The meeting was called to order by president, Scott Woogen at 6:15 p.m.
ROLL CALL: Those present by phone were: Scott Woogen, Greg Trotto, Betsy Brown, Charles Robbins, Anne McDonald, Tyler Shehan, Wilma Foley and Debbie Warnick. A quorum was declared.
MEETING MINUTES: The minutes from the previous Board of Directors meeting held on November 5, 2018 were approved as written.
TREASURER’S REPORT: The treasurer’s report as of December 30, 2018 was reviewed and approved as written.
OLD BUSINESS:
Item 1. Certified Residency Program Scott announced that the VEA has budgeted money to fund a Virginia Standardbred Certified Residency program starting with the foals of 2019. There was a lot of discussion on how this program should be structured. Debbie will compile all the items agreed upon into a document that will be further reviewed. Debbie will contact farms that may be interested in participating and compile a list of them.
Item 2. Virginia Breeders’ Fund Program It was agreed to table any changes to the current Breeders’ Fund Program until at least next year.
NEW BUSINESS:
Item 1. Board Members There are two board member seats that need to be filled. Both of these seats are for the remainder of this year. These vacancies have been advertised on Facebook, our website and by word of mouth. There have been two VHHA members, Randy Jackson and Jan Nofsinger, apply for the seats. It was moved and seconded to accept both Randy and Jan as new board members. Motion passed unanimously. Debbie will notify both of them.
Item 2. Shenandoah County Fair The Fair Board will be holding a meeting on January 20th to discuss how to proceed with harness racing at the fair. Everyone from the VHHA board is invited to attend. It was agreed that we need to support them however possible to see that racing continues at the fair.
Item 3. 2019 Early Closer Rules The early closer rules for this year were reviewed. There are no changes that need to be made. They can be published as written. VHHA Board of Directors Meeting January 15, 2019 Page 2 Item 4. Legislature Update Scott provided an update on the various bills concerning casinos and sports betting and how they could possibly affect us. The VEA is actively working to ensure that any bills require horse racing to receive a percentage of income.
As there was no further business to be discussed, Scott Woogen adjourned the meeting at 8:00 p.m.
Respectfully submitted, Debbie Warnick Executive Director