NEWSLETTERS

Newsletter dated May 25, 2006

NTWA Newsletter from New President Tom Law
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Greetings fellow Turf writers, I hope this note finds you all well and recovered from what has so far been a Triple Crown filled with some of the highest highs and the lowest lows our industry has to offer. Id also like to take this time to send a note of thanks to those that have trusted me to serve as president of this organization, my main goal going forward is to serve the National Turf Writers Association in a positive way and to help it gain an even more powerful influence in the racing industry.

For those of you who do not know me, I have covered racing for the last 12 years and have been a member of the NTWA since 1997, including the last two years as a member of the organizations board of directors. I have also worked at Thoroughbred Times since 1998, working first as a staff writer before serving as the magazines deputy news editor, news editor, and currently as its managing editor.

During the semi annual meeting at Churchill Downs two days before the Kentucky Derby, the NTWA elected new officers and board. Tom Pedulla of USA Today was elected as NTWA vice president and Lexington-based freelance writer Jill Williams was reelected as NTWA secretary and treasurer.

New members elected to the board are Dave Johnson (ESPN.com/Sirius Radio), Sherry Ross (New York Daily News), Hank Wesch (San Diego Union Tribune), and Brad Telias (CBS Radio/Sportingnews.com) who replace outgoing directors Jennie Rees, Rick Snider, Pohla Smith, and Tom Law. Jay Privman (Daily Racing Form) and Kevin Modesti (Los Angeles Daily News) retain their positions on the board.

Claire Novak was upgraded from associate member to a regular member during the meeting, and the board also approved the regular membership of Gregory Hall and the associate membership of Scott Gruender.

Several other issues were discussed during the meeting, including the formation of a membership committee to clarify regular membership and address some of the wording of the NTWAs bylaws. Jay Privman, Brad Telias, and Jill Williams have kindly volunteered to work on this task and other members are certainly welcome and urged to aid their efforts.

Those in attendance also discussed publicity department issues and concerns, primarily the lack of access for the Kentucky Derby draw and its related problems regarding any sort of setup and work area for the media. I urge members to compile and email me any related concerns about coverage of the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes so we can pass along our concerns to the proper officials at Churchill Downs and Pimlico Race Course.

Other topics of discussion included the weekly World Thoroughbred Championships poll compiled last fall by the National Thoroughbred Racing Association/Breeders Cup Ltd., along with the issue of possibly using email in the future for Eclipse Award and other voting.

Covering the Triple Crown races always presents great challenges and rewards for all those involved and this year has proven to be no exception. Id also like to take this time to reiterate that the lines of communication between this organizations board of directors and executive leadership team and the members is open and to invite you to pass on any issues, concerns, or problems you might have in covering our sport on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis.

Id also be remiss if I did not send a note of sincere gratitude and thanks on behalf of the entire organization to outgoing NTWA President Gary West and the other outgoing officers and directors.

Two other members have passed along notes to the membership and Ive attached their comments below.

Thanks again, and best of luck at the races.
Tom Law
NTWA President
May 24, 2006
 
Gary McMillen, who was directly affected by Hurricane Katrina, wishes to pass along his thanks for the laptop purchased by the NTWA on his behalf:
If there is a way to publicly thank the NTWA for the lap-top they purchased for me, I would want to do that. It meant a lot to me.

From John McEvoy:
"Riders Down," NTWA member John McEvoy's second horse racing crime novel, was published on March 31 by Poisoned Pen Press. It follows "Blind Switch," which appeared in 2004.

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