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NRA elections
Just got my issue of the Rifleman with the ballot. I thought I'd pass on a few thoughts, and maybe start a discussion.
All the folks that got nominated, and whom know, are very well qualified. This is one first rate body of people.
I would suggest reading the bios carefully to spot those who have special NRA experience. Are they a current board member, head of a state association, that manner of thing? What committees have they served on?
(Sometimes you have to read carefully. For example, Col. Brown and Judge Boehm are a long term board members, but they never mention it -- you have to deduce that from a mention that they're on two committees). It's not that I have any bias for incumbents per se -- it's more that I tend to disfavor "celebrity" directors, who don't have experience with the organization and may have little time to spare for learning. You also want some people who just plain love shooting, as well as the activists (I know it's mostly overlapping, but there are people who have little interest in politics as such, but love to teach people to shoot, and you need folks who will represent that aspect of NRA).
It is a pretty remarkable slate ... oh, a biochemist working on anticancer drugs, a retired judge, a former sub officer turned police captain and then attorney, a refugee from Castro's regime.
I notice two directors who have been elected officers by the rest of the Board (1st and 2d Vice Presidents John Sigler and Ronald Schmeits) are up for election. And the always-inventive Scott Bach has established a webpage listing his qualifications, which are many. (I should also give a special mention to Don Saba, since he's vice president of Tucson Rod and Gun Club, and I spent this morning exploring new sites for its shooting range with him).
Another thing--remember the ballot, and the nominating committee recommendations, are two different things. There's a limit on the recommendations, so they didn't list some interesting people. For example, David Jones, who's been on the board since '97 and mentions a 100% attendance record -- NOT easy to accomplish, with three 3-4 meetings per year. And Amy Heath, Jeff Cooper's grand-daughter.
Chime in with your own thoughts....
[Updates: here's the Orange County Shooters' Ass'n endorsements, and the Bitch Girls' take, strongly endorsing Scott Bach.
Just to explain, BTW, board members are usually elected for 3 years terms, so around 25 come up for election (plus however many it takes to fill in for resignations]. If there are resigned seats to fill, the 25 top vote getters get 3 year terms, and those below them get 1-2 year terms of those who had resigned. The president and vps must be board members, but are elected by the board (rather than the members) from its own membership. Then there is also a 76th director, with one-year term, elected on the floor of the annual meeting].
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13 Comments | Leave a comment
As much as I hate to admit it, I punched 26 names at random, or sometimes I looked at the state they came from. So much for inteligent voting.
I'd be rather curious if any of them collect NFA weapons. One small change could make the '86 ban go away and restore some sanity to the NFA market (though it would also wipe out a few fortunes).
Doing so would be a political fireball, but the only other hope would be an (unlikely) highly favorable 2nd amendment supreme court ruling.
I am also supporting Amy Heath along with Tom King and David Boehm, all from NY where I live. Those of us who live in anti-gun states need to have as much support as possible from the NRA. Who ever you vote for just make sure that you VOTE.
http://www.ocshooters.com/newsletters/06/02.htm#nraelections
Where's Selleck?
On the board already.
Voting for those who need to be on the board IS impt., for sure.Take from someone who knows...DON'T VOTE for John Smithbaker, who is just a Tag-Along, who is "related"... Our association can do much better.
I don't know any of the candidates personally, but can tell you of their reputation here in New Jersey. Scott Bach is VERY well liked, and has done a lot for gun owners. I hear good things of Bill Bachenburg, who lives nearby. I hear a lot of dislike of D. Caplan, even though they say he left here long ago. A google search turns up http://www.user.fast.net/~behanna/caplan.html
I would like to recommend DAN ZAVADIL. He was a dynamic and effective attorney with the NRA's office of general counsel and is currently in private practice. Dan is an uncompromising 2nd Amendment advocate with a proven track record of defending our right to keep and bear arms. Dan is a frontline fighter who brings energy and intelligence to every organization he joins. In addition to battling in the courts, he has help educate and train other attorneys in national and local seminars and workshops. Dan is ready to roll up his sleeves and get to work for all NRA members, all he needs is your vote. See his web site for more information about Dan. http://www.continue.to/danz
Oh, I thought Selleck had to be reelected or something. I'm still a year away from being able to vote.
I thought Selleck had to be reelected or something
As you can see from David's update, he will have to be re-elected when his term is up.
I read the posting from Mr. Witmer endorsing DAN ZAVADIL for the NRA Board. Being curious I checked out his web page (www.continue.to/danz)--Boy was I impressed. He is a former NRA Assistant General Counsel, military veteran, attorney licensed in 3 states, numerous firearm articles to his credit, etc. He has definately made his mark on behalf of the firearm friendly. I think MR. ZAVADIL would make an excellent NRA Board Member. He has my vote and I would encourage other NRA Members to take the time to check out his background and cast their vote for him also. His web bio is much more informative than the brief bio with the ballots.
when the ballot calls for you to pick 26 of 29, it seems like a better strategy is to find out which 3 do not belong.
I've still got my ballet and just started to do some research on the candidates. It looks as if this election is not about the high profile members like Tom Selleck or Ted Nugent (current board members) but more about the hardworking grass root members that support our efforts and initiatives everyday. I was very impressed with the Bio on Dan Zavadil. I think he embodies our core values and would be a strong gun rights advocate and representative of the Association. Their are a few other candidates that look also. Thanks for your input.
Where's Selleck?