inside with me, I’ll meet you in between

Oh come with me …. and the stars will write your name

And if you think I’m lying to you, look a yonder here comes the rain!”    (Lucy and The Rain Man)

We all must realize that we do not control everything that has an influence on us, but we must manage the things that are in our control.