"Bruce Draney" wrote ...

Geez Tim,

Sounds like they shared just enough positives with you to get you to
support them. I'm a little disappointed, but will assume you'll keep an
open mind and take things told to you with a grain of salt.

Bruce,

I'll try. :-)

Wondered if you still believe its a-okay for Camaratta to be filling
up the USCF catalog with HOS items or if that's now become a perfectly
acceptable practice as well in your mind.

In my opinion it's clearly a violation of USCF's current Conflict of
Interest rules. Even if it isn't, it looks bad to people on the outside, and
that's an important consideration.

Having said that, I have been told that Frank Camaratta gets worse terms
than Malcolm Pein gets. If that's true, it puts the situation in a useful
perspective, though it still doesn't address the perception problem.

What is your view on Adult dues?

Same as before. As stated on my website, I could live with $49 dues, *if*
people were offered a cheaper no-magazine membership option. By "cheaper" I
mean "cheaper than the current $39 no-magazine option."

What is your view on children's
dues?

Same as before. In my opinion, they are too low relative to adult dues. I
also feel there should be some sort of publication offered to the kids,
considering there are so many of them. Heck, my son Ben is in the Cub
Scouts, and he gets a magazine which I think he looks at. Same idea.

What is your view on technology and the budgeting for upgrades?

I have been told by Frank Niro that a substantial sum of money from the sale
of the New Windsor building will be allocated to the technology budget. I
hope this happens. It better happen, or half the reason for selling the
building is moot.

Once we're IN Crossville, how long do you suppose the Welcome Wagon
mentality will last?

Hmm, my name is Tim Hanke, not Clair Voyant. :-)

Any word on whether Chess Life is moving to Crossville too or are they
planning on operating two inefficient headquarters simultaneously?

My understanding is that, for a period of time, some of the Chess Life staff
will remain in New Windsor, and CL Editor Peter Kurzdorfer will remain in
Buffalo. Frank Niro can't, on his own, do anything about the Editor's
situation, because the CL Editor is the only other USCF employee who reports
directly to the Board. My understanding is that Frank Niro would like to
move in the direction of having the CL operation back under one roof with
the rest of USCF staff. It may take time to accomplish this goal; the
Executive Board will undoubtedly have to help make this happen because Frank
Niro can't make it happen himself.

Have
you changed your mind about the current adminstration's use of the PPHBF
money?

No. I still think it is morally wrong to tie up these funds as collateral
for loans to operations. But having said that, it appears there is no legal
constraint preventing this being done. It seems to me that this fund's
purpose, and the mechanics of how it is supposed to be used, are not clearly
defined. I say, get rid of the fund or convert it to a real fund that is
escrowed from operations. Probably the former if it can legally be done: I
feel that USCF has gotten in trouble by trying to be all things to all
people, and providing health insurance to professional chessplayers is not
part of the core mission.

What is your view about the Grand Prix?

I'm not familiar with all the details of that issue. Feel free to enlighten
me. :-)

Tim Hanke

Best Regards,

Bruce