Posted: 12/10/2007 7:29:25 PM EDT
|
Hmmm…anyone given fliers on “Saving the WAC” from the current regime? To summarize Save the WAC states... To summarize, the flier states that the current leadership is corrupt because -monthly bored meetings take place in secret. -has been without a treasurer for 2 years -has not had an independent audit in two years -funds are being wasted -has opened wac to multiple lawsuits -has not found an alternative meeting place The “Concerned members of the WAC” WAC state -Re-election of current leadership will put the WAC into extinction -We need to elect officers who will meet in open session -We need a board who will spend money wisely -We need a board who save the club from extinction 
|
| I was there both days for a couple hours each and didn't see anyone handing out fliers except the ones for the new gunshop on Meridian. Was it "low-key" or was it a big occasion? Maybe I missed out on it if someone put the brakes on it before I got a flier. Like the former said, if they have another plan or direction then now would be a good time to share those views before the election, but as far as a distribution at a WAC show I'm sure the residents being bashed wouldn't take too kindly to it much. |
I don't care, but I do respect the friends that don't want it to go away. As I have stated in that other thread they won't get anymore money from me. The beany babys just don't do anything for me. Now if they sold inflatable sheep that might be different! 
|
|
Depends on who the next crop is... Honestly, at this point I could go without it, I like to have them around for the stuff in Olympia, I like to have them around to rub the noses of the media in "it" when they pull their "loophole" crap. But honestly, The shows are getting to be lame, and with the prices of everything I understand trying to fill tables... But I dont see a reason to fill them with junk that is not gun related. I would also like to see a WAC building in the future. Im still unsure of the current drama going on, and what the reasoning is... |
+106 That, in my opinion, is one of the major reasons to be a member. Their activism has done more for gun owners in this state than just provide a convenient target for WAHTF complaints about the shows. I find it cowardly that there appears to be a group who wants to complain about the current leadership but isn't willing to stand up and be counted. Hiding in the shadows of anonymity isn't going to create change. They need to have the balls to take on the current officers and beat them in an election, not spread rumors behind their backs. |
|
We can make it a better show and club. For those that don't know Phil i Seattle, Brett Evens, and I (Robert, Smith) are running for board member positions. Stokes also has nominated another good guy but I don't know his name. Yes the current crop running WAC is going to break its back. So right off the bat you know 4 good guys to vote for. If we get in I know we can make some changes for a better more profitable club. |
|
Just some odds and ends... Gunshows don't have the same appeal to one timers and newbies because of the price of guns and ammo. Long gone are the days when someone could walk in off the street, become a member and buy an SKS and 500 rounds of ammo for under $200. I'll wager that 90% of the current members of the WAC could give a shit about what the WAC does as far as the lesiglature (and legal issues) go. I'll wager that 90% of the people could give a shit that the WAC is trying to get its own building. Why did Joe Waldron pull up stakes so quickly (after spending/putting in so much time and energy with the WAC and as a lobbyist)? With the current state of affairs concerning "public land" (or the lack of it) and open areas for people to go shooting I'll say that a lot of people who bought that SKS and that ammo put it away in the garage once they put up a forest gate and posted "no shooting" on their favorite spot of public land. As far as I am concerned that WAC made the decision to be what it is many many years ago (probably 20 years ago). Hindsight is 20-20...The WAC should have bought land out in Snohomish or King County and built a clubhouse and a world class range facility. The WAC should have gotten out of the promotion end of gunshows and set itself up along the lines of the California Rifle and Pistol Association. Instead of promoting gunshows (to make money) they should have been sponsering them and letting someone else run the gun show. The "good ole days" of buying cheap guns and ammo are long behind us. These are the "good ole days". Being realistic, what can be done to fill the WAC shows up with more tables and vendors? Not much. What is the WAC going to do, tell the rip-off "charge you $100 over what you can get it on the internet" dealers and the "fuck you, I am going to make all of my money on this one gun sale" table holders to LOWER the prices they ask on their guns? Once someone has been around for a while they start to understand the workings of the WAC vendors they say "fuck it" and look for cheaper places to buy. I can spend $30 on a C&R FFL and get a discount from Brownells and buy most anything I want CHEAPER on line (and for the most part cheaper INCLUDING shipping) that what I can find it for at the fun shows. Let's not talk about the tables full of Big5 rifles that are going for 100% OVER what you can go to Big5 and buy them for when they are on sale. I can go to Mary's pistols and buy damn near any gun from them cheaper than I can find it/buy it at a WAC show, get better customer service. With the economy in the shitter not a lot of people have the extra spending money to go buy an SKS for $325 and 500 rounds of ammo for $175. |
Not a lot we can do about that--popularity/demand have something to do with it.
And hopefully they won't regret it.
Many are probably unaware that there is a building fund. And I have seen it presented as an issue during WAC elections before. Myself, I'm ambivalent on the subject--it would be great if WAC had it's own facility, but I'm not sure it's a practical aspiration.
Don't know that WAC ever ran gun shows to make money, so much as to provide a service for members. |
|
John Rodabaugh (sp?) is a FFL dealer and the Prosecuting Attorney for several small King/Pierce/Snohomish towns. He's been around WAC for several years. Im sure a lot of your would recognise his face if not his name. Good guy and a black rifle guy to the core. Ive got no qualms about voting out the current leadership and replacing them with Phil/Brett/Bob/John. Seriously, they couldnt fuck this up any worse then say Leland Bull/Irv Benzion/Don Mancini/Joe Waldron who all replaced the previous head,circa 1993 (can't recall the name right now),Dennis?) due to financial mismanagement and lack of transparancy. When the show manager threatens a long time vendor with a lifetime ban from WAC shows after overhearing the vendor asking another vendor what a show manager does to earn a $40K salary, something has got to change. For better or worse the club has changed and it's previous leadership has dragged ass and formed multiple committees and mired itself in bullshit rather then pushing ahead to make the most of the clubs assets, IIRC the building fund alone is 1Mil+. No idea what else WAC has for assets. |
You really should start reading your newsletters from the WAC.  How do you think they are going to pay for the land and building (if and when they ever do buy one)? Of course they are in it to make money, they have paid members, they have expenses, the have overhead. The WAC is not non-profit. |
No shit Sherlock, I was pointing that out. What can a bunch of new members of the board do about that? They are still going to want to fill the building up with as many firearm related tables and vendors as possible. And when it comes time to turn a profit (or break even) they are going to have to allow the beanie baby and beef jerky vendors to buy table space and sell because their money is just as good as a anyone elses. |