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.
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. PO Box 1993 | Ashburn, VA 20147 | p. 800.913.2921 | f. 703.777.1566
| Disconnected |
| Written by Chris Manthos |
| Thursday, 08 July 2010 10:36 |
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It might encourage some real ‘stimulus’ for a change instead of bailing out yet another unsustainable bloated entity. It would provide AWA Dealers and hard working AWA members a tiny break in these worrisome conditions. But it won’t happen. Certain committee members in the North Carolina legislature were quick to scorn any such assistance to the small business owners in their state. One committee member claimed she could see the reason for providing the very same sales tax holiday for “energy star” certified appliances so as to “reduce our carbon footprint and stop building power plants” but no such luck for local business own ers. Never mind that a recent Government Accounting Office audit offered 20 completely bogus items for “energy star” certification, and had 15 of them approved, including the now infamous “gasoline powered alarm clock.” Let’s not confuse the representative with reality.
Another committee member suggested that as a small business owner herself, she had no sympathy for folks who couldn’t “control their inventory.” Her business was a hair salon. There is a vast difference between 20 bottles of shampoo on a shelf and 20 contractually obligated personal watercraft on a showroom floor.
Astonished at the sudden hostility, I spoke up on behalf of this much needed measure trying to educate these elected persons that the hypothetical tax revenue not collected during the 72 hour holiday would vastly pale in comparison to keeping dealerships open and mechanics twisting wrenches and citizens buying oil, tires, life vests, etc. I reminded them that these jobs were in their districts, not in some foreign land. I pointed out that AWA dealers support other jobs in their districts as well, and that a business open is far cheaper than a business closed to a local community. This issue is about jobs, jobs, jobs, and they still didn’t get it. The seeming indifference to the plight of America’s small business by elected representatives is alarming. On a dubious voice vote, any attempt to give North Carolina AWA dealers and members a tiny bit of help was done for this year.
Contrast the above with a call we took here at AWA a few weeks ago. A rider wanted to renew his membership. He’s attended AWA rides before and believes in the work his Association does on behalf of all personal watercraft owners. He, like too many other Americans, lost his job months ago. Though things are tight, he felt it was important to keep up his membership for the greater good of the cause. We were blown away.
An easy and cost effective opportunity to assist local small business owners for a single weekend is treated with hostility by a legislative body, yet a single citizen, who hasn’t worked for months, believes keeping his AWA membership current is the right thingto do. Can there be any doubt as to who the Good People really are in this nation?
If you’re not registered to vote, you need to be. If you’re not tuned into what’s going on in your community, your state, and in the swamp here on the Potomac, you need to be. If you know riders who aren’t members of the AWA, talk to them. If you need parts, a watercraft, or service, make sure your dealer is an AWA Supporting Dealer, and thank them for it. These business owners are helping continue your PWC heritage.
The continuing callousness combined with nonsensical hyper over regulation by legislatures exemplifies the remarkable disconnect that is the very reason all Americans are concerned. It can, and I believe it will change, but only if the PWC Nation takes direct action and becomes involved. Our task is to keep you informed and educated on the issues at hand. But your vote is the one that counts.
Think Free. Live Free. Ride Free Chris Manthos |
It was plain common sense; provide state sales tax relief on the purchase of personal watercraft and ATV’s for just a single weekend a year making it more affordable for riders to purchase a new craft or set of recreational wheels. It could entice folks to get into an AWA Supporting Dealer. 72 hours was all.