(Editor’s note: Served as a Member of the WV Racing Commission from February, 2013 until January 31, 2017 when Governor Justice replaced me after taking office.)
The West Virginia Racing Commission will again make their meetings available via conference call. Chairman Jack Rossi deserves a vote of thanks from the horseman, track officials and this blog. He stepped up and corrected the elimination meeting conference calls.
This was a convenient means of communication between the commission and its constituents. The racing industry needed to know what the Commissioners were discussing at their meetings. Conference calls were a cost effective way to accomplish that objective.
Racing Commissioners are now owed the respect of those participating by conference call. Callers must put their phones on mute as past meetings were disrupted by barking dogs and other unneeded noises. The Commission is conducting important business which impacts a challenged industry.
The WV Racing Commission was not trying to “hide” anything. They were seeking a quite decision making environment.
(PS – It begins again today at 2PM. To connect 312..757.3111 with access code 638912285. Remember be quite.)