Officers - Debbie Little, 1st Vice President; Kelly Young, 2nd Vice President; Gordon Waterstone, Chairman of the Board; Alan Prince, Treasurer; Jerry Connors, Secretary. (President Davis-Wilson was ill and could not attend this meeting; however, she made a "game recovery" and was in attendance at the evening's Awards Dinner.)

Past Presidents - Marv Bachrad, Moira Fanning, Joe Hartmann, John Manzi, Ed Palldino Jr., Nick Saponara, Leon Zimmerman (plus Mr. Waterstone).

Chapters - At Large, Kim Rinker and Ellen Taylor; Delaware Valley, Pete Szymanski; Florida, Kathleen Dempsey and Steve Wolf; Kentucky, Randy Manges; Keystone, Kevin Decker and Roger Huston; Monticello, Chris Tully and Shawn Wiles; New England, Jack Ginnetti Jr. and Bob Lieberman; New Jersey, Callie Davies-Gooch and Carol Hodes; New York, Alan Schwartz and Dave Little; Ohio, Nicole Kraft and Phil Terry; Vernon, Jason Settlemoir. No chapter directors were present from Mid-Atlantic, Saratoga, or Western New York.

Members - Anthony Affrunti, Murray Brown, Tom Charters, Joe Faraldo, Jay Farrar, Mark Hall, Ellen Harvey, Jerry Knappenberger, Pete Lawrence, Alicia Schwartz, Eric Sharbaugh, Paul Siegel, Amy Silver, Curby Stillings, Heather Vitale, Warren Walminski, Ken Weingartner; Chris "Chuck" Wittstruck.

A motion was made to waive a reading of last year's minutes, but Moira Fanning wanted one fact interjected: the organization did not get the income of a breeding to Malabar Man, as the foal did not survive. With this alteration, the reading of the 2006 meeting minutes was waived.

A reading of the correspondence from the past year was also waived, although one recent letter from Ebby Gerry, concerning the awarding of year-end prizes, was read aloud. A summary of the Correspondence can be found as an Appendix.

Next came the officers' reports, with Chairman of the Board Gordon Waterstone leading the way - "I have counseled, and I have been counseled." The past year had its highs and its lows, as he noted, but generally he enjoyed working with "a good crew."

(No Presidential report as Judy was ill.)

Debbie Little, 1st vice president, thanked all of those who helped in any way in the Hirt Internship week and also those who labored, a little or a lot, on the Journal. She passed around a few copies of the Dinner Journal, and explained that the cover was done by New York Daily News cartoonist Ed Murawinski, and that he "gave a personality to all twenty horses" who were either winning awards or in contention for an award that night. "It's something unique," she summarized; Jack Ginnetti led a round of applause for the Journal and its hard-working creators.

…which prompted 2nd vice president Kelly Young to note, "Jack Ginnetti just took the wind out of my sails … I was going to congratulate Debbie!" from her perch as second in command for the book. She too enjoyed "working with the USHWA leadership team."

Alan Prince, as usual, had a prepared Treasurer's statement, which is also included as an Appendix. A prepared Treasurer's Report for 2006 was distributed during the reporting of Alan; a copy of said Treasurer's report is also an Appendix.

The Secretary borrowed a little from A Tale of Two Cities by noting that in harness racing, as in life in general, things were getting much better simultaneously with getting much worse. "Unlike life," he stated, he believed that USHWA was overwhelmingly dedicated to actually doing good for the sport of harness racing, and that he was at the service of any member, whether on an USHWA matter or otherwise.

President Davis-Wilson requested that before the Atlantic City meeting, all of the chapters should send in written chapter reports, the collected package of which were at this point distributed. The written reports would save some time over the oral recitations, and then members would also have a direct permanent record of the report. A reading of the Chapter highlights were thus eliminated; they are included as an Appendix.

It was noted that some USHWAns took a brick on the Hall of Fame Walk in memory of longtime New Englandite Joe Vaccaro. Moira Fanning also noted that this would be the first USHWA national meeting since time immemorial that would be missed by the late Lew Barasch, the "epitome" of harness racing.

Next, the secretary gave a summary of the Committee Reports given the previous day. After the Dinner 2008 report summary, Debbie Little interjected, "Nicole (Kraft), Gen Sullivan always said how you wished that everybody would sell two ads - well, this year Gen sold the very first two ads that were taken!"

Acting President Little requested Moira Fanning give the summary of her Integrity Committee's report, and she went over the various points in detail. Joe Hartmann moved the Committee report, as amended, be accepted, and it was unanimously.

