Chess politics - Crossing Crossville

Author

Crossing Crossville

Chess One

2004-10-23, 6:45 am

I don't know if the Crossville decision makes any sense whatever based on
evidence of the mishmash of reports here.

On the face of it people seem to have made their decision in a hurry for no
apparent reason, informed by wildly conflicting reports of the 3 sites, and
without stating what goal is to be achieved by any move.

The property rate for TN seems very high for a 'rural' district. I am
comparing it with local rates for professional offices in my own town of
about the same size as Crossville, and which is also a non-metro area. You
can purchase two town houses, each of 2,000 square feet, for about $125k
each, which appears to discount the TN rate by 40%.

Our town has 3 interstate exits, 90 minutes from an international airport,
and 2 hrs from Logan/Boston, and is settled with various people who come
here for the arts and general amenities, which is also a reason cited by
business owners for relocation.

Spotted recently were Whoopi Goldberg, Saul Bellow, Misha Barysnikov and Ken
Burns. The Museum is currently hosting a Warhol festival from NY City [a
coup for the museum, the exhibit is a rare event anywhere], and every year
there is a literary festival drawing people from all over New England.

The population is 12,000 residents, grand list of 5,500, and with a day-time
population of almost 25,000.

Marlboro college has a graduate department for Internet studies, and there
are more cyber-people in town than shrinks! The World Learning Institute is
situated near Kipling's house, Naulakha, and can translate any of 57
languages. An outfit called VABEC runs PhD programs, and has the best
teleconferencing studio in the USA (much used by educators and medical
types).

There are 2,000,000 square feet of available wharehousing in the town, as
well as concommitant office spaces to serve it. Leasing better office space
of 4,000 sq ft might cost $40,000 per year. The entire town is designated as
America's first free-trade zone [any property can qualify] supported by the
chief government employee in the state and the governor.

Vermont as a desirable location always comes within the top 3 states in any
poll.

--------

But!

What I have not read here is a side-by-side comparison of sites that is not
contradicted by the decision-makers themselves!

(as if various people were voting from completely different sets of
information)

And which also addresses real needs of USCF, now and in a few years. I have
read happy abstractions, but as explanations for a strategic move of HQ they
are anodyne, and what is not at all clear is if the writers are writing-down
in public, or if what they have written constitutes their thinking entire.

A minimum set of items to address must be:-

i) How much work can be achieved by tele-commuting?
ii) What is the staffing need overall?
iii) What staff are identified to be absolutely necessary to USCF's office
/in situ/ and what work will they do?
iv) How much space needs be allocated to these staff? [Sam Sloan's question]
vi) In 5 years time, what are the identified spatial requirements for a USCF
office?
vii) What predicates metro versus rural location? [Larry Parr's question]

Phil Innes
Brattleboro, Vermont

StanB

2004-10-23, 9:45 am

"Chess One" <innes8@verizon.net> wrote in message
news:xQsdd.5795$Ug4.822@trndny01...

quote:

> The property rate for TN seems very high for a 'rural' district. I am
> comparing it with local rates for professional offices in my own town of
> about the same size as Crossville, and which is also a non-metro area. You
> can purchase two town houses, each of 2,000 square feet, for about $125k
> each, which appears to discount the TN rate by 40%.

Dubious in any place but the sticks. My house is 2400 sq ft and could bring
450k. That's what similar homes are bringing. 1,100 ft townhomes are
bringing in the high 200s around here.

My house is in the middle left of the pic, just above and right of the
upside down seven.

http://terraserver-usa.com/image.as...=11138&z=18&w=1

Mike Murray

2004-10-23, 9:45 am

On Wed, 20 Oct 2004 18:01:18 -0400, "StanB" <stanbooz@comXXXcast.net>
wrote:

quote:

>My house is in the middle left of the pic, just above and right of the
>upside down seven.

quote:

>http://terraserver-usa.com/image.as...=11138&z=18&w=1

Your lawn needs mowing.

Parrthenon

2004-10-24, 6:45 am

Tim Hanke cast the decisive vote to move to Crossville without delaying the
vote for two weeks to explore whether a generous offer from a billionaire
philanthropist who lives near New Windsor was feasible. Recently he stated he
wouldn't accept the Liberty site even if it was given to the USCF for free.
However, a realtor's report submitted to the board before the vote was taken
states that the site is worth in excess of $500,000!

As a candidate Mr. Hanke was opposed to Crossville. Was he right then and wrong
now? Or wrong now and right then?

From: Tim Hanke (webmaster@scleroderma.org)
Subject: Re: Questions for T. Hanke & S. Sloan

rec.games.chess.misc, rec.games.chess.politics
Date: 2003-06-14 13:52:58 PST

"Gunny Bunny" <nowwhere@nowhere.com> wrote ...

quote:

> 1) Why is the USCF moving ? Especially to Tennessee ?

I believe the USCF is moving in large part to shed payroll without having to
fire employees. The move can be expected to lead to many staff quitting who
might otherwise have had to be fired. Also, morale has been iffy at the current
site.

As to why Crossville, Tennessee, I really have no idea. With all due respect to
Crossville, I think the search process should continue if that's the best place
they have come up with so far.

quote:

> 2) What is your position on the move ?

Based on what I have heard, I'm opposed to it. Apparently Crossville is two
hours from an airport and in the middle of nowhere. There is no local chess
constituency, which I think is important though I know others think
differently.

In Crossville, will it be easy or even possible to find highly qualified and
educated technical people, such as are required to run a top-notch website, a
large database and programming operation, and publish a high-quality magazine?
I don't know, but I am skeptical till proven wrong.

Moving to Crossville, Tennessee strikes me as yet one more significant
strategic mistake by USCF in a long string of strategic mistakes over the past
decade.

quote:

> 3) Do you feel a move to NY city might be a better place, due to Economies

of Scale and the ability to start a USCF chess club in NY and have 15 million
potential players

As I've said before, I think our national chess federation should be
headquartered in the Northeast, which has long been the geographic center of
chess in this country ... or in the Pacific Northwest, possibly involving
people from Yasser Seirawan's old International Chess Enterprises. That
crowd is already running the U.S. Chess Championship for USCF; the Northwest
is a hotbed for computer people and other highly skilled professionals; the
area also has a strong chess heritage.

Both the Northeast and the Northwest also have strong media and PR
capabilities. In either area you can call a press conference or hold a public
event and get a good turnout with plenty of professionals to manage
things. I doubt there is much of that capability in Crossville, Tennessee.

Tim Hanke
--
I am a candidate for the U.S. Chess Federation Executive Board in the 2003
election. Please visit my website at http://www.timothyhanke.net.

