Re: George Maier Fund

[<killienutz at killienutz_com>]

I also want to echo Uncle Scott's words about all Brian Watters has done for
the AKA.  Despite my 'semi' professional disagreements with him at times,
those are simply differences of opinion and I have the utmost respect for
what he has contributed to the hobby.  Without Brian's honest efforts to
support the AKA, so much would have been lost - but never missed - because
we would not even know much of what he has accomplished and given to the
AKA.  Sometimes we need to simply sit back and appreciate what people like
Brian do for our hobby and thank them honestly.  Of course, this does not
mean I won't disagree with Brian in the future either  (going for the laugh,
like my ideas are so worthwhile!)

I think too, we need to recognize alot of people who work extremely hard in
the background for our organization - people who get the occasional mention,
but not the real encouragement they deserve.  There are about 2 dozen
committees operated by the AKA and some you rarely think about, yet year
after year the people who accepted the responsibility for the jobs do the
work in relative obscurity.

For example: The guys at NFKA - from Dick Martino and Greg Niedzielski to
Dave Franco and Carl Lewandowski who handle much of work on the BNL, Foreign
Shipments, Publication Sales and support for JAKA, particularly for the
previous editor.

  How about Lowell Patrick? - who year after year has produced the Video
Tape programs at the convention and made sure they were available to the
membership and even more to Karl Doering for standing there and video-taping
those programs.

  Barry Cooper has been an incredible part of the AKA for years - initiating
the Website and being the true webmaster of the site since its inception -
on top of that Barry is a major contributor in the hobby to two affiliate
clubs - UNYKA in the past and NWK now.  He collects most years with Brian
and makes sure fish get out to people.  He is willing to examine sick/dead
fish to determine problems and is in the forefront of the study of the Notho
Disease Glugea.

   I could go on and on - Dave Koran and his willingness to take on projects
(and people - j/king Dave) for the AKA.  Jay Forster  - who has handled our
money for many years and does a great job.  The folks who handle KHY (Lee
Harper), F&E Listings (Bill Gallagher) and of course my nemesis Gary Bartell
(teasing Gary teasing) who has taken on the most important job in the AKA as
far as I am concerned and none have done it better.

  We need to remember everyone of those people and many more are volunteers
and their contributions come from the heart, not from some selfish desire
for something else.  They all care about the hobby and we tend to ignore
them unless there is a pressing need or controversy.

  Whether we all agree to something or not - we all need to respect (not
saying anyone hasn't) and give them their due ...

  Thanks guys ...  and no I am not running for office !

  Tom Grady

(must be the medications making me type so much :-D  )

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