What Are Your Leaders Up To
3/2/10 by Terry Cullipher

    The horse industry in Kentucky has come to a crossroad. It's a do or die situation. For most people, there
    are many things you can't do anything about, simply because they are beyond your control. However, there
    are decisions you can make, that you are in total control of, such as, supporting your leaders. Or, choosing
    which leader or leaders "to" support, and which "not" to support.

    One of the most difficult parts of supporting your leaders (the people that are in position to make change)
    is not knowing anything about what they do. Yes, not knowing enough about things, like their non-
    transparent actions of what they do or don't in the best interest of the horse business, leaves many folks
    "out of the loop".

    This way of doing or not doing needs to change.

    Some leaders work very hard to move the industry forward, while others just use it as a title and do very
    little. Some are voted in leadership positions and don't even do as much as attend meetings on boards and
    committees they are elected to serve on.

    The idea here is to shed some light on, to what your leaders are doing to help you and the horse industry.
    Remember, they chose to take on the title. These people play an important role as leaders in the horse
    industry. They have an obligation. And when they do something productive, you should know about it.

    Throughout the year, we will bring more up-to-date information on the ones that we see as industry leaders
    in Kentucky. As to what they are doing to move the industry forward, we will report the meetings and
    events they attend, including ideas, promotions, and the efforts these men and women make for the horse
    business.

    These are the people that play an important role as leaders that we will keep tabs on:
    Alan Leavitt - Mr. Leavitt currently sits on the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission as a member.
    Ken Jackson - Mr. Jackson currently sits on the KEEP board of directors representing the harness racing industry.
    Joe Costa - Mr. Costa currently sits on the KEEP board of directors and is President of the Red Mile.
    Bob Stewart - Mr. Stewart currently sits on the KEEP board of directors and is President of the
                            Kentucky Harness Horsemen's Association.
    Kentucky Harness Horsemen's Association - Is made up of 18 people that represent the harness horse people in Kentucky.
    Kentucky Horse Racing Commission - Is the group that regulates the sport and is funded by the taxpayers of Kentucky.

    These are leaders that are in power. What they do or don't do will have an effect on the industry, one way
    or the other. If you know of something that one of them have done to help the industry, feel free to send it
    in. If you know someone else that has done something out of the ordinary to help the industry, please send
    it to us.

    Supporting a leader is your decision. And make no mistake about it, it's a very important one. These days
    it’s not enough to hear that, “Joe Smith is really important.” or "Joe Smith is a good ole boy."

    Remember, transparency is a good thing, and it's healthy for the business. It promotes growth. The more
    information you have, the better decisions you'll be able to make. Donald Trump once said, "If something is
    going to affect your life, it's best to know as much as you can about it."




Comment sent in by Ken Terpenning Tuesday, March 2, 2010 11:50 AM
    Dear Watchdog Committee,

    I agree with your article that there comes a time for people to step up and pass judgment on their elected officials as to whether or not
    they are doing the job they brag that they are doing and whether or not what they are doing is in your best interests. The only flaw I see
    in the whole issue is this… we can hold our elected officials responsible for what they do and do not do, but who holds us accountable
    for the same? In other words, it is one thing to say what you are in favor for or talk about how you would change things, but the bottom
    line is what have “We the People” actually done??

    We say we want our sport to survive, we say slots is a key to making that happen, even if it is only for a few more years, but the lack of
    the people in the industry actually getting involved is near non-existent. I believe we can count on just a couple of fingers the number of
    rallies we have held in Frankfort. What about attending the KHHA meetings as members and voicing our opinions? Or Lobbying the
    doors of the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission?? What about simple things like typing up fliers and handing them out on the steps of
    the Capitol or simply talking to people on the street and having them sign a petition?

    Yes, the bulk of the responsibility is on the elected officials to take action, but did our Forefathers and the Colonists sit idly by and wait
    for the British to go away and leave them be? No! They took actions that spurred our elected officials to act, like dumping boxes of tea
    into the Boston Harbor and holding meetings amongst each other to discuss what they could do to spur change, not to mention rising up
    and taking control when the British bullied average citizens around by stripping their lands, killing their livestock, burning their houses
    and raping their women. These events by “We the People” gave way to the birth of our country and its freedom we enjoy today.

    So I ask you, Watchdog Committee and fellow Horsemen and Women…what exactly have we done to help our cause?? (*Cue the
    crickets!*) And, what will we do going forward to force a change for the better of our industry, our lives and our families???

    Kenneth W. Terpenning
"Nothing Personal"
"Just Business"