Somehow the Insurance Committee Report was not summarized, so Leon Zimmerman gave a short talk about that portion of yesterday's meeting, noting how Mr. Zito's group got eight different prices before putting together his particular package for USHWA. It was noted that the Directors voted to accept the $1900 basic package of the CNA Group and then make a decision when we found out from Mr. Zito whether further coverage on the Chapters would raise the premium.

Next came a review of the action taken on By-Law Change Proposals and Rules and Regulations Change Proposals. Since the Kentucky chapter submitted the two By-Law Change Proposals, Gordon Waterstone explained them and their ideal of making USHWA's chapters strong and viable.

The Rules and Regulations Proposed Changes that fit under the umbrella of the continued Integrity Committee were explained; so to was the thinking on the amended Broodmare of the Year proposal.

Gordon also led the review of the changes proposed by the Hervey Committee, and contemplated future actions. (Mr. Manzi did note that "they're all not named 'Herveys,'" and he's right - the writing awards are the Herveys, the Broadcasters Awards and Smallsreed Awards [photography] are separate awards, though all reward journalistic excellence, and that's why they are often grouped together colloquially.) Hervey Committee Chair Carol Hodes summarized the Committee's tasks as "redefining categories, deciding on internet journalism (including podcasting), judging, and looking at stopping cash awards in place of giving winners plaques and tickets to the Awards Dinner." Moira Fanning agreed with the doing away with the money award part, and further noted that we need to include others in the Hervey contest process - "these awards are one of the most important things that USHWA does."

Joe Hartmann and Debbie Little both stressed the need for this committee to start doing its work and having a report ready by June 1, so that it can be circulated and discussed at the Goshen meeting.

Under the rubric "Old Business," Ken Weingartner talked about the highlights of the Hirt Internship, which gives college journalism students exposure to harness racing during the big Hambletonian week at The Meadowlands. They jogged horses, toured New York racing publications, and together placed nine stories in national newspapers. Dave and Debbie Little were very effective as editors of their work. This past year's experience brings the total to 35 students in five years, with nary a bad word from the students, and some freelance work resulting after the Internship week.

Weingartner noted that 10 people had already applied in 2007, which "was 10 more than there were at this time in 2006." He did warn, however, of a possible changing financial situation with the change in management at The Meadowlands.

Callie Davies-Gooch noted that the HHYF donated $500; Debbie Little also mentioned USHWA-NYC and the USTA as contributors, with USHWA's treasury guaranteeing a shortfall. Debbie noted that they may need help with editing stories this year if the number of participants expands.

There was talk of possibly taking on "overflow" students during a big race week at Yonkers, but Ellen Harvey provided a little history of the Internship, noting how it was modeled after a very successful program attached to the Kentucky Derby, and the thought was to expose the students to the very best harness racing had to offer.

The Rename Rising Star Committee reported that there was communication confusion, and the group did not vote on a new name for the Rising Star Award, and with the non-trainer-driver termed the Breakthrough Award, the committee was no longer functioning.

It was asked if the Rising Star award had been called the Peter Haughton Rising Star Award, and the secretary noted that at its inception it indeed had the name; later, the chapters thought it would be better if each chapter could have a Peter Haughton Award, and that switch was made.

There was a discussion of some token of election to be received by Communicators Corner honorees. For a while there was a miniature likeness of the sports cartoon hanging in the Corner in Goshen, but apparently that has not been always done.

There was much sentiment for a ring, which "all Communicators Corner members would wear proudly." But balanced against this were two factors: 1) the cost, which is in the neighborhood of $700 apiece, and 2) whether only future CC inductees would receive the ring, or would all the living CCers? (A quick check by the Secretary revealed 18 living CC members, excluding the 2007 class, which would result in a 5-figure cost if rings were provided for all.)

Joe Hartmann said that he thought the ring was an outstanding idea, and perhaps USHWA could pay half and the CCers pay half of the ring cost. Marv Bachrad noted that if a considerable quantity were bought and saved for future winners, there would be a reduction in unit cost. Bob Lieberman put forth the idea of a watch with a similar function, but there did not seem to be much support for this idea.

Ellen Harvey, a trustee of the Museum / Hall of Fame, noted that it might be better if USHWA, who elects those enshrined in the Living Hall of Fame, might contribute towards the $3000 cost per statue for the Living Hall of Famers before examining a token for the CC people.

Debbie Little noted that USHWA has contracted with a new cartoonist, the same Ed Murawinski who did the clever cover for the dinner journal, and that he would include a smaller version of the big sports cartoon that goes in the CC for the honoree, at a total cost of $1000.

