It is an absolute shame, that all this has had such a negative effect on what was a great organization, that I always looked forward to meeting with, and all the wonderful friends I met and cherished, who hold a grudge against those of us who have joined Triadics, so we can continue some of those friendships made in the past. I think it would be a good thing to get together and iron out all the wrinkles that have occurred. Just my opinion..
As A BTW member the last some years I have not responded on any forum, as I like to just read the post. I don't feel you are a lone with your text. Keep a stiff upper lip. Laters *_*
It is my understanding that Alex Ross was in attendance at the trike meet held in Eureka Springs and is continuing his assault on my reputation. I thought if I refrained from participating in any BTW events he would be satisfied and give up with the accusations. As I am banned from the BTW web site, I cannot defend myself there but I wanted at least the Missouri members to know that I am not to blame for his financial woes. Since no one, whom I used to consider to be my friends, will even tell me what his accusations are, I cannot defend myself against them. I guess that lets me know who are my actual friends. I would be glad to sit down and discuss anything with any members what would care to do so. I do know that one of his accusations is that I used BTW money to buy the trailer house that we used for the office. I did purchase the trailer, with the approval of the Board of Directors, as BTW needed an office and had no credit rating to buy one. The purchase price of the trailer was $18,000, which I took out a personal loan for at my bank. It was paid off in three years but BTW continued to use that office for the next 7 years at no charge. That amounts to $150 a month for rent. Far less that the $4,000 a month that Alex is charging BTW for its office now which is located in his home and I can guarantee you that BTW is not going to own the home once it is paid for. I wanted the trailer be in my name as I wasn't going to have a trailer on my property, connected to my utilities, that wasn't mine and I had no legal control over.
When Alex took over BTW, all the bills were paid to date. BTW owed no one for anything. We gave Alex all monies from the BTW account and all the proceeds from Trike Week. I think the total was in neighborhood of $6,000. Along with the money, we gave him all the BTW merchandise and inventory which was also all paid for. He had no bills other than the ones he created. Even if that was not the case, he has been running BTW for 2 years now and has had plenty of time to get BTW's finances in order but he still maintains it is my fault he has no money. I managed to run BTW for 30 years without going to the members for money other than their membership dues. I understand that he is now demanding a portion of all monies made at chapter events and has even gone so as to want the chapters to send money to BTW HQs. Where is all that money going? What are the members getting in return? A magazine 6 times a year that has been habitually at least a month late. I understand that BTW is no longer hosting the chapter web sites. They haven't added one new item to the BTW store since they took office. They no longer offer help with Chapter flyers or chapter events. I used to spend hours designing flyers for chapters that needed one for an upcoming event. They offer no tech support as Alex has never built a trike and knows nothing about it. I presume the online store has been shut down by now as most of what it contained was shirts I had designed for chapter events that were held held long ago.
Tom Semro doesn't want to be my friend any more and said I was a "shi* disturber". Perhaps I was but all I did was ask questions that Alex didn't want to answer. It if that is being a "shi* Disturber", BTW could use a few more about now. Marilyn and I have attempted to sit down with Sheri and Jerry to discuss what is going on but they apparently have no desire to meet with us. I really thought that they were someone that knew the real Jim and Lady and wouldn't be so quick to condemn us based on accusations made by someone who is trying to cover up his own short comings.
I keep hearing that everything needs to be put in the past and BTW needs to move forward. It is Alex, not I, that continues to drag up things from the past. He has no past with BTW so there is nothing there to drag out any way. I have 30 years of doing what was best for BTW members. Did I make mistakes? Sure I did but, when I did, I shouldered responsibility for them and didn't try to find someone else to blame them on.
BTW was founded as a brotherhood. It is disheartening to learn that so many of its members don't have a clue what brotherhood is all about including the guy who is now running it.
-- Edited by Hillbilly Jim on Tuesday 24th of June 2014 12:04:24 PM