Duncan Oxley

2004-10-24, 6:45 am

Smart people are not afraid to reevaluate their position when
new information comes in as time passes.

Clenched mouthed jerks call this flip-flopping.

If your heart surgeon decides you don't need an emergency operation
because he got wrong information and now new tests show different
would you wonder if he was right/wrong or wrong/right or thank your
lucky stars?

"Parrthenon" <parrthenon@cs.com> wrote in message
news:20041024011334.22466.00001341@mb-m06.news.cs.com...

quote:

> Tim Hanke cast the decisive vote to move to Crossville without delaying
> the
> vote for two weeks to explore whether a generous offer from a billionaire
> philanthropist who lives near New Windsor was feasible. Recently he stated
> he
> wouldn't accept the Liberty site even if it was given to the USCF for
> free.
> However, a realtor's report submitted to the board before the vote was
> taken
> states that the site is worth in excess of $500,000!
>
> As a candidate Mr. Hanke was opposed to Crossville. Was he right then and
> wrong
> now? Or wrong now and right then?
>
> From: Tim Hanke (webmaster@scleroderma.org)
> Subject: Re: Questions for T. Hanke & S. Sloan
>
> rec.games.chess.misc, rec.games.chess.politics
> Date: 2003-06-14 13:52:58 PST
>
> "Gunny Bunny" <nowwhere@nowhere.com> wrote ...
>
> I believe the USCF is moving in large part to shed payroll without having
> to
> fire employees. The move can be expected to lead to many staff quitting
> who
> might otherwise have had to be fired. Also, morale has been iffy at the
> current
> site.
>
> As to why Crossville, Tennessee, I really have no idea. With all due
> respect to
> Crossville, I think the search process should continue if that's the best
> place
> they have come up with so far.
>
>
> Based on what I have heard, I'm opposed to it. Apparently Crossville is
> two
> hours from an airport and in the middle of nowhere. There is no local
> chess
> constituency, which I think is important though I know others think
> differently.
>
> In Crossville, will it be easy or even possible to find highly qualified
> and
> educated technical people, such as are required to run a top-notch
> website, a
> large database and programming operation, and publish a high-quality
> magazine?
> I don't know, but I am skeptical till proven wrong.
>
> Moving to Crossville, Tennessee strikes me as yet one more significant
> strategic mistake by USCF in a long string of strategic mistakes over the
> past
> decade.
>
> of Scale and the ability to start a USCF chess club in NY and have 15
> million
> potential players
>
> As I've said before, I think our national chess federation should be
> headquartered in the Northeast, which has long been the geographic center
> of
> chess in this country ... or in the Pacific Northwest, possibly involving
> people from Yasser Seirawan's old International Chess Enterprises. That
> crowd is already running the U.S. Chess Championship for USCF; the
> Northwest
> is a hotbed for computer people and other highly skilled professionals;
> the
> area also has a strong chess heritage.
>
> Both the Northeast and the Northwest also have strong media and PR
> capabilities. In either area you can call a press conference or hold a
> public
> event and get a good turnout with plenty of professionals to manage
> things. I doubt there is much of that capability in Crossville, Tennessee.
>
> Tim Hanke
> --
> I am a candidate for the U.S. Chess Federation Executive Board in the 2003
> election. Please visit my website at http://www.timothyhanke.net.
>
>

Fifiela

2004-10-24, 5:45 pm

<<<Clenched mouthed jerks call this flip-flopping.>>>

Very Good!

Fifiela

2004-10-24, 5:45 pm

<<<Can I get on your blocked list? I want to join.>>>

*poof*

Sam Sloan

2004-10-24, 5:45 pm

On Sun, 24 Oct 2004 10:29:17 -0400, "StanB" <stanbooz@comXXXcast.net>
wrote:

quote:

>The following was submitted to me:
>
>
>Movie Proposal:
>
>Two Weeks in October
>
>Synopsis:
>
>This is a tense political thriller that is the story of an attempted coup
>d'etat of the United States government lead by head of the Joint Chiefs of
>Staff, General James Mattoon Scott.
>
>Scott and other Joints Chiefs feel that President Jordan Lyman has betrayed
>the safety of the United States by supporting a controversial Senate
>approved relocation treaty with Crossville. With Lyman's approval numbers in
>the cellar, Scott and the other generals feel the time is right for new
>leadership that, of course, only the military can provide. Making secret
>deals with various leaders in Congress and with broadcast executives, Scott
>plans on seizing control of the US in two weeks on the first Sunday running
>of the US Junior Invitationals when the country's military is running safety
>maneuvers in Liberty, New York.
>Kept out of the loop, Scott's aide, Colonel Martin "Jiggs" Casey begins to
>suspect something is going on when he finds himself being shut out of
>meetings and conversations. Casey notices suspicious activity around a
>secret base in Pipe Creek, Texas and warns the president that he suspects a
>coup. Finding all of Casey's evidence somewhat hard to believe, Lyman
>assembles his closest friends and allies, sending them off to various points
>of the world to investigate. The information they return with shows that
>Casey is indeed right and the way of life that all hold dear is perilously
>close to ending.
>
>With the clock ticking, lives are threatened, lives are lost and
>confrontations ensue. Will Scott succeed in his bloody takeover or will
>Lyman and his just cause carry the day? This is the story of Two Weeks in
>October and I'm not going to ruin any of its surprises here.
>
>Cast:
>
>Bill Goichberg as General James Mattoon Scott
>Stephen Shutt as Colonel Martin 'Jiggs' Casey
>Beatriz Marinello as President Jordan Lyman
>Eric Johnson as Eleanor 'Ellie' Holbrook
>Tim Hanke as Senator Raymond Clark
>Leroy Dubeck as Paul Girard
>Larry Evans as Colonel William 'Mutt' Henderson
>Jerry Hanken as Harold McPherson
>Don Schultz as Senator Frederick Prentice
>Barbara Vandermark as Esther Townsend
>Stan Booz as Christopher Todd
>Frank Brady as Colonel Murdock
>Larry Parr as Colonel John Broderick

Actually, I think there is merit to this. I have always wanted to
create a movie thriller based on chess, but I have never been able to
think of a plot.

