Jul
03
Friday
John Donaldson
John Donaldson is not the longest serving PWC government relations guy, but he’s close. He had been in the power sports industry for over a decade when his then employer decided his gift for gab and ability to write completely confusing letters were a perfect match for dealing with politicians and legislators. Since the course change in his work history, Donaldson has worked for two of the biggest PWC manufacturers as well as having a turn at running the Personal Watercraft Industry Association. Donaldson says that these government relations experiences have helped him understand that it sure isn’t the government one learns about in a text book. Further in Donaldson’s past was his service in the U.S. Coast Guard and a few years as owner of a major power sports dealership in Southern California. This diversity of government, manufacturer, and retail experience qualifies Donaldson to help keep AWA members and others informed on the latest activities of government impact on the use of PWC in the PWC Nation.
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Chris Manthos
Chris Manthos serves as executive director of the American Watercraft Association. When not riding, he dedicates his time to educating regulators and other officials on the realities of personal watercraft, in contrast to the fantasy world of the no-access crowd. He mows his own lawn, washes his own truck, served his country, pays his taxes, picks up trash on public roads, opens his own beer bottles, reads books, hunts, feeds his own dogs, doesn’t need government to tell him right from wrong, and deplores sanctimonious hypocrites, bullies, and know-it-alls, particularly the political kind. Wiley Russell Jr.
Wiley Russell Jr. is the dealer coordinator of the AWA and works closely with personal watercraft dealers nationwide, promoting PWC access for all enthusiasts, as well as promoting dealerships. He is a Virginia native and enjoys riding PWC as much as possible. | Armadillos and Optimism |
| Written by Chris Manthos |
| Tuesday, 18 November 2008 19:40 |
 By the time you read this, the presidential election will be over, and thankfully so. It’s not a far stretch to suspect most of us are about done with the silly stump speeches, promises made but not to be kept, alleged scandals, and the always popular blame game over who really dropped the ball on the U.S. economy. The truth is both sides of the aisle are highly culpable, even as they point fngers. Congress, and their cohorts in the media continue a non-stop bombardment on our sensibilities and intelligence by fostering hardship in order to cover up their ineptitude in doing their jobs, and it seems to be working rather nicely for them. They have folks stressed and scared out of their wits, and for too many, rightfully so. But Congress folks themselves don’t appear to be all that worried. Perhaps it’s because, together, their net worth grew an astonishing 13 percent last year according to a recent clip from McClatchy Newspapers. The report goes on to say two thirds of the Senate and nearly 40 percent of the House reside in that oh so exclusive “Millionaires” club. By contrast, just 1… (Yep, only 1) percent of us regular folks are. Sorta’ puts things in perspective, doesn’t it? One definite way I know of to relieve stress --any kind of stress-- is to ride; and ride every chance possible. If it’s just out to the break water and back, cool. Down around the next river bend, that’ll do. Into the next cove after work, good enough. Riding personal watercraft brings peace, fresh air and the pure joy of being on the water. It keeps us afoat in times when we need it most. When you cut back on riding, you’re closing down a primary avenue to keeping your sanity in a world full of blowhards and self-anointed control freaks. My old Dad used to tell me “when you lay down with the dogs, you get up with the feas.” Older now, I fnally understand what he was getting at. We can roll up like threatened Armadillos, or we can be riding on the water with optimism. I will always choose the latter. Gas is relatively cheap and the water is still free. Economic down turns come and go. They always have and they always will. I’ll bet there is one group of people who are optimistic; the no- access crowd. They’re frothing at the mouth in anticipation their patrons in Congress will become even more aggressive on their behalf in their self-created crusade to restrict, deny, and ultimately, eliminate the Good People from having any sort of fun. It matters little if they come up way short of any solid science to back up their extreme agenda. Facts have never been their friend. It’s important that you not let your AWA membership expire. Now more than ever must we stand together as one community and preserve our personal choice of recreation. Your Association purposely keeps your membership contribution low. Unlike Congress, we know the realities of a real budget. For two dollars a month, you have a voice speaking for you in the states, in town halls, and up on Capitol Hill. That’s a bargain anywhere. 2009 brings the PWC Nation some of the most extraordinary personal watercraft ever produced. Now is the perfect time to get a real good deal on these stunning boats. A brand new shiny personal watercraft is a reasonably priced investment in your personal well-being, and a solid way to demonstrate your optimism in America. It’s also a positive way to help neighborhood small businesses, which are the very foundation of our economy. No matter what though, don’t ever, ever give up riding; it might be one of the best things you can do for yourself. Think Free. Live Free. Ride Free. Chris Manthos |
