(614) 221-3650 or (800) 353-6442
| HOME | ABOUT US | NEWSROOM | RACETRACKS & FAIRS | OHIO PEOPLE & HORSES | LEGISLATIVE | ABOUT HARNESS RACING |
| HOME | ABOUT US | NEWSROOM | RACETRACKS & FAIRS | OHIO PEOPLE & HORSES | LEGISLATIVE | ABOUT HARNESS RACING |
|
||||||||||||
| OHHA Board of Directors Meeting Minutes OHHA Office, Columbus OH January 15, 2010 The following Directors and Employees were in attendance: Dr. Tom Adams, Jim Arledge Jr., Dan Ater, Tom Blankenship, Richard Brandt, MaryJo Bross, Brian Brown, Roy Burns, Robert Cain, Senena Esty, Joe Ewing, Amy Hollar, Don “Skip” Hoovler, Jerry Knappenberger, Suanne Kochilla, John Konesky, III, Rick Martindale, Kim Marts, Steve McCoy, Dr. John Mossbarger, Linda Nance, Sam Noble III, John Poppe, Ayers Ratliff, Kim Rinker, Betty Shaw, Daryl Sherman, Robert Sidley, Brad Wallace and Carl Wick. Motion made by Carl Wick to approve meeting minutes from October 22, 2009 meeting, second by Daryl Sherman. Motion passed. Daryl Sherman gave the financial report, stating that track revenue is down for 2009. He expects another 10% decrease for 2010. Membership dues are down $3,400 or 4.3% decrease. He suggested an increase in dues to help maintain income. Daryl suggested not to have an official audit for 2009 to help defray costs and he will get a quote on an every other year audit. The issue was tabled until the finance committee meets again in April. Daryl also stated a need to explore cutting costs through more newsletters and less magazines. Overall the OHHA has an estimated loss of $59,000 for 2010. Daryl stated 2010 will be a transition year with a lot unknowns at this point. He further stated the Board needs to attempt to reduce the budget further with a decrease in expenses and an increase in revenues, including a revenue increase from the purse pools. Steve McCoy will look into contracts with the racetracks for the procedure for an increase. Motion was made by Dick Brandt to increase OHHA’s percentage increase from the purse pools, second by Skip Hoovler. Motion passed. John Poppe wanted to know what benefits the horsemen receive from OHHA. Jerry Knappenberger stated from an OHHA membership, horsemen receive sulky insurance, third-party liability insurance, fire & disaster insurance at the commercial tracks, on track accident insurance at commercial and fair race tracks and health insurance ( can be purchased trainer/drivers, and free for grooms of full time trainers who are members). Motion was made for approval of tentative budget for 2010 by Suanne Kochilla, second by John Poppe. Motion passed. OHHA Issues Steve McCoy discussed the signatures for a VLT referendum for the November 2010 ballot. The signatures presented by LetOhioVote.org are going through the verification process and if there are not enough valid signatures (341,645), there is an additional 10 day period to submit more signatures. At the end of the process, if there are not enough valid signatures for the ballot, then the Governor’s plan for VLT’s at the seven tracks can go forward absent any additional lawsuits. Bob Schmitz talked about the changing of address for the Columbus casino, stating the address change would have to be voted on by the people of Ohio, as this is a constitutional amendment change. Steve McCoy reported that the relief fund set up by OHHA to receive contributions for the victims of the Lebanon barn fire now contains over $103,000. He stated the Board needs to set a distribution recommendation. Dick Brandt reported that a special committee set up to consider that issue recommends a share per horse for the trainer and owner. In answer to a question, it was reported that we have been advised that the funeral expenses for the two grooms who died in the fire will be covered by the American Red Cross. With checks still coming into the fund, it is expected to raise additional funds and therefore the Board decided not to distribute the money until the end of January. Contributors will be recognized and thanked on the OHHA website and by personal letters. Also, veterinarians Scott & Jennifer McQuinn will receive $1,500 for both the horse lost in the fire and for purchasing medications and treating all the horses in the three barns adjoining barn #16. Dick Brandt made a motion to divide the relief fund as recommended, motion seconded by Skip Hoovler. Motion passed. John Mossbarger talked about the fund raiser for Justin Hall on January 