I had to move my ice race car last Saturday nite (Feb 16, 2002) from the Uhaul rental place 2 blocks south of the fairground gates back to the fairground after slaving away on welding up the diff. It was late, raining, and I was cold and wet so I decided not to go and get the tow dolly unlocked and hitch it up to the truck, come down and load and tie down the car , drive back 2 blocks and untie unload, unhitch and relock up the dolley. Not only that I had had to miss the 25th anniversary dinner and reunion of old time ice racers held that evening having to work on the car instead. I made a calculated choice: I looked out on the road, it was late and deserted and I asked my friend to put on the high beams and follow me with my truck back to the fairgrounds. That was this past Saturday (Feb. 16th, 2002). This piece of paper was forwarded to me Wednesday (Feb. 20th, 2002) this week by email from Mavis Burnham, Ice Race Director who said that she had it faxed to her from the Minden Kinsmen Tuesday night.
It appears that certain people namely those belonging to the Kinsmen of Minden are intent on abusing and harrassing me. They are hanging me out to dry, using me as a scape goat, offering me up as a sacrifice to appease one local resident. But I believe it to be even more than this, I believe it is an attempt to "get even" as it were for what some people in the ice race community believe were actions taken by a few that reflected badly on the whole. Well I've got news for you. One, it was not because of me and two, you have chosen the wrong person to persecute. This is nothing less than harrasement. If this continues I could consider it as defamation of my character. This is never taken lightly. If you think I am going allow this to take place after all the time, effort, heartache and money I have spent on this season and contributed to this series and this community only to be short changed the opportunity to compete for the championship you are mistaken! In conversation with Tom Prentice, local Minden Kinsman, immediately following receipt of this piece of paper, I asked him if this were not so and he agreed that it was true that I was being used as an example to appease this one resident. He also admitted that he too and almost any one of the other ice racers had driven their ice race cars on that road at least once in the past. Is there a limitation on how long after this type of incident you can be penalized? I think not, therefore all who have ever driven their ice race cars on this road should be subject to the same decision. As Kinsmen you are in direct contradiction to your Association's Mission Statement which clearly states and I quote: "Grow. Learn. Make friends. Have fun." I don't feel like you are being friendly toward me and I am certainly not having fun! As Kinsmen you should be ashamed of your conduct in this matter. Your Association's Motto is , and I quote: "Serving the Community's Greatest Need". How is the community's need being served when you kick one of it's best supporters out? As an ice racer every weekend I alone contribute at the minimum $500.00 and more to the community directly and indirectly through lodging, food, fuel, propane, entertainment, track fees, repairs and parts for vehicles etc etc etc. In addition I contribute an immense amount of good will by advertising the local vicinity, people and spectacular natural environment of this area and this event both in written form (Scottish Auto Club News) and verbally to anyone and everyone who cares to listen creating an interest in our sport and the Town of Minden. I have helped immeasureably in ensuring that this has been a fun filled and successfull series ever since I became involved 5 seasons ago. Minden Kinsmen, you have the option at this point of recinding your "resolve" and I will suggest to you that you assess some kind of a fine that is more appropriate that could be used as a donation toward the timing trailer fund. That would be more in keeping with the spirit of this series and the Kinsmen Mission statement. I would like to offer my apology to the resident who took offence at my action however I do not even know who that is. I have yet to see the written report that was to have been handed to the Kinsmen that launched all this. I would also like to state that my action was not done with any other intent but to simplify an already complicated and exhaustingly long day. I would also simply ask why I was never questioned about my action by anyone including the police whose jurisdiction this falls under and why I was never charged under the Highway Traffic Act? The first I knew of any of this was Wednesday when I opened my email and was shocked to find this letter. Anyhow, none of this seems in keeping with the spirit or intent of this series and actions such as what the Kinsmen have undertaken in this and in other incidents in the recent past are only going to ultimately jeopardize the entire event from ever being held at this venue ever again and that wouldn't suprise me one bit. I strongly urge all who read this to contemplate what the implications of this type of behaviour by a few will have on future fun for all, the impact they will have on this series and finally consider what actions you might take to ensure that fun prevails. Scott Miller
|
