DV, by DV

[Mike Braatz]

ToyCollector--- I'm the one who posted the amounts given to Cystic Fibrosis by Ed --- Cystic Fibrosis, in Columbus gave me those figures. Ed later posted that he gave them $12,000.00 not the $8,000.00 that they are claiming.

Turk and D. Semko -- it is my opinion -- that as a group, we must be concerned about financial responsibility when our names are attached to any financial commitment. Let me explain -- if some Cobra Club in Wa-Wa Washington has a fund raiser and raises $1,000.00 for Cystic Fibrosis they need to be assured that their $1,000.00 went to Cystic Fibrosis. That money must go to that charity. It can not be used for any other purpose--- if the monies or checks are written to The Spring Fling, thats different. That money can be spent on the Fling and what ever is left over can be donated to who ever Ed wants-- That's fine. Simko indicated that if someone wanted to find out where the money went we could find out, someone could dig through the record (my words). This should never happen --if a financial statement was issued 30 days after the event we would not be having this debate-- period-

To make the covert -- overt - It is my opinion that some are upset with Ed for "raffeling" off his Cobra instead of accepting a donated car, IE. Shell Valley has offered us a car for the past four years. One problem here is to many rumors --- no one know's for sure what happened. I've heard Ed received anywhere from $35,000.00 to $50,000.00 for the car-- I've heard that a small amount of money was raised on the raffel. That the monies raised for CF had to be spent to cover the cost of the Cobra. Ed has every right clear up the rumor mill -- as you guys know they (rumors) can be very distructive. Ed, please put an end to the rumor mill. The only way you can respond is, if the issues are on the table and I think it is very unfair, to you, if we are not upfront.
I'm sure you have nothing to hide and in all honesty, we (me) have not been upfront with you.

Finally, when some say the amounts given to CF are not important and they could care less,-- that's crazy and fiscally irresponsile. If it is not important-- let's quit being in the fund raising business--however, as long as we are -- we must be accountable. Side thought, take some of the money and hire a CPA or accountant-- to oversee and do the books--then at the conclusion of the Fling -- wala -- it's a done deal and very clean.
Again, I really hope this helps clear the air---

Ok-- Guys -- the purpose of this post is to clear up any questions.

Mike