Media man Weiner reflects on Mathews resignation
Bob Weiner, head of the USATF Masters T&F Media Subcommittee, was proud of his group’s operations at Charlotte nationals, generating some nice daily features in the Charlotte Observer (on Trent Lane, Phil Raschker, Kathryn Martin and others over the weekend). He also was tickled pink over broadcast coverage on Day 1 — even if some of the news was about bodies broiling in the heat. But with my post on George Mathews resigning as USATF Masters T&F chair, Bob assumes the role of a news participant. He adds his insider perspective.
Bob writes:
“If George is resigning over some … $3,000-4,000 in 2005 he told me this week were re-appropriated because division heads were asked to submit (and then received checks for) requests for what they spend that they had not been reimbursed for, that’s pretty thin skin.
“By the way, our media request was, yes, for about $700 that I’d spent but hadn’t requested reimbursement for because of budget limitations. So when budgeted people like us were asked if we had extra expenses not yet reimbursed, fine, I sent it in; and they sent back a check from unused overall budget funds.
“I think George had my specifics on his mind because I’d talked with him right before the meeting, and others hadn’t (my style is when something arises, talk about it). What happened by the way, in my case and the others reimbursed, does not seem unusual; agencies do it all the time at the end of a budget year.
“I wonder why George felt it necessary to cc “higher-ups” at USATF over a process issue (not a merit issue). He could have discussed the whole thing among the masters executive committee or delegates to the Indy convention rather than alert USATF officials who have impact on the masters budget — and I said that to George.
“Back to the point of his concern, I actually think he should have made the offer himself for reimbursing extra expenses from our overall budget availability rather than waiting for the Treasurer to do it.
“However, we need to express gratitude to George for going through all kinds of time and effort in doing many positive things for masters, in a very professional way — it’s not time to jump on either George or Joy.
“In a volunteer organization, we need everyone who will give of time and effort and I’ve actually learned to like and respect George and his dedication, as well as his rational approach. I deeply appreciate his work for masters track and field; and it’s a great model to have a current masters world champion athlete who also gives so much in terms of administration for the good of the sport.”
Me again:
I wrote to Treasurer Joy McDonald last night, asking for her comments. I’ll post anything that she gives the OK for me to share.
