resignation

[captexas]

Chris, I think your question as to ACE’s custom builds is fair, because on the surface of it, one could see preferential treatment. However, upon closer examination of the issue, there is in my view, a distinct difference between ACE and Joel’s business activities.

There are things to be said in threads ... and things that should stay in PM's and run up the food-chain. If satisfaction is not found through PM's the appropriate forum for debate on this is at meetings, where people who care enough to show up discuss it. Your quote, weather or not this was your intention, came across as an indictment of the entire BOD and was presented in a way that will be in cyberspace forever. I completely understand the BOD vigorous defense of their reputations.

Please everyone, I never questioned Ace's integrity or stated he had any kind of preferential treatment. Everyone here continues to misread/misinterpret/misuse my arguements from the other threads.

This all started when a few people, including members of the BOD, attacked Joel, IN PUBLIC, questioning his integrity and actions of selling things. No real evidence was given of true wrong doing, but still they continued. I don't know if Joel did anything wrong or not, it's not the point. The point was in how certain club members and BOD members handled themselves and their justifications for doing so. It was cited that Joel was somehow a major threat to our sponsors and that the BOD needed to act to stop him. If an individual is a threat to our sponsors simply due to them selling dry goods to make a few bucks on the side as it seemed Joel was doing, then there are plenty of others here that could be fall into that same definition of a threat, including Ace making and selling his goods here. That was another one of the points I was trying to make. That if the BOD was going to make this an issue and start enfocing a rule like that, it needed to be done to everyone. No making up excuses or exceptions to the rules simply because so and so has good character, or so and so doesn't push his goods on us like the other guy, or so and so participates in other forums and is important to the club. That is not fair. Personally, I don't think either of them are a threat in anyway.

Those are some of the points I was trying to make, to treat all participants equally under the rules and that there needs to be better responses to when issues come up. While we are all entitled to expressing our opinions, it must be done so in a civil matter when it is done here publicly. That means all web members, all charter members, and all those in leadership positions within the club. All of these issues quickly snowballed this weekend and sadly had some negative results. Unfortunately much of those negative things are from misinterpreting and misquoting others to the point where everyone has seemed to have missed the point.

As I have told Ace, I felt he shouldn't have stepped down. We all just need to find a way to better discuss thing with each other. As with the rest of you, I love MAAST and the people here. As with the rest of you, I will also stand up for what I believe in. All of us being different yet joined in the love of our hobby is what makes Maast special. It is also what can make it so challenging to all agree on things.

I see that no matter what I say, I will simply be deemed the trouble maker and to be blamed for Ace stepping down. So as to not add any more to it, I will continue to be civil and end my discussions on the matter.

[Richard]

Ace - if that is the only reason you are resigning then I think you should reconsider. I think your name was used only to make a point, not to attack your character. If you don't want the job then that's understandable, I wouldn't want it.

Chris, I think your question as to ACE’s custom builds is fair, because on the surface of it, one could see preferential treatment. However, upon closer examination of the issue, there is in my view, a distinct difference between ACE and Joel’s business activities.

I'm not trying to speak for Chris but I don't think his point was that there was no difference between Joel and Ace. Rather the rules are not clear. I've been on maast for a little while and I was a sponsor for a little while and I have no idea what the rules are when comes to this subject. So my advice (not that anyone cares) to the BOD is don't quit just make the rules & post them. I don't mean post them for discussion or debate, I mean post them and then just enforce them across the board. No need to go around in circles debating. There is such a thing as too much democracy. A rule on another forum is that a member must have x number of posts before they can start a thread in the for sale forum. That rule may have helped prevent this Joel situation from ever happening.

As a member I don't really care what those rules are, just make them and enforce them. When I was a sponsor I didn't really care what those rules were either. I've seen alot of "we need to protect our sponsors" mentioned in these threads. Well, let's tell it like it is. Maast is the cheapest targeted advertising available to local stores, you don't owe them anything beyond that. ALL of the selling that happens on maast has a small impact on the sales of local stores but it is a SMALL impact. The challenges that traditional LFS's face are bigger than MAAST. So don't go making rules that tear apart your membership to "save" your local stores. They will succeed or fail with or without Maast not because of Maast.

[coraline79]

I have been reading this mess throughout the weekend, and have refrained from posting because this type of thing should be handled in a more responsible manner. I am fairly new here and I have enjoyed many things about this forum, but I continue to hear a lot of things about character and integrity(I am sure that most of you have both), and I think that these threads continually running on show nothing of the sort to the people that have considered being a part of our community or anyone that might stumble upon this forum for assistance in general. I hope that this public bickering ends now and is settled by the members involved either in person, or at least through PM's. Please move back out into the things that are important to us, fish, and reefs. Thanks-Joe

[Jeff]

ace you are an honorable and respected man and your decision will be understood. i think you should take a little time off befor you resign your position or you could regret it later like i do. what ever your decision it will be correct for the right people, yourself and your family.

[TexasTodd]

Well this pretty much blows. But I completely understand Ace.

For ANY person that put any negative comment in these related threads, lets see your hats in the ring RIGHT NOW since you all know SO much. The BOD takes time out of their life from families, work, free time, and DRIVE on their own gas etc to work for free for this club. They also all pay their own fee to cover the Charter Membership.

For those with the cup always half full, maybe it's better you go somewhere else. This club and site are supposed to be fun and relaxing, not a PITA.

Todd

[BigKGlen]

Now, it's moot. Go vote

[Bill S]

Good post, Richard. I agree with Kevin. GO VOTE!

[hobogato]

thank you for all of your input, my resignation has been resended based on popular vote.