Page 17 - The Game June 2006

Your Thoroughbred Racing Community Newspaper
The Game, June 2006 17
HBPA of Ontario
ELECTION REMINDER
HBPA Update
HBPAAdministrativeOffices:135Queen’sPlateDrive,Suite370,Toronto,ON,M9W6V1 phone:416-747-5252
Report from the Executive Director
Tuesday, September 5, 2006 is Election Day
Toronto & Fort Erie – Ontario Horsemen will be electing 11 Directors (6 Owners/5 Trainers) for a new three-year term effective at the Annual General Meeting Thursday, September 28, 2006. Nominations close at noon, Tuesday, July 4, 2006.
QUALIFICATIONS
• Must be a member in good standing, who is currently, or was during the preceding 12 months (6 months for Trainer), licensed as such by the ORC and has started a thoroughbred race horse in the current or prior year or applied for membership in the HBPA.
• Must be 18 years or older
• Must be a resident of Ontario for the preceding year
• Must not work or serve on a board for a racing association,
racetrack operator, horse breeding association or be a member of a racing commission
A nominating committee is currently preparing a list of possible nominees, which will be filed with the Association’s Executive Director/Secretary Treasurer by noon, July 4, 2006.
Additional candidates may be nominated by a petition form available at HBPA offices at Fort Erie and Woodbine, signed by at least fifteen H.B.P.A members. Deadline for filing with either track office (Fort Erie or Woodbine) or Head Office is also noon, July 4, 2006.
Ballots are expected to be mailed about July 31, 2006.
NICK COUKOS
Executive Director/Secretary Treasurer The HBPA of Ontario
Calling all Readers!!!
A “Book Swap” is available at the Fort Erie HBPA Office’s Resource Library. The rules are simple: take a book, leave a book. Come and see what we have to offer.
HBPA provides “Hot Spot”
At the National HBPA Executive meetings held in Lexington last month, the Executive Committee unanimously voted to accept resignations volunteered by National HBPA President/Chairman John O. Roark and Midwest Region Vice President Tom Metzen Sr., subject to ratification of the National HBPA’s full Board of Directors.
Both John and Tom’s resignations were without question another act of class by two gentlemen that not only do I admire professionally, but two gentlemen that I consider to be very good friends and mentors.
Tom, his son Tom Jr., and John have recently formed a company called International Horsemen’s Wagering Assurance Group (IHWAG) which holds a master gaming license to accept wagers which will come into North American pools. John and Tom Sr. both felt that because of a possible appearance of a conflict of interest, it could be harmful and therefore neither would jeopardize their effectiveness of representing horsemen.
There is no question that under John’s leadership the National HBPA was a force to reckon with in our industry. John’s tireless efforts to enhance horsemen’s rights and programs have brought our standards to new highs. His forward thinking on simulcasting has set the tone for discussions and debates on the “fair price model”. I remember John telling me four years ago that all we want as horsemen is our “fair share of all dollars wagered”. Today, a coalition of horsemen made up of HBPA, THA, and TOC are aspiring to reach the objective that John had envisioned several years ago.
Interim President Joe Santana’s immediate remarks
were; “As longtime horsemen and HBPA members and in their roles as National HBPA officers, John Roark and Tom Metzen Sr. have personified the National HBPA’s motto “horsemen helping horsemen”. I can only hope to live up to the high standards they have set.”
According to the National HBPA’s bylaws, Secretary/Treasurer Joe Santana assumes the interim role of President/Chairman until the next semi-annual meeting of the Board of Directors in July 2006. At that time, a special election will be held to elect a
new President/Chairman and any other vacated National HBPA seats.
On the local front, there will also be a significant leadership change at the Ontario Racing Commission (ORC). In a letter received recently by the HBPA of Ontario from Minister Gerry Phillips (Minister of Government Services), the announcement was made that the Chair of the ORC, Ms. Linda Tanaka, will not be re-appointed when her term expires on July 31, 2006. Minister Phillips also announced that the government will begin a process shortly to identify a new Commission Chair. Ms. Tanaka has agreed to continue in her position until a new Chair can be appointed.
Minister Phillips was quoted as saying, “the government thanks Ms. Tanaka for her commitment to public service, both during her current term as Chair, and in her previous term as Vice-Chair of the Commission. It is our hope that the next Chair of the Commission will be able to build on these achieve- ments, and, working with partners in the industry, continue to oversee growth and improvements to Ontario’s horse racing industry.”
Executive Director Nick Coukos
For those wireless notebook users who want to be connected without plugging into an outlet, the HBPA has now installed “hot spots” at both Woodbine and Fort Erie backstretches. Wireless access can now be made within 100 feet of the backstretch HBPA offices.
The HBPA Office at Fort Erie also has a computer available for backstretch workers to access the internet and their email accounts.
Shedrow of the Month
HBPA Groom of the Day wins Cash!
The HBPA and Woodbine Entertainment Group will continue to reward Shedrow of the Month with the winner receiving a $200 reward. The winning shedrow will be based on the overall appearance of the barn and the surrounding area.
Shedrow of the month for May 2006 at Woodbine was Trainer Frank Huarte and his crew.
Shedrow of the month for May 2006 at Fort Erie was Trainer Lynn Simon and her crew.
The HBPA of Ontario will award one groom a day with $75 cash for Groom of the Day honours.
The money will be awarded to the groom based upon the appearance of the horse and the groom in the paddock.
Put your best foot forward and you could be awarded Groom of the Day!
Visit us on-line at www.hbpa.on.ca
Benefits of HBPA Ontario Membership:
Pension Plan Representation Owners Rewards Educational Assistance Education Medical/Dental Insurance Plan Assistance (Family Emergencies)
Entertainment Insurance
Voting
Publications Employee Assistance Program Horsemen’s Services and More!
BusTrip Survey
The HBPA wants your feedback and is taking a survey to determine the interest level of monthly bus trips to various Toronto and area attractions (ie: Toronto Zoo; Canada’s Wonderland; the CN Tower etc.) If you would be interested in the monthly bus trips please let the HBPA backstretch office know. Suggestions for other trip destinations can also be submitted.
Next Trainer Testing for the 2006 Season
The next Assistant Trainer/Trainer testing scheduled for both Woodbine and Fort Erie will be in July. Completed applications are due no later than 3pm on June 26.
For more information contact the HBPA Backstretch Office at Woodbine 416-675-3802 or Fort Erie 905-871-3200, ext. 3249.
Alcoholics Anonymous Meetings
Every Tuesday at 1pm HBPA Trailer
Backstretch Woodbine Racetrack