I think It's really sad for the AFA that things get bogged down over issues like this when the AFA and membership should be focused on what is best for the farrier industry.When people start slingin mud without facts I find that appalling.What people should be asking is what exactly has Dave Ferguson done warranting his removal as duly elected president by the members.I have a question for everyone.Is there Job descriptions for all the AFA positions.I Would be willing to bet that if there was that the petty squabbling over issues like this wouldn't happen.

Phil,
I'm sure everything you say is true about John Blombach. I have no doubt that he is a heck of a guy. However, one need only look at the posts he put on these boards last year to see that he stood shoulder to shoulder with Dave Ferguson in their campaign. Thats all I'm saying. Now I do not say these things to be mean spirited. As I said before I really dont care. All I'm trying to do is to find any noteworthy accomplishments that can be attributed to these guys. So far I see nothing. Last 2 issues of PF Dave Ferguson didn't even write a presidents column. As a guy who writes a newsletter every month myself I see no excuse for that.

Rick,
What you say might be true about the magazine. It does not change the fact that it happened on Ferguson's watch. I have no doubt that this magazine issue will continue to be a headache for them if it like the ED is vulnerable to shifting political winds.

Tom T,
Come on now that was a cheap shot and you know it. What in the world does my beloved union have to do with the first year of Ferguson?

Just for the record for those who don't know what you're talking about the Horseshoers never dumped you guys overboard. It was the Teamsters who did that. Lets not be having any revisionist history around here.
George

Rick Burten wrote:
You quit after Dave and John took office?

Brian Ober wrote:
Brian,

Re-read posts 16, 19, and 20........if HALF of that is true and in addition to his breaking the law, then not owning up to it immediately is cause enough for him to be removed

you just have to ask yourself, "is this the kind of person we want as the head of the AFA ?"

seems rather simple to me

Derin

T.N. Trosin wrote: Tom,

There have been a lot of claims in regard Bryans resignation. I know that Dave stated clearly, even if he denies it now, that if he was elected he would fire Bryan and that Bryan having also heard that did what he needed to do to cover his own rear end. Regardless of the Mr. Ferguson's reasons making that kind of campaign promiss, regardless of Bryan's performance, was simply wrong and I'll lay Bryan's resignation at Mr. Ferguson's feet because of it.

Ronald E. Kramedjian wrote:
Ron,
If your claim is true then that's another feather in Dave's cap.
John

Derin Foor wrote:
You might also want to re-read post #28, where Trosin points out that virtually every one of the claims made in post #16 is specious. As for Roy's post (#19), I have not had the opportunity to speak to the Examiners who have resigned to find out their stories, but I've certainly heard multiple versions--both positive and negative--through the rumor mill. As for Rick's post (#20), I'm assuming that he is referring to himself. If so, I believe he quit serving as a Tester prior to Dave and John taking office; at least, I have not seen him working as a Tester or attending one of our regional Tester updates for several years. And, while I think he had some plausible reasons for quitting, they seem to be more related to his effort to make a "statement" about the specific program than to the elected officers.

The questions I ask myself are more along the lines of... Why is everyone so willing to walk away from the "gossip fence" feeling secure that they have real information and a way of fitting it into the big picture? Why do we want to re-hash the charges that were addressed at the mid-year meeting, rather than accepting the Board's resolve to move on? Why do we seem hell-bent to blame our problems on individuals rather than on our dysfunctional organizational structure? Why are we so intent upon dwelling on the past rather than moving forward? Why are we so willing to focus on knick-knacks and paddy-wacks, rather than real, substantive issues of forwarding our profession and our association? Why do we not demand that our collective leadership provide us with better communication?.... I'll stop.

On the issue of running off Bryan Quinsey as well as several examiners and testers being run off it reminds me of a quote by well known corrupt Massachusetts senate speaker Billy Bulger. He had been known to say: "Show me a reformer and I'll show you someone who wont be back".

