Hey Danny,
I have just got back, and read some of your posts. I know there has been on and off again friction between Sherry and the board for several years. I hope it is finished. I do have a question in my mind also. Back about a year or year and a half ago, Sherry had the board eating out of her hand. What happened so quickly to cause all this problem? It most certainly wasn&#039;t over #3, because I saw the situation deteriorating before that. Perhaps the conflict as to who takes care of the membership services got it fired up, in my simple opinion, that would be a membership committee duty, not a magazine issue, I may be wrong, but I doubt it. One if the most common comments I heard from directors for some time was if Sherry would just do the magazine, as well as the duties contracted, and leave everything else alone, they would be very happy. That may be the root of the problem. I can agree in your comment about not being able to haul #3 at market rate. There is a big transition anytime one changes commodities, it costs money. I think I would of gotten a load of CAT, from Peoria to Baltimore to help offset the cost. I can&#039;t comprehend that an institution as large as Smithsonian would not have an approved list of motor carriers that regularly haul their artifacts, and that would make bids. I also agree a contract would be appropriate, I have a contract on every load I haul, regardless of how well I get along with the shipper. Contracts keep us on a friendly basis. I was in attendance at the meeting where #3 was discussed, and a committee was formed to deal with it, about half of the amount of money was allocated compared to what was spent, and that was contingent on HPOCA receiving the loan of the tractor. It was not contingent on any outside entity receiving the loan. Senator James Jeffords, (I) VT, was involved. It is very hard for me to believe that with support of a US Senator, the loan would be denied. But, someone threw a monkey wrench in the works. That is one reason I doubt a museum will be forthcoming, it will now be much more difficult to get our foot in the door for federal funding. But, all that is done and over, let&#039;s move along, and prove what a wonderful association we have!