Sam Sloan

Doom & Gloom Dave

2004-10-24, 5:45 pm

StanB wrote:

quote:

> The following was submitted to me:
>
>
> Movie Proposal:
>
> Two Weeks in October
>

<snip>

quote:

> Cast:
>
> Bill Goichberg as General James Mattoon Scott
> Stephen Shutt as Colonel Martin 'Jiggs' Casey
> Beatriz Marinello as President Jordan Lyman
> Eric Johnson as Eleanor 'Ellie' Holbrook
> Tim Hanke as Senator Raymond Clark
> Leroy Dubeck as Paul Girard
> Larry Evans as Colonel William 'Mutt' Henderson
> Jerry Hanken as Harold McPherson
> Don Schultz as Senator Frederick Prentice
> Barbara Vandermark as Esther Townsend
> Stan Booz as Christopher Todd
> Frank Brady as Colonel Murdock
> Larry Parr as Colonel John Broderick

Not even a walk-on for Sam? Surely a tense movie like this needs some
comic relief!

Miriling

2004-10-24, 5:45 pm

>Subject: Re: Crossing Crossville

quote:

>On 24 October 2004 "StanB" stanbooz@comXXXcast.net replied in
>Message-id: <TbKdnbbhcoWGMebcRVn-qg@comcast.com>
>

quote:

>
>Realtors are right up there with car salesman, Sam Sloan, and guys in
>singles bars when it comes to the truthfulness.
>
>
>
>How about attorneys, especially the attorney for the city of Crossville, who

claims that the land deeded to the USCF is worth $ 264,000 - according to the
most recent appraisal he has seen. Any truth to that?

George Mirijanian

quote:

>
>
>
>

HAASpittle

2004-10-24, 5:45 pm

I wouldn't pay to see that movie, either.

Old Haasie

GrantPerks

2004-10-24, 5:45 pm

quote:

> Not even a walk-on for Sam? Surely a tense movie like this needs some
>comic relief!

I hear Mike Nolan will work as Ernie Schlich's stunt double.

Grant Perks

Chess One

2004-10-25, 6:46 am

"StanB" <stanbooz@comXXXcast.net> wrote in message
news:X7qdnZEyxfm3fevcRVn-3w@comcast.com...

quote:

>
> "Chess One" <innes8@verizon.net> wrote in message
> news:xQsdd.5795$Ug4.822@trndny01...
>
>
> Dubious in any place but the sticks. My house is 2400 sq ft and could
> bring 450k. That's what similar homes are bringing. 1,100 ft townhomes are
> bringing in the high 200s around here.
>
> My house is in the middle left of the pic, just above and right of the
> upside down seven.
>
> http://terraserver-usa.com/image.as...=11138&z=18&w=1

Stan, I expected to see a nice pic of a shuttered duplex, kennel out back, a
few okay shrubs, and maybe a kid learning to ride a training wheel bike. But
you live in a zeppelin!

Away from metro areas costs are very much less. I even calculated that USCF
could almost pay a lease from the /interest/ of the building sale here.

But we have more expensive real estate too, and pre-governor Arnold bought a
lake-lot which cost several times more than your house. In the most
desirable areas general contractors sometimes remove the old house entirely,
even if it cost a million, and rebuild a new 'palace'. They call these
properties 'scrapers'.

Try an on-line realtor in Vermont and look at towns called Manchester,
Dorset or Norwich, where the lot price is likely to be 400k. House is extra.

Phil

Chess One

2004-10-25, 9:45 am

Here we are obliging the city of Crossville without obliging ourselves.

Crossville's lawyers seems to be directing USCF's current and
future actions more than its own board.

I agree with Larry Parr, Sam should seek a restraining order.

A basis may be that the move accords with;-

a) no strategic plan; (including no solid idea of future spatial needs)
b) failure to achieve fair comparison with other sites and is therefore
inept according to USCF's own dissenting board-members, and finally,
c) USCF's idea of using its last asset to construct a NEW building is
inane.

If Sam wanted a movie plot, maybe this tragi-comedy is enough?

Despite happy talk of a bright future in Crossville, Tim Hanke hasn't
written about any of these subjects, and has only mentioned that its cheap
for him to get there.

I wonder if we can get beyond what's cheap or convenient for board members,
and talk about how to decently spend USCF's members's last asset like it had
something to do with the future of chess management in the USA?

Phil Innes

Don C. Aldrich

2004-10-25, 5:46 pm

Now there's a brain trust for you...

On Mon, 25 Oct 2004 12:10:17 GMT, "Chess One" <innes8@verizon.net>
wrote:

quote:

>I agree with Larry Parr, Sam should seek a restraining order.
>

StanB

2004-10-26, 12:45 am

Maybe Jerome Bibuld could add some assistance too.

"Don C. Aldrich" <dondo@mn.rr.com> wrote in message
news:qlrqn0hpjgk7p936i8jqjhnii8666nbhou@4ax.com...

quote:

> Now there's a brain trust for you...
>
> On Mon, 25 Oct 2004 12:10:17 GMT, "Chess One" <innes8@verizon.net>
> wrote:
>
>

Tim Hanke

2004-10-26, 12:45 am

"Chess One" <innes8@verizon.net> wrote ...

quote:

> USCF's idea of using its last asset to construct a NEW building is inane.
>
> Phil Innes

Phil,

We are constructing our new headquarters with NO MONEY DOWN. I have posted
that information here REPEATEDLY.

I have also posted here that when we are done next year with our current
leases of office space in New Windsor and storage space, those sums will PAY
FOR OUR NEW MORTGAGE.

You would appear wiser if you read more of my posts and made fewer of your
own. :-)

Tim Hanke
USCF Vice President of Finance

Wickdeer3

2004-10-26, 12:45 am

Dondo wrote:

quote:

>
>Now there's a brain trust for you...
>

Other than the complete dearth of either brains or trustworthiness, I agree
completely.

Wick

quote:

>On Mon, 25 Oct 2004 12:10:17 GMT, "Chess One" <innes8@verizon.net>
>wrote:
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>

Parrthenon

2004-10-26, 12:45 am

Greetings to Wickster and Dondo,

You have returned with one-liners. Do we have discussion matter? Now, where DID
we leave off? Hmmm.

As always,

Larry Parr

Subject: Re: Crossing Crossville
From: mailto:wickdeer3@cs.comKillSpam (Wickdeer3)
Date: 10/25/2004 5:22 PM Pacific Standard

Dondo wrote:

quote:

>Now there's a brain trust for you...>

Other than the complete dearth of either brains or trustworthiness, I agree
completely. -- Wick

quote:

>On Mon, 25 Oct 2004 12:10:17 GMT, "Chess One" <innes8@verizon.net>> wrote:

[vbcol=seagreen]

________________________________________________________________
"FIDE has made its decision. Players who refuse to be drug tested will not be
able to play chess." -- Dr. Press, co-founder of the FIDE Medical Commission.

