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Greetings!
 January 27, 2007
In the next few days members of the ARBA will receive their January-February edition of the Domestic Rabbits magazine. Note that it has a new look including color and color pictures throughout in addition to lighter paperweight. With the in-house work by our ARBA staff the new look is both impressive and less expensive to produce than previous issues. Note also that these changes are the beginning of an evolution of the magazine. Personally, I am excited about the changes Brad has already introduced and very much look forward to what he the group he is working with come up with over time.
This issue of the DR notes some passages. We lost members this past year and have a retiring judge. Dennis Gill and George Parmer passed from this earth. Unfortunately Dennis passed not long after moving to Oregon and before I was able to get to know him. On the other hand, I knew Mr. Parmer and his lovely wife Maxine well. George was a fine Dutch breeder and he and Maxine were great promoters of the breed and worker bees at local shows. It is telling of the turnover in rabbits that many of our current breeders and exhibitors likely do not know either
George or Maxine. Be assured that we are poorer
for their absence and great humor around our judging tables.
Fred Roberts of Canada has retired as a judge. In 1987 I got to work with Fred for my judge’s license. I appreciated his counsel and support—and wish him and Irene well.
In my DR message you will read some ideas and wonderings about our Youth program. I hope that the ideas expressed there do not die with the article but rather spark discussion about what we might do as a District to expand the reach of our youth activities—especially in the areas that do not have formal structures for youth activity now.
Congratulations to District One member appointed to various ARBA Committees including Nita Boatman (OR), Scott Rodriguez (WY), Helen Eden (MT), Scott Weibensohn (OR), Kevin Rudolph (WA), Muriel Keyes (OR), Tracy Iverson (OR), Vern Palmblad (OR), Sharon Webb (OR) and Lisa Iverson (OR). If you think you might be interested in being on an ARBA committee next time around, let me know. The way the process works that will be no guarantee that you will wind up on a committee, but I will have a much better chance of advocating for your interest in I know you are interested. I would love to expand the list to include representatives from Idaho, Canada and Japan next time.
If you have checked out the ARBA web site and seen President Hayhow’s message or are a subscriber to “Show Bunny”, the on line chat group—then you know that there is some controversy regarding an animal ordinance passed in Louisville, Kentucky, the approved site of our 2008 ARBA Convention and Show. In my job, I routinely work with government regulations and elected officials, sometimes to influence public policy. Please be assured that, based on my experience, President Hayhow and the ARBA Board are acting in a reasonable and timely manner to address the concerns raised that affect both ARBA members in that area and our impending Convention in 2008.
Our District is looking forward to the opening of our spring show season and I look forward to seeing many of you around the showroom in the coming months.
If you are not a member of the ARBA, I encourage you to join us. You can find our website with a simple search and become a member by completing an application and payment on line.
Roger Hassenpflug, Director
ARBA District One
4685 W Griffin Creek Road
Medford, Oregon 97501
districtone@jeffnet.org |
