Reply To: A top pro wrote this and he is dead on.

[bmiddaugh]

Ok, I’m really stepping it up here because I can see were the problems lie with a lot of things that have gone on in the past. Mac had his say, Janeen had a very good response, and now I’m going to give you the repsonse that a guy who only cares about BMX and not anything else would have given. I’m not diggin on Janeen by saying that, because EHT is her home track and I’d be offended as well if someone decided to call my track out.
Here we go…

You want an example? Ok. last year my son was hurt. He was cleared on the thursday before the east coast national. I called the track… nothing. I went to the website… nothing. I drove the hour and a half only to be told that the track is closed! When I asked why there was no posting I was told that they(les) didn’t think they needed to tell anyone. When I explained the situation I was told, rather roughly that there was no way my son could even get on some part of the track. Not to mention the woman who would not come out from behind the trailer while I was speaking to Les, She had a lot to say also. Mr. Behm even tried to speak to someone but was told no. Realistically whether Mac is a newb or a vet when someone drives an 1 1/2 to a track and it’s closed they deserve an explanation, and yes I would hope at the very least the phone and site would be updated. Be that as it may, you get to the track. Track is closed, guy walks up to you, jeez I thought you were racing today…Sorry no, couldn’t get the dang site updated and I just got here so I couldn’t get the phone message out, sorry about that. Well, can my kid get some practice in? Um…we’re working on the track right now…if you could give us a hand we can let your kid on the track for a few laps when we’re finished. Big race coming up and all and we’re pushing hard. Cool deal? 😀
(Now I don’t know how the whole thing went down, but that is how BOTH sides should have acted for the BETTERMENT of BMX as a whole)

How about another example… how about a race called because of heat. This has happened at eht. The problem with that is that they raced earlier at fleminton and blue diamond, and the next day at both central jersey and bensalem. Again no notice, people just did not show up. Unbelievable but true. Um if the race cancellation was put on the phone, well then you’re bad…though I don’t remember races being called on the count of “heat” when I was a youngun..maybe that’s something new…This one I don’t get really at all… um, race according to track conditions?…Did someone sue a track because their kid got hurt claiming it was too hot? (I am honestly not being sarcastic, I really am asking this question)

How about another example… Two years ago the times for races were at 6pm. This was great, we could go up to flemington race there, then make it to egg harbor. Then last year the times changed. No warning, no explaination, they just changed. Then at the start of this year the times were even earlier. I guess someone complained because the times went back. Great. Anytime there is a change it should sorta be made and posted in advance, of course if the track staff need things changed to help things out that should be accomodated but people need to know. (This goes back to my website and email rants, sorry about that)

You know I was there for the “meeting” that was really a screaming fest after the national. Right at the picnic tables. Nice touch I thought. I had to walk away. There were a lot of things going on that led up to the melt down at the meeting after the 2005 National that I won’t go into. I am not the only one who has problems with this track. There are 2 other tracks in NJ. As you said the parking lot has its fair share of offenders. Funny thing though, We go to central jersey and while I don’t say that there are no problems, any are kept well hidden. That’s great. ….hehe, their webguy, HI!!, got blasted and called a thief and liar a couple weeks ago…not by anyone involved in NJBMX but someone else, situation remedied through diplomacy and cool heads (Thanks for the help Janeen), then we had that whole first straight jump thing, lol…again…well this time credit goes to Vinnie and Dale…2 guys who love BMX
I am not saying that all of the people who help out at eht are a problem, There are some very helpfull folks, what I am saying is that the majority of the complaints seem to be directed there.
As to why the state is in shambles, maybe I overstated it a bit to make a point. I am willing to say that this year was better than last. Two examples of things happened at the past two presidents cups.
Two years ago we had to buy a jersey from someone in florida, and we were not the only ones. It was a disgrace, I think we had maybe 12 riders, and more than one did not have a jersey. Before my time but it looks like NJBMX had some rough times a couple years ago…good thing it’s all IN THE PAST.

Not only that but we were very unorganized. This year as I walked around I saw whole sections of people from the same state sitting together, some had areas where you could go , and most had at least some state meeting. This all reflects very poorly on the state.
Yep, we need more people stepping up to do things right…note to self promote Pres Cup more after CJ Qualifier
They were too busy working at the race to do it themselves.
Janeen, I’m taking this quote to step out and point out a flaw that everyone just allows to exist in the nbl. Busy working the pres cup? Didn’t everyone just pay to race that day? And then you volunteer? Can the nbl please just have a race where they pay people to make it happen for once? They should not always rely on the good will of people to get everything done…Sorry this tweaks me a bit. Sorta like run your locals AND help us run our nationals…f-this, gimme back my beginners, I want my 2 dollars….
I am sorry that you are offended by my comments but a state that can boast as many national champs should be just a bit more organized than that. And??? Do I ever see your name on a list of committees to do just that? Go up to registration at any track and volunteer for not just the day’s race, but to go above and beyond. Ouch…good point though, everyone has gotta step up and be open minded. But don’t we need meetings to have committees?

2005 State Series Committees–The people who signed up never came through so, the new committee had to step in so the kids would get what they earned. Below is the list of committees and the volunteers who did the work.
State Plates-art approved, ordered, provided list of names, classes, standings, received, sorted, bagged, handed out–Janeen
State Hoodies-art approved, ordered, provided list of names, sizes, picked up, sorted, bagged, handed out–Janeen
Awards Banquet–food organized so that there would be a variety–Janeen
State Points–Janeen
State Plaques–Janeen
State Championship Trophies–Janeen
State Qualifier Race Registrations–Janeen
State Jerseys-Ordered, went to pick up 1 1/2 hours away because the company delivered to wrong address, sorted, handed out.–Janeen
State Awards Banquet Invitations-designed, printed, addressed, mailed–Janeen
Awards Banquet Door Prizes-suggested, purchased, organized, handed out-Nancy and Janeen

Home track of above EHTBMX!

Offended? Yes!

Regarding the above? Holy ~expletive deleted~. I’ve been there with that feeling, running a bike park, freestyle team, this site, zine, CJ’s site, pics, racing, just riding, designing whatever we can get out to people, and yes I swear I am working on that video!!…
I’d like to say I do it all for the kids…but I don’t, I do it for one kid, the only one I have, BMX.

What’s the point of this clown typing here?…
Diplomacy and activism. Let’s get it together. I’m on here all the freakin time because I’m designing flyers and sites and fixing pics and trying to get stuff going. It’s hard, it’s a second job….I FREAKING LOVE IT and would rather blow my brains out then accept anything for it.

Janeen is right to be offended, she does a hell of a lot, MacD has points that according to me are being addressed as we move on towards 2007.
Meetings…I made a promise to Janeen that when the ball gets rolling there will NEVER be any yelling or screaming going on at a meeting about BMX…that would be like yelling and screaming at your kid and how would YOU feel about that.
I’m done calling my group a bunch of crazies. We love BMX and are tired of nonsense. The UBMXRC had a meeting were we sat down discussed ideas and got something done, with a lot of DIFFERENT and trust me..CONFLICTING personalities. But we care about BMX too much to let that childish ego trip stuff break things up.
We’re ready to move forward who is with us.