30th in Chillicothe. Jerry Knappenberger outlined the racing dates for 2010, stating the correct dates are in the packets. He also discussed the On-Track Accident Insurance, pointing out that the additional cost for medical coverage of $100,000 versus $50,000 was reasonable. He stated the fair rate would stay the same at $175 per program. Motion was made by John Konesky III to adopt the recommendation for On-Track Accident Insurance coverage for $100,000 medical, $50,000 accidental death and dismemberment and $200 per week disability for 2010. Motion was seconded by Suanne Kochilla and motion Passed. He further stated the Ohio Stakes books have not been mailed as of January 15, 2010, but are expected to go out soon. The OSS Championships will be held at Lebanon Raceway on October 9th with a guaranteed purse of $75,000. Jerry stated the Ohio Fairs Fund has received an additional $100,000 for distribution in 2010, thus the base purse will be $1,880. The Ohio Breeders Stake will again be held at Scioto Downs in August. Joe Ewing reported on the OFMA/OHHA fair advisory committee. Joe stated the committee revised the presentation regarding the number of foals that are predicted for the upcoming years and the impact that would have on fair racing. The advisory board will have 9 district meetings this year and would like fair board members to attend the meetings. The committee will be proposing a late closer series. TC Lane stressed the importance of horse shortages in the upcoming years. John Mossbarger presented updates on the Ohio Equine Industry Coalition (OEIC), stating the intention of the coalition was to have all equine groups as one voice. He spoke about Dr. Kimberly Cole with the Ohio State University, who worked for the formation of the REINS program in Ohio. She will have a two day workshop on February 20th & 21st. Jerry Knappenberger discussed horsemen’s purse pools, stating Northfield is overpaid but less overpaid than last year at this time. Lebanon’s horsemen’s purse pool is in excellent shape and we will begin racing in February with more money than last year. Scioto Downs horsemen’s purse pool is down compared to the same time last year, but with thoroughbred simulcasting again this year, purses should be similar to last year. Raceway Park’s purses will probably have to be reduced slightly at the beginning of this year’s meet since the purses were overpaid last year and the horsemen’s purse pool did not go positive until January. Roy Burns gave the Trainer/Drivers Section report. He encouraged trainers to bring their owners to the OHHA regional meetings for more input. Roy is the section Chairman for 2010 and Sandy Beatty is the Vice-Chairman. Owners Section report was given by Suanne Kochilla. She stated that owners are remaining confident that Ohio will rebound quickly through this tough time. She also stated the Jug sale was very positive and shows the resilience of owners and trainers, which continues to astound her. She mentioned the OHHA has nine regional meetings planned for 2010 throughout all districts of the state. For 2010, Suanne was re-elected chairperson and Mary Jo Bross was elected Vice-Chairperson. Breeders Section report was given by Senena Esty, who talked about the prior years stallion auctions. In 2008, $12,120 was bid and $2,360 has been collected. For 2009, $11,100 was bid and $1,160 has been collected. She applauded the 2010 Stallion Directory and the fact that it was created in-house this year. Senena felt that Issue 2 being passed was a positive for Ohio equine interests. Senena is the Chairperson for 2010 and Dr. John Mossbarger is Vice-Chairman. Amy Hollar gave the report on Northfield Park, stating the purses are staying the same. The track conditions are terrible with the snow and not salting the barn area, which makes it difficult to get horses to and from the racetrack. Her suggestion is plow the track early and often. Kim Marts gave the Raceway Park report, stating that although there will be less racing days in 2010, the racing days will be spread over a longer period of time. Raceway Park will be racing Saturdays and Sundays from mid April until mid October. Motion made by Senena Esty to adjourn, second by John Konesky III. Motion passed. |
|
|
|
| Copyright © 2008-2012 Ohio Harness Horsemen's Association ®. All rights reserved. OHHA, 800 Michigan Ave. Columbus, Ohio 43215-1166. 1-614-221-3650 OR 1-800-353-6442 |
