In an article by The Guelph Mercury today, Bill O'Donnell has made some blunt comments regarding his short time as president of the Ontario Harness Horse
Association.
O'Donnell's comments centre on the lack of bargaining power OHHA had with the Woodbine Entertainment Group. The OHHA has not had a racing contract since the end of 2008. In January 2009, WEG stated to OHHA in an open letter that "[OHHA is] an organization with which WEG simply cannot, and will not, continue to do business."
The Guelph Mercury article states that, on Tuesday, May 5, O'Donnell said chances of OHHA getting a contract with Woodbine at some point this year were about 20 per cent with him at the helm and less now.
"I kept asking those guys, 'What part of that letter in January did you not understand? We will no longer negotiate with OHHA.' It's pretty self-explanatory, isn't it?" O'Donnell was quoted as saying.
"The only time you negotiate with somebody is when they have something you want. We didn't have anything (WEG) wanted," O'Donnell was quoted as saying.
(With files from The Guelph Mercury)
I've never seen a more naive
I've never seen a more naive and misguided posting then the one posted by Frank Lester.
First of all slots has been racing's saving grace. Without slots the Open Pace would go for $20,000 not the present day $50,000 purse. Moreover, all purses would be half of what they are today without slot revenues.
It's sad to say but today's racing owner's and bettors can't support the present day horse racing business model. The majority of young generation of owner's and players are involved with poker and sports betting. All you need to do is check Sunday May 10th total handle of $750,000 and compare it to the 1.5 million in handle we use to do routinely in the mid 1990's. Ultimately, the only real avenue for growth for WEG are Slot revenues and more casino parlor games such as Blackjack, poker, roulette etc which of course they are actively pursuing as they also see the writing on the wall for horse racing.
Finally, suggesting we adopt the CAW tactics or the CAW is a real head scratcher. Isn't this the same CAW that has bankrupted Chrysler and is on its’ way to bankrupting General Motors and Air Canada. If it weren't for Joe Sucker taxpayer bailing these insolvent worthless companies out, the bozos at the CAW would be out of business themselves.
In today's recesionary environment were industries are struggling to survive we need the confrontational tactics of a CAW like we need a hole in the head. Trust me on this; Joe Sucker Taxpayer isn't going to bailout the racing industry. We are on are own.
Hopefully, our industry will survive the downturn and with the help of slot revenues a new leadership will evolve whether its at OHHA, SHOP, or some other entity that understands the meaning of a business patnership. We are in a real long nasty recession and we have to focus on the bottom line of putting food on the table not on wasting resources on one person's vendetta's of funding lawsuits against the people we are suppose to be in business with. It's a tribute to the integrity of Bill Odonnell and the 8 OHHA director's who wanted to no part of this and resigned.
Folks you are dealing with
Folks you are dealing with Big Business and they don't care.Their only interest is their bottom line and they don't give a d--- about yours.
Until you get an organization as strong as the CAW you haven't got a chance,and the CAW don't put up with breaking rank.
WEG think the horse people are a bunch of dumd clucks that won't stick together on any significant issue. The issue that precipitated this problem probably wasn't really worth the fallout that has happened.but it does go to show you that WEG will have what they want and get what they want because we will not stick together.This situation will only get worse. We are dealing with powerful people who have a lot more of the government ear than we will ever have and you know as well as I do that our politicians know on what side their bread is buttered.
We can blame OHHA for this problem,but get a life,who is OHHA other than ourselves.We elect our representatives if we show up for the vote and if we don't then just like any other election we suffer the consequences.As the great philosopher Snoopy said " I have seen the enemy, he is me"
I'me sure Bill O was a good man and sad to see him go,but change can only happen if we change something,not abandon the ship.
There's a lot of inuendo about misuse of funds and handing out money to cheats to fight allegations of wrongdoing. If money was used for this then accountability is required and a proper auditing system needs to be in place. But we all know the Kangaroo Court proceedings we have to deal with in this industry sometimes has to be challenged and if OHHA helps someone out in a legit case and provided they have funds to do it then we should all be supporting that kind of action it's only in our own best interest.The Impearilist attitude of a certain faction of our industry that they are allways right and never make a mistake may lay heavy on you one day and a little financial help could allow you to survive and fight their deep pockets to ensure justice
What's needed most in this industry is RESPECT especially for one another. After all horsepeople you put on the show. What would they do without you? Just collect their fortune from the slots I guess.
I've said enough, after all I am leaving the industry,abandoning ship. I love horse, I love horseracing, I hate the politics and I hate the way Slot revenues have truly hurt the industry.
Frank Lester
Just another small player
At some point your partner,
At some point your partner, in this case WEG, has to have complete confidence that there will be a partnership with boundaries and respect for a common goal. Obviously WEG doesn't get a warm and fuzzy feeling with regard to the OHHA directors and their past shenanigans. Tear it down and start over.
Mr Odonnells comments
Mr Odonnells comments reflects two issues here, WEG refusal to talk with OHHA or anyone else for that matter because horsemen continue to enter in the box without any contract & the refusal of OHHA to deal with WEG not DEMAND...........It maybe time for a mediator to enter in & get something on paper....Lets not just blame OHHA it takes two parties to make a deal
It is a real tragedy that
It is a real tragedy that Bill O'Donnell was not given a chance to succeed. The "old guard" refused to budge. It is time to disband OHHA and look for a better way to care for the horsemen and provide an honest, open forum for change.
Same old same old!!
Same old same old!!