StanB

2004-10-26, 12:45 am

"Parrthenon" <parrthenon@cs.com> wrote in message
news:20041025222144.13199.00002622@mb-m28.news.cs.com...

quote:

> Greetings to Wickster and Dondo,
>
> You have returned with one-liners. Do we have discussion matter? Now,
> where DID
> we leave off? Hmmm.

Yes, I feel your pain. Discussion is such a rare commodity with you.

Sam Sloan

2004-10-26, 6:45 am

On Mon, 25 Oct 2004 23:53:43 GMT, "Tim Hanke"
<timothyhanke@comcast.net> wrote:

quote:

>"Chess One" <innes8@verizon.net> wrote ...
>
>Phil,
>
>We are constructing our new headquarters with NO MONEY DOWN. I have posted
>that information here REPEATEDLY.
>
>I have also posted here that when we are done next year with our current
>leases of office space in New Windsor and storage space, those sums will PAY
>FOR OUR NEW MORTGAGE.
>
>You would appear wiser if you read more of my posts and made fewer of your
>own. :-)
>
>Tim Hanke
>USCF Vice President of Finance

You have to be rather stupid if you do not realize that these NO MONEY
DOWN deals are a lot more expensive in the long run.

Our long term obligations on the Crossville deal will be significant.
It will go on the liabilities side of our balance sheet and we will be
bankrupt again.

Of course, we will have a way out. We can sue Tim Hanke for the money
he cost us.

Sam Sloan

StanB

2004-10-26, 9:45 am

"Sam Sloan" <sloan@ishipress.com> wrote in message
news:417e2483.110288203@ca.news.verio.net...

quote:

> Our long term obligations on the Crossville deal will be significant.
> It will go on the liabilities side of our balance sheet and we will be
> bankrupt again.

Hardly. On the flip side will be the cost of the building. The purchase of
assets with no money down has zero effect on equity.

Chess One

2004-10-26, 9:45 am

"Tim Hanke" <timothyhanke@comcast.net> wrote in message
news:bmgfd.315575$3l3.214702@attbi_s03...

quote:

> "Chess One" <innes8@verizon.net> wrote ...
>
> Phil,
>
> We are constructing our new headquarters with NO MONEY DOWN. I have posted
> that information here REPEATEDLY.
>
> I have also posted here that when we are done next year with our current
> leases of office space in New Windsor and storage space, those sums will
> PAY FOR OUR NEW MORTGAGE.
>
> You would appear wiser if you read more of my posts and made fewer of your
> own. :-)

So sorry Tim to be a nuisance. I'm catching your drift about the subject of
asking questions.

I probably shouldn't ask why any amount of space is necessary for future
activities, including 2,000 sq feet for in-house production of ChessLife for
example, which would cost $200,000 in the new building.

Of course, having a mortgage is nice, and new building costs won't all be
due at once, but over 15 years.

If ChessLife was produced by telecommuting I understand that the space need
would be reduced to about 2,500 feet, or a respectably sized town house,
which in my town "most desirable city in USA" could almost be be leased for
the interest on the sale of the current building.

However, you think it preferable to commit USCF's last financial asset to a
fixed amount of space without examining the basis of spatial needs in any
USCF future, and to cement your view of things by undertaking new
construction, rather than allowing for any flexibility and change.

As a plan I admit your idea has the merit of having a simple focus where
little can go astray by becoming confused with the complexities of the
modern world.

Cordially, Phil Innes

quote:

> Tim Hanke
> USCF Vice President of Finance
>

Tim Hanke

2004-10-26, 5:46 pm

"Chess One" <innes8@verizon.net> wrote ...

quote:

>
> As a plan I admit your idea has the merit of having a simple focus where
> little can go astray by becoming confused with the complexities of the
> modern world.
>
> Cordially, Phil Innes

Phil,

Thank you. :-)

I realize you may not have meant your remark as a compliment, but I take it
as one. The older I get, the more I embrace the KISS Principle.

Tim Hanke
USCF Vice President of Finance

Recmate

2004-10-27, 5:46 pm

>Subject: Re: Crossing Crossville

quote:

>From: "Tim Hanke" timothyhanke@comcast.net
>Date: 10/25/2004 7:53 PM Eastern Daylight Time
>Message-id: <bmgfd.315575$3l3.214702@attbi_s03>
>
>"Chess One" <innes8@verizon.net> wrote ...
>
>Phil,
>
>We are constructing our new headquarters with NO MONEY DOWN. I have posted
>that information here REPEATEDLY.
>
>I have also posted here that when we are done next year with our current
>leases of office space in New Windsor and storage space, those sums will PAY
>FOR OUR NEW MORTGAGE.
>

If we had five years of free rent instead, "those sums," about $400,000, would
be RETAINED by USCF rather than being used to pay for anything.

Our finances have improved, but is USCF in such great financial shape that we
can afford to throw away $400,000?

Bill Goichberg

quote:

>You would appear wiser if you read more of my posts and made fewer of your
>own. :-)
>
>Tim Hanke
>USCF Vice President of Finance
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>

Wickdeer3

2004-10-27, 5:46 pm

recmate wrote:

quote:

>Subject: Re: Crossing Crossville
>
>
>If we had five years of free rent instead, "those sums," about $400,000,
>would
>be RETAINED by USCF rather than being used to pay for anything.
>
>Our finances have improved, but is USCF in such great financial shape that we
>can afford to throw away $400,000?
>
>Bill Goichberg

I think it would be unfair to characterize building a headquarters as "throwing
away" money. Whether it is the best ivestment of USCF resources is a fair
question, but it isn't throwing money away.

Wick Deer

Recmate

2004-10-27, 5:46 pm

>Subject: Re: Crossing Crossville

quote:

>From: wickdeer3@cs.comKillSpam (Wickdeer3)
>Date: 10/27/2004 12:20 PM Eastern Daylight Time
>Message-id: <20041027122042.23955.00002773@mb-m16.news.cs.com>
>
>recmate wrote:
>
>PAY
>we
>
>I think it would be unfair to characterize building a headquarters as
>"throwing
>away" money. Whether it is the best ivestment of USCF resources is a fair
>question, but it isn't throwing money away.
>
>Wick Deer
>

True. A better way to phrase it is, if we are offered a minimum of five years
of free rent, is this the time to pay to construct a headquarters building?

Bill Goichberg

Hal Terrie

2004-10-27, 5:46 pm

On 27 Oct 2004 17:32:35 GMT, recmate@aol.com (Recmate) wrote:

quote:

>True. A better way to phrase it is, if we are offered a minimum of five years
>of free rent, is this the time to pay to construct a headquarters building?
>
>Bill Goichberg

A still better question might be, why is our Executive
Director still arguing about a decision that has already been made by
the Executive Board? It might lead some to suspect that he will not
give his best effort in seeing that decision implemented.

