To the NW Kite Community: Who the CGKA needs

Storm · Since 05 Mar 2008 3 Posts Kook

"Garret is very modest, and will always look out for others' interests over his own. Go G!"

Never known any surgeons to be modest and honestly where is a pediatric surgeon going to have the time to run an organization like CGKA? Thought this was about kiting not who's cutest!

tonia · Since 15 Jun 2005 209 Posts The Gorge Stoked

Storm,

You obviously don't know Garret!

BTW, just noticed you joined nwkite today and this is your first post. Welcome! Are you a member of the CGKA?

BlowMeAKiss · Since 05 Mar 2008 49 Posts

Considering who will represent CGKA are VERY VERY important choices. Those who serve will be creating long lasting impressions in the community, as well as the sporting industry.

Truly signifigant appointments, especially now, as kiteboarding is on the verge of exploding into a well known activity.

Storm · Since 05 Mar 2008 3 Posts Kook

[quote="tonia"]You obviously don't know Garret!

Your absolutely right! I don't know those running for office mostly do to the fact there hasn't been much description of whose who. So, I have to go off what I do know and that is the current President has done a great job and if he wants a hand at it again "he's got my vote!"
BTW I am a member and a proud resident of Hood River born and raised.

BlowMeAKiss · Since 05 Mar 2008 49 Posts

But he is really really cute.

Storm · Since 05 Mar 2008 3 Posts Kook

[quote="BlowMeAKiss"]But he is really really cute.[/quote]

For an old guy!

BlowMeAKiss · Since 05 Mar 2008 49 Posts

So I just got to ask what was the AGENDA in specifically calling out Garret's profession? Ya think maybe he knows better then YOU where he can devote his time and attention?

A person of PRINCIPLE and DICIPLINE can accomplish many things in life. EXTRAORDINARY is it not to have such an individual, someone who oversees the total well being of the most vulnerable in our society, to also have the HEART and PASSION to DEDICATE themselves to the health and safety of everyone here.

P.S. Google Zallen, his accomplishments, merits, commitments are SOLID for the past 2 decades. His reputation as a PEDIATRIC SURGEON is without question OUTSTANDING and REMARKABLE successful.

pdxmonkeyboy · Thu Mar 06, 08 10:27 am

As many of you probably have figured out, I love to be smart ass, stir the shit at times, and in general act like a goofball in the name of people laughing and having a good time. I have watched the CGKA rise and fall over that last few years. People getting all excited and motivated in the spring, and then mystically, the CGKA seems to disappear when the weather gets good and everyone is out kiteboarding. For once, I think the CGKA is gathering some steem.

This post started out with very good intentions and was definitely needed but it is truly upsetting to me to see it diverge into accusations about a persons character “I have never known a surgeon to be humble” or to make the accusation that he doesn’t have the time to devote to the CGKA. Honestly, it makes me sick to my stomach to think about Garret logging on and reading that shit. I have no idea what the whole deal is concerning the underhanded tactics or what the hood river rumor mill has worked up and I really don’t care.

It’s obvious that the candidates need to make a statement and I have been informed via PM that they will be doing just that. I think it is important to remind people that stepping forward to testify about a person’s character or work ethic does not imply that any other candidates do not have such abilities or attributes.

To that end, I am continually impressed by Garret; his humble nature and pleasant demeanor. I was completely surprised when I found out that he was a surgeon. To interact with Garret, be aware of the hard work he has done for the KB community, and to know that he is a pediatric surgeon; its hard not to come to the conclusion that he is an extraordinary person. I remember calling him last summer to see if he was going to come out to Sauvie, thinking that maybe he was sitting at a desk or kicking around the house looking for something to do. He called me back and when I asked him what was up, he replied (in the tone I would use if I just finished watching TV), “Oh I am just cleaning up, I just finished up with a patient, it was an 8 hour surgery, so I’m a little tired”. As if he was changing the oil on his car. And my point is that its not so much that he has the ability to concentrate for that long or perform surgery on a CHILD, or the fact that it takes some serious dedication to get to the point where you can actually operate on someone, it's the fact that Garret plays it off as no big deal. That's just what he does. Your an environmental consultant and deal with red tape all day, I operate on children to save their lives.."wow, great wheather today huh.

I realize that this is turning into a one man tribute to Garret, and I know that he probably doesn't want the attention; I just wanted to remind him that those of us that know who you are excited that you have decided to put forth the energy, run for president of the CGKA ,and subject yourself to a small amount of bullshit like this.

And a gently reminder to everyone else, that rooting for one candidate by dissing another is truly in poor taste. Not only in the professional political arena, but especially in this case, when people are volunteering their time to help everyone.

PDXMB out.

blancoh2o · Since 15 Mar 2005 1154 Posts Oregon Phishy

To all that might read this and to those attending the CGKA meeting on Saturday:

First and foremost, I would like to appologize for not being able to attend the meeting. I have to work on Saturday morning through Monday morning. I even have to miss my wife's birthday on Saturday so I am going to be in the doghouse. At lease my doghouse will have food in it because I have a job.

I have volunteered to be the CGKA special events coordinator and there isn't anyone running against me. Because I will not make the meeting I thought it would be appropriate for me to introduce myself and state my intentions.

My real name is Steve fisher and I live in Sherwood Oregon.
I am 42 years old and have a wife and daughter.
I have been kiting since 2002 and have been hooked ever since.
I usually kite in Stevenson and have been known to venture East if the wind is better out that way. I prefer the coast when I know that it is sure thing.
I work shift work(24hrs on/48hrs off), so I can kite a good amount of time and still spend time with my family.

My intentions as Special Events Coordinator is not to run every kiteboarding event throughout the state of the Gorge. My goal is to keep the peace amongst the various event coordinators, develop a strong network of individuals and sponsors who can contribute to succesful events(either financially or with staffing) in our region, maintain a fluid and non-conflicting schedule of events and last be not least make sure that the CGKA blowout is successful again this year.(several of us were in laVentana this winter for the kite expo and race, I think we learned a lot from that event) We shold be able to apply some of the things we learned in order to make the blowout a bit more manageable this year.(Shay is already working on the permits)

I am a co-chair of the Bridge of the God's Kiteboarding Festival. I have learned a lot and met a lot of good people willing to help since becoming involved with that project and I would like to bring that to the CGKA.

I am impartial with any of the other campaigning going on and look forward to work with all of you. I have a feeling that once the elections are complete, all of the candidates will remain involved in the organization in some form or another. We all have too much to loose if there is negativity amongst the kiting community here. You don't have to look too far in the past to remember how young our sport is. There is so much to look forward to and so many good things that have developed in the region during the last 3 years or so.

Thanks for reading this lengthy post, I appologize for my absense on
Saturday.

Respectfully,
Steve

Bettyboarder · Fri Mar 07, 08 7:12 am

Steve,

Glad your going to be part of CGKA this year. Can't wait for all the events this summer Very Happy