For the second time in recent months, the board of directors of the Maryland Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association (MTHA) has reversed course on a governance matter. Last night, in a meeting at Laurel Park, the Board voted by a 6-3 margin to undo the work of a committee it had created in May and instead to put off any bylaws changes until the next board election, in 2014. That decision may reopen wounds that the committee’s creation was designed to salve.
In late May, following a lengthy executive session, the board announced several actions. Among the most important of those was the creation of an ad hoc committee to review and recommend changes to the organization’s bylaws, which by most accounts have not been updated for more than a decade and still include reference to elections held in the 1980s.
Four board members had participated on the ad hoc committee, which had met twice in the interim and had, according to participants, achieved significant consensus on a variety of changes, including term limits and staggered terms. It had not yet crafted a final report or submitted any recommendations to the board for its approval.
But last night, board president Richard Hoffberger moved that the board decline to consider any bylaws changes until its next election, in 2014. Those in favor of the motion, which passed 6-3, included Hoffberger, Neil Glasser, Tim Keefe, Dale Capuano, Linda Gaudet, and Christopher Grove. Opposed were Larry Johnson, Christine Bricker, and Katy Voss, all three of whom had participated in at least one of the ad hoc committee’s meetings; none of those voting to spike the committee’s work had attended the meetings, although there was some discussion of changes under consideration prior to the vote.
The decision marked the second time in recent months that the board had reversed course on bylaws changes. In late April, the organization’s members, in a Special Meeting, voted 126-115 to vest in themselves, rather than in the board, the authority to elect the organization’s president and vice-president. One week later, the board voted to undo those bylaws changes (here) on the grounds that an unknown number of ineligible voters had mistakenly been allowed to vote. That decision, which followed an acrimonious and often personal campaign, caused a firestorm among many members of the group, and the May decisions had been designed to quiet that anger.
It was unclear what exactly had changed in six weeks to cause the board action. While on the one hand, the board at large did not appear to be supportive of some of what the ad hoc committee was likely to propose, other proposals would likely have been non-controversial.
Johnson, whose proposal to alter the organization’s presidential election process had to some extent ultimately spurred the creation of the ad hoc committee, described himself as “disgusted.” The board, he added, “is deaf to members, acts in its own self-interest, and is incapable of change.”
What next?
Multiple sources on and off the board of directors agreed that last night’s action is more likely to inflame passions than to soothe them. One said that the question is no longer whether, but when and how, the situation will come to a head.
Johnson did not appear to disagree. “It’s not over,” he said.
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Tom LaMarra (@JerseyTom)
July 3, 2012 at 5:35 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
RT @ThatsAmoreStabl: Md. THA decides not to consider bylaw changes for 2 years – 6 wks after creating a committee to recommend changes… http://t.co/Yae4SK3B
Ray Paulick (@raypaulick)
July 3, 2012 at 6:31 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
RT @ThatsAmoreStabl: Md. THA decides not to consider bylaw changes for 2 years – 6 wks after creating a committee to recommend changes… http://t.co/Yae4SK3B
Lydia
July 3, 2012 at 6:50 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Oh emm gee.
MD Racer
July 4, 2012 at 12:01 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
There is a wonderful silver lining in this dark cloud. Conversations regarding the formation of a new group to represent the interests of Maryland owners and trainers are now beginning in earnest. If you would like to see an organization that has bylaws that include term limits, staggered terms, audited elections, and strict conflict of interest prohibitions, then please reach out to one another and lets get the conversation rolling. We should look to hold a meeting of all horsemen interested in creating a new representative body. We can set a time and place that will make it easy for all interested persons to attend. If anyone has experience in website design, then please consider creating a website to facilitate the conversation and provide information to interested parties.
What is abundantly clear from Monday’s meeting that negotiations with the Stronach Group are going nowhere. How can we expect to have meaningful discussions with the Stronach Group when our negotiators are openly derisive of Mr. Stronach and his organization ? At Monday’s meeting , one of our negotiators openly mocked Mr. Stronach’s accent in his remarks. Why should Mr. Stronach take such negotiators seriously ? Is this the type of person you want representing your future ? Another negotiator commented that we had better communication with the track when MRC Commissioner Mcdaniel was not involved. HUH ? Mr. Mcdaniel has devoted considerable energy to mediating the negotiations. He is a passionate, dedicated, and intelligent horseman who wants nothing but the best for Maryland racing and has made it his mission to obtain the brightest future possible for Maryland racing. MRC Commissioner Hayden actually stood up at Monday’s meeting and walked out of the room. So, let’s see, our strategy is to alienate the MRC AND Stronach Group AND MHBA ?????? That is a recipe for disaster and disharmony and failure. Again, I ask, is this how horsemen wish to be represented ????? I sure don’t !
So what can you do if you don’t wish to represented in such a fashion ? It’s fairly simple – GET PROACTIVE ! Voice your displeasure by taking action. Step 1 – join the conversation regarding the creation of a new group to represent MD horsemen and help chart our future. Step 2 – PLEASE take five minutes of your time and reach out to the Stronach Group and let them know that you want to hear their vision for Maryland racing directly from them . This is crucial. You can find contact information via the web. Its time we have a meeting between the Stronach Group and ALL horsemen. Let’s get together and exchange ideas and voice concerns. Let’s get the Stronach Group to put their proposal before all of us and let’s discuss the issues. Let’s control our own destiny. We don’t need, as Larry Johnson suggests in the above blog, self interests, to decide our fate. I look forward to hearing comments.
(@turfbloggers) (@turfbloggers)
July 5, 2012 at 10:12 am (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Maryland Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association (MTHA) board will not consider by-law changes @ThatsAmoreStabl http://t.co/TIU3dj30
admin
July 5, 2012 at 12:10 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Thanks for checking in, Racer. Forming a new group is likely to be a pretty heavy lift (though, in truth, I have no idea how it’s done), and it will certainly be interesting to see if that’s what happens next.
Tony
July 5, 2012 at 4:38 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
It is clear that this is Dale Capuano’s world- We’re all just livin in it!
MD Racer
July 6, 2012 at 1:33 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Tony – that is a bit cryptic – care to explain ???? What are you suggesting ????
admin
July 6, 2012 at 1:40 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Racer – I think he was asking if the proposal mentioned year-round stabling. It does – at Laurel. I had neglected to mention it in my first version, since updated.