MASSACHUSETTS THROUGHBRED BREEDERS ASSOCIATION

Minutes

 

July 23, 2009

Vinny T’s Dedham, MA

Chairman George Brown called the meeting to order at  _6:55_ PM.

 

 

 Board Members Present

Absent

Guests

Barreira, Laurine

Catapano, Frank

Harland Robbins-Financial Director

Brown, George – Chair

Reagan, Kathleen

Bill Robbins – Accountant

Ferguson, Meg

 

Arlene Brown – Recording Secretary

Janjigian, Armand

 

Velma Emry

Joyce, Daniel

 

Ken Posco

Loebelenz, Lee

 

Lloyd Lockhart

Rose, Gregg

 

Lori Lockhart

Salim, Adel

 

 

Spadea, Anthony/Treasurer

 

 

Stone, Ed

 

 

 

1.) Secretary’s Report:

Minutes from June 18, 2009 reviewed by board

 

Motion to accept minutes:   Meg Ferguson                     Second: :  Greg Rose                        

 

2.) Treasurer's Report

Bill Robbins reviewed the treasurers report for the period ending June 30, 2009.  He expressed concern that there were 3 stakes races scheduled in August.  The cash flow is too tight to support 3 in one month.  Georg Brown will talk to Tommy Creole about spacing them out from now on.

 

Motion to accept from:  Anthony Spadea                         Second:  Meg Ferguson                          

 

3.) Chairman’s notes and comments

George Brown and Anthony Spadea discussed the status of Senator Spilker’s meetings.  She had her own council at the meeting and was very disinterested in gaming .  Anthony was not impressed with her commitment to the bill.

 

Anthony said we should emphasize the fact that the purse money not only supports the horses but that it trickles down into the community at large and he doesn’t feel that this is not brought up enough.

 

Meg Ferguson mentioned that the state of PA is trying to get its hands on the horsemens money.  George Brown said that he feels the current financial situation with the state will make it a long hard struggle to keep money in the bill for the breeders.  He feels that the hardest part of the fight is just beginning.

 

4. Old Business

a)  Speaker for annual meeting

A motion was made to do  away with the idea for this year.

 

Motion :   Anthony Spadea                         Second:    Meg Ferguson                          

 

 

b) Golf Tournament

Armand Janjigian passed out folders with information on running a charity golf tournament to raise money for rescued and retired horses.  It was felt that the positive PR created could only help improve our image.  A discussion followed and several suggestions were made to raise money and interest.  George Brown will talk to Sam Elliot for support.  Anthony Spadea felt the HBPA would certainly back us.  In addition to activities at the golf course, raffles and silent auctions could be held.  A date of October 8, 2009 will be reserved by Armand at his country club – Glen Ellen.  Armand and Arlene Brown will prepare flyers and tickets.  Donations for the raffles and auctions will be solicited by everyone. 

 

A motion was made to go ahead with the idea.

Motion  :    Anthony Spadea                        Second:   Lee Loebelenz          

 

c) Horse Retirement Programs

Some retirement programs were discussed as beneficiaries of this charity function.  The program that Bridgewater State is implementing was one. Of course Canter NE was mentioned.  Some New York and New Hampshire programs were also discussed.

 

The board will decide later on which organizations it will support.              

 

      d) Ad

Greg Rose will get a check from Bill Robbins to begin our 4 day a week ad in the daily racing program.  It will be used to advertise the golf tournament as well as provide other information.

 

      e) 2% jockey insurance money

Anthony Spadea looked into the matter of the way the stakes purses were described and the way the 2% jocky fee is withheld.  As long as the purse is $50,000 and the earnings are the same as other races with the 6th place money going to the jockey fund, we will be all right.  The stakes races will remain black type.

       e) update – Equine Affair

Kathy Reagan was not present to give an update.  Arlene will contact her to see how things are coming and will put a request on the website for help to man the booth.  Laurine Barreira, Meg Ferguson and Barbara Poulin are possible volunteers.

5) New Business

a) Filling of open position on Board

George Brown read the letter of resignation from Joe DiRico.  A motion was made to accept the resignation with regrets and to instate Laurine Barreira as a director.

 

Motion :  Lee Loebelenz                          Second: Anthony Spadea

 

d)  Other new business

Harland Robbins requested some volunteers to make the presentations for the next 3 stakes races.

Laurine Barreira will do the Aug. 8 and Aug 29 races and Lori Lockhart will do the Aug 15.

 

6).  Next Meeting:  August 27th,   place to be announced

 

7). Adjournment:    8:10 PM

Motion from:  Lee Loebelenz                                     Second:  Anthony Spadea

 

Respectfully Submitted:

Arlene Brown