McBarnette
sent me the following note Tuesday night: “I was involved with assigning my bids to other bidders. Although this type of collaboration between bidders is not permitted and I made a mistake for doing so, for which I take responsibility; multiple county attorneys conducting the auctions told me that I could assign my bids to other bidders and even assisted me in assigning my bids. The attorney for the state informed me it was not permitted. This rule prohibiting collaboration can not be found in any of the auction rules or any where in the state statutes. It is only in the case law, if you know what case to research. It is rarely enforced, although others do it. I cooperated with the state attorney and paid a fine without contesting it. If people want to know more, they can call me, 703 404 8429.” I’m still awaiting Bruce’s reply to a short series of questions. Stay tuned.
9 Responses
Late Tuesday night, Bruce sent me a final note: “No further comments.”
It appears taking full responsibility for your actions is a stretch.
You don’t need to be aware of any case law to know right from wrong.
I have seen other articles about master’s athletes that centered around non-track activities, and understand that Ken Stone has the right to publish these articles. In light of the fact this particular article appeared in a local newspaper with a relatively wide circulation, it is safe to assume there was no malicious intent with its publishing here. I do take issue with the need to try and contact Bruce McBarnette to elicit his comment on the article. Posting it and trying to further investigate it in my opinion are two different things. If he admitted to it freely, and paid the resulting fine (which by the way was already mentioned), it would appear that even those who have an appetite for this sort of thing would be satiated.
It appears you already had the facts. I see no further need to continue the quest for additional sound bites. Consider your job done.
Hi, Blake
I sent Bruce a note with five questions. He chose not to answer these, which is his right. It’s my job (as the self-appointed masters busybody) to ask the shameless questions. So here’s what I sent Bruce. You be the judge if I overstepped the bounds:
Hi, Bruce
Some quick questions for my blog:
1. How has this matter affected your training and mind-set going into a world championships year?
2. Are you done paying the fines and penalties? Can you afford them?
3. How did you get involved in these auction problems to begin with?
4. What do you want your friends in masters track to know about this case?
5. What are your masters track goals and plans this year?
Thankee.
ken
I have found Bruce to be a very stand up guy over the many years I have known him. Very positive and always willing to help fellow atheltes with tecnhique, encouragement etc. This seems like a technical issue open to legal opinion and I for one take him at his word and wish him great success in his quest for new high jump records as all of us age (hopefuly) into new age brakets over the years.
Now I beleive is a time where we encourage and lift him up with our prayers and positive comments. Good luck Bruce–Keep the faith!!!
Keith Mathis
“Good people do not need laws to tell them to act responsibly, while bad people will find a way around the laws.” – PLATO
It appears to me that the issue is closed. I would add that Bruce was always helpful to those at development meets in giving specific tips in the Fosbury flop method of high jumping. Although as I said to Bruce, thanks but unfortunately the lessons didn’t take for me.
This can be described in several ways but not as:
“…a technical issue open to legal opinion.”
What he was doing was shaking down those other bidders. And one of them was a church trying to clean up the neighborhood?? Nice…
The issue is quite clear in the law. Read it if you have to. If you can’t see this was wrong on it’s face, well…..
http://www.cnn.com/2011/US/01/07/michael.vick/index.html?hpt=T2
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