Mid-Florida Officials Association
FROM: Ralph Messer, Secretary
SUBJECT: Executive Board Meeting of March 9, 2008
The meeting, which was held at the Ocala Star Banner in Ocala, was called to order at 5:10 PM by Ralph Messer who served as the Chairman in the absence of the President, Bud Holt, who was sick, and the Vice President, Al Summers, who was out of town on business.
Attending: Jeff Pole, Ralph Messer, Paul Gery, Ted Bedford, Wade Clayton, Jeff D’Amelio, Reid Sergent, Dan Cannon, Carlton Dill, James Law, Saul Speights, Richard Sullivan, and Terry Lee
Not Attending: Bud Holt, Al Summers
Cory Brockett, an MFOA football member, appeared at the meeting and asked to address the board regarding his qualifications as a prospective Booking Commissioner for Baseball and Softball
A report was read to the Board regarding an MFOA official being accused of working a basketball game at North Marion while under the influence of alcohol. In the statements the Inspector received, there were conflicting statements regarding the odor of alcohol and whether the official was in fact intoxicated. A motion was made by Wade Clayton that since the official was removed from the booking shortly after the incident and did not work again the remainder of the season that no further action be taken against him. Wade included in his motion that the official be counseled by the area basketball director and include a supporting letter. It was also noted that the official should be given a copy of the complaint against him. Second by Dan Cannon. The motion passed.
A report was read to the Board regarding the difficulty in getting an MFOA Official to pay other members of the crew for a basketball game where the official was the Referee. Several phone calls were made and emails sent before a response was received. Motion by Wade Clayton that the official not be booked as the Referee again until the official has demonstrated that actions of this nature will not occur again. Second by Dan Cannon. The motion passed with one person voting against.
A report was read to the Board regarding the failure of an MFOA Official to pay supporting official for two middle school basketball games played at Yankeetown. It took almost 2 months for the supporting official to be paid. The treasurer withheld pay from the official’s check, with the official’s consent and paid the supporting official. Motion by Wade Clayton that the official not be booked as the Referee again until he has demonstrated that actions of this nature will not occur again. Second by Dan Cannon. The motion passed with one person voting against.
The Board was given a report of two incidents that were investigated by the Inspector at the Lecanto Girls Christmas Tournament. A copy of the report was given to the FHSAA as it was made since an appeal of fine had been lodged with the FHSAA. No action taken.
The board was given a report regarding an incident during a softball game at Lecanto. During the incident, a coach was ejected and a fine levied by the FHSAA. The investigation was made at the request of the FHSAA since they had received an appeal regarding the fine. Richard Sullivan has spoken with the official and gave him advice on how to handle incidents of this type in the future. No action taken by the board.
A letter from Jeff Pole was read to the board regarding the failure of Richardson Middle school to pay their basketball fees to the MFOA. After contacting the Athletic Director, Jeff was assured that the fees would be paid in full. However, he subsequently received a check which noted “Partial Payment.’ Motion by Jeff Pole that the MFOA not offer the school a contract for the coming year. Second by Reid Sergent. It was suggested that Jeff write a letter to the Principal, advising him of the situation and if it is resolved no action will be taken. If a timely payment is made for this school year, Wade will include in the Richardson contract for 2008-09 a clause that states no games will be booked for that school until the fees are paid in full. Based on this, the motion was withdrawn by Jeff.
The board discussed with the Treasurer the possibility or advisability of increasing the booking fees for each sport vs. increasing the Membership dues. This will be included with the budget recommendation to be presented at the annual business meeting.
Wade Clayton and Jeff D’Amelio discussed with the board the possibility of going to a see travel fee in the future. Several different methods were discussed. Wade and Jeff will do further study and possibly make a presentation to the membership at the annual business meeting.
The board was read a letter from the Florida Board of Bar Examiners who is requesting information regarding Scott Gray Layden, Jr., who is seeking admission to the Florida Bar. No one on the board was familiar with the subject. A negative reply will be sent to the Florida Bar.
Selections were made by the board for member schools to be presented to the FHSAA for consideration for the Fred Rozelle Sportsmanship Award. The selections are as follows: Mount Dora (Football), Lafayette (Basketball), Hawthorne (Baseball), and West Port (Softball)
Dan Cannon was selected as the Chairman of the Nominating committee. This committee is responsible for securing recommendations for the election of officers at the annual business meeting. The offices up for election year include:
Vice President – 2 year term (Incumbent Al Summers)
Treasurer – 2 year term (Incumbent Jeffrey Pole)
Football Directors
North – 2 year term (Incumbent Carlton Dill)
Central - 2 year term (Incumbent Ted Bedford [currently serving 1 year term])
Basketball Directors
Central - 2 year term (Incumbent Terry Lee)
Baseball Director - 2 year term (Incumbent Paul Gery)
The board selected Saturday, May 3, 2008 as the date for the Annual Business Meeting. The meeting will be held at North Marion High School and will begin at 9:00 AM. Members are reminded that if they have items that will require a constitutional change, these items must be submitted to the Secretary at least 30 day prior to the annual meeting.
The board selected Saturday, June 14, 2008 as the date for the annual Installation and Awards Banquet. A site has not yet been selected. Terri Adams will host this year’s event. Several former members of the association have or will be invited to the banquet. These include Gene Cowan, Gene Swift, and Richard Erlenbaugh. The board requested that members of the evaluations team also be invite. These include Wes Hargis, Lew Swan, Frank Washington, and Lagree Cason. All are current or former members of the MFOA.
Kevin Townsend addressed the board regarding issues he had with the booking of baseball. He stated that he did not feel that he had received a fair amount of games on the past booking. The booking was discussed with him by Paul Gery and Richard Sullivan and it was pointed out that his bookings were limited because of Kevin not attending a scrimmage or the entire field clinic. Paul and Jim Law have both agreed to work with Kevin and hopefully get him in position to get more games.
Reid Sergent wanted to reopen the issue regarding the vote on the dismissal of the Baseball/ Softball Booking Commissioner from the last board meeting. It was pointed out that the only way the issue could be reopened was if a person who voted against the motion requested a revote. The members of the board were asked if they wanted a revote and all declined. The issue was closed.
There being no further business to come before the board, a motion to adjourn prevailed.