CFC election nail biter....

[Wilf Ferner]

Re: CFC election nail biter....

Hi: Where do I find the complete list of Incoming Voting Members?

Wilf Ferner

[Garland Best]

Re: CFC election nail biter....

So far only 23 governors have even signed in. This is very disappointing.

[Bob Armstrong]

Re: CFC election nail biter....

Hi: Where do I find the complete list of Incoming Voting Members?

Wilf Ferner

Hi Wilf:

Unfortunately, despite being CFC Public Relations Coordinator (at least 'til Friday), I have no answer for you. I have not seen a list posted by the CFC Secretary, nor have I been e-mailed one.

My guess is the CFC Secretary, Lyle Craver may be the only one with the complete list. You might try e-mailing him. His e-mail is on the CFC Website. I believe he seldom comes to this CMA board.

I will be soon going out of town again (just got back in), and so it is not helpful for me to get in the middle.

Bob A

[Adam Cormier]

Re: Re : Re: Re : Executive Election Voting - When ?

I did, although this is what it is.

If you believe the truth of your statement why remove it? Your position/opinion should not be censored.

Although I am as pro-kasparov as it comes I don't believe Sasha is a good alternative to Vlad. I've been pretty happy with how the CFC has been of late, the only major issue I had was that they decided to support Kirsan (which made me really dislike the CFC for quite some time). Although Sasha will support Kasparov there is more to consider than just this one issue as any realistic person can realize that if Karpov failed to remove the corruption of Kirsan neither will Kasparov. I assume we will just have to wait until he dies. With Kirsan's power, money and influence I don't see him being unseated anytime soon, and if that is the case all we can do is support Canadian chess to the best of our abilities.

[Vlad Drkulec]

Re: Re : Re: Re : Re: Re : Executive Election Voting - When ?

Who am I kidding? The last internet lawsuit I was involved in peripherally I wound up writing all the arguments and the lawyer just used what I wrote and made lots of money. Some people throw words around without considering all of the implications of their actions. I am getting abused and harassed and I am getting tired of it.

Felix is a good guy, occasionally hot headed. I intend to work with him to make the CYCC and Canadian Open special in any way that I can and work with him on many other files over the years. Maybe the same (being good guys) is true for some of the others involved in this FIDE and this CFC election. Sasha has crossed the line multiple times but much of it seems to be from not having a clue. I do get tired of being called names for trying to do my best for the members and the various constituencies of interested people that include the parents of the kids that play chess. They are the real heroes of chess. Their dedication to their kids is great.

[Sasha Starr]

Re: Re : Executive Election Voting - When ?

Shall I consult a lawyer? I am not talking about a defence attorney.

Let me tell you something. There are people on the Chess Talk who know one interesting fact about me. In the nineties I've sued a few people - namely Directors of the public company, one of them being a partner from the law firm Lang Michener. We've settled out of court, this lawyer had to move to another firm outside of Toronto and I've purchased a beautiful 3,200 sq. feet house in Thornhill. There are people here who visited me and Nava in this house. So I know a thing or two about the lawyers...

Reference to bribery deleted.

[Sid Belzberg]

reply to Steve Douglas

"Sid Belzberg's constant dangling of "I'll sponsor chess again if you vote for Kasparov" amounts to the same thing."

One minor point. I did not offer specific goodies. I would have hoped that my past record of helping out would have counted for something and i would of been given the benefit of the doubt. Instead i am rewarded with being subjected to a competitive bidding process as if there was something in it for me. There never has been. i simply love the game of chess and yes, I passionately believe in what my friend Garry stands for. Well, enjoy the pictures of me being hung in effigy on Kevin's site. Sadly, i think he summed it up correctly. Nice grateful group of people at the CFC! You should all be proud!

[Sasha Starr]

Re: Re : Re: Re : Re: Re : Executive Election Voting - When ?

The Wikipedia definition is : "Bribery is an act of giving money or gift giving that alters the behavior of the recipient.[...]The bribe is the gift bestowed to influence the recipient's conduct. "
I think it fits perfectly the definition.
I'm not saying that any governor or member of the executive will make a personal profit out of it. What I don't like is that this money has likely changed the result of the vote.

In any case, as I pointed out, this is only one of your decisions. I do not intend to base my vote on the last month. The current executives have handled other cases pretty well, such as the RFP.

Felix, there is more to it! There will be NO money to CFC regardless of the FIDE election. Obviously if Kasparov wins, the end of story. And if incumbent wins - there is line up of Federations promised something and never delivered. CFC will be one of them. Where is a contract? CFC is Non For Profit organization. It must inform its members about material changes and/or relevant news developments. Where is all that?

[Paul Leblanc]

Re: Re : Executive Election Voting - When ?

Voter (governor/Class A member) turnout has been disappointing. There are some important positions being contested and half the governors haven't bothered even signing in. I find this unacceptable and brings back thoughts of Bob A's "deadbeat governors" initiative that brought so much push back at the time. I'd sure like to see the missing governors names made public so the provincial associations that elected them can see how they are being represented.

[Sasha Starr]

Re: Re : Re: Re : Executive Election Voting - When ?

If you believe the truth of your statement why remove it? Your position/opinion should not be censored.

Although I am as pro-kasparov as it comes I don't believe Sasha is a good alternative to Vlad. I've been pretty happy with how the CFC has been of late, the only major issue I had was that they decided to support Kirsan (which made me really dislike the CFC for quite some time). Although Sasha will support Kasparov there is more to consider than just this one issue as any realistic person can realize that if Karpov failed to remove the corruption of Kirsan neither will Kasparov. I assume we will just have to wait until he dies. With Kirsan's power, money and influence I don't see him being unseated anytime soon, and if that is the case all we can do is support Canadian chess to the best of our abilities.

