You're Letting Your Industry Down

Published: February 12, 2016 08:56 am EST

Not much surprises me about this industry anymore.
We have all come a long way since the slots program disappeared.

Not many ups, and way to many downs have made it a tough road for most of us.
But through it all, we as an industry somehow find a way to help each other when we are down and out.

So why can't we help ourselves?

I went to Mohawk on Wednesday for the meeting with ORA (the new Ontario Racing Association headed by John Snobelen)
I rushed up the stairs, and walked into a mostly empty room.
200 chairs set up, with a maximum of 65 people present.

Whether you like John Snobelen or not, he is one of the only people who has a direct connection to our province's leader in regards to the horse racing file.
Whether you believe him, or think he's full of it, why not show up?
If for nothing else, just to show solidarity?

What message do we send to the government, when after all we have been through, we don't care enough to voice our concerns about how unclear our future is?

I left Mohawk more angry and upset with horse racing than any member of government.

To the people who didn't care to come, you're letting down your industry.
To the people who forgot or couldn't make it, or simply didn't see the reminder of the meeting, I hope you show up to the next one.
To the people who came from all over the map, spoke, and made sure that people were represented, thank you very much.

Not just from me, but from the people who have been forced out of our industry.
Mostly unemployed, doing something they never thought they would; that is, working with something other than horses.

What do you think the government would do if they thought our industry in the south-western Ontario was represented by 65 people?
Dalton McGuinty and Dwight Duncan thought our numbers were weak, and look what they did.

Not very often I'm pessimistic, but how do you justify the government caring if we don't?
Don't worry about forming consensus on a proposal to close three tracks, would you care if they decided to close all of them?

Look at Pennsylvania this fall, or Florida right now.
The end is always near, and hard work is required from time to time.
You're not lazy people so stop acting like it.

You think your voice doesn't matter? Or you have nothing to say?

You're wrong, your attendance speaks volumes. Unfortunately so does your lack of attendance.

Anthony MacDonald


The views presented in Trot Blogs are those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of Standardbred Canada.

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