-- Hal Terrie

Louis Blair

2004-10-28, 12:46 am

Hal Terrie wrote:

quote:

> why is our Executive Director still arguing
> about a decision that has already been made by
> the Executive Board?

_
As far as I can tell, Bill Goichberg did not
start the discussion that has been going on
here, and a number of nasty comments have been
made about the position that he took. Under
the circumstances, it seems only natural to
me that he defend his point of view, even if
it is only for the record.

Bill Goichberg is not the only USCF officer
to participate here in an argument that
continues after a decision has been made.

StanB

2004-10-28, 12:46 am

"Recmate" <recmate@aol.com> wrote in message
news:20041027133235.08579.00002688@mb-m12.aol.com...

quote:

> True. A better way to phrase it is, if we are offered a minimum of five
> years
> of free rent, is this the time to pay to construct a headquarters
> building?

Depends on what it costs us to convert if to are.

Hal Terrie

2004-10-28, 12:46 am

On 27 Oct 2004 15:33:54 -0700, lblai@blackburn.edu (Louis Blair)
wrote:

quote:

>Hal Terrie wrote:
>
>
>_
>As far as I can tell, Bill Goichberg did not
>start the discussion that has been going on
>here, and a number of nasty comments have been
>made about the position that he took. Under
>the circumstances, it seems only natural to
>me that he defend his point of view, even if
>it is only for the record.
>
>Bill Goichberg is not the only USCF officer
>to participate here in an argument that
>continues after a decision has been made.

There is a difference between an elected board member and the
Executive Director, who is an employee. Once a decision is made by the
board, it is the ED's job to implement it, not to second guess it in a
public forum.

EDs have posted here before, to explain USCF policy or to
discuss a suggested course of action before a decision had been
reached. However, I cannot recall a previous occasion when one
continued the debate after a formal board vote. I don't think it is
appropriate for Bill Goichberg to continue his participation in this
discussion - especially as an open advocate of an officially rejected
course of action.

-- Hal Terrie

StanB

2004-10-28, 12:46 am

"Hal Terrie" <halNOSPAMterrie@comcast.net> wrote in message
news:dgc0o05dkc6tl95cd1qba1h5ebi7n31qcd@4ax.com...

quote:

> There is a difference between an elected board member and the
> Executive Director, who is an employee. Once a decision is made by the
> board, it is the ED's job to implement it, not to second guess it in a
> public forum.

Some would say that Bill considers himself a de facto board member.

Mike Nolan

2004-10-28, 12:46 am

"StanB" <stanbooz@comXXXcast.net> writes:

quote:

>Some would say that Bill considers himself a de facto board member.

So do the USCF Bylaws. From Article VI, Section 1:

The Executive Director serves as a non-voting member of the
Executive Board, with the right to debate and make motions,
but without the right to vote.

This language was added despite some objections from the Bylaws Committee.
--
Mike Nolan, co-chair, USCF Bylaws Committee

Sam Sloan

2004-10-28, 6:45 am

On 28 Oct 2004 01:43:14 GMT, nolan@gw.tssi.com (Mike Nolan) wrote:

quote:

>"StanB" <stanbooz@comXXXcast.net> writes:
>
>
>So do the USCF Bylaws. From Article VI, Section 1:
>
> The Executive Director serves as a non-voting member of the
> Executive Board, with the right to debate and make motions,
> but without the right to vote.
>

Very good point. Thank you.

Sam Sloan

Fifiela

2004-10-28, 6:45 am

<<<There is a difference between an elected board member and the
Executive Director, who is an employee.>>>

Bill is a volunteer and not an employee.

StanB

2004-10-28, 9:45 am

"Mike Nolan" <nolan@gw.tssi.com> wrote in message
news:clpiri$qb$1@gw.tssi.com...

quote:

> So do the USCF Bylaws. From Article VI, Section 1:
>
> The Executive Director serves as a non-voting member of the
> Executive Board, with the right to debate and make motions,
> but without the right to vote.
>
> This language was added despite some objections from the Bylaws Committee.

EDs should be able to propose motions but not make motions IMHO. They should
be able to present facts but not debate issues IMHO. When was that language
added pray tell?

Chess One

2004-10-28, 9:45 am

> I think it would be unfair to characterize building a headquarters as

quote:

> "throwing
> away" money. Whether it is the best ivestment of USCF resources is a
> fair
> question, but it isn't throwing money away.
>
> Wick Deer

Wick,

Its difficult to encounter anyone who has a moderated point of view - who is
not gung-ho to move to Crossville or anywhere else.

I think I have no other interest in the matter other than asking "to what
strategic plan does a move accord?" and have had difficulty in finding any
response to that question.

The Gung-Ho folks have become the Very Shy People.

I must assume that there is NO strategic plan, and therefore no variables
considered in looking forward - not even basic factors like the cost of
continuing to accommodate CL as an in-house production [which appears to be
about 50% of the space needed] rather than by tele-commuting, eg.

Just 2 years ago Tim Hanke wanted to can CL and make it an on-line
production. Now he wants to build it a new office costing $200,000!

I don't mean to pick on Tim alone just because he is brave enough to write
his views here. But good grief! A board split down the middle, the [very
experienced organiser] ED not happy with Crossville, and other recitations
here of USCF's history as if it were planning to fix 1992, instead of
address 2010.

Isn't it prudent to relate any of these matters to some sort of cohesive
vision generally agreed upon? What otherwise is this drive to do something?

All I have read is more 'cute' than 'compelling'.

Cordially, Phil Innes

StanB

2004-10-28, 9:45 am

"Chess One" <innes8@verizon.net> wrote in message
news:Cd5gd.4065$Xq3.3138@trndny01...

quote:

> I don't mean to pick on Tim alone just because he is brave enough to write
> his views here. But good grief! A board split down the middle,

Four for and one against. What kind of middle is this?

Chess One

2004-10-28, 9:45 am

"Louis Blair" <lblai@blackburn.edu> wrote in message
news:f8f5e7b4.0410271433.426ed172@posting.google.com...

quote:

> Hal Terrie wrote:
>
>
> _
> As far as I can tell, Bill Goichberg did not
> start the discussion that has been going on
> here, and a number of nasty comments have been
> made about the position that he took. Under
> the circumstances, it seems only natural to
> me that he defend his point of view, even if
> it is only for the record.
>
> Bill Goichberg is not the only USCF officer
> to participate here in an argument that
> continues after a decision has been made.

I agree with Mr. Louis Blair.

A board has voted 3-3 on expending USCF's last major financial asset,
resolved only by the vote of the president.

