[HCRA] Fw: Re: ARRL Director election - my view

[gary.fields at northcomm.net]

Going to try sending this again.

If you get multiple copies of this, I apologize. I am in an area with extremely poor internet.

I have worked closely with 2 out of the 3 people who are running for the position.
 
Having spent a good part of my life in the Town of Suffield, and are capable of tracing my family roots back to the 1660's. There is a reason that Tom K1KK was a one term First Selectmen. He spent most of his term pushing threw an upgrade to the towns Police Dept radio system. He let critical needs of the town go unresolved to push through this system that only put money into Motorola's pocket, even today. All told over $3 million dollars has been spent of he towns money. When the history is written I am sure Tom will go down as one of less than stellar First Selectmen, and there has been some winners!
 
While Director of Engineering for a High School STEM Robotics program, I have worked with Fred AB1OC on numerous occasions.  While I had some fundamental disagreements with him, I could never fault his commitment to the program or the students. When you work in a national program such as this, you get to see various mentors, and how the kids react to them. I will say this, his students looked up to him with respect, and he treated them with the same respect.
 
If our hobby is going to survive and grow, we need to embrace all members of our society, both young and old. Some members of amateur radio seem to have issues with younger or new members who for one reason or another does not measure up to whatever standard they use. Instead of criticizing, let's mentor them, help them, and not turn them off. Yes, some will stay and be active, and some will lose interest. But let's make sure they don't lose interest because they are met with negative attitudes, there are plenty of them in life as there is, let's not add to them. I for one can tell you...Life is too short!
 
Gary W1MOW