As many of you know, I was recently dismissed from my position at Chief Technical Director and Grid Marshal with the Central Motorcycle Roadracing Association (CMRA) by the CMRA’s Race Director, Walter Walker. I was “terminated” from my position by email -- I was not called and informed of this decision, nor was I dismissed in person.
I want to thank you all for the hundreds of emails, calls and texts regarding my recent termination from the CMRA. Your support is very much appreciated. Most of you have asked me what happened and what led to my termination. Walter Walker’s email stated in part that I was terminated because there have been “more than a few complaints” about me from both staff members and the members [of the CMRA]. I (and most of you) highly doubt that there have many substantial complaints about me by the members/racers within the organization. (As a side note, there’s never been a weekend where I didn’t hear at least one complaint from someone in the Club about the Race Director, but those they were afraid to make this public for fear of reprisals or sanctions.)
I am not tooting my own horn, but since my termination, I have been called by quite a large contingent of the CMRA as perhaps the most helpful and friendly of all the staff members, and some have even called me the “face of the CMRA”. Others have stated that the reason they went racing with the CMRA in the first place was because of me. (Additionally, in the past, I the CMRA’s secretary, Nancy Selleck, stated I was the best newsletter writer and editor the CMRA ever had.) Some members have stated that they will no longer race with the CMRA because of the way my dismissal was handled, and many others have stated that they think there’s something wrong with the managerial direction of the Club, and this issue is the latest reason to believe that.
Why would they think that? Well, I am in my 29th straight year as a member of the Club, I have previously served two terms (four years) on the CMRA’s Board of Directors, and I was in my ninth year as staff member. I formerly authored and edited the Club’s newsletter and wrote the Club’s press releases. I have given the Club countless images for use in press releases, license cards, rule books and other advertisement media, and I have promoted the CMRA, its racers and vendors with a flood of images after each race event for many years on Facebook. I also recruited my family to work for the Club, first as corner workers, with my eldest daughter, Raynie, who essentially grew up at the track, moving up to chief manual scorer, gate worker and worker with CMRA merchandise sales. In time, Raynie herself, became one of the dozens and dozens I helped get licensed and on the racetrack, where she raced Mini Motards last season and at the first two races of this season, and had offers to ride the Lightweight Endurance series on a Kawasaki 300. She was also hoping to ride my KTM450SMR in at least a couple of Motard races. I put together "give back" programs whereby I donated money back to the Club for equipment such as EZ-Ups for cornerworkers, and I offered sponsorship programs for injured racers. Furthermore, my family and I have donated something to the CMRA’s end of year banquet every season for I don't know how long. So, with that said, one might think someone who has given as much to the CMRA as I have over close to three decades would be due at least a phone call when terminated. I know I would have made a phone call.
The answer to “what happened”, is, I think, simple: after almost three decades of passionately supporting the CMRA, I was dismissed because of politics; I was fired for being friends with Peyton Inge. I lobbied for Peyton during Board elections, mainly because he is a lawyer. When I was on the Board, I served alongside a lawyer and his advice and direction was very helpful. I felt Peyton could offer similar value.
I want to make it VERY clear that I DO NOT agree with everything Peyton has done, and I am saddened by the fact that the CMRA is being sued by Peyton. The lawsuit has fragmented relationships and divided some of the Club’s membership, and it has made enemies of friends.Furthermore, I feel the lawsuit could have been avoided. After losing a bid for a seat on the CMRA’s Board of Directors in 2014, emails posted by then CMRA president John Orchard show that Peyton originally asked the CMRA Board of Directors to do three things, which I believe the CMRA By Laws allow in some form or another:
• Audit 25 election ballots;
• Issue an apology to him;
• Produce the CMRA’s books and records.
Instead of doing these things, the Board revoked Peyton’s CMRA license and kicked him out of the Club. From this action, one could presume that hiding someone’s personal secrets justify risking the CMRA’s future existence. Or, maybe the Board’s actions could be explained away as petty pride. Regardless, I have always maintained that the CMRA’s Board of Directors, secretary and race director, do not own the Club and should always act in the best interest of the Club. We, the members of the Club, own the CMRA, not the Board or anyone else.
I believe the Board, in part or in whole, had Walter Walker fire me (via email, mind you) because of my relationship with Peyton Inge.
As such, I am asking for 75 names, pursuant to Section 3.15 of the CMRA’s By Laws, to initiate a recall of current the sitting CMRA Vice President, Mr. John Orchard. Mr. Orchard was the acting CMRA President in December 2014. If there is truly nothing to hide, Mr. Orchard is also a symbol of the Board’s refusal to address the Peyton Inge issue in the best interest of the Club. Mr. Orchard, you do not have my permission to risk MY Club over a pissing contest, petty pride, personal secrets, or anything else. Refrain from being a career politician and stand up for the Club we - the members - love.
PLEASE READ THIS: I am asking for 75 names of people who are pissed about the current situation and believes the CMRA deserves better. This recall petition DOES NOT mean I (OR YOU) side with Peyton Inge or his lawsuit. In fact, you can hate Peyton Inge and his lawsuit and still sign this petition. Additionally, this petition ABSOLUTELY DOES NOT mean I, or you, as a signer, are anti-CMRA. In fact, I created this petition because I LOVE the CMRA and do not want its future jeopardized by the decisions of a few. And maybe most importantly, NEITHER I NOR YOU AS A SIGNER RISK BEING REPRIMANDED BY THE CMRA OR ITS EMPLOYEES BECAUSE YOU AGREE WITH THIS RECALL PETITION. A RECALL PETITION IS PURSUANT TO SECTION 3.15 OF THE CMRA’S BY LAWS. A recall petition means you have lost faith in one or more members of the leadership committee, and you are demanding change. Mr. John Orchard himself stated that “Changes are occasionally made as needed and in the best interest of the CMRA as with any organization.” I agree, which is why I created this petition.
When we reach 75 names, the Board must take action, or explain their refusal to do so. The Board may also try to delete this thread, or hide it. If that happens, I will demand to know why.
Thanks for believing that the CMRA is a Club for the members, by the members.
1. Linz Leard
http://forums.13x.com/index.php?thre...recall.331174/
https://www.facebook.com/linz.leard/...08574391132798
Originally Posted by John Orchard