What sort of circumstance WOULD allow Bill Goichberg, who is the
admitted-by-all to be the most experienced chess organiser in the USA, to
speak to this issue?

In fact, acting as ED rather than head of CCA, it is his DUTY to speak of
the viability of any plan, as it is of any Executive Officer in any
institution or business. He NEEDS to say 'this is doable' or 'this ain't!'

I understand why Hal Terrie would seperate USCF governance from executive
functions, and his case would be O-so-much stronger if the Executive Board
had a history of making brilliant decisions all on their own-some.

Will Mr. Terrie agree with me that without a Strategic Plan any move is
highly questionable, and that if people who must actually execute the plan
have reservations, these demurrers need be shown their due respect and be
taken seriously?

Cordially, Phil Innes

Hal Terrie

2004-10-28, 9:45 am

On Thu, 28 Oct 2004 12:13:28 GMT, "Chess One" <innes8@verizon.net>
wrote:

quote:

>Will Mr. Terrie agree with me that without a Strategic Plan any move is
>highly questionable, and that if people who must actually execute the plan
>have reservations, these demurrers need be shown their due respect and be
>taken seriously?
>
>Cordially, Phil Innes

No.

-- Hal Terrie

Kenneth Sloan

2004-10-28, 9:45 am

Hal Terrie <halNOSPAMterrie@comcast.net> writes:

quote:

> On Thu, 28 Oct 2004 12:13:28 GMT, "Chess One" <innes8@verizon.net>
> wrote:
>
>
> No.
>
> -- Hal Terrie
>

Phil - you lost him on "agree with me"

--
Kenneth Sloan sloan@uab.edu
Computer and Information Sciences (205) 934-2213
University of Alabama at Birmingham FAX (205) 934-5473
Birmingham, AL 35294-1170 http://www.cis.uab.edu/sloan/

Bill Smythe

2004-10-28, 5:46 pm

"StanB" wrote:

quote:

> .... EDs should be able to propose motions but not make motions IMHO.

.....

Uh, what is the difference between proposing a motion and making a motion?

Bill Smythe

Louis Blair

2004-10-28, 5:46 pm

Hal Terrie wrote:

quote:

> why is our Executive Director still arguing
> about a decision that has already been made by
> the Executive Board?

I wrote:

quote:

> As far as I can tell, Bill Goichberg did not
> start the discussion that has been going on
> here, and a number of nasty comments have been
> made about the position that he took. Under
> the circumstances, it seems only natural to
> me that he defend his point of view, even if
> it is only for the record.
>
> Bill Goichberg is not the only USCF officer
> to participate here in an argument that
> continues after a decision has been made.

Hal Terrie wrote:

quote:

> There is a difference between an elected board
> member and the Executive Director, who is an
> employee.

_
What salary is he receiving?

Hal Terrie wrote:

quote:

> Once a decision is made by the board, it is the
> ED's job to implement it, ...

_
I have seen no evidence that he is not acting
appropriately to implement it.

Hal Terrie wrote:

quote:

> ... not to second guess it in a public forum.

_
What Hal Terrie calls "second guess"ing, I would
refer to as defending himself against public
ridicule.

Hal Terrie wrote:

quote:

> I don't think it is appropriate for Bill Goichberg
> to continue his participation in this discussion
> - especially as an open advocate of an officially
> rejected course of action.

_
I think it is a bit much to expect a volunteer worker
to remain silent in the face of public ridicule.

Chess One

2004-10-28, 5:46 pm

"Kenneth Sloan" <sloan@cis.uab.edu> wrote in message
news:t7acu7klq7.fsf@cis.uab.edu...

quote:

> Hal Terrie <halNOSPAMterrie@comcast.net> writes:
>
>
> Phil - you lost him on "agree with me"

As a reasoned argument Hal has certainly committed himself to a minimalist
posture. Of course, Hal's comment is of the same detailed level of
discussion as others have offered for the move, if we discount the 'we know
best' school of thought.

USCF are the now the first group in history to proceed in spending their
last few bucks without any admitted plan of why they are doing it - and
especially without caring if an experienced chess organiser who is the
current ED thinks it makes no sense. Tim Keep-It-Simply-Stupid Hanke will no
doubt be Over-The-Eclipsed-Moon.

Meanwhile, why don't you move over near the hatch door, Hal?

Phil

quote:

> --
> Kenneth Sloan sloan@uab.edu
> Computer and Information Sciences (205) 934-2213
> university of Alabama at Birmingham FAX (205) 934-5473
> Birmingham, AL 35294-1170 http://www.cis.uab.edu/sloan/

StanB

2004-10-28, 5:46 pm

"Bill Smythe" <chichess@beforeRCNafter.com> wrote in message
news:YomdnV9nO9nAmRzcRVn-1w@rcn.net...

quote:

> "StanB" wrote:
> ....
>
> Uh, what is the difference between proposing a motion and making a motion?

Check your dictionary. When I was on the school board the administration
would suggest motions but they could not make them or second them.

The office should not be directing the organization's policy. That should be
reserved for the elected board of directors.

Sam Sloan

2004-10-28, 5:46 pm

On Thu, 28 Oct 2004 17:08:41 -0400, "StanB" <stanbooz@comXXXcast.net>
wrote:

quote:

>
>"Bill Smythe" <chichess@beforeRCNafter.com> wrote in message
>news:YomdnV9nO9nAmRzcRVn-1w@rcn.net...
>
>Check your dictionary. When I was on the school board the administration
>would suggest motions but they could not make them or second them.
>
>The office should not be directing the organization's policy. That should be
>reserved for the elected board of directors.

Right. And the Elected Board of Directors is the Delegates, of which
Bill Goichberg is one.

Sam Sloan

StanB

2004-10-28, 5:46 pm

"Chess One" <innes8@verizon.net> wrote in message
news:Vfcgd.4381$uQ4.3100@trndny08...

quote:

> USCF are the now the first group in history to proceed in spending their
> last few bucks without any admitted plan of why they are doing it

No, that would be Redman's group who invested in a chess server or McCrary's
group who invested in excessive inventory. The USCF has money from last
year's profits and will have more from this year's. It behooves them to take
the money from the building sale and reinvest it in another building. The
LMA will not release the building sale money for any other purpose.

StanB

2004-10-28, 5:46 pm

"Sam Sloan" <sloan@ishipress.com> wrote in message
news:4181606e.18495843@ca.news.verio.net...

quote:

>
> Right. And the Elected Board of Directors is the Delegates, of which
> Bill Goichberg is one.

Incorrect English. More accurate would be: And the Elected Board of
Directors is elected by the Delegates, of which Bill Goichberg is a
delegate.

