Serving the needs of Michigan horsemen for over 60 years


 Meeting Minutes

 

Last Updated: Tuesday, June 15, 2010

(Subject to Board Approval)

June 8, 2010

Minutes of the Board of Directors Meeting

Okemos, Michigan

 

Present:           B. Alexander, A. Bennett, D. Bolenbaugh, B. Boyd, M. Breuer-Bertera, C. Cary‑Davidson, P. Christou, B. Gira, M. Sweeney, M. Walker

Absent:            T. Barrett, F. Kayden

Guests:            T. Stephens, P. Stommen, M. Bouchard

 

President Boyd called the meeting to order at 12.25 p.m.  A moment of silence was observed in memory of Marshall Field and Vernon Hess.  Motion was made by Christou, supported by Cary-Davidson, to approve the minutes of the May 12, 2010,  board meeting; motion passed unanimously.   Motion was made by Sweeney, supported by Cary-Davidson, to excuse the absence of Barrett and Kayden; motion passed unanimously. 

 

Legislative:  Boyd reported that he will be attending a dinner with Republican primary gubernatorial candidate Pete Hoekstra on 6/11.  He also met with Brian Rooney, candidate for U.S. Congress from Manchester, who is the son of Tim Rooney, the owner of Yonkers Raceway.  Rooney said that he would be a proponent for the racing industry, and that he had witnessed firsthand a mutually beneficial partnership between tracks and horsemen in New York.  Boyd has also made contact with Governor Grahnholm’s office to request a meeting with the Governor.  Boyd has received two communications back from the Governor's office, and is hopeful that a meeting may be scheduled soon.

 

Boyd testified before the House Agriculture Appropriations committee on 5/19 regarding horse racing’s importance to the Ag. industry and the critical need for new revenue sources.  Richard Kalm, Director of the Michigan Gaming Control Board, also gave positive testimony on the horse racing industry.  Knight stated that the testimony created interest and was well received by the committee members.

 

Knight reported that all 2011 budget bills are being sent to Conference Committee to be finalized.  The total Ag. Equine portion of  the Agriculture budget bill—Standardbred and Thoroughbred--will be dependent upon the simulcast revenue and “outs” money generated; and is projected to be approximately $5 million.  Boyd requested that Knight identify what portion of this total is attributable to Standardbred programs.

 

There will be 58 new House members and 29 new state Senators, following the November election.

 

Guests:  Mike Bouchard, Oakland County Sheriff and Republican gubernatorial  primary candidate, was a guest at the meeting for approximately 40 minutes.  He explained that he is not a supporter of gambling; but horse racing is different because of its connection to family farms and the agricultural industry.  Bouchard was a state Senator from 1991-99; Hazel Park was part of his Senate district, and he was their point person in the Senate.  He has always been supportive of the agricultural industry and small business.  He believes that retaining current family businesses in Michigan is equally as important as attracting new business to the state.

 

Boyd introduced Phil Stommen, who has applied for the Web Content/Horsemen’s Representative position.  Phil met with the Personnel Committee this morning, and has some exciting ideas regarding the new website.

 

Upon motion by Bennett, supported by Alexander, the board adjourned to Executive Session at 2:30 to discuss two items of business.  Upon motion by Bennett, supported by Alexander, the board returned to regular session at 2:50. 

 

Colt Stake:  There has been a further revision in the Colt Stake calendar since it was posted on the website.  The three weeks of the Platinum series and the Breeders’ Futurity, to be raced at Hazel Park, will be divided between a Saturday and Monday, rather than being raced all in one night; in order to preserve the continuity of the Hazel Park overnight program as much as possible. 

 

The May 15 Futurity nominations for foals of 2009 showed a 21 percent reduction compared to last year.  There were a total of 321 nominations; 264 Michigan sired and 57 out-of-state sired.

 

Hazel Park Track Report:  Boyd and Sweeney met with Ken Marshall on May 17; among the issues discussed was the paddock time.  MHHA and Hazel Park have both sent letters to the MGCB requesting that the paddock time at Hazel Park be changed to one hour prior to post time.  Hazel Park is currently not interested in a contract extension with MHHA, but will review the situation again following 2011 date awards in October. 

 

Hazel Park will be participating in the USTA’s “Back to the Track” promotion scheduled for August 14-15.  There will be promotions on Saturday evening during the live program, and events are also scheduled for Sunday, which is a dark day.  Marshall forwarded the preliminary schedule of events; details will be posted when plans are finalized.

 

After the first 18 days of the meet, average live handle is $73,827; compared to $78,351 last year.  Average export handle is $91,727; compared to $128,257 last year.  Simulcast handle is down approximately 20 percent compared to last year.

 

Boyd requested that everyone brainstorm about what we can do to better promote wagering at the tracks on our product.  Among the ideas discussed was educating the public and providing more information to new bettors on how to wager.  These ideas will be incorporated into the new website.

 

Website:  The board has reviewed the home page design and site map structure of the new website.  The launch date for the new website is July 19.  Testing will follow, and revisions will be made where necessary.

 

Member Benefits:  Breuer-Bertera presented a quote received from Smith-Embry Insurance for a Third Party Liability and Multiple Perils policy covering the entire membership.  Since members currently have the option of purchasing third party liability through Harness Horsemen’s International for $100, it was determined that the association will not purchase a blanket policy at this time.

 

Financial:  The board reviewed comparative financial statements from April 2009 and 2010.

 

New Business:  Rakieten presented an agreement which the Michigan HBPA thoroughbred horsemen’s association made with Pinnacle Race Course regarding $900,000 which will be contributed to Pinnacle from the horsemen’s purse pool for payment of overdue bills.  After a lengthy discussion, the agreement was passed forward to our legal counsel for further review.

 

Fowlerville Colt Training Day is Sunday, June 20.  The Fowlerville Horsemen’s group has installed a flagpole in front of the grandstand, and will hold an “Honor Our Troops” ceremony during the fair.  Fowlerville Fair received a $1,000 grant from the USTA for fair promotions.  Motion by Bennett, supported by Alexander, that MHHA assist in sponsoring the t-shirt throw during the races at the Fowlerville Fair in the amount of $300; motion passed unanimously.

 

The MHHA sends thoughts and best wishes to the John and Joanne Putnam family.

 

There being no further business to come before the board and upon motion by Breuer-Bertera, supported by Walker, meeting was adjourned at 4:55 p.m.

 

 

 

 

Michigan Harness Horsemen's Association
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Phone: 888 898-6442 or 517 349-2920
Fax: 517 349-4983

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