I know Mr Stovall loves a conspiracy theory but check this out. If Dave Ferguson was making a cottage industry of doing certifications at his place down there in Maryland, could he have had a personal interest in keeping it under his tight fisted control? hmmmm.

Lets look back a little further, Why was Cadillac style (who provided some beautiful eye candy I might add) replaced by Craig Trnka's embroidery company as soon as he became president?

What other examples could we come up with of elected officers using these offices for their personal gain? I'm sure plenty.

As most of us know this would not be tolerated in a real company. They all have ethics policies to eliminate such conflicts of interest.

For this reason I will ask 2 things of all the candidates:

1) Are you involved in any outside business ventures which could have the potential to create such conflicts?

2) If you are elected will you put high on your agenda the formation of a good workable ethics policy to protect the organization from any such future problems of this nature?

George

George Geist wrote: AFA certifications are offered at a number of schools, including Dave Ferguson's. As a Tester in the program, I have worked tests at several of these schools. Dave's is the only one where the instructor left the premises during the testing and did not return until the test was concluded.
George Geist wrote: Cadillac Style breached their contract prior to the Salt Lake convention and left the AFA in a lurch. Craig was very concerned about Chris' company taking over as the official clothier. Bryan pushed it, and that's the way it happened.
George Geist wrote: Easy.... I agree that there is opportunity for this and that the AFA should address the issue, but you're stating that these people have crossed lines that they haven't.

George,
Face it, private enterprise is what it is - after all, this is still America isn't it.

Dave has always run a pre-cert program and an advanced farrier course so what's the bidg deal.

As far as Cadillac Style is concerned, they cancelled their contract within minutes of the convention. Luckily, The trnka's were willing to step up to the plate and take the chance and bring their equipment so you would be able to buy quality embroidery. BTW, comparing quality of those two is like apples and oranges - geeze!

No one has been run off to my knowledge and as far as I know everyone is welcome and encouraged to participate in their association to whatever level their comfort zone will tolerate. When the heat gets turned up, some stay while others run. The AFA is at a crossroads and suffering from the usual growing pains (some more painful than others) that always occur just before a rapid growth spurt.

Over the last year we have experienced an extensive house cleaning and implemented many new programs, (Chapter liability insurance, and distance learning come to mind). We have two strategic plans in the works and a plan which when adopted, will make the Board more functional.

It takes all the members to make the association sucessful. We hope you will stay - the future is bright.

Respectfully,

John Blombach, Treasurer

John,
Nothing wrong with private enterprise. We are all involved in it. It is not without its limits though. That is why people go to jail for bid rigging and other un-ethical practices. it is a line which must never be crossed.

Danvers,
If what you say is true then there is no problem with the examples I named. However, I will say that this is illustrative of what happens when an organization fails to communicate. Perception is reality especially in matters political.

Perhaps you would know then is there an ethics policy in place? If not, why not? If so, does it require disclosure of any and all conflicts?

It is my hope that all of the esteemed candidates would welcome such a thing.
George

Click here to read

Andrew Elsbree, CJF

George Geist wrote: NoABSOLUTELY!

Rick

TRIP HAMMER wrote: So how come this is the first mention being made of this positive development? Would it have been too much to ask for someone in a leadership position to inform the membership, no matter how briefly, of this encouraging action? This lack of communication is precisely what the membership is so upset over. One would have thought that by now, the leadership would wold have gotten that message.

Rick

danverschild wrote: The issue was never brought to the board for a vote in an offical form.danverschild wrote: The problems are comming from the individuals not wanting to use the organizational structure as it is. No matter how dysfunctional it maybe.danverschild wrote: Until we solve the current issues related to Mr. Ferguson there will be no moving forward.danverschild wrote: Ask the leadership. Its pretty evedent what the membership wants. Education and marketing. However there seems to be no plan.danverschild wrote: I thought we have been demanding this very clearly and loudly.