I'm not aware that Tim and Beatriz were delegates prior to the election.
Maybe they were but I never seen 'em at a delegates meeting.

Mike Nolan

2004-10-28, 5:46 pm

"StanB" <stanbooz@comXXXcast.net> writes:

quote:

>Incorrect English. More accurate would be: And the Elected Board of
>Directors is elected by the Delegates, of which Bill Goichberg is a
>delegate.

The Delegates are the legal Board of Directors for the USCF, and they
are not elected by the Delegates. 125 Delegates are elected by the
adult membership of their states, the rest are Delegates either because
they are elected members of the Executive Board or because they were elected
as Delegates-At-Large.

quote:

>I'm not aware that Tim and Beatriz were delegates prior to the election.
>Maybe they were but I never seen 'em at a delegates meeting.

I think that's correct for Tim, and for Randy Bauer, too.

I'm sure Beatriz was present at a few meetings when she was a USCF
employee, it is possible she served as a Delegate once or twice between
when she left USCF employment and when she was elected to the Executive
Board, but I haven't checked the minutes of those meeting.
--
Mike Nolan

Sam Sloan

2004-10-29, 12:45 am

On Thu, 28 Oct 2004 17:22:55 -0400, "StanB" <stanbooz@comXXXcast.net>
wrote:

quote:

>
>"Sam Sloan" <sloan@ishipress.com> wrote in message
>news:4181606e.18495843@ca.news.verio.net...
>
>
>Incorrect English. More accurate would be: And the Elected Board of
>Directors is elected by the Delegates, of which Bill Goichberg is a
>delegate.
>
>I'm not aware that Tim and Beatriz were delegates prior to the election.
>Maybe they were but I never seen 'em at a delegates meeting.

Funny that I was just thinking about this very subject.

Tim Hanke was never a delegate and never attended a USCF meeting.

Beatriz was a delegate at the meeting in 2002 in Cherry Hill. She took
a lot of notes but said nothing. I believe that was a delegate to the
2001 meeting in Framingham as well.

Randy Bauer and Elizabeth Shaughnessy were never delegates and never
attended a meeting as far as I am aware.

Frank Brady never attended a meeting except back in the 1960s when he
was USCF Business Manager.

Don Schultz has probably attended every meeting or almost every
meeting of the delegates since 1965.

Steve Shutt has probably attended a lot of meetings but I have no idea
how many. Shutt always seems to be there.

Sam Sloan

Chess One

2004-10-29, 12:45 am

"StanB" <stanbooz@comXXXcast.net> wrote in message
news:aPKdnfMKNMuJ_xzcRVn-3Q@comcast.com...

quote:

>
> "Chess One" <innes8@verizon.net> wrote in message
> news:Vfcgd.4381$uQ4.3100@trndny08...
>
>
>
> No, that would be Redman's group who invested in a chess server or
> McCrary's group who invested in excessive inventory. The USCF has money
> from last year's profits and will have more from this year's. It behooves
> them to take the money from the building sale and reinvest it in another
> building. The LMA will not release the building sale money for any other
> purpose.

I don't argue LMA financial procedure with you Stan. I do ask questions with
another basis which I hope is financially prudent:-

What size of building to host What facilities?
Where are these facilities best located? and also
When, ie, is there any reason not to take a less, shall we say 'anxious'
course, and temporise for a few years. Eventually settling someplace as part
of a stable and,
[Where to?] well ventilated plan.

You are probably familiar in your line of work with for-profits and
non-profits alike, who at least once per decade re-vision themselves in a
some sort of ground-up procedure - essentially to prove to themselves and
others that they are not trying to solve issues from the past which are no
longer so relevant, and are ready and able to address forseeable aspects of
the future.

I am on a local long-term planning board for the county's youth, and as well
as executives and board members, contributing to this board are a number of
independent outsiders who have a regular view of the scene; a justice, a
mature journalist, and also the chief of police, eg.

These folks ask really testing questions about orientation of the Service,
and their endorsement of a variety of plans, which doesn't come easy, is a
definite factor in successful funding applications [tens of millions of
annual federal/state youth/health/corrections $ in this case]

It all seems such a contrast with the non-conversations around this subject.
No one even pretends to have a cogent long-term plan as reference to these
decisions - and what seem to me like prudent objections to Crossville, even
objections to holding up a decision until a fair review of other sites is
made, are more than ignored, they are treated as unwelcome interference &
noise, and further questions are stonewalled by 'one-way communicators'.

Phil Innes

StanB

2004-10-29, 12:45 am

"Chess One" <innes8@verizon.net> wrote in message
news:XKfgd.13496$PZ4.10330@trndny07...

quote:

> It all seems such a contrast with the non-conversations around this
> subject. No one even pretends to have a cogent long-term plan as reference
> to these decisions - and what seem to me like prudent objections to
> Crossville, even objections to holding up a decision until a fair review
> of other sites is made, are more than ignored, they are treated as
> unwelcome interference & noise, and further questions are stonewalled by
> 'one-way communicators'.

Liberty was a maybe. The chances of it become fait accompli must not have
proved themselves to the board. Crossville was there and had been. Curious
that certain folk could drum up some maybe about free rent in NY but not
Crossville. I think the board got tired of the stalling. First, Palm Beach,
then Liberty, then free rent. I think the board decided it was time to fish
or cut bait.

I think the stalling was in the hopes that the board would drag their heels
until a new board came in and then we could start all over again. I think
the board should be praised for taking action on something that has been
simmering for two years. I think someone who lived in NY didn't want to move
to Crossville so he and his friends put up all sorts of maybes and white
elephants to keep it in NY. I think what was best for the USCF had little
input into the stalling.

As to long term plans in the USCF, I think that is a joke. The board of the
hour will do as they see fit, plan or no plan. Once we accept that reality
we must then concern ourselves with encouraging good people to serve on the
board. Why don't you run?

I hope my meticulous mix of metaphors has been mighty moving to you. Had I
more time I would have wrote a more concise response.

Chess One

2004-10-29, 9:45 am

quote:

> As to long term plans in the USCF, I think that is a joke. The board of
> the
> hour will do as they see fit, plan or no plan. Once we accept that reality
> we must then concern ourselves with encouraging good people to serve on
> the board. Why don't you run?

Which direction?

