The board of the Maryland Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association last night voted to install Richard Meyer as its new president and Dale Capuano as vice-president. Meyer replaces Richard Hoffberger, who had served as president from the organization’s inception in 1985. Capuano replaces Meyer himself, who previously had served as vice-president and who had earlier announced his intention to resign from that role effective September 15. The organization’s official statement is here. The meeting was closed to the organization’s membership.
Trainer Katy Voss was nominated to both positions. The board chose Meyer over Voss by a 9-5 vote, multiple sources said. The vice-presidential vote was 11-3. Meyer did not attend the meeting.
Meyer has been a member of the organization’s board since 1989 and is known for his work in the organization’s backstretch welfare programs. He had been vice-president since 2002. Capuano, a board member since 1995, is one of Maryland’s all-time winningest trainers. He serves on the organization’s purse committee and has been involved in ongoing negotiations with the racetracks over the sport’s future in Maryland.
The change takes place at a challenging moment for the organization. The track-horsemen negotiations over racing’s future have, according to several sources, reached a critical moment. The organization’s board reportedly discussed the most recent proposal from the tracks’ owner, the Maryland Jockey Club, last night. Sources indicated that, while the board reached no specific decision last night, it did make some progress; maintaining adequate stabling remains a challenging issue.
Beyond these negotiations, the horsemen’s organization must also work to repair what many have described as a fractured relationship with the state’s breeding community. The state’s horsemen and breeders have squabbled over numerous issues over the years, and one principal issue these days is the breeders’ desire for a more robust state-bred incentive program.
Finally, the MTHA’s new leadership will face a split board and a restive membership. A series of steps — and missteps — over the last several months have left many horsemen frustrated with the organization and concerned that it does not adequately represent them.
The immediate goal for the new leadership will be reach a long-term agreement with the racetracks. But those other challenges are critical, too, and soon enough, they will demand resolutions of their own.
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MD RACER
October 6, 2012 at 12:06 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
The meeting was a sad display by a dying, desperate, and increasingly irrelevant organization. Board members who have frequently been absent actually made it to this meeting. However, the vote for President was only 9-5 which is a clear signal of the growing dissent among the Board members. Shockingly, the Board was not even unanimous on Vice President. The contentious voting for officers is quite unusual for non-profit organizations, especially when those running are current Board members. What is absolutely amusing is the fact that the President-elect was not even at the meeting! How was it communicated to the Board that he was interested in running for office? Were Board members advised of the impending election PRIOR to the meeting? Was a slate of candidates presented to the Board PRIOR to the meeting? Obviously, the Board did not have the opportunity to pose questions to the President-elect due to his absence. Perhaps the Board had questions because the President-elect had actually resigned his position as Vice President as of September 15. Obviously, my questions are rhetorical in nature due to the fact that it appeared to be a well orchestrated production and predictable vote. It was hilariously transparent.
Unfortunately, in a clear sign of how pathetic the organization has gotten and how completely devoid of governance it is, there was an EXTREMELY disturbing occurrence. One of the long serving members of the Board attributed dissenting views to anti-ethnic sentiments. To make such a bold and spurious suggestion is ethically irresponsible and morally repugnant. There is NO place for such allegations. I can’t fathom how the General Counsel did not caution the member and advise him that such inflammatory language is wholly inappropriate and out of order at any meeting of the Board. I wonder if that member has ever voiced a concern that there have been NO women, minorities, or disadvantaged persons to serve as President or Executive Secretary of the MTHA? Were any women, minorities, or disadvantaged folks interviewed for the Executive Secretary opening? I guess that’s life in the land of anarchy and no governance.
There was a discussion of a potential long term deal with the Stronach Group. I will comment in depth on that subject at a later date. As for now, the membership should realize that the MRC and the Stronach Group are abundantly aware that the members have NOT seen the proposal and have not had an opportunity to comment on its contents. Rest assured that folks are working on rectifying that situation. The MRC and the Stronach Group are being encouraged to bring the proposal to a general meeting of ALL horsemen. All involved are very cognizant of the potential “run out the clock” strategy that some seem to favor. This is very unlikely to happen. There seems to be little chance that the MRC and Stronach Group will wait to till the end of the year and agree to rush through a “band aid” short term deal with the usual promise to work on a long term deal next year. This is also true as far the issue of Jockey Workmen’s Comp Insurance is concerned. Everyone is aware that the insurance issue has to be dealt with sooner rather than later. I do not expect a repeat of last year when the horsemen were told at the last minute that the there was no alternative to the policy premium that was presented and a large chunk of money was taken out of the purse account to fund the policy. I expect we will see movement on the insurance issue in the near term. That’s all for now. Stay tuned……..
admin
October 10, 2012 at 10:11 am (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Racer – thanks for checking in and sharing your thoughts. I, too, have been told of the accusations of anti-ethnic motivations you reference. It’s just as well that the meeting was closed, I suppose, because there should be no place for that type of accusation at the MTHA. Let’s hope that the member responsible apologizes, and that the organization clarifies that it does not condone what occurred. As for the Stronach deal, well, time will tell on that one.
Lead Pony
October 12, 2012 at 2:01 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
The meeting was closed so that the general membership could not participate- the whole anti-semitic thing was staged like an off-off-off broadway play. Had the meeting been open- it would have been uploaded to Youtube so that everyone could see the charade which is the MTHA leadership.
Racer- Alan Foreman was mum about the outburst as what was in attendance was in reality a cardboard cutout. If you want the living/speaking Alan you have to cough up $500 per hour.
admin
October 16, 2012 at 6:10 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Thanks for checking in, Pony… you’re not big on pulling your punches, are you?