Re: [Killietalk] Convention Show - New Rules

[Barry Cooper <bjc3 at centurytel_net>]

I want to first say that opinions expressed on killietalk are not the 
appropriate way to raise an issue with the BOT or its various 
committees. Killietalk is a public forum and is unsuited to debating 
policy issues. There is an area on the forums for this purpose, if you 
wish to use it. Moreover, if you wish to have an issue like this 
reconsidered, or any other issue discussed, for that matter, contact me 
or any other member of the BOT. I promise you that no such contact will 
be ignored. (Parenthetically, I should say that one member did contact 
me directly).

Having said that, these posts to killietalk make it obvious that a 
number of members have concerns about this new rule. I have asked the 
judging committee to discuss it further and was informed that such a 
discussion is taking place. I will report the outcome at the earliest 
possible opportunity in my monthly report in the BNL. I hope that will 
be in February.

Despite what has been said, there was a rationale for this decision, 
which has already been stated on killietalk. That is, in many and 
possibly most cases, an aquarium bred killie cannot compete on a level 
playing field with wild caught fish. I am certain that if I entered a 
wild pair of Nothos or lampeyes against just about any examples of those 
species that I have ever seen in the show, no matter what the skills of 
the competitor, the wild fish would win. That would not reflect my 
skills as a hobbyist, but rather the fact that I have been fortunate 
enough to be able to collect these fish. For that reason, although I 
could have done so, I have chosen never to enter wild fish. I should 
point out that I use these examples because that is where my experience 
with wild fish lies.

What seems to have been underestimated in this case is the number of 
people that have access to wild killies. My perception, until now, would 
have been that the number of members with the ability to enter wild fish 
was very small. That is what, to me at least, seemed unfair.

Anyway, I know that the members of the judging committee have begun to 
discuss this again. I will keep you informed of future decision through 
the BNL.

Barry Cooper

Barry J. Cooper
Sweet Home, OR 97386



Ron Schulz wrote:
> Hi all,
>    I know for a fact that banning wild killlies from the show will in my
> case result in fewer fish entered. How can such a result be rationalized??
> At the very least, the rationale behind this edict should be shared with the
> membership. I suggest an informal poll regarding its implementation. Simply
> vote (no wild killies) or  (wild killies allowed)  I vote wild killies
> allowed. What say ye all?  Perhaps a significant plurality of opinion can
> still stop this. Perhaps not.
> ...............................Ron Schulz...........Dutchess County NY
>
>
>
> tsOn Jan 17, 2008 3:41 PM, Joel Antkowiak <mrkillie at comcast_net> wrote:
>
>   
>> I just went to the convention web site (which is now looking great and is
>> very informative about the upcoming convention!!) and again noticed the
>> new
>> judging rules that I believe I saw published in the BNL. I am wondering
>> about the thought process that went into deciding that wild fish would not
>> be judged. It seems to me that, in a time when people are complaining
>> about
>> the lack of entries in the national convention, that this rule takes a
>> step
>> to further reduce the number of entries. Further, some people may now omit
>> the fact the fish are wild caught in order to get the fish judged. If
>> someone acquires a young pair of wild caught fish and raises them into
>> show-winning quality fish, I see no good reason to prevent them from
>> earning
>> the recognition for that accomplishment. This is, in my opinion, is an
>> awful
>> change.
>>
>> The next question is, who is this "judging committee"? Obviously, Liz is
>> on
>> it, but who else? Shouldn't all the certified judges, or at least the
>> senior
>> judges, be part of this committee? It seems strange that as a senior judge
>> for about 20 years now, I never know about changes in the judging
>> standards
>> until they are published (and sometimes they don't even get published! So
>> they surprise me at the next show that I judge-that's always fun!)
>>
>> Can anyone clue me in!!
>>
>> Joel Antkowiak
>> Join the AKA at http://www.aka.org/aka/modules/content/index.php?id=9.
>> Archives are at http://fins.actwin.com/killietalk/
>> Modify your subscription at
>> http://www.actwin.com/mailman/listinfo.cgi/killietalk
>>
>>     
> Join the AKA at http://www.aka.org/aka/modules/content/index.php?id=9.
> Archives are at http://fins.actwin.com/killietalk/
> Modify your subscription at http://www.actwin.com/mailman/listinfo.cgi/killietalk
>
>
>   
Join the AKA at http://www.aka.org/aka/modules/content/index.php?id=9.
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