The truth is I do work in chess. I've always maintained that there are two
elements to chess, the Management of the game which includes rules, ratings
and so on and which USCF is all about; but there is also the Development of
the game, which includes its promotion, education, publications of all
kinds, and various other bits and pieces, which all constitute a somewhat
larger chunk of chess than Management's portion. [This is a taboo subject,
incidentally, and it is PC to suggest that Development doesn't even exist]

You see what you get when there is a formal divorce between the two; a
nationwide management with no partners or sponsors or, as you note above, no
******* clue for a plan.

quote:

> I hope my meticulous mix of metaphors has been mighty moving to you. Had I
> more time I would have wrote a more concise response.

I admit I shed a tear - what the hell's happened to your writing? !!

Sam is making a film and I just suggested a sad ending for poofters [can I
still say that?] - I mean a culturally sensitive denouement:-

"The larger world of chess fades away as a realm entirely remote from us,
and we finish our script with a touch of Herman Hesse combined with Artur
Koestler, to appeal to film-going bookish intellectuals, so they can shed a
little tear before the lights come up on the quiet death of chess in
america in a little church yard in the cumberland gap, attended by no one."

So sad, no?

Phil Innes

StanB

2004-10-29, 9:45 am

"Chess One" <innes8@verizon.net> wrote in message
news:xHqgd.4528$Xq3.2025@trndny01...

quote:

> "The larger world of chess fades away as a realm entirely remote from us,
> and we finish our script with a touch of Herman Hesse combined with Artur
> Koestler, to appeal to film-going bookish intellectuals, so they can shed
> a little tear before the lights come up on the quiet death of chess in
> america in a little church yard in the cumberland gap, attended by no
> one."
>
> So sad, no?

The howl of the Beowulf's bellow aft stepp'en on the wolf's tail?
..

StanB

2004-10-29, 5:46 pm

"Parrthenon" <parrthenon@cs.com> wrote in message
news:20041024095239.17257.00001937@mb-m25.news.cs.com...

quote:

> CPA Stan Booz even invented two whoppers about the Liberty building on a
> septic
> tank and not being occupied for decades. When asked by Louis Blair and
> this
> writer to explain the basis for these statements, he had no reply except
> to
> insult both of us.

There's a whopper for you. I insulter neither. I didn't even reply to
Blair's post. He's on my blocked list as having low signal to noise ratio.

GrantPerks

2004-10-29, 5:46 pm

quote:

> Not even a walk-on for Sam? Surely a tense movie like this needs some
>comic relief!

I hear Mike Nolan will work as Ernie Schlich's stunt double.

Grant Perks

Wickdeer3

2004-10-29, 5:46 pm

Dondo wrote:

quote:

>
>Now there's a brain trust for you...
>

Other than the complete dearth of either brains or trustworthiness, I agree
completely.

Wick

quote:

>On Mon, 25 Oct 2004 12:10:17 GMT, "Chess One" <innes8@verizon.net>
>wrote:
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>

Recmate

2004-10-31, 6:46 am

>Subject: Re: Crossing Crossville

quote:

>From: "Tim Hanke" timothyhanke@comcast.net
>Date: 10/25/2004 7:53 PM Eastern Daylight Time
>Message-id: <bmgfd.315575$3l3.214702@attbi_s03>
>
>"Chess One" <innes8@verizon.net> wrote ...
>
>Phil,
>
>We are constructing our new headquarters with NO MONEY DOWN. I have posted
>that information here REPEATEDLY.
>
>I have also posted here that when we are done next year with our current
>leases of office space in New Windsor and storage space, those sums will PAY
>FOR OUR NEW MORTGAGE.
>

quote:

>You would appear wiser if you read more of my posts and made fewer of your
>own. :-)
>
>Tim Hanke
>USCF Vice President of Finance
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>

Hal Terrie

2004-10-31, 6:46 am

On 27 Oct 2004 17:32:35 GMT, recmate@aol.com (Recmate) wrote:

quote:

>True. A better way to phrase it is, if we are offered a minimum of five years
>of free rent, is this the time to pay to construct a headquarters building?
>
>Bill Goichberg

StanB

2004-10-31, 6:46 am

"Recmate" <recmate@aol.com> wrote in message
news:20041027133235.08579.00002688@mb-m12.aol.com...

quote:

> True. A better way to phrase it is, if we are offered a minimum of five
> years
> of free rent, is this the time to pay to construct a headquarters
> building?

Depends on what it costs us to convert if to are.

Fifiela

2004-10-31, 6:46 am

<<<There is a difference between an elected board member and the
Executive Director, who is an employee.>>>

Bill is a volunteer and not an employee.

Geof

2004-11-01, 5:46 pm

It seems to me that in order to foster the appropriate team spirit
among the gadfly posters who seem to abound in this forum, the board
of directors of the USCF might be well-advised to employ some modern
consensus-building techniques, such as (just as an example) adopting
an official song.

With this in mind, with apologies to the Monkees, and with the fervent
hope that someone more lyrically gifted than myself will take up the
torch, I offer the following humble tune which, consistent with the
up-tempo spirit of our times, I have entitled "Fast Train to
Crossville."

Take the fast train to Crossville,
and don't stop to think it over.
2 more weeks is 2 weeks wasted, and
we'll be rolling in the clover
when we go.
We gotta go.

‘Cause poor B* she needs some income,
and some health coverage too.
She'll get those in good ol' Crossville,
the ED position too.
Go with the flow,
and screw Joe Blow.
There are secrets only board members may know.

Then I'll meet you at the build site,
these guys really underbid.
But don't let yourself get uptight,
everything we got so far we got quid pro.
One thing we know
is quid pro quo.

Now the builder's got change orders,
and we must pay them on time,
and Sam S.* has filed his lawsuit
And it won't cost him a dime.
No not one dime, a lousy dime.
And our counsel want their fees paid all on time.

Duh-duh-duh-duh-duh-duh-duh-duh-duh-duh-duh-duh-duh-duh-duh-duh

Take the fast train to Crossville,
I'll be waiting at the station,
We can meet with city counsel,
he's still talking litigation.
He'll play his part
in our "fresh start."

Take the fast train to Crossville,
to escape all those indictments.
And the rules for extradition,
will just add to the excitement
of our new place,
where we'll save face,
although we might as well be lost in outerspace.

Take the fast train to Crossville,
Take the fast train to Crossville,
Take the fast train to Crossville,
Take the fast train to Crossville.

* This is just a dumb song. No references to actual persons or
events should be inferred. (Unless you really, really want to. Then
on your own head be it.)

Okay, okay. So it doesn't exactly run trippingly off the tongue. And
there might be those who think (without any basis whatsoever) that I
am casting slightly nasty aspersions at people whom I do not know re:
events as to which I freely profess total ignorance. But there's this
catchy tune that goes along with it, and at least it rhymes. Well,
sort of...

-Geof

Geof

2004-11-04, 5:47 pm