You are missing a very important point. By endorsing KI CFC has chased away the biggest sponsor of chess in Canada as well as any hope to have a deal with Kasparov Chess Foundation. And without money CFC will slowly deteriorate... And all that's done in exchange for what?

[Sasha Starr]

Re: Re : Executive Election Voting - When ?

Voter (governor/Class A member) turnout has been disappointing. There are some important positions being contested and half the governors haven't bothered even signing in. I find this unacceptable and brings back thoughts of Bob A's "deadbeat governors" initiative that brought so much push back at the time. I'd sure like to see the missing governors names made public so the provincial associations that elected them can see how they are being represented.

Here is just one of the CFC's problems. They've got some redundant people just to guarantee the Executives to win the votes and keep at bay anybody who dares to make the difference...

[Vlad Drkulec]

Re: Re : Executive Election Voting - When ?

Here is just one of the CFC's problems. They've got some redundant people just to guarantee the Executives to win the votes and keep at bay anybody who dares to make the difference...

That must be it.

[Steve Douglas]

Re: Re : Executive Election Voting - When ?

Hi Felix:

I'm going to quibble and/or ask some questions based on what you've said. I was originally going to do a long-winded (naturally) questionnaire for several of the candidates. Maybe I can keep this brief....

Sasha Starr :

What I like :
- His plan is ambitious. Probably too much, but it still shows a will to improve the current state of the CFC.

His plan is essentially a set of pie-in-the sky goals. He has been quite reticent or vague on *how* he is going to achieve them.

- His business experience

What exactly is this? I don't think he's ever said exactly what his business experience is.

- His contacts with the Kasparov Chess Foundation

If the Kasparov Chess Foundation is an entity that only supports those who support Kasparov's political aspirations (FIDE or otherwise), then it is a shallow organization in my opinion.

- He is backed by the CFC’s biggest sponsor.

I'm well aware of what Mr. Belzberg has done for Canadian chess in the past, (and like all Canadian chess players/fans very appreciative) but I have not seen any firm commitment to any specific amount of funding. I also find it distasteful that Mr. Belzberg's position is essentially "Support my friend Garry and I'll give you a bunch of money; nothing if you support KI." His motivation seems to be much more centred around KI v. GK than around supporting Canadian chess.

Mr. Starr also pledged to invest his own wealth but has not been specific about what that would be.

What I do not like :
- His recent attitude on Chesstalk
- His lack of experience in the chess world.
- He breached the CFC’s Board confidentiality by revealing....

Agreed on all of these.

My biggest concern with Mr. Starr would be with his ability to "play well with others", and that of communication. His posts have been over-the-top and hard to follow, other than that he is sure there is corruption and that certain people are liars. He is frequently "insulted".

One question that I have, will Ken Craft be able to work with Mr. Starr if Mr. Craft is elected VP? Will Mr. Starr be able to work with Frank Lee as Youth Co-ordinator if Mr. Lee retains that position?

Vlad Drkulec :

What I like:
- He did a great job as a CFC President

In my opinion this should be the most important consideration: how did he do in his first term?

- Has lots of experience in the chess world, both as a governor/member of the executive, an organizer and a coach.
- He helped stopping the haemorrhage at the CFC.
- He was constantly helpful for many projects, such as the CYCC/CO.

Agreed.

What I do not like :
- His recent attitude on Chesstalk

Agreed again. While I can understand the frustration, there have been a few cringe-worthy comments that have been less than presidential.

- He supported the corrupted Ilyumzhinov administration, alienating the majority of chess players and possible sponsors.

This essentially mans that the selection of president should be (as Lyle Craver put it) a referendum on the choice for FIDE president where "none of the above" is not a realistic option.

I'm not certain how one can say that the majority of chess players were alienated. A ChessSquawk poll is essentially the same as opening a "trouble-maker's letterbox" and marvelling at the various ways people can refer to self-copulation. To my knowledge there is only one sponsor who is currently feeling alienated.

For the record, I would have likely chosen a quiet vote for KI (given that an abstention is a pyrrhic do-nothing statement). I'm personally not crazy about the endorsement.

- No clear plan to increase the CFC membership, find legit sponsors or have chess taught to more kids (it doesn't mean it's not a priority, just that there was no details)

There was some link to a CFC strategic plan that looked realistic to me.

Overall, I believe both could be good presidents, although they have some weaknesses (don't we all? :) ).

I have serious concerns about the ability of Mr. Starr to do the job for the reasons I've outlined above. One of the points that Gary Ruben made in his endorsement of Mr. Vrkulec is that consistency is something that is desired. If Mr. Vrkulec has done a good job, why should he be ousted in favour of somebody promising pie in the sky and accusing everybody who disagrees with him of skullduggery? And why should the CFC president be ousted because of the Executive's endorsement of a candidate in the FIDE election when the other candidate has similar warts of his own?

If any of the people I've mentioned in this ramble choose to reply, could you *please* keep it brief and on-point?

Steve

[Steve Douglas]

Re: reply to Steve Douglas

Well, enjoy the pictures of me being hung in effigy on Kevin's site.

I don't/won't. I only looked at the site now after your comment. I find it very distasteful. (I generally find that site distasteful, although "titillating".)

Steve

[Paul Bonham]

Re: Re : Re: Re : Re: Re : Executive Election Voting - When ?

CFC is Non For Profit organization. It must inform its members about material changes and/or relevant news developments. Where is all that?

Does this mean that CFC is already in violation of the NFP act by virtue of this $80,000 'deal' which has been kept from the non-voting members?