Moira Fanning, who thought that USHWA purchasing 20 rings at $600 apiece was "out of the question," said she was willing to explore the situation further, and would report her findings at Goshen. Carol Hodes had the last word, stating that "to make sure that women (electees) are taken care of properly."

Secretary Connors was asked to read a letter from Ebby Gerry of the Hall to President Judy, clarifying the proper way to refer to Living Hall of Famers and Communications Corner electees. That letter of July 19, 2006 is also included in the Correspondence Appendix.

Under New Business, Acting President Little brought up the USHWA meeting that had in recent years been held at Goshen on Hall of Fame Sunday. She noted that there would not be a meeting of officers in conjunction with Goshen this year, but that any officers in attendance would be at the membership meeting. The location of the meeting would be at one of the motels in the immediate area, site to be announced. The Screening Committee, which usually met in conjunction with the Officers meeting on Saturday, will meet at a day, time, and place yet to be specified.

It was decided not to automatically buy a table for ten for the Goshen dinner this year, since many USHWA officers sat with "their own" groups; rather, tickets for officers needing them would be the sole outlay.

The discussion on hiring an USHWA publicist, which was tabled the previous day, was renewed, with Moira Fanning, one of the proponents of the move, noted that the group had a poor track record of getting their news into major media, and said "if we have money for this and that, why not for a publicist?" John Manzi, who was the other co-sponsor of the idea, said "that we need somebody we can count on" to feed the organization's news in a timely and effective manner. Ed Palladino noted that other USHWA activities, such as the Hirt Internship, should also "be out there for USHWA." Marv Bachrad spoke against the present way award information is distributed, with several winners often lumped in one release - "put out one release a week to keep USHWA and the dinner fresh in the public's mind."

Ellen Harvey noted that one reason the Dan Patch and other yearend awards did not receive publicity was because they were announced in the evening at the dinner, when most papers have already been "put to bed."

Moira noted that Oscar Night certainly got much attention (they were held Dinner night), but the awards to be given at the dinner did not. She also noted that perhaps an internal committee needed to be formed instead of just hiring a publicist. Nicole Kraft countered by noting that what has been done in the past hasn't worked, and that we need somebody with a fresh perspective to take a look at USHWA -- "a real-world professional" -- and decide what would be the most effective techniques to get wider dissemination of our news.

Dave Little wasn't sure that even with a more professionally-handled approach, stories would be gobbled up by big papers. He said he had talked to his editor about the dinner and awardwinners, and was not given an encouraging response.

Steve Wolf said that something that had worked for him at Pompano was not going after the really big news outlets (here, primarily newspapers), but to try to sell stories to more localized papers about people who live in their area. Ed Palladino championed "human interest" stories - "look at Funny Cide, and Afleet Alex, with their great stories and press coverage."

Debbie Little was hesitant to appoint a committee to study the situation and report back by Goshen, believing that that power should reside in Judy, but then Steve Wolf upped the ante by making a motion that the Officers of the Association report back in 30 days on what they feel the best solution to the publicity situation is, and this motion was passed unanimously.

Dave Little then referred to the "iconic" status of the late Lew Barasch, and that she felt that the Breakthrough Award should be called the Lew Barasch Memorial Breakthrough Award. This motion was passed unanimously, and would be in place for the awards dinner that night.

Debbie and Kelly Young then noted that they would be willing to help with the 2008 Journal, but that a chief Editor was needed. Discussion of the 2008 Journal and 2008 Dinner (Dover was mentioned among the possibilities) was deferred until President Judy would appoint committees handling these functions.

After a short break, Tom Charters addressed the group, urging them to contact their local commission offices to urge them to adopt the "model penalties" guidelines for illegal substances that the Racetrack Medication Testing Consortium (RMTC) recently recommended, for "uniformity" within the sport.

Next came the voting for ballot candidates for the Communicators Corner. Many of the candidate submitters spoke glowingly of their particular candidate(s). Chris Wittstruck collected the ballots, and Marv Bachrad and Ed Palladino then went off to count them.

While they were counting, Ellen Harvey urged members and their organizations to donate, preferably books, to the Marie Hill Writing Contest, as the group wants to send a harness book to all entrants, to further their connection to and interest in the sport.

The results of the Communicators Corner balloting were then announced: Murray Janoff, at 91 the last surviving founder of USHWA, would be on the Senior Communicators ballot; Alan Prince, journalist, educator, and longtime USHWA treasurer, would be on the "regular" Communicators Corner ballot.

A call for officers elections was the last item of business on the agenda, and able parlimentarian Leon Zimmerman was called upon to oversee. But Joe Hartmann made a motion to retain all present officers for one more year, and that motion was approved unanimously.