No 2013 Cam Fella Recipient

Thank you to those who have taken the time to write and express an opinion on the Cam Fella Award. We appreciate the feedback.

We've heard many concerns about the process of determining a winner and the perceived challenges that the process may have.

Policies and procedures are followed as set out by the Board and these policies will be reviewed at an upcoming board meeting.

John

....And here I thought I was just one of a few that was annoyed at the thought of No winner! From a now "outsider" .....it's time to change it up people! Even generational and lifetime particpants like myself are losing interest in this sport faster than a back quarter in 26 and change!

You are so right Sasha. These two tracks made the depression of the last 2 yrs. diminish considerably. They actually made race participants feel they could once again enjoy racing. Perhaps that was the problem - too many deserving recipients and a committee that didn't know how to handle it. Voting should be countrywide with all SC members having a vote. Let's get out of the elitism.

I find it hard to believe, that Bill Andrew does not meet the criteria for this award. There is nobody in my opinion that has done more and contributed more to the harness racing industry across all of Canada.
Im sure there are lots of other candidates that fit the criteria for the award as well.
Maybe the voting process has to be changed? because there definitely should be a recipient of this wonderful award!!

This is very hard to believe. Has the nominating committee "evaporated". Ed James probably spent at least $80,000 of his own money to expose the shortcomings of the OLG and the Ontario Liberal Party and he doesn`t even get mentioned. Also what`s wrong with Bob Burgess who has been relentless in his attempts to save horse racing in Ontario. In my humble opinion, they should both be given the Can Fella award for their contribution to Ontario racing.

In response to Kathy Wade's explanation:

Perhaps it's time to revamp the selection/election process. Who are these 16 people that decide on the worthiness of a candidate? It may be that they're not all that representative of the industry as a whole (please forgive me for this, but I'm including bettors as "industry participants"). Something more democratic may be in order, perhaps a submission process open to all interested parties succeeded by a vote open to all members of SC (and if possible extended to gamblers with an HPI account). That's just a spur of the moment suggestion, but surely anything would be better than having yet again no worthy nominee simply because of a lack of consensus by this anonymous panel.
Yes, things may seem dark, but there are beacons of light showing the way forward.
If this award indeed represents "extreme recent meritorious service to the Canadian harness racing industry", there are more than a few people and entities that merit recognition.

Just thought I would explain the process for the Cam Fella Award since I'm not sure everyone is aware of how a winner is determined. We have a Nomination Committee and their responsibility is to review all of the submissions and develop the ballot. The ballot along with all of the original supporting documentation for each name that appears on the ballot is sent to all members of our 16 person Election Committee which includes industry people from across the country.

The members of the Election Committee are asked to cast one vote – for one of the names listed or a No option, meaning that they don’t feel any of the candidates meet the criteria. To win the award, a candidate must receive a minimum of 9 of 16 votes.

That Greg Blanchard and the team at Western Fair weren't considered is a travesty. The handle's gone through the roof thanks to their efforts. They're not waiting for some direction from a panel or some such thing, they've taken the initiative to lower take out, and that's paying off in spades. Grand River's also to be commended for the same thing. These two tracks are the role models for the industry as a whole, and that their efforts haven't been recognized by this award is shameful.

I would have thought, that at the very least, ....fellow horseman Robert Burgess would have at least deserved an Honourable mention. For his tireless efforts, standing up to all comers... ( without renumeration ) on all our behalf's. Sad it's come to this. Our own industry leaders and endorsed representation can't see the value in the Burgess warrior. Is it any wonder I threw in the proverbial towel years ago. I respectfully wish you all the very best and prosperity in this insanity.

Shannon, I myself also find it hard to believe that there is no one worth celebrating the award. I had personally submitted a lengthy, meaningful nomination for this prestigious award and am disappointed to hear these headlines with no explanation.
Not only myself, but I also had letters of recommendation, from ministers of government, seven representatives from different race tracks across Canada, and many other horsemen/women written up, who have all expressed how worthy this person is of the 2013 Cam Fella award.
I cannot understand why they are not going ahead with a recipient for the award at this point, after already calling for nominations, having a deadline, and people putting the effort and time into submitting, in their opinion, a worthy candidate.
Something just does not add up.....

Jenn Trainor

I agree with Sugar. Right off the bat I think about Big Jim Carr. He is always the first to be involved when a member of the community needs help. That is so important and I know it's heartfelt.

If there is nothing else worthy then our business is surely all doom and gloom.

Maybe we should start awarding negative prizes. I remember an old program on TV where they awarded the "Flying Fickle Finger of Fate" Of course that one goes to the Liberals in General.

Georg Leber-ICR Racing

I find it hard to believe that there is nothing or no one, in the business of Canadian harness racing, worth celebrating by way of the Cam Fella Award this year. There were recipients for 8 years in a row (2003-2010) and now we have nothing?